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ABSTRACT
Nanoparticles (NPs) are small particles of matter that ranges between 1 to 100 nm in diameter. Fungi produces enzymes, proteins, and vitamins that stabilizes green synthesized nanoparticles. This study biologically synthesized nanoparticles which are eco-friendly and non-toxic using the mycelia of a novel strain of Aspergillus uvarum (HGUP192016). Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Internal Transcribed spacer rDNA techniques were used to characterize A. uvarum. The metals synthesized from this fungus were silver (Ag), gold (Au), and Silver-gold (Ag-Au) NPs. These NPs were characterized using UV-VIS spectroscopy to monitor the peak of the NPs that was formed and also to determine the stability of the NPs. X-ray diffraction method was used to confirm the crystallinity of the NPs and the peaks revealed were compared with the Joint Committee on Powder Diffraction Standards (JCPDS) card as a face-centered cubic (FCC) crystal lattice structure. FT-IR methods revealed the functional group present in each of the NPs and the functional groups were carbonyl (C=O) and (hydroxyl) OH. This functional group formed could be attributed to the capping produced by the fungi proteins and enzymes. The nanoparticles exhibited antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus spp, indicating that NPs could be used clinically as topical creams for skin infection. Also, these NPs were applied in bioremediation, in which waste engine oil was exposed to Ag, Au, and Ag-Au composite NPs and gave a positive result. The synthesized NPs can be used in bioremediation and medical application due to their eco-friendly and non-toxic nature.
