In this article, a simple new technique for the green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) using peroxidases oxidoreductases (POX) enzyme extracted from fig leaves for antifungal and antibacterial activities has been reported. Subsequently, a comprehensive investigation of the structural, optical, and morphological properties of the synthesized CuO NPs was elucidated, using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Electrodiagnostic (EDX), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis techniques. Specifically, the resultant nanoparticles are spherical with a diameter ranging from 28–68. CuO NPs were further tested for their antifungal activity against Candida and Aspergillus species, while the antibacterial activity was screened in contradiction of pathogenic bacterial strains namely gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Asinobacterial species. The present study reveals a convenient use of POX fig leaves extract as fuel, for the well-organized synthesis of CuO NPs via green synthesis technique to acquire considerably active antifungal and antibacterial materials.

In this manuscript, a simple new method for the green synthesis of platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) utilizing F. carica Fig extract as reducing agent for antimicrobial activities was reported. Simultaneously, the microstructural and morphological features of the synthesized Pt NPs were thoroughly investigated. In particular, the attained Pt NPs exhibited spherical shape with diameter range of 5-30 nm and root mean square of 9.48 nm using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), respectively. Additionally, the final product (Pt NPs) was screened as antifungal and antibacterial agent against Candida and Aspergillus species as well as Gram-positive Staphyllococcus aureus and Gram-negative Acinetobacter species, respectively. Accordingly, the synthesized NPs demonstrated inhibition zones of 36 and 28 mm against fungal and bacterial species, respectively. The presented Pt NPs play an active role in both antifungal and antibacterial activities which indicates the presence of a well-regulated nano-materials system for biomedical application.

In the current study, iron oxide nanoparticles (IO NPs) were synthesized via modified green synthesis technique using F. carica fig extract as reducing agent. Furthermore, the microstructural properties of the synthesized IO NPs have been thoroughly elucidated. In details, the acquired NPs diameter was found to be in the range of 11-29 nm and of root mean square (RMS) of 0.64 nm using TEM and AFM techniques, respectively. Consequently, the antifungal and antibacterial activities of the synthesized IO NPs were screened against Candida and Aspergillus species as well as Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Acinetobacter species, respectively. The presented IO NPs play an active role in the antimicrobial activities evidencing the well-organized materials system for biomedical applications.

This study explains the biosynthesis, characterization, evaluation of the antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) prepared by a low-cost and simple procedure. Bio-inspired ZnO NPs were synthesized with the aid of a novel, non-toxic, ecofriendly biological material namely; Banana Peels Extract (BPE). Qualitative phytochemical screening of the aqueous fruit peels extract of banana revealed the presence of many phytocomponents in it. The structural, morphological and optical properties of the synthesized nanoparticles have been characterized by using UV-Vis spectrophotometer, XRD, FE-SEM with EDX analysis, AFM and FTIR. The synthesized ZnO NPs were characterized by a peak at 373 nm in the UV-Vis spectrum. The XRD of the sample revealed the hexagonal wurtzite structure with an average grain size 11.98 nm. Particle shapes and sizes were determined by FE-SEM. Surface morphology of the sample was studied by AFM. The FT-IR confirmed the presence of functional groups of both leaf extract and ZnO NPs. The results showed the antibacterial activity of the ZnO NPs against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli). The cytotoxicity of ZnO NPs was tested against vero101 normal cell line and skin A431 cancer cell line by Crystal violet (CV) assay. Banana peels mediated ZnO NPs showed no evidence of toxicity against normal cell line, the nanoparticles are biocompatible and are non-toxic and effective cytotoxic effect against cancer cell line. These results clearly support the benefits of using a biological method for synthesizing ZnO NPs with anticancer activities.

ABSTRACT. In the present research, three zinc(II) complexes were synthesized using 3-(3-fluorophenyl)-2-methylacrylic acid (HL), 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2'-pyridine as ligands. The composition, structural confirmation, coordination way of ligand and assignment of geometry to the complexes were made by different analytical tools like elemental analysis, FTIR and 1H-NMR. The ligand 3-(3-fluorophenyl)-2-methylacrylate appeared to coordinate the metal (Zn) atom via COO- moiety in all of the complexes (1-3) while 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2'-pyridine co-ordinated to Zn(II) atom through N-donor sites in complexes 2 and 3, respectively. The complex 1 showed four while 2 and 3 showed six co-ordinated geometry. The synthesized complexes were evaluated for antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. The obtained results showed that complexes are active against microbial agents and exhibited significant cytotoxicity.                     KEY WORDS: Co-coordination, Geometry, Zinc(II) complexes, Biological activity   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2021, 35(2), 287-299. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v35i2.6