Preparation of titanium dioxide nanoparticles from Solanum Tuberosum peel extract and its applications

The present study describes a method for the preparation of green titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles from the peel of Solanum tuberosum, commonly known as potato, and the potato peel being a kitchen waste. The green synthesized TiO₂ (G- TiO₂) nanoparticles were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, TEM, XRD, and FTIR spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the G- TiO₂ nanoparticles was also shown using the dye bromophenol blue. To explore the biocompatibility of the G- TiO₂, the cell viability in normal as well as cancer cells was assessed. Further, the in vivo toxicity of the G- TiO₂ nanoparticles was assessed using zebrafish embryos. The novelty of the present invention is to utilize kitchen waste for a useful purpose for the synthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles which is known to have UV light scavenging properties. Moreover, the potato peel is a natural antioxidant and possesses a skin-lightening effect. A combination of the potato peel extract and titanium dioxide prepared using the extract will have a combinatorial effect for protecting UV light exposure to the skin and lightening the skin colour.