Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Green synthesis and evaluation of n-type ZnO nanoparticles doped with plant extract for use as alternative antibacterials

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Applied Nanoscience Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Emergence of resistance to antibiotics in bacterial pathogens and prevalence of residual effects of drugs pose serious challenges to public health worldwide. Diminishing efficacy of antibiotics calls for an expedited development of alternative antimicrobials. In this regard, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) signify a latent and versatile inorganic nanostructure that possesses enhanced antimicrobial effects. In the present study, green synthesis of n-type ZnO-NPs was undertaken, which was then doped with various concentrations of extracts from ginger and garlic roots. The synthesized product was applied in low and high dosage to evaluate its antimicrobial efficacy against pathogenic E. coli. The results were compared to those obtained from chemically synthesized ZnO. Characterization of NPs was performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), high resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and photoluminescence (PL) emission. Strong absorption at 362 nm was observed for green synthesized NPs. HR-TEM exhibited interlayer spacing of 0.317, 0.312 and 0.308 nm, which is consistent with XRD results. Significant inhibition zones of 2.95–4.00 mm were observed for ZnO-NPs doped with ginger extract at an optimized concentration of 6 ml: 1. Similarly, garlic-doped NPs exhibited 1.85 and 2.75 mm inhibition zones at low and high dosage, respectively. The photodegradation study of synthesized products was undertaken using methylene blue (MB) dye under visible light source, where ZnO exhibited nearly complete decolourization of MB dye following a pseudo-first-order kinetics. The present study exemplifies an eco-friendly green nanomaterials synthesis technique using natural products (i.e., garlic and ginger), which can be expanded to include other green synthesized metal oxide NPs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahmed B, Hashmi A, Khan MS, Musarrat J (2018) ROS mediated destruction of cell membrane, growth and biofilms of human bacterial pathogens by stable metallic AgNPs functionalized from bell pepper extract and quercetin. Adv Powder Technol 29(7):1601–1616

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed B, Solanki B, Zaidi A, Khan MS, Musarrat J (2019) Bacterial toxicity of biomimetic green zinc oxide nanoantibiotic: insights into ZnONP uptake and nanocolloid–bacteria interface. Toxicol Res 8(2):246–261

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aqeel M, Anjum S, Imran M, Ikram M, Majeed H, Naz M, Ali S, Ahmad MA (2019) TiO2@ RGO (reduced graphene oxide) doped nanoparticles demonstrated improved photocatalytic activity. Mater Res Express 6(8):086215

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Basnet P, Chanu TI, Samanta D, Chatterjee S (2018) A review on bio-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles using plant extracts as reductants and stabilizing agents. J Photochem Photobiol B 183:201–221

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bhandari PR, Kamdod MA (2010) Emblica officinalis (Amla): a review of potential therapeutic applications. Int J Green Pharm IJGP 6:257–269

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bomila R, Srinivasan S, Venkatesan A, Bharath B, Perinbam K (2018) Structural, optical and antibacterial activity studies of Ce-doped ZnO nanoparticles prepared by wet-chemical method. Mater Res Innov 22(7):379–386

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chandran SP, Chaudhary M, Pasricha R, Ahmad A, Sastry M (2006) Synthesis of gold nanotriangles and silver nanoparticles using Aloevera plant extract. Biotechnol Prog 22(2):577–583

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chestnoy N, Harris TD, Hull R, Brus LE (1986) Luminescence and photophysics of cadmium sulfide semiconductor clusters: the nature of the emitting electronic state. J Phys Chem 90(15):3393–3399

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Christensen L, Vivekanandhan S, Misra M, Mohanty AK (2011) Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Murraya koenigii (curry leaf): an investigation on the effect of broth concentration in reduction mechanism and particle size. Adv Mater Lett 2(6):429–434

