Rapid synthesis of Bi2O3 nano-needles via 'green route' and evaluation of its anti-fungal activity.

Here, the authors report a rapid, simple, and eco-friendly process for synthesis of Bi2O3 nano-needles. Dioscorea alata tuber extract was used as both reducing and capping agent for the first time. These nanoparticles were characterised by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry, the nano-structured Bi2O3 needles have an average diameter of 158 nm with the lengths in the range of 1-3 μm. CLSI M27-A2 standard was followed for evaluation of anti-fungal activity. Bi2O3 nano-needles show remarkable activity against Candida albicans. It exhibits four time greater activity than bulk Bi2O3 powder and two time greater activity than itraconazole, which makes it a potent anti-fungal drug.