Plant-mediated synthesis of zinc oxide nano-particles and their effect on growth, lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide contents in soybean

Abstract

Zinc oxide nano-particles have been produced by physical and chemical methods for a long time, but recent developments explored the critical role of biological systems for this purpose. In the present study, zinc oxide-nano-particles were prepared by leaf extract of Aloe vera and their effects were evaluated on growth and physiological parameters of soybean. Properties of zinc oxide-nano-particles were determined by UV–visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and dynamic light scattering. Synthesized zinc oxide-nano-particles were confirmed by the absorption maxima at the wavelength of 360 nm. Scanning electron microscopy image revealed that zinc oxide-nano-particles were oval in shape. Zinc oxide-nano-particles of average size of 70 nm were synthesized by ecofriendly method. Investigations of zinc oxide-nano-particles on soybean have shown accelerated germination and enhanced growth of plants exposed to nano-particles. Treatment of zinc oxide nano-particles showed increase in lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide contents.