Fungal nano-factories: synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles from soil-borne fungus and their anti-microbial potential.

Nanotechnology is an emerging scientific discipline that deals with synthesis of nanoparticles with unique morphological characteristics and improved functioning. The prospect of creating a logical, fungal-based approach for the synthesis of nanoparticles throughout a variety of chemical compositions that simultaneously offers sequestration of heavy metals is achieved by the metal ion reduction through an enzymatic process. Environment- friendly nanoparticle synthesis coupled with remediation can greatly promote sustainability. This study reports the extracellular production of silver nanoparticles by Aspergillus niger isolated from soil. Characterization of these nanoparticles has been carried out with the help of robust techniques like UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM and HRTEM. The UV-visible spectrum of the myco-synthesized nanoparticles (AgNPs) by Aspergillus niger culture filtrate were scanned between the range 300 to 600 nm showing peak at ⁓450 nm. The FTIR study of AgNPs depicted six absorbance bands at 3277.99, 2920.62, 1635.72, 1454.61, 959.75 and 470.61 cm− 1. Most nanoparticles were spherical in shape and within a size range of 13.93 to 58.73 nm. Additionally, it was found that these nanoparticles had bactericidal action against the chosen pathogenic microorganisms, including Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. The maximum zone of inhibition was observed in Bacillus subtilis (16 mm), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (14 mm) and E. Coli (11 mm). The current study opens up new possibilities for the use of mycosynthesized nanoparticles in conjunction with metal ion reduction. This green way of synthesizing AgNPs has the potential to manage environmental sustainability and microbial infections, such as those brought on by pathogens that are resistant to several drugs.