Green ultrasonic synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial activity of Silver and Gold Nanoparticles mediated by Ganoderma lucidum extract

Metal nanoparticles possess an extensive scientific and technological significance due to their unique physiochemical properties and their potential applications in different fields like medicine. Silver and gold nanoparticles have shown to have antibacterial and cytotoxic activities. Conventional methods used in the synthesis of the metal nanoparticles involve use of toxic chemicals making them unsuitable for use in medical field. In our continued effort to explore for simple and eco-friendly methods to synthesize the metal nanoparticles, we here describe synthesis and characterization of gold and silver nanoparticles using Gonaderma lucidum, wild non-edible medicinal mushroom. G. lucidum mushroom contain bioactive compounds which can be involved in the reduction, capping and stabilization of the nanoparticles. Antibacterial activity analysis was done on E. coli and S. aureus. The synthesis was done on ultrasonic bath. Characterization of the metal nanoparticles was done by UV-VIS., High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HRTEM) and FTIR. HRTEM analysis showed that both silver and gold nanoparticles were spherical in shape with an average size of 15.82±3.69 nm for silver and 24.73±5.124nm for gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). FTIR analysis showed OH and -C=C- stretching vibrations, an indication of presence of functional groups of biomolecules capping both gold and silver nanoparticles. AgNPs showed inhibition zones of 15.5±0.09mm and 13.3±0.14mm while AuNPs had inhibition zones of 14.510±0.35 and 13.3±0.50mm on E. coli and S. aureus respectively. The findings indicate the potential use of AgNPs and AuNPs in development of drugs in management of pathogenic bacteria.