Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Stem Extract of <i>Citrullus colocynthis</i>, Characterization and Evaluation of its Antibacterial Activity

Abstract

In the current investigation, an attempt is made to synthesize and characterize the Citrullus colocynthis stem extract loaded Zinc Oxide Nano Particles (ZnONP-Cc) and to evaluate the cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activities of the same. The synthesis of ZnONP-Cc was carried out and the characterization in terms of UV-Spectrum, Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR) spectrum, Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis were done. The antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of the ZnONP-Cc were evaluated using the established protocol. In the UV-Spectrum significant SPR peak was observed at 350 nm and FT-IR spectrum exhibited several biomolecules with their chemical entities. Through XRD method, the zinc oxide nanoparticles Face-Centered Cubic (FCC) structure was confirmed. The SEM and TEM confirm the synthesized nanoparticles were round and oval shape with size ranging from 10 - 20 nm. The ZnONP-Cc possess significant antimicrobial activity against wound pathogens and it was found to be non-toxic to the Brine shrimp nauplii. In conclusion, the synthesized ZnONP-Cc can be exploited in nanomedicine since it has antimicrobial activity without any toxicity.