Download Title: Mycological synthesis of zinc nanoparticles using rhizosphere

Title: Mycological synthesis of zinc nanoparticles using rhizosphere soil isolated zinc solubilizing
fungus.
Dr. V.P. Savalgi, K. Harish Kumar .
Abstract:
Rhizosphere soil samples from different crops were used for isolation of fungal isolates. These
isolates were grown on mineral salt agar media for screening of zinc solubilization. Two effective zinc
solubilizing fungal isolates were further evaluated for zinc nanoparticle synthesis. Selective concentration
of zinc sulphate precursor solution was used as bulk zinc source and fungal cell free enzyme extract was
used as reducing agent for nanoparticle synthesis. Fungal cell free enzyme extract was obtained by raising
fungal spores in MGYP broth for 72hrs to obtain fungal balls, these fungal biomass were further washed
to remove remnants of broth and suspended in sterile pure Millipore water to collect enzyme extract. Zinc
nanoparticles were formed when zinc precursor solution was incubated with fungal cell free enzyme
extract. Synthesized zinc nanoparticles were confirmed by utilizing UV-visible spectrophotometer and
atomic force microscope. Zinc nanoparticles were in the range of 40-70nm. Biological synthesis of zinc
nanoparticles is novel and ecofriendly process with a minimum change in pH. Correlation of zinc
solubilizing fungi to the nanoparticle synthesis is a first of its kind.
Key words: Mycological synthesis, zinc nanoparticles, zinc solubilizers, UV-visible
spectrophotometer, atomic force microscope.