Abstract
This study was carried out to synthesise, characterise and study the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles from the root of Ficus thoningii (Blume). Ficus thoningii were obtained from the Lafia Modern Market, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Methanolic extracts of root Ficus thoningii were pulverised in the laboratory and extracted with methanol for 30 minutes in an ultrasonicator. The extracts were filtered. Extracts were filtered and reacted with five concentrations of silver nitrate. The formation of the complex was monitored on a UV-visible spectrophotometer for observation of the reaction and absorption peaks. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to determine functional groups present. The scanning electron microscope was used to determine the shape of the resulting complex. The result showed the formation of AgNPs with a colour change from reddish-brown to a clear brown colour with an absorption peak at about 400 nm. Functional groups identified include ethers, carboxyl, hydroxyl, amines, etc. Bacteria species were highly sensitive to the AgNPs, but fungi were not. This shows that Ficus thoningii root extract formed AgNPs, and the complex had strong antibacterial activity.
Keywords: Silver nanoparticles, Ficus thonningii root extract, Green synthesis, Antimicrobial activity.