Cocoa pod shell mediated silver nanoparticles synthesis, characterization, and their application as nanocatalyst and antifungal agent

Cocoa pod shells are the byproducts of the cocoa industry. These pod shells were explored for the biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized, and studies were carried out to assess the catalytic and antifungal activities. UV–Vis spectral analysis recorded the surface plasmon resonance at 438 nm. Spherical-shaped particles with a diameter ranging from 48.83 to 55.24 nm were determined by scanning electron microscope. The presence of silver was confirmed through Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis. FTIR analysis was carried out to determine the functional groups capped on the surface of the nanoparticles. XRD patterns substantiated the crystalline nature with the sharp peak of 33.16° indicating (101) fcc plane and crystallite size were calculated to be 59.65 nm. Amylase activity was found to be sevenfold higher with a significant amount of 16.05 mg/ml/min in the presence of silver nanoparticles as compared to the control. Methylene blue dye degradation in the presence of silver nanoparticles followed a pseudo-first-order reaction with a degradation constant of 0.1889 min⁻¹ and R² of 0.9869. In addition, an inhibition activity of 34% against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense fungi was exhibited by the synthesized silver nanoparticles. The outcome of the investigation has revealed the potential scope of silver nanoparticles as nanocatalysts in starch hydrolysis, dye degradation as well as the antifungal potential.