Antimicrobial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized from Aloe vera peel extract

Abstract

This study was aimed to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles from the aqueous peel extract of Aloe vera and assess their antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). UV–Vis spectroscopic analysis confirmed the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) depicted functional groups associated with the formation of zinc oxide nanoparticles, whereas XRD showed their crystalline nature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that nanoparticles were rough in appearance with agglomeration. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the size of nanoparticles from 50 to 220 nm with hexagonal shape. The antimicrobial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles was assessed against pathogenic bacteria, Staphylococcus epidermidis (MTCC-3382), S. epidermidis (MTCC-3382), Klebsiella pneumoniae (MTCC-3384), Escherichia coli (MTCC-41) and fungi, Aspergillus niger (MTCC-404) and Aspergillus oryzae (MTCC-3107). The results showed the effectiveness of zinc oxide nanoparticles against E. coli (MTCC-41) and A. niger (MTCC-404). However, in combination with antibiotic, there was a decrease in the antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi as compared to antibiotics. Hence, a molecular research is needed to check the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on antibiotics.