Biogenesis of Zirconium Oxide Nanoparticles by Momordica charantia (Bitter Gourd) Leaf Extract: Characterization and their Antimicrobial Activities

Aims: To determine the antimicrobial activity of zirconium oxide nanoparticles (ZrO2 NPs) synthesized by Justicia Adhatoda leaf extract.

Study Design: Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity determination of ZrO2 NPs.

Place and Duration of Study: PG and Research Department of Chemistry, V.O.Chidambaram College, Tuticorin, Tamilnadu, India, between April 2020 and April 2021.

Methodology: Justicia adhatoda leaf extract was used to synthesize ZrO2 NPs. UV-Visible spectroscopy was used to characterize ZrO2 NPs. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the function of biomolecules in plant extract in the synthesis of ZrO2 NPs was identified. XRD was used to determine the particle size of nanparticles. ZrO2 NPs were evaluated for antimicrobial activity.

Results: The synthesis of ZrO2 NPs was clearly visible in an absorbance band at 321 nm in the UV–visible spectrum. The absorption peak of ZrO2 NPs in the FTIR was 880 cm-1, confirming the Zr–O vibrational mode in ZrO2 NPs. As evidenced by XRD measurements, the average crystallite size of ZrO2 NPs was found to be 40 nm. The biosynthesized ZrO2 NPs were found to have potent antibacterial action against Escherichia coli bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

Conclusion: ZrO2 NPs mediated by Justicia adhatoda leaf extract have demonstrated substantial antibacterial activity