Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using tissue extract of weaver ant larvae

Abstract Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has gained widespread interest as the alternative method to use natural, non-toxic substances to facilitate the formation of AgNPs. This work reported on the alternative source of reducing and stabilizing agents from tissue extract of weaver ant ( Oecophylla smaragdina ) larvae. The formation of AgNPs in the reaction containing silver nitrate, the tissue extract, and glucose at 60 °C was indicated by the surface plasmon resonance at 428 nm. Transmission electron microscopy images revealed spherical AgNPs with the average diameter of 67.4 nm. The synthesized AgNPs exhibited potent antibacterial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli with the minimum bactericidal concentrations equally at 16 μg/mL.