We report a facile approach for the spontaneous formation of silver nanoparticles in the presence of gum acacia polymer (a natural polymer) without the addition of any typical reducing agent under mild conditions. Silver nanoparticles (similar to 5 nm) have been obtained by the mixing of equal amounts of 0.5 wt % aqueous solutions of acacia and silver nitrate. The formation of silver nanoparticles has been confirmed with ultraviolet-visible, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses. Gum acacia polymeric chains promote the reduction process and act as good stabilizers over 5 months. To confirm the formation and stabilization of the nanoparticles, a transmission electron microscope has been employed. The advantage of this methodology is that it is possible to prepare silver nanoparticles without any organic solvents or reducing agents. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.