Abstract

BIOSYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ZINC OXIDE NANOPARTICLES FROM MARINE BROWN ALGAE SARGASSUM WIGHTII AND ITS ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY

*Raja Kumar R. and Saranya Raju R.

Abstract

In modern science, Nanotechnology is a mature and advanced field for researchers. Zinc Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are known to be one of the most multifunctional inorganic nanoparticles with its application in treatment of various diseases. The present study focuses on the production of ZnO nanoparticles from Zinc Nitrate Hexahydrate (Zn(NO3)2·6H2O) using the methanol extracts of a Sargassum wightii. Nanoparticles were synthesized using Sargassum wightii extract and were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Therefore, the study reveals an efficient and simple method for the green synthesis of multifunctional ZnO NPs using Sargassum wightii. The results showed that the extract is optimum for the synthesis of ZnO NPs and it is also known to have the ability to inhibit the growth of various pathogenic microorganisms. The synthesized ZnO NPs can be used for various applications due to its eco-friendly, non-toxic and compatibility for pharmaceuticals. It indicates the biomedical capability of ZnO NPs.

Keywords: Green synthesis, Zinc nanoparticles, Antimicrobial activity, Sargassum wightii.