Facile biosynthesis, characterisation and biotechnological application of ZnO nanoparticles mediated by leaves of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius

Abstract

The present study synthesised and characterised zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using spinach tree, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius and investigated its potential use as nanofertilizer. The synthesised nanoparticles showed UV–Vis absorption peak at 378 nm which is a feature of ZnO NPs. FT-IR analysis further revealed the presence of O-H stretching, C = C bending, O-H bending and C-N stretching functional groups of the stabilising action of the plant extract on the surface of the nanoparticles. SEM images displayed the shape of NPs to be spherical whereas TEM images showed their distribution sizes to be 100 nm. Synthesised ZnO NPs were used as a nano fertilizer on Sorghum bicolour plant. An increase in the shoot leaf length with an average length of 16.13 ± 0.19 cm as compared to the control group of 15.13 ± 0.07 cm was observed. The rate of photosynthesis also showed a significant increase with total chlorophyll content of 0.2806 ± 0.006 mg/mL as compared with control of 0.2476 ± 0.002 mg/mL. The activity of antioxidative enzymes was measured with an increase in the specific activity of SOD in the plant when ZnO NPs were used over NPK whereas, the specific activities of CAT were similar in all cases.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Nanoparticles
• zinc oxide
• green synthesis
• nanofertilizer
• antioxidative enzymes

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful for the laboratory facilities provided by Department of Biochemistry and Toxicology Institute of Occupational Health, Johannesburg.

Author contributions

R.S.D, R.C.G and F.K.A designed the experiments. R.S.D performed the experiments, R.C.G, R.S.D and U.O.S analysed the data with supervision by F.K.A and R.S.D wrote the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, R.S.D, upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The authors did not receive any funding from any private or public organisation for the work.