Antimicrobial Potential of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles from Marine Macroalgae

Abstract

Abstract: The current study evaluates the free antimicrobial and radical scavenging properties of zinc oxide nanoparticles(ZnONP’s) synthesized from an aqueous extract of Sargassum polycystum brown algae. The free radical scavenging potential of ZnO nanoparticles was evaluated through DPPH, Nitric oxide, Hydroxyl radical and Hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays. In addition to that, the antibacterial and antifungal activity of synthesized ZnO nanoparticles was examined against different species. The free radical scavenging and antimicrobial potential of these Sargassum polycystum ZnO nanoparticles were associated with their phenolic compounds. ZnO- NP’s DPPH radical reducing potential was found to be 12.45 ± 0.19μg/mL, Nitric oxide at 0.68±0.04 μg/ml, Hydrogen peroxide to be 0.39±0.01 μg/ml and Hydroxyl radical scavenging potential with 0.63±0.04 μg/ml. Furthermore, ZnO- NP’s antimicrobial efficacy showed significant results against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumonia and fungal strains of A. niger Candida albicans. Further research is on purifying the selected phenolic compounds and developing their acuteness for specificity for ultimate pharmaceutical use. Keywords: Marine algae, ZnO nanoparticles, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, Gulf of Mannar.