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dahmen S, Métayer V, Gay E, Madec JY, Haenni M (2013) Characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-carrying plasmids and clones of Enterobacteriaceae causing cattle mastitis in France. Vet Microbiol 162(2–4):793–799

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dhanemozhi AC, Rajeswari V, Sathyajothi S (2017) Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticle using green tea leaf extract for supercapacitor application. Mater Today Proc 4(2):660–667

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Endres J, Egger DA, Kulbak M, Kerner RA, Zhao L, Silver SH, Hodes G, Rand BP, Cahen D, Kronik L, Kahn A (2016) Valence and conduction band densities of states of metal halide perovskites: a combined experimental–theoretical study. J Phys Chem Lett 7(14):2722–2729

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fakhari S, Jamzad M, Kabiri Fard H (2019) Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles: a comparison. Green Chem Lett Rev 12(1):19–24

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Freitag C, Michael GB, Kadlec K, Hassel M, Schwarz S (2017) Detection of plasmid-borne extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes in Escherichia coli isolates from bovine mastitis. Vet Microbiol 200:151–156

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Haider A, Ijaz M, Imran M, Naz M, Majeed H, Khan JA, Ali MM, Ikram M (2020a) Enhanced bactericidal action and dye degradation of spicy roots’ extract-incorporated fine-tuned metal oxide nanoparticles. Nanoscale Res Lett 15:50

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Haider A, Ijaz M, Ali S, Haider J, Imran M, Majeed H, Shahzadi I, Ali MM, Khan JA, Ikram M (2020b) Green synthesized phytochemically (Zingiber officinale and Allium sativum) reduced nickel oxide nanoparticles confirmed bactericidal and catalytic potential. Nanoscale Res Lett 15(1):1–11

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Han Y, Obendorf SK (2016) Reactivity and reusability of immobilized zinc oxide nanoparticles in fibers on methyl parathion decontamination. Text Res J 86(4):339–349

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hanley C, Thurber A, Hanna C, Punnoose A, Zhang J, Wingett DG (2009) The influences of cell type and ZnO nanoparticle size on immune cell cytotoxicity and cytokine induction. Nanoscale Res Lett 4(12):1409

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heath JR (1998) Covalency in semiconductor quantum dots. Chem Soc Rev 27(1):65–71

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Isai KA, Shrivastava VS (2019) Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue using ZnO and 2% Fe–ZnO semiconductor nanomaterials synthesized by sol–gel method: a comparative study. SN Appl Sci 1(10):1247

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Iwalokun BA, Ogunledun A, Ogbolu DO, Bamiro SB, Jimi-Omojola J (2004) In vitro antimicrobial properties of aqueous garlic extract against multidrug-resistant bacteria and Candida species from Nigeria. J Med Food 7(3):327–333

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jayaseelan C, Rahuman AA, Kirthi AV, Marimuthu S, Santhoshkumar T, Bagavan A, Gaurav K, Karthik L, Rao KB (2012) Novel microbial route to synthesize ZnO nanoparticles using Aeromonas hydrophila and their activity against pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Spectrochim Acta Part A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 90:78–84

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kahsay MH, Tadesse A, RamaDevi D, Belachew N, Basavaiah K (2019) Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanostructures and investigation of their photocatalytic and bactericidal applications. RSC Adv 9(63):36967–36981

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kong JZ, Zhai HF, Zhang W, Wang SS, Zhao XR, Li M, Li H, Li AD, Wu D (2017) Visible light-driven photocatalytic performance of N-doped ZnO/gC 3 N 4 nanocomposites. Nanoscale Res Lett 12(1):526

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lavand AB, Malghe YS (2015) Synthesis, characterization and visible light photocatalytic activity of nitrogen-doped zinc oxide nanospheres. J Asian Ceram Soc 3(3):305–310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moharekar S, Raskar P, Wani A, Moharekar S (2014) Synthesis and comparative study of zinc oxide nanoparticles with and without capping of pectin and its application. World J Pharm Pharm Sci 3(7):1255–1267

