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24 Biosynthesis of Nanoparticles Using Agriculture and Horticulture Waste
Table 24.1
Waste material used in the biosynthesis of nanoparticles.
Waste material
Specification
Operation
Storage
References
Cocoa pod shell
Has high moisture Material need to
be cut to small
pieces, dried
under sunlight,
powdered and
sieved
At 4 ∘C
[10]
Leaves
Washing and
drying
Can be powdered
or made to small
pieces
Room
temperature in
airtight containers
[11]
Flowers
Washing and
drying
Diced into pieces
and drying under
appropriate
sunlight
Stored in airtight
containers
[11]
Fruit peel
Washing and
drying
Cut into small
pieces and either
shade dried or
sunlight
Stored in airtight
containers
[12]
preparation of the extract, the waste needs to be powdered, transferred to distilled
water, boiled, and filtered. Table 24.1 specifies the waste material that can be used
in the biosynthesis of nanoparticles and its various features necessary to be followed
when used for any experimental purpose. General procedure of preparing metal salt
solution, extract from waste material, and storage is mentioned in Table 24.2.
24.3.2
Synthesis of Nanoparticles
Metal salt solutions of known concentration are mixed with extract obtained from
the waste sources and heated in a water bath or kept in a shaker at room temperature
till the color changes. During the heating process, the metal ions and its respective
functional moieties will have interaction in a short period of time. Also a change in
color is an indicator of nanoparticle synthesis. For the synthesis of nanoparticles at
room temperature, metal salt solution should be mixed with the extract and is kept
under vortex in an orbital shaker for a long period of time. This enhances the inter-
action between metal ions and functional moieties present in the solution triggering
reduction of metal ions. Periodically, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is recorded
using UV spectrophotometer that is essential in monitoring the SPR values. Vortex
of the extract with salt solution leads to the reduction of metal ions. As the SPR
value increases, the reduction reaction of ions will reduce accordingly indicating
the completion of the process.
24.3.3
Separation of Nanoparticles
The separation of nanoparticles is followed with centrifugation with a suitable rpm
maintained at a fixed temperature. The supernatant is discarded, and the pellet is