A Study on the Phytochemical Analysis, Silver Nanoparticle Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity from Seed Extract of Areca catechu L.

The present study was carried out to screen phytochemicals like carbohydrates, terpenoids, resins, saponins, tannins and alkaloids in the seed extract of Areca catechu by standard protocols and antibacterial activities of seed extract as well as silver nanoparticles prepared from seed extracts. The characterization of silver nanoparticles was studied by using FTIR, SEM and UV- Visible spectrophotometer. Antibacterial activity was done with aqueous, methanolic and AgNO3 seed extracts against five bacterial species viz., Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis by agar well diffusion method. The seed extract showed positive results for carbohydrate, terpenoids, tannins and saponins. The colour of the solution after treating with AgNO3 was changed from light brown to dark brown confirmed the reduction of silver ion in presence of plant extract and formation of silver nanoparticles. Maximum absorption was observed at 400 nm and the size of silver nanoparticles produced was oval in shape with the diameter of 553-610 nm. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found to be the good organism resistant against areca nut seed extracts while others were showed intermediate effects.