Stachybotrys chartarum: A Novel Biological Agent for The Extracellular Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Their Antimicrobial Activity

Microbial assisted biosynthesis of nanoparticles is a rapidly progressing area of nanobiotechnology. In this paper Stachybotrys chartarum assisted extracellular synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is reported when challenged with 1mM silver nitrate (AgNO3). The characterization of AgNPs was carried out visual observation and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Further analysis carried out by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), provides evidence for the presence of proteins as capping agent, which helps in increasing the stability of the synthesized AgNPs. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) investigations confi rmed that AgNPs were formed. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were found in the range of 65-108 nm. Finally, the antimicrobial susceptibility of AgNPs synthesized was investigated which exhibited more potent activity against bacteria than fungi compared with using silver nitrate at concentration 1mM. Keywords: Antimicrobial activity, Stachybotrys chartarum, Silver nanoparticles