Green synthesized cobalt nanoparticles from Trianthema portulacastrum L. as a novel antimicrobials and antioxidants

Abstract

Trianthema portulacastrum is a dietary and medicinal plant that has gained substantial importance due to its pharmacological properties. This plant was used for its various healing properties since the ancient period in ayurvedic system of medicine. The green synthesis technique is an eco-friendly as well as cost effective technique which can produce more biocompatible nanoparticles when compared with those fabricated by physio-chemical methods. Therefore, nanoparticles produced by green synthesis are credible alternatives to those which are produced by conventional synthesis techniques. This research mainly aims to produce nanoparticles with the methanolic leaf extract of T. portulacastrum. The optimized nanoparticles were further analyzed for anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties. Disk diffusion assay was used for the determination of the antimicrobial property and on the other hand, DPPH radical scavenging assay as well as hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity proved the antioxidant property of the formulation. The study revealed that Escherichia coli (gram negative strain) shows greater zone of inhibition when compared with Bacillus subtilis (gram positive bacteria). The nanoparticles have also been reported to show significant anti-fungal activity against the strains of Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporum which proves its desirability for its further use against both bacterial as well as fungal infections. The novel formulation can be explored dually as antimicrobial and antioxidant agent.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Animal biotechnology
• antibacterial
• antifungal
• antioxidant
• environmental biotechnology
• cobalt nanoparticles
• Trianthema portulacastrum

Acknowledgements

Authors are highly obliged to Department of Pharmacy and Department of Biosciences, Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan for laboratory facilities and extended instrumental facility in successful accomplishment of the present work.

Author contributions

A.P. and S.S. have equally contributed to performing the entire research in the Research Laboratories of Banasthali Vidyapith. S.S. has assisted A.P. in the Lab works and has drafted the entire manuscript, expressing the research into words. V.D. has mentored A.P. and S.S. in the design of the research work. P.S., S.D., P.R., and G.H. has assisted in providing data interpretation, critical feedback of the entire manuscript and conceptualizing the work design.

Disclosure statement

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

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

Dr. Suvadra Das would like to acknowledge the financial assistance from University of Engineering and Management, Kolkata, India through Grant-in-aid project. Grant No. UEMK/13/4/2022/1.