Radical scavenging potential of spectrophotometric, spectroscopic, microscopic, and EDX observed zinc oxide nanoparticles from leaves, buds, and flowers extract of Bauhinia Variegata Linn: A thorough comparative insight.

Abstract

The present study incorporated an environment-friendly and cost-efficient green synthesis method for fabricating zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using various parts (leaves, buds, and flowers) of Bauhinia Variegate Linn. UV-Spectrophotometric analysis was used to confirm the synthesis of ZnO-NPs, which showed an absorption band within 360-380 nm range. Further techniques like FT-IR spectroscopy and (SEM) scanning electron microscopy equipped with a novel EDX were also included to confirm the synthesis, size, and shape of ZnO-NPs. Results obtained by FT-IR showed that the phytochemicals present in the ethanolic extract successfully acted as a capping agent. SEM micrographs confirmed irregularly shaped nanoparticles with an average size of 70-80 nm. The presence of Zinc and Oxygen peaks in EDX also confirmed the successful synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles. The radical scavenging (antioxidant) potential of prepared nanoparticles was also evaluated by DPPH radical assay. The ZnO-NPs obtained from the ethanolic extract of buds showed the highest %RSA (86%) as compared to the flowers (79%) and leaves (76%). The current study findings showed the versatile morphology of all parts of the plant with significant antioxidant potential, establishing the use of Bauhinia Variegate in biological systems for various biomedical applications. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: A thorough comparative analysis of the radical scavenging power of major parts of the Bauhinia Variegate, which is 1st of its kind. Extensive characterization using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, FT-IR, SEM, and EDX to observe the conformational and morphological changes. Analysis of the reduction potential of leaves, buds, and flowers of a single plant for future directions in green synthesis.