Nanotechnology is a fast growing field especially with manufac- turing of new materials at

the nano-level [1]. Metal nanoparticles are of better significance due to their catalytic, optical,
electrical and magnetic properties [2] and are most extensively used for their antibacterial
properties [3]. Silver nanoparticles were proven to be most efficient as they possess good
antimicrobial and antioxidant activities [4–8]. Plant extract was used for the synthesis of
silver nanoparticles because it was proved to be less toxic and also need less purification as
compared to chemical methods [9,10]. Silver in colloidal state has distinctive properties like
chemical stability, conductivity and antibacterial activity [11]. Recently biosynthesis of metal
nanoparticles was proficient using unicellular organisms [12], also by plants extracts like
Saururus chinenis [13], Jatropha curcus [14], Catharanthus roseus [15]. In the
present work attempts were made for the green synthesis of AgNPs using Alternanthera
sessilis extract. The phytoconstituents present in the extracts which act as reducing and
capping agent.
A. sessilis Linn. (Amaranthaceae) is a perennial herb, bearing short petiole, simple leaves
and white flowers, found throughout India. This herb has been reported to be antioxidant,
antimicrobial

∗ Corresponding author.

E-mail address: niraimathi22@gmail.com (K.L. Niraimathi).

and wound healing [16,17]. This herb has been reported to be used as a galactogogue,
cholagogue and febrifuge and in indigestion. The leaves are used in eye diseases, wound,
cuts and an antidote to snake bite and for skin diseases. Various chemical constituents
present in the plant are alkaloids, flavanoids, phenols, fatty acids, beta carotene, sterols,
proteins and ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid and proteins present in A. sessilis may act as a
reducing agent in the synthesis of AgNPs [18–20].
Metal NP with at least one dimension approximately 1–100 nm have received
considerable attention in both scientific and tech- nological areas due to their unique and
unusual physico-chemical properties with that of bulk materials. Due to the specific size,
shape and distribution nanoparticles are used in the production of novel systems.
Literature reveals a promising medical application of AgNPs synthesized using herbal
extracts. Silver nanoparticles synthesized using herbal extracts have been reported to
have good anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and antioxidant properties [21,22].