A study on green synthesis, characterization of chromium oxide nanoparticles and their enzyme inhibitory potential.

The conventional chemical methods of nanoparticles synthesis have been effectively replaced by nanoparticle synthesis mediated by plants. The current study describes the environmental friendly synthesis of chromium oxide nanoparticles (CrO NPs) using plant extract. The synthesis of CrO NPs was validated by UV/VIS spectroscopy, Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The appearance of the Sharpe peak at 460 nm in the UV/Vis spectrum and the colour change caused by surface plasma resonance confirmed the formation of CrO NPs. The EDX spectrum of CrO nanoparticles revealed the presence of carbon, oxygen, and chromium, while SEM analysis revealed an irregular round morphology (with a size below 400 nm). In addition, XRD studies suggested their crystalline nature by the characteristic peaks at 34° and 36° and 42° (2Ɵ), respectively. The green synthesized CrO NPs showed promise as cholinesterase inhibitor at tested concentrations (62.5-1,000 μg/ml), with IC values of 120 and 100 μg/ml against Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), respectively. The results suggested that the green synthesized CrO NPs could be used in the future to stop enzyme from working and for other biological activities.