Green Synthesis Of ZnO Nanoparticles Research Articles

Green Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles Using Myrtus communis L. Extract and their Insecticidal Activity against Myzus persicae (Sulzer)

Using nanotechnology to develop nanobiopesticides is an emerging strategy for controlling insect pests because of their high synthesis efficiency and environmental safety. In this study, Myrtus communis L. plant extracts were used in the biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and evaluated for their insecticidal activity against the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae. ZnO NPs were characterized using several methods, such as an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, where the peak was recorded at 378 nm. Furthermore, the Fourier transform infrared analysis spectrum showed many different types of functional groups playing a role in the biosynthesis of ZnO NPs. Field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that synthesized ZnO NPs were semi-spherical, ranging from 40 to 60 nm. Prepared concentrations of ZnO NPs were tested against nymphs and adults of M. persicae, and 77.37 and 53.65% of mortality was recorded at 100 ppm concentration after 3-day post-treatment, respectively, compared to controls (plant extract only used) where 33.31 and 23.54% of mortality was observed. It shows that the M. communis-based ZnO NPs were approximately 2.5 times more effective toxins suggesting the potential of nanoproducts as nanobiopesticides.. KEYWORDS :Myrtus communis, Nanotechnology, Zinc oxide, Insecticide, Myzus persicae

Green synthesis of ZnONps using Horse gram seed aqueous extract and its in vitro evaluation on antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer and DNA binding potential

The goal of this study was to access the green production of zinc oxide nanoparticles (G-ZnO NPs) using aqueous extract of horse gram seeds (Macrotyloma Uniflorum). The precursor to the extract ratio (2.5:1) and pH value (8.5), along with the zinc nitrate concentration (0.5 M), had an impact on the particle size and the green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles. UV Spectroscopy inspection revealed formation of G-ZnO NPs with absorption at 320 nm which is the characteristic absorption of G-ZnO NPs. FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX and TEM were used to characterize the green synthesized ZnO NPs. The findings demonstrated that the presence of secondary metabolites in the seed extractstabilize and contribute in the production of G-ZnO NPs. A dose-dependent increase in antibacterial activity was seen in evaluation of these NPs against Klebsiella, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antioxidant activity and antidiabetic activity for G-ZnO NPs was also noted to be concentration dependent. The synthesized nanoparticles are found to interact with CT-DNA to produce a hypochromic shift. Further the studies on the G-ZnONPs in MCF-7 cells using the MTT test demonstrated greater cellular inhibition. The results validate that the green synthesized ZnO-NPs from horse gram seed possess good biological activities and can be an excellent biologically derived potential material which could be used in the drug discovery from natural products.

Correction to: Green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and their antibacterial activity and photocatalytic degradation

Correction to: Green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and their antibacterial activity and photocatalytic degradation

Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using peels of Citrus limetta and evaluation of their antibacterial activity

Background: The fruit peel wastes produced during the processing of different agriculture-related products after production are not utilized to their full potential, and their environmental impact has become a significant global issue. Citrus peel waste is rich in nutrients and has biopotential activity. Objective: The main objective of the current study is to analyze peels of Citrus limetta qualitatively and quantitatively and synthesize Zinc oxide Nanoparticles using the green synthesis method. Methodology: The synthesized ZnO NPs were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antibacterial activity of C. limetta peels ZnO NPs against Pseudomonas aeruginosa was evaluated by the Agar Disc Diffusion method. Results: The UV-Vis spectrum was measured in the 200 – 400 nm range, and the crystalline structure was analyzed via XRD. SEM/EDS analysis confirmed the nano-spherical structures and the agglomeration of the synthesized ZnO NPs. A minimal inhibitory effect against the Pseudomonas aeruginosa by C. limetta peels ZnO NPs was observed. Conclusion: Hence, the green synthesized ZnO NPs offer an effective and economical way to utilize citrus peel waste in both food and non-food sectors.

Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue from aqueous solution using green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles

Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue from aqueous solution using green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles

Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles for spent caustic recovery: Adsorbent characterization and process optimization using I-optimal method

Clean and potable water is a basic human need for survival on Earth. Among the available water sources, wastewater has become increasingly valuable. However, certain types of wastewaters, such as spent caustic, are considered highly polluted and pose significant environmental hazards, making their proper treatment imperative. To address this issue, the present study focuses on developing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution using a ZnO nanocomposite synthesized with Iranian green tea as an adsorbent for sulfide adsorption from spent caustic wastewater. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using various analytical tools, including XRD, FTIR, FE-SEM, PSA, and EDX. The experiments were designed using Design Expert software to examine the impact of initial concentration, nanoparticle loading, initial pH, and time, leading to the determination of the optimum conditions. The optimized parameters for spent caustic recovery with spherical ZnO nanoparticles, obtained through the I-optimal method, were a nanoparticle loading of 0.37 wt%, an initial concentration of 777.5 ppm, a reaction time of 14.33 min, and a pH of 9.85, resulting in a remarkable 97% sulfide elimination. The adsorption isotherm and kinetics data indicated that the pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm models were well-suited for sulfide elimination. Additionally, the ZnO nanoparticles exhibited the advantage of recyclability, maintaining up to 65% of their adsorption efficiency over five cycles. Consequently, the implementation of ZnO nanoparticles emerges as a promising and effective strategy for removing sulfide from spent caustic wastewater.

Green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and their antibacterial activity and photocatalytic degradation

AbstractMany research papers are currently being written about various methodologies for the green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles. In this study, ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by green synthesis method using baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The characterization of the produced ZnO nanoparticles involved the utilization of XRD, FTIR, SEM, and TEM. The investigation involved the assessment of the antimicrobial potential and photocatalytic degradation efficacy of the synthesized materials through the utilization of Eriochrome Black T (EBT). The results indicate that the ZnO nanoparticles exhibit a spherical morphology, exhibiting diameters ranging from 13.0 to 20.0nm, with an average particle size of 15.0nm. The antimicrobial efficacy against (S. aureus) gram-positive and (E. coli) gram-negative bacteria was tested through the conduction of zone of inhibition (ZOI) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests. This research focused on the study of the photocatalytic-degradation of EBT in the presence of ultraviolet light. The experiments focused on the impact of various factors, such as pH levels, initial EBT concentration, and nanocatalyst dosage, on the observed photocatalytic efficiency. In the in vitro ZOI and MIC results assay, it was observed that ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) exhibited greater efficacy against gram-positive S. aureus, with a ZOI measuring 23.1 mm and a MIC of 0.625 μg/ml. In contrast, the effectiveness of ZnO-NPs against gram-negative E. coli was comparatively lower, as indicated by a ZOI of 17.0 mm and a MIC of 1.250μg/ml. The greatest EBT elimination, which achieved 83.0% in equilibrium, was found employing 20.0mg of ZnO NPs at pH 3.0, according to the photocatalytic activity results. The synthetic ZnO NPs are powerful antibacterial agents that are effective against tested bacteria and may be used in the treatment of wastewater.

Green Synthesized ZnO Nanoparticles Improve the Growth and Phytohormones Biosyn-thesis and Modulate the Expression of Resistance Genes in Phaseolus vulgaris

Green Synthesized ZnO Nanoparticles Improve the Growth and Phytohormones Biosyn-thesis and Modulate the Expression of Resistance Genes in Phaseolus vulgaris

Antibacterial Activity of ZnO Nanoparticles in a Staphylococcus-aureus-Infected Galleria mellonella Model Is Tuned by Different Apple-Derived Phytocargos.

