Biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Moringa oleifera leaf extract, probing antibacterial and antioxidant activities.

Nanoparticles have garnered significant attention in recent years because of their potential applications in various fields, including medicine, electronics, and energy. Despite the growing interest in zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) because of their unique optical, electrical, and antimicrobial properties, traditional synthesis methods often rely on harmful chemicals and energy-intensive processes. This study presents a novel, eco-friendly approach to synthesize ZnO-NPs from leaf extract, eliminating the need for toxic chemicals and high-energy processes. The biosynthesized ZnO-NPs were characterized via a range of techniques, including UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results confirmed the successful synthesis of crystalline ZnO-NPs with a characteristic absorbance peak at 320 nm. The antibacterial activity of the ZnO-NPs was evaluated against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, and the results revealed remarkable antibacterial activity, indicating the potential of the ZnO-NPs as a natural antimicrobial agents. Furthermore, antioxidant activity analysis revealed a concentration-dependent increase in radical scavenging ability, suggesting the potential of ZnO-NPs as an antioxidant agents. Notably, this study demonstrates the first use of leaf extract for ZnO-NP synthesis, offering a sustainable and scalable alternative to existing methods. This study highlights the potential of green synthesis methods for producing nanoparticles with unique properties and applications.