Abstract

SYNTHESIS OF ZINC OXIDE NANOPARTICLES USING LEAF EXTRACT OF BARLERIA CRISTATA AND MICROBIAL ACTIVITY

G. Madan Kumar*, G. Kalpana

Abstract

We report a green approach for the synthesis of biologically active zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles by zinc nitrate (ZnNO3) and utilizing the bio components of leaves extract of Barleria cristata. The ZnO nano crystallites of average size range of 30-35 nm have been synthesized by rapid, simple and ecofriendly method. Zinc nanoparticles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The particles obtained are spherical in nature and are agglomerates of nanocrystallite. The X- ray patterns show hexagonal crystal type for ZnO. Antimicrobial/antifungal potential of ZnO on four pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 3160, Bacillus subtilis MTCC 441, Escherichia coli MTCC 443 Aspergillus niger MTCC 281) and the influence of particles size of these inorganic powder on its antimicrobial /antifungal efficacy was considered in the present study. Results indicated that zinc oxide nanoparticles do have strong antibacterial and good antifungal activity against selected strains of bacteria and fungus.

Keywords: Zinc nanoparticles, Barleria cristata, Green-synthesis. X Ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, antibacterial, antifungal efficacy.