Natural Product-Based Fabrication of Zinc-Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Applications

Abstract

Identification of the major components in natural products is crucial to understand the more realistic mechanism of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) fabrication processes. To obtain the desired Zn NPs, these particles are characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphology (size and shape) of NPs is regulated by the conditions during their synthesis. Despite the immense potentials of ZnO NPs, their cytotoxicity remains a cause of concern. Analysis of microbial cells is vital, as the functionalized NPs are incorporated within them. Different groups of microbes exhibit different susceptibilities to ZnO NPs, but the mechanism of controlling the toxicity is not yet clearly illustrated. They have been successfully exploited as antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and anticancer agent. Anticancer activity of ZnO NPs is associated with their ability to generate reactive oxygen species and induce apoptosis. In addition, ZnO NPs exhibit selective toxicity against the normal and cancerous cells. They are also used in drug delivery, gene delivery, bioimaging, treatment of different skin conditions, cosmetics as well as in agricultural system. This chapter elucidates the fabrication and characterization processes of ZnO NPs using plant system and discusses their beneficial applications.