Biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles from molted feathers of Pavo cristatus and their antibiofilm and anticancer activities

Abstract

Abstract The present study employed molted feather ash extract from Pavo cristatus to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (Pcf-ZnONPs). The Pcf-ZnONPs were characterized through advanced spectroscopy techniques to study the chemical and physical properties of NPs. Pcf-ZnONPs specifically exhibit an absorption peak at 365 nm in the UV spectroscopy analysis. TEM and SEM confirmed the nanoscale presence of ZnO. The antibiofilm and antibacterial properties of Pcf-ZnONPs were assessed against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. At a concentration of 25 µg·mL−1, Pcf-ZnONPs exhibited a significant reduction in the thickness of bacterial biofilms. Breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231) and fish cell lines were used to investigate in vitro anticancer activity. The MTT experiment demonstrated that Pcf-ZnONPs have good anticancer efficacy against a breast cancer and a fish cell line. The nontoxicity and biocompatibility of Pcf-ZnONPs were also investigated, exhibiting excellent hemocompatibility with red blood cells and no appreciable toxicity in Brine shrimp. In conclusion, Pcf-ZnONPs may be deemed nano-biomedicine compatible with biological systems for the treatment of bacterial illnesses in higher species.