## 3 Results and Discussion
### Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy  
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements were calculated for AgNPs synthesized from _T. ventricosa_ latex extracts to examine the interactions between the biomolecules (capping agents) within the sample extract and the synthesized NPs. The spectral assignments of AgNPs using latex extracts are displayed in Table 3, whereas the absorption peaks displaying various stretching and bending are shown in Figure 5. Prominent peaks located at 3338.07 cm\({}^{-1}\) and 3283.60 cm\({}^{-1}\) are assigned to alcohols [46; 54]. Whereas peaks of 2924.93 cm\({}^{-1}\), 2330.92 cm\({}^{-1}\), and 2116.69 cm\({}^{-1}\) were due to alkanes, carbon dioxide, and alkynes, respectively [6; 54]. Remarkably, the compound classes isothicaruate (N=C=S) and aromatic compounds (C-H) were linked to the peaks 2087.22 cm\({}^{-1}\) and 1892.32 cm\({}^{-1}\)[45; 55]. Strong stretching of C=O groups and medium bending of C=O groups assigned to aldehydes and alkenes were associated with peaks of 1732.58 cm\({}^{-1}\) and 1634.27 cm\({}^{-1}\), respectively [46]. Peaks at 1539.09 cm\({}^{-1}\), 1361.45 cm\({}^{-1}\), and 1336.41 cm\({}^{-1}\) arise due to strong and medium bending and stretching of nitro compounds, phenols, and sulfonates [39; 54]. Strong C-O stretching of peaks at 1242.12 cm\({}^{-1}\), 1147.68 cm\({}^{-1}\), 1095.34 cm\({}^{-1}\) were assigned to alkyl aryl ether, tertiary alcohols, and secondary alcohols,  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l c c} \hline \hline
**Extracts** & **Nanoparticle Diameter (nm)** & **Zeta Potential (mV)** \\ \hline Fresh latex extract & 57.2 \(\pm\) 5.7 & 12.3 \(\pm\) 1.2 \\ \hline Values presented are mean \(\pm\) standard error (\(n\) = 3). & \\ \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 2: Average nanoparticle diameter (nm) and zeta potential (mV) of the synthesized AgNPs using latex extracts of _T. ventricosa_.  
while peaks at 1024.62 cm\({}^{-1}\) and 823.30 cm\({}^{-1}\) were due to the presence of amines (proteins/enzymes) and 1,2,3-trisubstituted compounds [54; 56]. These results confirm the presence of several functional groups in the latex extracts and indicate that the proteins, enzymes, and other biomolecules detected within the latex allow for the capping, reduction, and functionalization of AgNPsPs [5; 42].  
Figure 5: The FTIR spectra of AgNPs were synthesized using latex extracts of _T. ventricosa_.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{p{56.9 pt} p{56.9 pt} p{56.9 pt} p{56.9 pt} p{56.9 pt}} \hline
**Absorption Frequency (cm\({}^{-1}\))** & **Types of Absorption/Vibration** & **Appearance** & **Interference/ Functional Group** & **Compound Class** \\ \hline
3338.07 & Stretch & Strong broad & O–H & Alcohol \\
3283.60 & Stretch & Strong broad & O–H & Alcohol \\
2924.93 & Stretch & Medium & C–H & Alkane \\
2330.92 & Stretch & Strong & O–C–O & Carbon dioxide \\
2116.69 & Stretch & Weak & C=C & Alkyne \\
2087.22 & Stretch & Strong & N=C–S & Isothiocyanate \\
1892.32 & Bending & Weak & C–H & Aromatic compound \\
1732.58 & Stretch & Strong & C=O & Aldehyde \\
1634.27 & Bending & Medium & C=C & Alkene \\
1539.09 & Stretch & Strong & N–O & Nitro compound \\
1361.45 & Bending & Medium & O–H & Phenol \\
1336.41 & Stretch & Strong & S=O & Sulfonate \\
1242.12 & Stretch & Strong & C–O & Alkyl aryl ether \\
1147.68 & Stretch & Strong & C–O & Tertiary alcohol \\
1095.34 & Stretch & Strong & C–O & Secondary alcohol \\
1024.62 & Stretch & Medium & C–N & Amine \\
823.30 & Bending & Strong & C–H & 1,2,3-trisubstituted \\ \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 3: FTIR spectral assignments of synthesized AgNPs using latex extracts of _T. ventricosa_.