Green synthesis of zinc nanoparticles using aqueous extract of magnoliae officinalis and assessment of its bioactivity potentials

Abstract

Today, considerable attention has been drawn to the unique physicochemical and biological properties of zinc nanoparticles. In this study, ZnO-NPs were synthesized using Magnoliae officinalis (MO) aqueous extract as a reducing and capping agent. Characteristics of ZnO-NPs were analyzed using analytical techniques such as UV, FTIR, SEM, XRD, EDX, DLS, and zeta potential. After that, the antibacterial activity of ZnO-NPs against methicilin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was studied. The results of FTIR and UV-vis spectra showed successful biosynthesis of ZnO-NPs, because the absorption peaks and functional groups involved in the synthesis process were well developed. Additionally, the SEM micrograph and the DLS showed that the morphology and size distribution of the ZnO-NPs were spherical with a size of 150 nm. XRD, EDX, and zeta potential indicated crystal form of ZnO-NPs with zinc: oxygen ratio of 72.35:27 and a surface charge of +28 mv. The antibacterial activity of ZnO-NPs with the assessment of the well-diffusion method, MIC and MBC indicated the highest inhibitory effect at a concentration of 300 µg/ml, MIC 250 µg/ml and MBC 300 µg/ml. As regards the desirable antimicrobial activity of biosynthesized ZnO-NPs using MO extract, they may be used for medicinal purposes, in particular as antimicrobials and antiseptic agents.