Utilization of Parthenium hysterophorus for the Synthesis of Lignin-ZnO Nanocomposites Aimed at Boosting Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity

The dual objective of employing affordable lignin derived from parthenium weed biomass is to reduce Parthenium hysterophorus weed biomass waste and transform it into valuable substances. In this context, we outline the process of enhancing the value of weed-derived lignin through its direct application in the creation of lignin-ZnO nanocomposites. The present study assesses the efficiency of alkali lignin extracted from P. hysterophorus biomass using ultrasonication pretreatment with NaOH assistance. The optimized pretreatment process employing a substrate concentration of 1% (w/v) and a combination of 1.5 NaOH with 30 minutes of sonication led to a reduction in lignin content of 73.55% (w/w) compared to the original biomass. The delignification of lignin was verified through compositional analysis of the treated biomass. The nanomaterials derived from lignin displayed strong promise as antioxidants and antibacterial agents, owing to the collaborative influence of lignin and zinc oxide. This environmentally friendly, economically efficient, one-step synthesis method for creating zinc oxide nanocomposites from lignin not only aids in reducing P. hysterophorus waste but also facilitates the generation of value-added materials. This supports the idea that P. hysterophorus holds significant promise as an unconventional lignocellulosic source for crafting alkali lignin-ZnO nanocomposites.