Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using Ailanthus altissima fruit extracts and antibacterial activity

Abstract

Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using <em>Ailanthus altissima</em> fruits aqueous extract. Recently, the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles have been a keen interest amongst researchers and scientist due to its simplicity eco-friendliness, non-toxic, inexpensive and potential to perform in antibacterial activity. Thus, in this current work, the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using <em>Ailanthus altissima</em> fruits aqueous extract is reported. The green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM), UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The average size of the nanoparticles prepared was found to be ranging from 5 to 18 nm. The FT–IR analysis suggests that the obtained ZnO-NPs have been stabilized through the interactions of flavonoids, and phenolic compounds in the fruits extract. Synthesized ZnO-NPs reveals antibacterial activity against two bacterial strains, <em>Escherichia coli</em> and <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em>. It is concluded that the ZnO-NPs have high efficient antibacterial activity and considered as a potential additive to substitute toxic chemical and physical antibacterial materials.