Gold nanoparticles by Terminalia bellirica aqueous extract – a rapid green method

Synthesis of metal nanoparticles (NPs) using plant extracts as reducing agents is of great interest due to its ease and environmental friendly process. Reports show biogenic green synthesis reaction times in forming gold metal nanoparticles (Au NPs) varying from minutes to several hours. In this article, an instantaneous (less than 10?s) method for the green synthesis of gold NPs using aqueous extract of Terminalia bellirica as a reducing and stabilising agent has been reported. Formation of Au NPs was instantaneous and confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy where surface plasmon resonance band centred at 530?nm. Formation of anisotropic Au NPs was evidenced from transmission electron microscope studies. High levels of polyphenols in T. bellirica were responsible for the rapid reduction and stabilisation. The Au NPs did not display toxicity when tested by the brine shrimp (Artemia salina) assay.