Plant-Mediated Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Aqueous Extract of <i>Grewia tenax</i> Fruits for Potential Antibacterial Application

Public health is seriously threatened by antibiotic-resistant microbes, which calls for creative responses. This work examines the green manufacture of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using Grewia tenax fruit aqueous extract and assesses how efficient they are as antibacterial agents. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to characterize the produced nanoparticles. With zones of inhibition (ZOI) of 22.67 mm against Escherichia coli and 24.3 mm against Staphylococcus aureus , the ZnO NPs demonstrated exceptional antibacterial activity. Significantly, the nanoparticles' diverse morphology-mostly appearing as rods and spheres-correlated with their increased antibacterial activity. Since greater dosages did not produce better outcomes, it was determined that the ideal concentration range for efficient antibacterial action was between 0.05 and 0.4 mg/mL. Through membrane rupture and the release of Zn 2+ ions, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced, causing oxidative stress and ultimately bacterial cell death. This study demonstrates the potential of ZnO NPs made from Grewia tenax as powerful antibacterial agents and recommends more synthesis parameter optimization to increase their effectiveness and expand their uses in environmental science and medicine.