Patent for HAU to synthesise silver nanoparticles using liquorice

Hisar, March 7

Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University has been granted a patent by the Indian Patent Office for the improved method of synthesising silver nanoparticles using liquorice (mulethi variety HM-1).

Vice-Chancellor Prof BR Kamboj said the silver nanoparticles would be effective in controlling nematodes, adding that the infestation of root-knot nematodes caused losses to the polyhouse, greenhouse, horticultural and vegetable crops.

“Due to the controlled environmental conditions in the polyhouse, there is a huge increase in the nematode population. Thus, farmers have to suffer huge financial losses. Therefore, we tested these silver nanoparticles produced by liquorice for their nematicidal potential on the root-knot nematodes,” he said.

This study was conducted with the help of Prakash Banakar, Assistant Scientist at Department of Nematology. First, the research scholars did this investigation in the lab and then in the screen house.

In both cases, silver nanoparticles produced using liquorice were found capable of killing root-knot nematodes.

Further research work is in progress.

Prof Kamboj said in comparison to the commercial chemical nematicides, only a very small amount of these silver nanoparticles was found to be sufficient as a nematicide.

These silver nanoparticles might be used for various agricultural crops, he said, adding that the methodology of green synthesis of silver nanoparticles invented by the university was effective, economical and stable.

This method was developed by PhD scholars Kanika Rani and Nisha Devi, under the guidance of Pushpa Kharb — former Head of Department of Molecular Biology, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics of the university.

This method has been granted a patent under the Patent Act, 1970, with No. 486872 for a period of

20 years.

College of Basic Sciences and Humanities dean Neeraj Kumar said this patent was for a better method of synthesis of silver nanoparticles using the root extract of liquorice (variety HM-1).

These silver nanoparticles have been found to be stable for more than a year. The nematicidal efficacy of these nanoparticles was also examined in in-vitro and in-vivo conditions.

“The process of synthesising silver nanoparticles from plants uses fewer chemicals and produces no additional toxic residues. Farmers can use the silver nanoparticles produced from liquorice root extract to control the nematode-infestation, which causes serious damage to the yield and quality of almost all cultivated crops,” he added.