    Google Scholar 

  • Ostrovsky S, Kazimirsky G, Gedanken A, Brodie C (2009) Selective cytotoxic effect of ZnO nanoparticles on glioma cells. Nano Res 2(11):882–890

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pudukudy M, Yaakob Z (2015) Facile synthesis of quasi spherical ZnO nanoparticles with excellent photocatalytic activity. J Cluster Sci 26(4):1187–1201

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qi Y, Wang N, Xu Q, Li H, Zhou P, Lu X, Zhao G (2015) A green route to fabricate MoS2 nanosheets in water–ethanol–CO2. Chem Commun 51(31):6726–6729

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rafiq A, Imran M, Ikram M, Naz M, Aqeel M, Majeed H, Hussain SG, Ali S (2019) Photocatalytic and catalytic degradation of organic dye by uncapped and capped ZnS quantum dots. Mater Res Express 6(5):055801

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rahmati A, Sirgani AB, Molaei M, Karimipour M (2014) Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by simple co-precipitation route. Eur Phys J Plus 129(11):250

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rajakumar G, Thiruvengadam M, Mydhili G, Gomathi T, Chung IM (2018) Green approach for synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles from Andrographis paniculata leaf extract and evaluation of their antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 41(1):21–30

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rajan PI, Vijaya JJ, Jesudoss SK, Kaviyarasu K, Kennedy LJ, Jothiramalingam R, Al-Lohedan HA, Vaali-Mohammed MA (2017) Green-fuel-mediated synthesis of self-assembled NiO nano-sticks for dual applications—photocatalytic activity on Rose Bengal dye and antimicrobial action on bacterial strains. Mater Res Express 4(8):085030

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ramesh M, Anbuvannan M, Viruthagiri G (2015) Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using Solanum nigrum leaf extract and their antibacterial activity. Spectrochim Acta Part A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 136:864–870

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Raza W, Faisal SM, Owais M, Bahnemann D, Muneer M (2016) Facile fabrication of highly efficient modified ZnO photocatalyst with enhanced photocatalytic, antibacterial and anticancer activity. RSC Adv 6(82):78335–78350

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ruegg PL (2017) A 100-year review: mastitis detection, management, and prevention. J Dairy Sci 100(12):10381–10397

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Salam HA, Sivaraj R, Venckatesh R (2014) Green synthesis and characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles from Ocimum basilicum L. var. purpurascens Benth.-Lamiaceae leaf extract. Mater Lett 131:16–18

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saleh R, Djaja NF (2014) UV light photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes with Fe-doped ZnO nanoparticles. Superlattices Microstruct 74:217–233

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shankar SS, Rai A, Ahmad A, Sastry M (2004) Rapid synthesis of Au, Ag, and bimetallic Au core–Ag shell nanoparticles using Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf broth. J Colloid Interface Sci 275(2):496–502

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma D, Rajput J, Kaith BS, Kaur M, Sharma S (2010) Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles and study of their antibacterial and antifungal properties. Thin Solid Films 519(3):1224–1229

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharmila G, Thirumarimurugan M, Muthukumaran C (2019) Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using Tecoma castanifolia leaf extract: characterization and evaluation of its antioxidant, bactericidal and anticancer activities. Microchem J 145:578–587

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sosa IO, Noguez C, Barrera RG (2003) Optical properties of metal nanoparticles with arbitrary shapes. J Phys Chem B 107(26):6269–6275

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stan M, Popa A, Toloman D, Dehelean A, Lung I, Katona G (2015) Enhanced photocatalytic degradation properties of zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized by using plant extracts. Mater Sci Semicond Process 39:23–29

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Su Y, Yu CY, Tsai Y, Wang SH, Lee C, Chu C (2016) Fluoroquinolone-resistant and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli from the milk of cows with clinical mastitis in Southern Taiwan. J Microbiol Immunol Infect 49(6):892–901

