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Synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using aqueous extracts of seaweeds, Ulva lactuca, and Stoechospermum marginatum and their antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer activity have been reported. The UV absorption peaks at 310 nm and 345 nm confirmed the formation of ZnO NPs using U.lactuca (Ul-ZnO) and S.marginatum (Sm-ZnO), respectively. The XRD patterns indicated the crystalline nature of ZnO NPs with hexagonal wurtzite structure. The transmission electron microscopic analysis revealed that the ZnO NPs contain spherical and round-shaped particles with a size range of 12-17 nm for Ul-ZnO and 6-11 nm for Sm-ZnO NPs. The antibacterial activity and antifungal activity of both the NPs (Sm-ZnO and Ul-ZnO) were comparable. The results of the cytotoxicity assay of Ul-ZnO and Sm-ZnO NPs revealed that Ul-ZnO NPs recorded the maximum mortality rate of 97.34 % with an IC 50 value of 91.18 μg/ml.

Rapid industrialization, urbanization and population growth have resulted in air, water and land pollution. Water pollution is a major concern across the globe. Discharge of huge amount of industrial wastewater adversely affects the human and environment. Heavy metal pollution is considered to be one of the serious environmental problems today. Due to strict environmental regulations in the country, it is required to bring down the pollution level to a permissible limit. The present study assessed the capability of Azadirachta indica (neem leaf) powder as a natural adsorbent in the removal of copper ions from aqueous solutions. The characterization of the adsorbent was performed using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Series of batch experimental studies were carried out by changing the solution pH, stirring time, adsorbent dosage and stirring speed in the removal of copper from aqueous solution using A. indica as biosorbent. The experimental result shows that the percentage removal of copper was highest at the following optimized conditions: pH 7.0, stirring time 60 min and biosorbent dosage of 1.0 g and at 125 RPM speed. The studies indicate that A. indica is considered to be a promising type of biomass for the removal of copper ions from aqueous solutions.

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