Open AccessOptimisation of nitrate reductase enzyme activity to synthesise silver nanoparticles
Author(s) -
Khodashenas Bahareh,
Ghorbani Hamid Reza
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
iet nanobiotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1751-875X
DOI - 10.1049/iet-nbt.2015.0062
Subject(s) - nitrate reductase , nanoparticle , nanobiotechnology , silver nanoparticle , chemistry , enzyme , nanotechnology , materials science , biochemistry
Today, the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) is very common since it has many applications in different areas. The synthesis of these nanoparticles is done by means of physical, chemical, or biological methods. However, due to its inexpensive and environmentally friendly features, the biological method is more preferable. In the present study, using nitrate reductase enzyme available in the Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacterium, the biosynthesis of Ag NPs was investigated. In addition, the activity of the nitrate reductase enzyme was optimised by changing its cultural conditions, and the effects of silver nitrate (AgNO 3 ) concentration and enzyme amount on nanoparticles synthesis were studied. Finally, the produced nanoparticles were studied using ultraviolet –visible (UV–Vis) spectrophotometer, dynamic light scattering technique, and transmission electron microscopy. UV–Visible spectrophotometric study showed the characteristic peak for Ag NPs at wavelength 405–420 nm for 1 mM metal precursor solution (AgNO 3 ) with 1, 5, 10, and 20 cc supernatant and 435 nm for 0.01M AgNO 3 with 20 cc supernatant. In this study, it was found that there is a direct relationship between the AgNO 3 concentration and the size of produced Ag NPs.