Biogenic synthesis of Au and Ag nanoparticles by Indian propolis and its constituents.

In an attempt to find natural, environmentally benign, green-chemical agents for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles, we have demonstrated for the first time the excellent efficiency of ethanol and water extracts of a natural, non-toxic material, Indian propolis and two of its chemical constituents, pinocembrin and galangin in the rapid synthesis of stable Ag and Au nanoparticles having wide spectrum of fascinating morphologies. Both of these two extracts were found to be extremely efficient in the synthesis of Ag and Au nanoparticles under alkaline condition. For a given metal ion precursor, the kinetics of particle synthesis were remarkably similar in all the cases, as it is evident from the absorption spectra monitored over time. Moreover they exhibited similar redox behavior under alkaline condition (pH approximately 10.62). The efficiency of the ethanol and water extracts of Indian propolis towards Ag and Au nanoparticles synthesis was compared with that of naturally occurring hydroxyflavonoids, pinocembrin and galangin isolated from Indian propolis; which are equally efficient in the rapid synthesis of Ag and Au nanoparticles and stabilization of the resultant particles.