MUMBAI, India, April 17 -- Intellectual Property India has published a patent application (202641043210 A) filed by Sr University, Warangal, Telangana, on April 4, for 'plant-based synthesis of silver nanoparticles using neem leaf extract for antibacterial drinking water treatment.'
Inventor(s) include Dr. Mritunjoy Prasad Ghosh; and Ms. Dhriti Kalita.
The application for the patent was published on April 17, under issue no. 16/2026.
According to the abstract released by the Intellectual Property India: "Plant-Based Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles using Neem Leaf Extract for Antibacterial Drinking Water Treatment 2. Abstract The present invention relates to a green and practical method for producing silver nanoparticles using Azadirachta indica (Neem) leaf extract and their use in removing Escherichia coli from drinking water. Neem leaf extract contains naturally occurring phytochemicals that can effectively reduce silver ions into silver nanoparticles while also acting as stabilizing and capping agents, thereby avoiding the need for toxic chemical reducers. In the disclosed process, an aqueous neem leaf extract is prepared and reacted with a silver salt solution under controlled conditions such as pH, temperature, and reaction time to obtain stable silver nanoparticles. The formation of nanoparticles is indicated by a characteristic color change and can be further confirmed using standard analytical techniques. The synthesized neem-mediated silver nanoparticles show strong antibacterial activity against E. coli, a key indicator of fecal contamination in drinking water. The nanoparticles work through multiple antibacterial pathways, including damage to the bacterial cell membrane, disruption of essential cellular functions, oxidative stress generation, and controlled release of silver ions. The invention also describes a water purification composition and filtration system where these nanoparticles can be applied directly to contaminated water or immobilized onto common filter materials such as activated carbon, sand-based media, or cellulose and fiber filter papers. Immobilization improves nanoparticle retention, stability, and ease of use in real-world water treatment systems. This invention provides a simple, economical, and environmentally safer approach for improving drinking water quality and reducing microbial health risks, with potential applications at household, community, and industrial scales. Keywords Green synthesis, Silver nanoparticles, Neem leaf extract, Antibacterial activity, Escherichia coli removal, Drinking water treatment."
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