GOPINATH B.¹*, JANANI AISWARYA M.², PRANEESH S³, SIVAPRIYA S.4 AND HEMAREKHA S.5
Abstract
The growing demand for eco-friendly and biocompatible nanomaterials has led to the exploration of green synthesis routes for nanoparticle production. In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were synthesized using the aqueous extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy Basil), a medicinal plant known for its rich phytochemical content. The green synthesis approach leverages the natural reducing and cappingagents present in plant extracts, offering a sustainable and non-toxic alternative to conventional chemical methods. The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were characterized using various analytical techniques, including UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and ZETA Potential. These analyses confirmed the formation of well-dispersed, crystalline ZnO nanoparticles with desirable size and morphological features. The biological efficacy of the green synthesized ZnO NPs was evaluated through antimicrobial assays and cancer cell lines. The enhanced therapeutic performance is attributed to the synergistic effects of ZnO and the bioactive compounds present in O.tenuiflorum, such as eugenol, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. This research emphasizes the potential of plant-mediated green synthesis as a sustainable method for developing multifunctional nanomaterials with promising applications in antimicrobial therapy and cancer treatment. The findings support the continued exploration of phytochemical-based nanoparticle synthesis for future biomedical and pharmaceutical innovations.