Phytosynthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles using Cynodon dactylon leaf extract and their antibacterial activity

Due to use of nanoparticles, nanotechnology has become an important area of research penetrating in all the fields of science and technology including medicinal chemistry. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) play an important role in biotechnology and nanomedicine because of their antimicrobial effect against many pathogens such as bacteria, fungus, viruses and yeast. In this article, we propose an eco-friendly phytosynthesis method of TiO2 NPs using aqueous leaf extract of Cynodon dactylon herbal plant as a reducing agent. The formation of TiO2 NPs by plant bio-molecules involved in the reduction of metal ions to nanoparticles is demonstrated. The synthesized TiO2 NPs are analyzed using X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, laser Raman spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The antibacterial activity of the TiO2 NPs against gram-positive bacterial pathogens like Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus as well as gram-negative bacterial pathogen like Escherchia coli is tested. The obtained results demonstrate potent bactericidal activity of the TiO2 NPs.