Vol. 12, Issue 6 (2023)

Author(s):
Tanaji S Bhagat, Rama S Lokhande, Leena Khadke-Lokhande and Jayant G Chandorkar

Abstract:
Use of phytoextract in synthesis of nanoparticles has many advantages over conventional physico-chemical methods and has various applications in Agriculture, Agrochemical and plant protection products, medicine and biology. In present study, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using medicinally important herb, Cyathocline purpurea leaf extract and 0.1M zinc acetate dihydrate was used as a precursor in leaf extract. The structural and optical properties of NPs were characterised by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The antifungal activity and potential of ZnO NPs was evaluated disc diffusion method against Alterneria solani as test pathogen. The minimum inhibitory concentration of ZnO NPs evaluated was 200 µL/ mL. During synthesis the colour change of reaction mixture from brown to white indicated the formation of ZnO NPs. UV maxima at 371 nm and absorption band at 530 nm, XRD pattern matching of the NPs matching with that of JCPDS card for ZnO confirmed the presence of pure ZnO NPs. FTIR spectrum revealed the presence of bioactive functional groups involved in the reduction of bulk zinc acetate to ZnO NPs. SEM analysis revealed the shape of NPs to be spherical whereas XRD pattern confirmed the particle size ranges from 80 to 120 nm. As the NPs showed strong antifungal activity against selected pathogen, suggesting that plant-based synthesis of NPs can be an excellent strategy to develop simple and eco-friendly biomedical products for environmental sustainability.