Exploring the Bioactivity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Kigelia africana Fruit Extract

Background

Nanoparticles are nanoscale materials that are well known for their distinct physical and chemical characteristics. Owing to their tiny size and special characteristics, nanoparticles such as zinc oxide nanoparticles are widely prized for their use in medicine, especially for antioxidant and antibacterial applications.

Materials and Methods

This study focused on ZnONP synthesized from Kigelia africana fruit extract (Sausage tree), which is rich in bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins. The characterization of the biosynthesized ZnONP included UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM and EDXS. Free radical scavenge is evaluated across various antioxidant assays, such as DPPH, H₂O₂, ABTS, NO₂, and FRAP.

Results and Discussion

UV-visible spectroscopy confirmed the synthesis of ZnONP with an absorption peak at 340 nm; FTIR identified functional groups (O-H, H-O-H, C-O, and Zn-O); XRD revealed a crystalline structure with prominent peaks and particle sizes ranging from 113 to 884; SEM revealed an aggregated morphology; and EDXS confirmed the presence of zinc, oxygen and carbon. ZnONP showed potent free radical scavenging across various antioxidant assays, such as DPPH (inhibition: 89.47%; IC₅₀: 19.01 µg/mL), H₂O₂ (inhibition: 85.6%; IC₅₀: 1.7 µg/mL), ABTS (inhibition: 91.23%; IC₅₀: 8.85 µg/mL), NO₂ (inhibition: 87.21%; IC₅₀: 28.06 µg/mL) and FRAP (inhibition: 89.54%; IC₅₀: 26.54 µg/mL) assays. The zone of inhibition around the ZnONP-treated wells demonstrated antibacterial efficacy. These tests collectively demonstrate that the ZnONP have strong antioxidant effects, antibacterial effects, and structural integrity. Owing to their antioxidant qualities, which improved bacterial cell disintegration and sustained antibacterial effects, Kigelia africana ZnONP demonstrated significant antibacterial effects, highlighting their potential for long-term biomedical applications.