Biomimetically synthesized Physalis minima fruit extract-based zinc oxide nanoparticles as eco-friendly biomaterials for biological applications

Abstract

In the present study, the fruit extract of Physalis minima was used to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (Pm-ZnO NPs). The first validation of the Pm-ZnO NPs production was obtained using a UV–Vis spectrophotometer at 327 nm. Pm-ZnO NPs crystalline nature was determined as hexagonal, relating to a joint corporation of powder diffraction standards (JCPDS) 75-1526 examined in XRD analysis. FTIR spectroscopy was used to identify functional groups associated with Pm-ZnO NPs, i.e., O–H and C=N. Pm-ZnO NPs were measured to be 50-150 nm in size and spherical in form using a TEM. Arrested augmentation of Gram-positive (Enterococci faecalis) and Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) populations was recorded at a 50 μg mL-1 concentration of Pm-ZnO NPs, where the zones of inhibition were measured as 31.4 ± 2.8 mm & 33.5 ± 0.8 mm, respectively. Pm-ZnO NPs inhibited the growth of bacteria E. faecalis and P. aeruginosa at a minimum concentration of 30 μg mL-1. Inverted microscopic images revealed that Pm-ZnO NPs diminished bacterial biofilm thickness at 50 and 100 μg mL−1. The biocompatibility of Pm-ZnO NPs was examined by potential antioxidant properties (DPPH assay). Bio-toxicity values of Pm-ZnO NPs were determined as LC50 – 76.5 (68.7–86.4) μg mL-1 and LC90 – 153.4 (132.4–189.6) μg mL-1 on 48 h treatment with Artemia salina nauplii and damages in the mid-gut region were examined under a stereomicroscope. Pm-ZnO NPs exhibited photocatalytic activity at 48 h duration against methylene blue (MB) dye. Concludingly, all the reported findings suggest the utilization of these generated nanoparticles as nanomedicine against microbial infection.