Bioactivities of nano-scale magnesium oxide prepared using aqueous extract of Moringa Oleifera leaves as green agent

Abstract

Abstract In this research, nano-size MgO (NS-MgO) was prepared from MgCl2 solution using aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaves (AEMOL) as green agent. Preparation procedure involved mixing of MgCl2.6H2O solution and the AEMOL, followed by dropwise addition of NaOH solution. The formation of NS-MgO in this synthesis was confirmed using UV-Vis absorption. The spherical crystal structure of NS-MgO was confirmed by XRD analysis. The average particle size of the synthesised NS-MgO was found between 40–70 nm using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images and particle size analyser (PSA) results. Based on the maximum inhibition concentration (MIC) it was found that the NS-MgO has good antibacterial activity against S. aureus, E. faecalis, E. coli, and S. dysenteriae bacteria (MIC values: 250–500 μg ml−1), and much stronger antifungal activity against A. flavus, A. niger, and C. albican (MIC values: 62.5–125 μg ml−1). These findings suggest prospective potential of NS-MgO synthesised as therapeutic candidate for the treatment of candidiasis.