Non-antimicrobial and Non-anticancer Properties of ZnO Nanoparticles Biosynthesized Using Different Plant Parts of Bixa orellana

Abstract

As traditional cancer therapy is toxic to both normal and cancer cells, there is a need for newer approaches to specifically target cancer cells. ZnO nanoparticles can be promising due their biocompatible nature. However, ZnO nanoparticles have also shown cytotoxicity against mammalian cells in some cases, because of which there is a need for newer synthesis approaches for biocompatible ZnO nanoparticles to be used as carrier molecules in drug delivery applications. Here, we report the biosynthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using different plant parts (leaf, seed, and seed coat) of Bixa orellana followed by different characterizations. The UV−visible spectra of ZnO showed absorption maxima at 341 and 353 nm, 378 and 373 nm, and 327 and 337 nm, respectively, before and after calcination corresponding to the band gap energy of 3.636 and 3.513 eV, 3.280 and 3.324 eV, and 3.792 and 3.679 eV for L-ZnO, S-ZnO, and Sc-ZnO, respectively. Xray diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of hexagonal wurtzite structures. Attenuated total reflectance infrared spectra revealed the presence of stretching vibrations of C−C, CC, CO, and NH 3 + groups along with C−H deformation involving biomolecules from extracts responsible for reduction and stabilization of nanoparticles. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images showed spherical and almond-like morphologies of L-ZnO and Sc-ZnO with spherical morphologies, whereas S-ZnO showed almond-like morphologies. The presence of antibacterial activity was observed in L-ZnO against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, in S-ZnO nanoparticles only against Escherichia coli, and in Sc-ZnO only against Staphylococcus aureus. Uncalcinated ZnO nanoparticles showed weak antibacterial activities, whereas calcinated ZnO nanoparticles showed a non-antibacterial nature. The antifungal activity against different fungi (Penicillium sp., Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium oxysporum, and Rhizoctonia solani) and cytotoxicity against HCT-116 cancer cells were not observed before and after calcination in all three ZnO nanoparticles. The antimicrobial nature and biocompatibility of ZnO nanoparticles were influenced by different parameters of the nanoparticles along with microorganisms and the human cells. Non-antimicrobial properties of ZnO nanoparticles can be treated as a pre-requisite for its biocompatibility due to its inert nature. Thus, biosynthesized ZnO nanoparticles showed a nontoxic nature, which can be exploited as promising alternatives in biomedical applications.

Investigating the Role of Classical Ayurveda-Based Incineration Process on the Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Based Jasada Bhasma Nanoparticles and Zn2+ Bioavailability

“…36-1451 ( Table 1 , see the example in Supporting Information S1 ). 37 − 40 The obtained lattice constant “ c ” for all JB samples was observed in the range of 5.06–5.08 Å which was lower than that of the standard hexagonal wurtzite structure with the “ c ” value at 2.21 Å. The lowering of “ c ” value was a consequence of the presence of iron (Fe) in all samples as observed from EDX ( Figure 5 C, see the example in Supporting Information S2 ).…”

Antioxidant Activity as an Indicator of the Efficiency of Plant Extract-Mediated Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

“…In this context, the following question arises: What are the characteristics that must be taken into consideration when choosing a plant source for the synthesis of nanoparticles? Several researchers have documented that the use of different plant species [ 13 , 14 ], different parts of the plant [ 15 ] and different plant extract concentrations [ 16 , 17 ] can affect the morphology and particle size of the obtained ZnO [ 6 , 18 ]. To the best of our knowledge, little has been said about the purity and yield of the final product, which are also important properties that could affect its reactivity, hinder its application in the construction of functionalized materials and limit its scalability.…”

Triclosan to Improve the Antimicrobial Performance of Universal Adhesives

“…Therefore, it is urgent to prolong the life of adhesive restoration by inhibiting the growth of S. mutans and the formation of biofilms. Various antibacterial monomers have also been successively added to adhesives, such as quaternary ammonium compounds [ 12 ], metal ions such as silver and zinc [ 13 ], antibiotics [ 14 ], and antimicrobial peptides [ 15 ]. However, metal and its oxide particles will change the colour of the material and affect the aesthetics and resin transmittance [ 16 ].…”