Synthesis and characterisation of seeds extracts-mediated ZnO nanoparticles for antimicrobial, antioxidant and vegetative applications

Abstract

The present work involves the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles(ZnONPs) using an extract obtained from the seeds of Sida cordifolia. UV–visible, FTIR, zeta potential, EDX and TEM analyses characterized the nanoparticles. The ZnONPs are stable with a zeta potential of −3.5 mV and an average nanoparticle size of 19 nm. These nanoparticles and Sida cordifolia extract are examined for their effectiveness against bacteria (E. coli and B. subtilis) and fungi (A. niger and P. chrysogenum) and they showed inhibition zones ranging from 3 to 16 nm. Furthermore, DPPH’s radical quenching activities test the antioxidant potential of ZnONPs and plant extract. DPPH radical inhibition for Sida cordifolia plant extract ranges from a minimum of 17.66 % at 10 ppm to a maximum of 34.16 % at 100 ppm while for ZnONPs, it is from a minimum of 22.48 % at 10 ppm to a maximum of 36.05 % at 100 ppm. ZnONPs and plant extract both show concentration dependent antimicrobial activities and antioxidant activities. In addition, the seed germination of Brassica juncea L. was also tested at various concentrations using the produced ZnONPs. Observed results show maximum seed germination of 80 %, shoot length 1.86 cm, root length 1.35 cm at 20 ppm.