Silver nanoparticles synthesized using saponin extract of Simarouba glauca oil seed meal as effective, recoverable and reusable catalyst for reduction of organic dyes

Phytochemicals are natural bioactive molecules found in plants which help mankind in treating various diseases. Saponins are one such class of compounds widely distributed in plant kingdom with many biological properties. The present study encompasses the extraction of saponin from Simarouba glauca oil seed meal and their utilization in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) which are further used in the catalytic degradation of dyes. The nanoparticles were characterized using various characterization techniques viz, UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The performance of the nanoparticle as a catalyst in the reduction process of dyes is tested using Methylene blue, methyl orange and Congo red. The experiment was conducted in presence of NaBH4 in water at room temperature and the reaction was monitored by recording UV–Vis spectra. From the results, it was observed that the catalyst is effective in reducing the dyes in the time range of 27 to 80 min with the catalyst concentration of 1 mg/mL. After the reduction of dyes, the catalyst was recovered in good yield and the recovered catalyst showed similar activity up to five cycles. [Display omitted] •Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are synthesized using saponins extracted from simarouba glauca oil seed meal.•AgNPs acts as effective catalysts in reduction of dyes in presence of NaBH4 in the time range of 27 to 80 min with concentration on 1 mg/mL.•AgNPs recovered in good yield and showed unaffected catalytic efficiency even up to five cycles.