Dispersion of TiO₂ and ZnO nanoparticles into the Costus arabicus L. root smoke for enhancing its antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiparasitic activities

Abstract

Nanoparticles due to their unique physicochemical properties have been used in the biotechnology and agriculture especially on the plant growth and its biological activities. The TiO₂ and ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized via sol-gel method. The effect of TiO₂ and ZnO nanoparticles (100, 200 and 500 mg/L) on the improvement of biological properties of dichloromethane fraction (DF) of C. arabicus (the largest species in the Costaceae plant family) root smoke was studied. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared and field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were well improved by coupling of DF and ZnO nanoparticles. The synthesized DF/TiO₂ (200 mg/L) exhibited the maximum free radical scavenging activities up to the IC₅₀ = 8.31 µg/mL. The synthesized 0.1% DF showed the maximum antiparasitic activity against protoscoleces after 5 and 10 min (100% inhibition).

Keywords:

• Costus arabicus
• TiO2 nanoparticles
• ZnO nanoparticles
• Biological activities

Acknowledgement

This study was supported by Central Tehran Branch of Islamic Azad University in Iran.