Hing oil mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles, characterisation and its antimicrobial activity

Aim: The aim of the study was to prepare silver nanoparticles from hing oil and to assess its antimicrobial activity. Materials and Methods: In a conical flask 0.5 mL of hing oil was mixed with 99.5 mL of distilled water. To this, 0.0169 grams of silver nitrate was added and kept in an orbital shaker for the formation of nanoparticle. The colour change was noted visually and the absorbance was noted using UV -Vis spectroscopy. The final product was centrifuged and NPs were collected. The morphology was studied using TEM. The hing oil mediated silver nanoparticles were evaluated for its antimicrobial activity by agar well diffusion method using standard procedure. The antimicrobial activity was tested against S. aureus, S. mutans and Lactobacillus and Candida albicans. Results and Discussion: UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed the formation of silver nanoparticles at 420 nm peak. TEM showed spherical and rod shaped nanoparticles with a size ranging 10 – 55 nm. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of the hing oil mediated silver nanoparticles was similar. There was no difference in the zone of inhibition with increase in concentration. Conclusion: Hing oil mediated silver nanoparticles may be a better choice for infections caused by bacteria such as S. aureus, S. mutans and Lactobacillus and fungus such as Candida albicans even though the zone of inhibition shown was similar in different concentrations used in the study. However hing oil mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticle was successful and may be further explored for their further pharmacological activity. Hing oil mediated silver nanoparticles may be evaluated for its other biomedical applications.