Green synthesis of silver nanoparticlesusing the aqueous extract of the leaves of garlic plant (Allium sativum)

Abstract

Many studies of biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles have been described using garlic bulb extract (Allium sativum) as a reducing agent. However, the use of its leaves is little known as it is considered a waste product. In this study, silver nanoparticles size obtained with the aqueous extract of the garlic leaves were compared using two different heating techniques: plate and microwave. The nanoparticles obtained were characterized by Visible UV spectrophotometry, electron transmission microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Xray diffraction (XRD). As a result, the average size nanoparticles obtained were 15.4±7.9 and 9.9±10.5 nm, using both techniques. Based on the statistical analysis carried out it was proven that there are significant differences in relation to the size of the nanoparticle obtained. It is concluded that the aqueous extract of the leaves of garlic plant is a suitable reducing agent for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles and that the microwave technique is more effective because of the speed and size of nanoparticles obtained.