Green synthesized silver nanoparticles: Characterization, phytostimulatory impacts, and degradation potential for organic pollutants

Green synthesis of nanoparticles using plants is one of the most convenient, economical, and eco-friendly methods nowadays. Moreover, green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained interest due to their possible uses in agriculture and the environmental field. The present study focused on the biological synthesis of AgNPs using Triticum aestivum and Zea mays, their characterization, and their phytostimulatory impact and remediation potential for organic pollutants. Three different types of AgNPs treatments were prepared, T₁ was synthesized by using Triticum aestivum, T₂, by using Zea mays, and T₃ was a mixture of both types of nanoparticles. T₁ analyzed via EDX showed the presence of 44% of Ag⁰ and T₂ showed 66% of Ag⁰ present in dried pellets extracted after synthesis. At 40 μg mL⁻¹ of T₁, T₂, and T₃ applied on methylene blue, 43.3, 47.4, and 49.7% decrease in absorbance of dye solution was recorded, respectively. Paper samples treated with Brevundimonas diminuta showed 40% more degradation than Bacillus tropicus. At 40 μg mL⁻¹ of T₁ and T₂ and 30 μg mL⁻¹ of T₃ 142.8, 71.4 and 33.2% higher degradation was recorded against paper, compared to Brevundimonas diminuta. At 20 μg mL⁻¹ of T₁, T₂, and T₃ wheat plants showed ≈17.7, 24.6, and 23.9% increase in plant growth, respectively. Similarly, 79.2, 142 and 34.4% increase in chlorophyll content, 26.5, 65.3 and 38.7% increase in protein content was also found by T₁, T₂, and T₃ respectively. Corn plants showed 16.9, 26.1, and 12.3% increases in plant growth, 79, 151.6, and 196.7% increases in chlorophyll content, 118, 185, and 114.7% increase in protein content by T₁ and T₂. In conclusion, AgNPs showed a significant increase in plant growth and biochemical parameters of corn and wheat and appeared to act as potential remediating agents for organic pollutants.