This research investigates pH changes during the green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) and emphasises its importance in their physicochemical, antibacterial, and biological properties. Varying the synthesis pH from 8 to 12 using "Bravo de Esmolfe" apple extracts neither affected the morphology nor crystallinity of ZnO but impacted NP phytochemical loads. This difference is because alkaline hydrolysis of phytochemicals occurred with increasing pH, resulting in BE-ZnO with distinct phytocargos. To determine the toxicity of BE-ZnO NPs, Galleria mellonella was used as an alternative to non-rodent models. These assays showed no adverse effects on larvae up to a concentration of 200 mg/kg and that NPs excess was relieved by faeces and silk fibres. This was evaluated by utilising fluorescence-lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) to track NPs' intrinsic fluorescence. The antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus was higher for BE-ZnO12 than for BE-ZnO8; however, a different trend was attained in an in vivo infection model. This result may be related to NPs' residence in larvae haemocytes, modulated by their phytocargos. This research demonstrates, for the first time, the potential of green synthesis to modulate the biosafety and antibacterial activity of NPs in an advanced G. mellonella infection model. These findings support future strategies to overcome antimicrobial resistance by utilizing distinct phytocargos to modulate NPs' action over time.

In vitro analysis of antibacterial activity against wound pathogens, potential for wound healing, and anti‐melanoma properties of biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles

AbstractStaphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of wound infections. Infected wounds increase wound severity and have a slower rate of healing. Moreover, emergence of multiple‐drug resistant bacteria such as methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA) limited treatment options. This study was therefore aimed to evaluate antibacterial activity against wound pathogen and wound‐healing properties of green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles derived from mangosteen peel crude extract (ZnO‐Gm). Moreover, their anti‐skin cancer activity was also investigated in vitro. As a result, the ZnO‐Gm particles significantly inhibited growth of S. aureus and MRSA with the IC50 values at 0.44 and 0.51 mg/mL, respectively. By performing quantitative reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, the intracellular ROS in both treated S. aureus and MRSA with ZnO‐Gm was found to be significantly elevated. Furthermore, ZnO‐Gm exhibited cytotoxic effects via induction of apoptosis on the A375 melanoma cancer cell line, with an IC50 value of 8.91 µg/mL, while not affecting the normal cell line (Vero). In addition, 30 µg/mL of ZnO‐Gm could strongly promote wound healing of an epidermal keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). Consequently, the findings of this study demonstrated that the green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles have potential as antibacterial agents, wound‐healing materials, and anti‐melanoma agents.

Exploring the Antibacterial Potential of Green-Synthesized MgO and ZnO Nanoparticles from Two Plant Root Extracts.

The green approach-based nanoparticle synthesis is considered a more cost-effective and ecologically responsible method of producing nanoparticles than other standard techniques. A major accomplishment in resolving these issues is the use of nanoparticles for environmental pollution remediation. This article describes a simple method for producing MgO and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) using aqueous extracts of Zingiber officinale and Glycyrrhiza roots as the stabilizing and reducing agents, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersed X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy methods were used to characterize the biologically synthesized metal oxide nanoparticles (MO NPs). The XRD results showed that the mean crystallite sizes of synthesized ZnO and MgO NPs, which have excellent purity, are 12.35 nm and 4.83 nm, respectively. The spherical or elliptical shape of the synthesized NPs was confirmed by the SEM analysis. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized NPs against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria was thoroughly investigated. With a medium zone of inhibition of 7 to 10 mm, the as-synthesized MgO NPs and ZnO NPs demonstrated moderate antibacterial activity towards various bacterial strains.

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles mitigate toxic effects of Cadmium heavy metal in Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

Heavy metals contaminated soils and water sources are one of the major global causes of inhibition of plant growth and productivity. Different strategies are being employed to overcome the challenging issue to increase plant yield requirements to fulfil the needs of future generations. The objective of the present study was to observe the effects of spray (foliar) of green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles (100 ppm), alone and its interaction in conjugation with Cd (Cd+ZnO-NPs) 100 ppm of both on the growth and biochemical activities of the target plant, i.e., two chilli varieties. After two weeks of transplant, treatments viz., Control (T1), ZnO nanoparticles 100 ppm (T2), Cd 100 ppm (T3), and ZnO nanoparticles 100 ppm + Cd 100 ppm (T4) were given for six weeks and different parameters of growth and biochemical analysis were made. Results have shown that 100 ppm foliar spray of ZnO-NPs has significantly increasing effects on root and shoot growth of chilli plants in alone (ZnO nanoparticles) and Combined (ZnO nanoparticles +Cd heavy metal) treatments mitigating toxic effects of Cd stress. A similar increase in values of total carbohydrates, soluble proteins, free amino acids, and photosynthetic pigments were observed mostly in a combination of Cd+ZnO-NPs treatment showing remediation properties of ZnO nanoparticles against Cd stress in chilli plant. In conclusion, it may be suggested that 100 ppm ZnO-NPs foliar spray can have an increasing effect on the growth parameters of the plants under stressful conditions of Cd heavy metal.

Foliar application of green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles reduced Cd content in shoot of lettuce

Though Zinc (Zn) supplementation can mitigate root-based Cadmium (Cd) uptake in plants, the impact of foliar-applied Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on this process remains under-explored. This study investigates the influence of foliar-applied ZnO NPs on the growth of lettuce and its Cd uptake in Cd-contaminated soil in greenhouse setting. Green synthesized ZnO (G-ZnO) NPs (10 and 100 mg/L) using sweet potato leaf extracts were used, and compared with commercially available ZnO (C–ZnO) NPs (100 mg/L) for their efficacy. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were used for G-ZnO NPs characterization. Shoot dry weight, antioxidant activity, and chlorophyll content were all negatively affected by Cd but positively affected by ZnO NPs application. ZnO NPs application resulted in a notable reduction in lettuce Cd uptake, with the highest reduction (43%) observed at 100 mg/L G-ZnO NPs. In the lettuce shoot, Zn and Cd concentration showed a significant inverse correlation (R2 = 0.79–0.9, P < 0.05). This study offers insights into the impact of chemical and green synthesized ZnO NPs on enhancing crop growth under stress conditions, and their role in modulating Cd uptake in plants, indicating potential implications for sustainable agricultural practices.

Formulation of Zinc oxide/Gum acacia nanocomposite as a novel slow-release fertilizer for enhancing Zn uptake and growth performance of Spinacia oleracea L

Zinc (Zn) deficiency has caused nutritional disorders in 17% of the world's population; thus, producing Zn-enriched plants as a dietary source is necessary. Recently, nanofertilizers have gained much attention as a substitute for conventional fertilizers; however, soil application of polymer-coated Zn-based nanofertilizer has not been explored much. The present study depicts the green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using Melia azedarach L. leaf extract, whose phytoconstituents have reducing abilities. The synthesized nanoparticles were combined with gum acacia (GA) to form a ZnOGA nanocomposite. The structural and morphological properties of ZnOGA were studied using XRD, FTIR, FESEM, and EDX. A pot experiment study was carried out with Spinacia oleracea L. at various doses (3, 5, and 10 mg/kg) of the synthesized ZnOGA to evaluate its effectiveness as a slow-release fertilizer and was compared with a commercial Zn fertilizer. The plant growth studies revealed a significant increase in the phyto-morphological traits of the plants fertilized with ZnOGA compared to commercial fertilizer. The plants also displayed significantly higher contents of protein (17-47%), phenols (25-60%), proline (82-94%), total soluble sugar (20-31%), DPPH activity (70-72%), and Zn uptake (91-106%). The doses of ZnOGA played an imperative role in determining the growth and productivity of the plant. Soil column studies showed that ZnOGA reduces Zn leaching by 52% compared to commercial Zn fertilizer. This study signifies the potential of ZnOGA to be applied as an eco-friendly and sustainable substitute for conventional Zn fertilizer minimizing Zn losses and Zn deficiency-related health problems in human populations.

Antibacterial and antibiofilm efficacy of green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles using Saraca asoca leaves.

