Synthesis and characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles using tuber extract of anchote (Coccinia abyssinica (Lam.) Cong.) for antimicrobial and antioxidant activity assessment

Abstract Coccinia abyssinica ( C. abyssinica ) tuber extract assisted biosynthesized Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO Nps) were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Blue shift of absorptional peak to 365 nm indicated formation of ZnO Nps. X-ray diffraction showed well defined peak characteristic of the Nps. FESEM and TEM image revealed the synthesized nanoparticles has a hexagonal shape and the average particle size was 10.4 nm. The antimicrobial activities of the synthesized ZnO Nps were tested using well diffusion assay and Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC-3160) was found to be the most sensitive against synthesized ZnO Nps whereas, least sensitivity was exhibited by Salmonella typhimurium (MTCC-1251).Free radical scavenging capacity of ZnO Nps were assessed using 2,2–diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazylhydrate (DPPH) assay, with varying ZnO Nps concentration, which showed scavenging activity with IC 50  = 127.74 μg /mL.