Phytochemical-Mediated Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles with Enhanced Antimicrobial Properties

This study explores the green synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles using phytochemicals from 21 different plant extracts and evaluates their antimicrobial efficacy. The plant-mediated method was compared with conventional chemical synthesis. Plant-mediated synthesized ZnO nanoparticles demonstrated enhanced antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with the most potent effects observed from Cinnamomum verum, Matricaria chamomilla, Mentha communis, Nicotiana rustica, Peganum harmala, Piper nigrum, and Syzygium aromaticum. No plant extract reduced the antimicrobial potency of ZnO particles. Plant extracts significantly influenced the physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles, such as size, shape, surface charge, and colloidal stability. The characterization analyses confirmed successful functionalization and reduced particle size compared to chemically synthesized counterparts. These findings suggest that plant-derived phytochemicals can tailor ZnO nanoparticle properties to optimize antimicrobial performance, offering potential for environmentally friendly applications in healthcare and antimicrobial formulations.