Biofilms are made up of bacterial colonies and their extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) matrix, which protects the bacteria from adverse environmental conditions. The increasing drug resistivity of pathogenic bacteria is becoming an emergency for developing new antibacterial agents. In this study, we have synthesized the zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using the leaf extract of Saraca asoca plant, and the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of green synthesized ZnO NPs was measured against the biofilm-producing bacteria Bacillus subtilis. The disk diffusion data reveals that the zone of inhibition (ZOI) starts at a concentration of 0.5mg/mL and minimum inhibition concentration (100µg/mL) and minimum bactericidal concentration (150µg/mL) values were also evaluated for green synthesized ZnO nanomaterials. Crystal violet test and microscopic examination were used to assess the impact of produced nanoparticles on biofilm development. The findings indicated a nearly 45%, 64%, and 83% suppression of biofilm development at 0.5 × MIC, 0.75 × MIC, and 1 × MIC value, respectively. The biofilm biomass of the preformed or matured biofilms by the ZnO NPs was evaluated to be 68%, 50%, and 33% at concentrations of 0.5 × MIC, 0.75 × MIC, and 1 × MIC which was concentration-dependent. Moreover, flow cytometry results suggest damage to the bacterial cell membrane. The data indicated that the proportion of dead cells increased with NP concentration in comparison to the control. Therefore, it can be concluded that the green synthetic ZnO nanoparticles showed excellent antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against the Bacillus subtilis bacteria that produce biofilms and that they could be a promising substitute agent for the treatment of biofilms and drug-resistant bacteria.

Identification of Phytochemicals in Myrtus communis L. Extract by GC–Mass and their Effectiveness in the Green Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles

Plants remain the most important source in many industrial, medical, and agricultural applications, due to their production of many chemical compounds as represent secondary metabolites of plants, similar to those found in pharmaceutical compounds and chemical pesticides. The aim of this study was to determine the phytochemical separation of the leaves of the Myrtus communis L. extract plant by using the GC–Mass technique, and the role of these compounds as biological reducing agents in the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles. The analysis of GC–Mass showed the presence of many 11 chemical compounds, such as Eucalyptol, Vitamin E, Neophytadiene, and N-Methyl-1-adamantaneacetamide. The results also indicated the effectiveness of the identified compounds in the process of biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles, where the properties of the nanoparticles were described using UV-visible spectrophotometric and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Where The peak of UV-Vis spectrophotometer was recorded at 366 nm, while the size and shape of ZnO NPs where average size was 30nm with roughly circular or spherical in shape. The research conclusion confirmed that the leaves of the M. communis L. extract plant contained many chemical compounds which have a role in the biosynthesis of ZnO NPs.

Structural, spectroscopic and morphology studies on green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesised using Tabernaemontana divaricata flower extract (TFE) in different weight percentages by facile, eco-friendly and cost-effective green synthesis method. Formation and structure of the ZnO NPs were studied by powder XRD, FT−IR, Raman and TEM studies. The crystals formed are of hexagonal wurtzite structure with biological functional groups attached. Average crystallite size of the ZnO NPs (17.5−23.3 nm) was obtained from the analysis of powder XRD data which increased with increase of TFE amount while the estimated values of dislocation density and micro-strain exhibited an opposite behaviour. The optical (direct and indirect) energy band gap values estimated using UV–vis DRS spectral data decreased with increasing amount of TFE. The photoluminescence spectra for the ZnO NPs exhibited multiple peaks spread over the visible region with one peak in the NIR region indicating the existence of various defect levels of Zn and O. Position of these defect levels within the band gap was assigned which is significantly modulated by TFE. TFE amount-dependent peak shift and/or peak broadening were observed in the Raman spectra of the ZnO NPs which were correlated with the growing disorder in the crystals induced by the extract molecules. FESEM study showed the agglomerated NPs with quasi-spherical morphology. Particle size of the ZnO NPs was estimated from FESEM images. EDX study indicated that increased presence of TFE in ZnO decreased the oxygen content in the synthesised material. HRTEM study revealed the agglomeration of nanoparticles with single crystalline nature. Present study convincingly established that flower extract used for the green synthesis efficiently modified the structure and optical property, defect levels and morphology of the potentially useful ZnO nanoparticles.

