Phytosynthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using <i>Ceratonia siliqua</i> L. and Evidence of Antimicrobial Activity
Inès Karmous,
Fadia Ben Taheur,
Nubia Zuverza-Mena,
Samira Jebahi,
Shital Vaidya,
Samir Tlahig,
Mohsen Mhadhbi,
Mustapha Gorai,
Amel Raouafi,
Mohamed Debara,
Talel Bouhamda,
Christian O. Dimkpa
Affiliations
Inès Karmous
Institute of Applied Biology of Medenine, University of Gabes, Medenine 4100, Tunisia
Fadia Ben Taheur
Laboratory of Analysis, Treatment and Valorization of Environmental Pollutants and Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, Street Ibn Sina, Monastir 5000, Tunisia
Nubia Zuverza-Mena
Department of Analytical Chemistry, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
Samira Jebahi
Institute of Applied Biology of Medenine, University of Gabes, Medenine 4100, Tunisia
Shital Vaidya
Department of Analytical Chemistry, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
Samir Tlahig
Institute of Applied Biology of Medenine, University of Gabes, Medenine 4100, Tunisia
Mohsen Mhadhbi
Laboratory of Useful Materials, National Institute of Research and Physicochemical Analysis, Technopole Sidi Thabet, Ariana 2020, Tunisia
Mustapha Gorai
Institute of Applied Biology of Medenine, University of Gabes, Medenine 4100, Tunisia
Amel Raouafi
National Center for Nuclear Science and Technology, Technopole Sidi Thabet, Ariana 2020, Tunisia
Mohamed Debara
Arid Region Institute, Medenine 4100, Tunisia
Talel Bouhamda
Arid Region Institute, Medenine 4100, Tunisia
Christian O. Dimkpa
Department of Analytical Chemistry, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is a tree crop cultivated extensively in the eastern Mediterranean regions but that has become naturalized in other regions as well. The present study focused on the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) from Carob and their evaluation for antimicrobial activity in bacteria and fungi. The synthesized ZnONPs showed strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25 923 (92%). The NPs inhibited the growth of pathogenic yeast strains, including Candida albicans ATCC90028, Candida krusei ATCC6258, and Candida neoformans ATCC14116, by 90%, 91%, and 82%, respectively, compared to the control. Fungal inhibition zones with the ZnONPs were 88.67% and 90%, respectively, larger for Aspergillus flavus 15UA005 and Aspergillus fumigatus ATCC204305, compared to control fungal growth. This study provides novel information relevant for plant-based development of new and potentially antimicrobial ZnONPs based on extracts. In particular, the development and application of phytogenic nanoparticles enhances the biocompatibility of nano-scale materials, thereby allowing to tune effects to prevent adverse outcomes in non-target biological systems.
