Green synthesis and characterization of aluminum oxide nanoparticles using Phoenix dactylifera seed extract along with antimicrobial activity, phytotoxicity, and cytological effects on Vicia faba seeds

Abstract

The present study assessed the green synthesis of aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3-NPs) by using aluminum (Al) foil waste as an Al source and date palm seed extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Several methodologies were employed to investigate Al2O3-NPs, encompassing X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The UV–visible spectroscopy analysis revealed the presence of an absorption peak at a wavelength of 264 nm, providing evidence for the successful green synthesis of the Al2O3-NPs. The XRD analysis revealed that the average size of the Al2O3-NPs was 32 ± 2.57 nm and had a rhombohedral structure. The EDX facilitated the identification of the elemental composition of the sample, which was found to consist of 40.37% Al and 31.56% O, confirming the high purity of the Al2O3-NPs powder. Furthermore, it was noted that the Al2O3-NPs exhibited the greatest antibacterial efficacy against Candida albicans (21 ± 1.85 mm), but no discernible antimicrobial effect was recorded against Klebsiella pneumoniae at higher concentrations of Al2O3-NPs. No significant variation in the germination of faba bean seeds was observed upon treatment with Al2O3-NPs. The observed mitotic index in the treatment group was determined to be significantly lower compared to the control cells, based on the duration and dosage of Al2O3-NP exposure. In contrast, for micronuclei (MN) and the prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities, there is a noticeable upward trajectory in this phenomenon. Finally, Al2O3-NPs are employed in a variety of applications, such as biomedical and agriculture.