One step green synthesis of silver nano/microparticles using extracts of Trachyspermum ammi and Papaver somniferum.

A novel biosynthesis route for silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) was attempted in this present investigation using aqueous extracts of Trachyspermum ammi and Papaver somniferum. The main constituents in T. ammi are thymol, p-cymene and γ-terpinene, while P. somniferum consists of morphine and codeine. The essential oil in T. ammi was found to be a good reducing agent than the alkaloids present in P. somniferum for the formation of biocompatible Ag-NPs. The effectiveness of both the extracts was investigated by using same dosage of extract in the synthesis of silver nanoparticle. The results showed that for the same dosage of extracts the T. ammi synthesized various size triangular shaped nanoparticles measuring from 87 nm, to a fewer nanoparticles having a size of 998 nm diagonally. P. somniferum resulted in almost spherical shaped particle ranging in size between 3.2 and 7.6 μm diagonally. Future research based on synthesis of size specific nanoparticle based on the optimization of reaction condition would be an interesting area.