GREEN SYNTHESIS OF SILVER (AG) AND GOLD (AU) NANOPARTICLES USING ARSPERGILLUS CARBONARIUS ISOLATED FROM PETROLEUM POLLUTED SOIL

ABSTRACT

Nanoparticles are particles of matter ranging from 1-100nm in diameter. In this study, nontoxic, cost-effective and eco-friendly Ag, Au and Ag - Au composite NPs were synthesized using the culture biomass of Arspergillus carbonarius and the application of the NPs in the biosynthesized NPs were utilized in the remediation of waste petroleum products. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS/5.85) rDNA techniques were used to characterize Arspergillus carbonarius. The bioreduction properties of the Ag⁺ and Au⁺ NPs were monitored by UvV is spectrophotometry. The NPs obtained were characterized by X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and FTIR (Fourier Transfer Spectroscopy) methods. The intensity of the NPs peak revealed hydroxyl (OH) and carbonyl (C=O) groups formed by the capping of the carboxylic acid moieties. The XRD peaks were compared with the Joint committee on Powered Diffraction Standard (JCPDS) card as a face-centered cubic (FCC) crystal lattice structure. The Morphological structure of the Synthesized NPs revealed pores strands formed on the perisplasmic surface of the mycelia of the A. Cabonarius. The Ag, Au and AgAu exhibited potential bioremediation activity in waste engine oil cleanup. Thus, the NPs can be utilized as potential agent for remediation of petroleum products.