Application of response surface methodology to optimize the extracellular fungal mediated nanosilver green synthesis

This study aims to optimize the biosynthesis of nanosilver particles mediated by Trichoderma viride ATCC36838 using response surface methodology (RSM). Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were biosynthesized effectively in terms of the factors impacting silver ion (Ag(+)) reduction to metallic nanosilver (Ag(0)) using culture filtrate under shaking condition. The results of statistics calculations revealed that 2 mM silver nitrate and 28% (v/v) of culture filtrate at pH 7.0 for 34 h were the optimum values for AgNPs biosynthesis. The characterization of the produced AgNPs was conducted using electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, UV/visible spectrophotometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Round to oval AgNPs were detected with aspects of TEM within diameter range of 4–16 nm. The results of this study could help in developing a reliable ecofriendly, simple, and low cost process for microbial assisted AgNPs green synthesis especially with the continuous increase in its application fields.