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Subha PP, Jayaraj MK (2019) Enhanced room temperature gas sensing properties of low temperature solution processed ZnO/CuO heterojunction. BMC Chem 13(1):4

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sunada K, Kikuchi Y, Hashimoto K, Fujishima A (1998) Bactericidal and detoxification effects of TiO2 thin film photocatalysts. Environ Sci Technol 32(5):726–728

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Taponen S, Liski E, Heikkilä AM, Pyörälä S (2017) Factors associated with intramammary infection in dairy cows caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus uberis, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Corynebacterium bovis, or Escherichia coli. J Dairy Sci 100(1):493–503

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Timofte D, Maciuca IE, Evans NJ, Williams H, Wattret A, Fick JC, Williams NJ (2014) Detection and molecular characterization of Escherichia coli CTX-M-15 and Klebsiella pneumoniae SHV-12 β-lactamases from bovine mastitis isolates in the United Kingdom. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 58(2):789–794

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tsiaganis MC, Laskari K, Melissari E (2006) Fatty acid composition of Allium species lipids. J Food Compos Anal 19(6–7):620–627

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Umar H, Kavaz D, Rizaner N (2019) Biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Albizia lebbeck stem bark, and evaluation of its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities on human breast cancer cell lines. Int J Nanomed 14:87

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vickers NJ (2017) Animal communication: when I’m calling you, will you answer too? Curr Biol 27(14):R713–R715

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vijayaprasath G, Murugan R, Asaithambi S, Babu GA, Sakthivel P, Mahalingam T, Hayakawa Y, Ravi G (2016) Structural characterization and magnetic properties of Co co-doped Ni/ZnO nanoparticles. Appl Phys A 122(2):122

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Ding Y, Summers CJ, Wang ZL (2004) Large-scale synthesis of six-nanometer-wide ZnO nanobelts. J Phys Chem B 108(26):8773–8777

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang XS, Liu X, Wen L, Zhou Y, Jiang Y, Li Z (2008) Comparison of basic dye crystal violet removal from aqueous solution by low-cost biosorbents. Sep Sci Technol 43(14):3712–3731

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang C, Kim YJ, Singh P, Mathiyalagan R, Jin Y, Yang DC (2016) Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles by Bacillus methylotrophicus, and their antimicrobial activity. Artif Cells Nanomed Biotechnol 44(4):1127–1132

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang L, Zhai H, Jin G, Li X, Dong C, Zhang H, Yang B, Xie H, Sun H (2017) 3D porous ZnO–SnS p–n heterojunction for visible light driven photocatalysis. Phys Chem Chem Phys 19(25):16576–16585

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yong P, Rowson NA, Farr JPG, Harris IR, Macaskie LE (2002) Bioreduction and biocrystallization of palladium by Desulfovibrio desulfuricans NCIMB 8307. Biotechnol Bioeng 80(4):369–379

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the financial support by the higher education commission Pakistan through start research grant project # 21-1669/SRGP/R&D/HEC/2017 and support provided by the Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, is also appreciated

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Punjab, 54000, Pakistan

    M. Ali, M. Ijaz, M. Avais & A. A. Anjum

  2. Solar Cell Applications Research Lab, Department of Physics, Government College University Lahore, Lahore, Punjab, 54000, Pakistan

    M. Ikram

  3. Center for Engineering Research, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia

    A. Ul-Hamid

Authors
  1. M. Ali
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Ikram
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Ijaz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. A. Ul-Hamid
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. M. Avais
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. A. A. Anjum
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to M. Ikram or M. Ijaz.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

Authors confirm that this manuscript has no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ali, M., Ikram, M., Ijaz, M. et al. Green synthesis and evaluation of n-type ZnO nanoparticles doped with plant extract for use as alternative antibacterials. Appl Nanosci 10, 3787–3803 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-020-01451-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-020-01451-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation