Exploring the potential of ZnO nanoparticle antifungal with biostabilizers bidara leaves (Ziziphus spina-christi L.)

Abstract

The synthesis of nanoparticles can be carried out by means of biology, physics or chemistry. In the last few years, it has begun to be conducted biologically in synthesizing nanoparticles. One of which is by using plant extracts. This study used bidara leaf extract as a biostabilizer for the synthesis of nanoparticles ZnO. The objectives of this study were 1) to determine the structure of the ZnO nanoparticles characterized by SEM-EDX and XRD tests and 2) to determine the inhibitory activity of Malassezia furfur by ZnO nanoparticles. We employed the well diffusion method with three treatments, namely DMSO as a positive control, ketoconazole as a negative control, and ZnO nanoparticles as treatment. Characterization of nanoparticles employed SEM-EDX and XRD. The results of nanoparticle characterization by SEM-EDX indicated particle sizes ranging from 42-87 nm, and characterization using XRD obtained the peak purity of the ZnO sample. The results of the antifungal study showed that ZnO nanoparticles were able to inhibit fungal growth, and the diameter of the inhibition zone formed was 22 mm. Meanwhile, the inhibition zone formed from the negative control is 15 mm.