GREEN SYNTHESIS OF ZINC OXIDE NANOPARTICLES USING SOLANUM NIGRUM LEAF EXTRACT AND OVERVIEW OF THEIR ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITIES

In the current study, we have detailed the green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (Zn-NPs) employing the capping ingredient Solanum Nigrum. With the use of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, UV-Vis absorption, and antibacterial investigations, the functionalization of ZnO particles through Solanum Nigrum leaves extract induced bio-reduction of ZnO was examined. According to XRD analysis, the produced NPs have a wurtzite hexagonal structure and an average grain size of 27.6 nm. The functional groups are further shown by FT-IR spectra. The indirect band gap is estimated to be 3.38 eV based on UV-Vis DRS studies. It has been proven that the particle size variations and surface area-to-volume ratios of ZnO-NPs are responsible for significantly higher antibacterial activities. According to the antibacterial study, the ZnO-NPs inhibit the growth of both normal as well as pathogenic bacterium and hence might be used for coating surgical equipment for performing aseptic operators in the medical field.

Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using marine brown algae (Cystoseira) extract comprising sol–gel, and combustion techniques based on dye-sensitized solar cells application

The ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using marine brown algae (Cystoseira) extract and calcination. For comparison, combustion, and sol–gel methods were employed to synthesize nanoparticles to use as material in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) photoanode. The produced nanoparticles were characterized using structural and morphological studies by FTIR, SEM, and XRD experiments, respectively. The results revealed that the net hexagonal crystal structure was achieved with a crystal size of less than 100 nm, good purity, spherical shape, and a suitable dimension for fabricating DSSCs. They exhibit enhanced properties due to the variation in their characteristics such as average size, size distribution, and morphology. The ZnO nanoparticles were used to fabricate the DSSCs by the doctor blade method, and the efficacy of each cell was evaluated using voltage–current measurement. The results were in good agreement with the characteristic curve of the commercialized DSSC. The best performance for the fabricated DSSCs was achieved using green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles, because of the influence of their morphology such as smaller crystal size, more grain boundaries, and bigger surface area. The cell’s solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency, short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage, and fill factor were measured as ∼1.13%, 3.8[Formula: see text]mA/cm2, 620[Formula: see text]mV, and 54.3%, respectively. The enhanced photovoltaic properties were ascribed to the flower-like morphological structures of the ZnO nanoparticles prepared using the green synthesis method.

Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using the aqueous extract of Platanus orientalis: Structural characterization and photocatalytic activity

In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were prepared from the aqueous leaves extract of Platanus orientalis by a green route. To gain optimum synthesis terms for production of ZnO NPs, response surface methodology (RSM) with Box-Behnken design (BBD) was applied. The NPs were investigated by several techniques including Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), UV–Vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), energy dispersive x-ray (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Brunear-Emmet- Teller (BET) analysis. The average crystallite revealed a size of 23.48 nm measured by PXRD. The selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and PXRD analyses indicated the presence of the ZnO crystalline phase. Besides, FE-SEM and TEM analyses of biosynthesized ZnO NPs confirmed their spherical shape. Calculations showed that the optical band gap value of biosynthesized ZnO NPs is less than commercial sample, which can be attributed to the presence of some natural compounds of the plant extract in the ZnO structure. Biosynthesized ZnO NPs were also used as a photocatalytic material for the degradation of Acid Red 14, resulting in about 85% dye degradation under xenon lamp irradiation for 45 min. Due to their eco-friendly synthesis and non-toxic nature, ZnO NPs prepared from P. orientalis extract can be used as potential candidates for some environmental applications such as photocatalytic processes.