Biosynthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using Melia azedarach seed extract: Evaluation of the cytotoxic and antimicrobial potency
Enathi Dinga,
Doctor Mziwenkosi Nhlanhla Mthiyane,
Upenyu Marume,
Tarryn-L. Botha,
Suranie Horn,
Rialet Pieters,
Victor Wepener,
Anthony Ekennia,
Damian-C. Onwudiwe
Affiliations
Enathi Dinga
Department of Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University (Mafikeng Campus), Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, South Africa
Doctor Mziwenkosi Nhlanhla Mthiyane
Department of Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University (Mafikeng Campus), Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, South Africa; Food Security and Safety Focus area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University (Mafikeng Campus), Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
Upenyu Marume
Department of Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University (Mafikeng Campus), Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, South Africa; Food Security and Safety Focus area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University (Mafikeng Campus), Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
Tarryn-L. Botha
Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, Florida Science Campus, 1710, South Africa
Suranie Horn
Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
Rialet Pieters
Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
Victor Wepener
Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
Anthony Ekennia
Department of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Damian-C. Onwudiwe
Material Science Innovation and Modelling (MaSIM) Research Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University (Mafikeng Campus), Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, South Africa; Corresponding author at: North-West University - Mafikeng Campus, South Africa.
ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized by using an aqueous extract of Melia azedarach seed are reported in this paper. The structural, morphological, compositional, and optical properties of the NPs were evaluated. A hexagonal phase with spherical morphology and an average crystallite size of 57.74 nm was obtained. Optical studies indicated a maximum absorption peak around 296 nm and bandgap energy of 3.88 eV. Cytotoxicity assay of both the plant extract and the as-prepared ZnO nanoparticles against the human hepatoma (HepG2) cell line showed that the M. azedarach seed-mediated ZnO nanoparticles were less toxic compared to ZnO synthesized by the conventional method, while the plant itself showed dose-dependent low toxicity. ZnO nanoparticles by the green route also exhibited good antibacterial activity, with higher efficiency for Gram-negative bacteria than Gram-positive bacteria.
