Abstract

PHYTOSYNTHESIS OF MAGNESIUM NANOPARTICLES USING LICHENS

T Devasena*, Vandhana Ashok, Nibedita Dey and Arul Prakash F

Abstract

With the world moving toward a green economy, incorporation of the term “Green” in the field of bio and nanotechnology is also picking up its pace. The symbiosis between algae and fungi (the lichens) has been used for synthesizing metal nanoparticle because they work as good alternatives for their environmental friendliness, low toxicity and low processing conditions. In the present study Lichen extracts was used to reduce magnesium salts into magnesium nanoparticles in an ecofriendly way. The synthesized magnesium nanoparticles were characterized using dynamic light scattering and UV spectroscopy. The UV spectroscopy shows absorbance at 261nm. The size of the nanoparticle was found to be 23 nm and is expected to possess several biomedical applications due to the capping by bioactive components of lichens. As magnesium is used in bone grafting material for peri-implant defect, this green synthesised magnesium nanoparticles will emerge as a poteintial implant component.

Keywords: Lichens, Magnesium nanoparticles, Dynamic light scattering, UV-Vis spectroscopy.