Exploration of photocatalytic properties of microbially designed silver nanoparticles on Victoria blue B

Victoria blue B (VBB) belongs to triphenylmethane group of dyes, which is widely used in textile industries. Hence development of novel treatment methods are of considerable applications in its removal. In the current study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) formed by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens was investigated for the degradation of VBB. Interestingly, the UV–Vis spectroscopy analysis of VBB-AgNPs treated samples showed a decrease in absorption at 615 nm, which is characteristic of pure VBB. This time-dependent degradation process was further investigated by changing the initial dye concentration, AgNPs concentration and pH. Approximately 78 % of reduction was observed within 8 h of the study and hence the result of the study is with promising applications for the development of novel dye degradation technologies. Phytotoxicity analysis of degradation product using Vigna unguiculata revealed the non-toxic effect of degradation product when compared to VBB and this confirms the promising potential and applications of the study.