Harnessing Satureja Mutica Extract for Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Antibacterial Efficacy and Catalytic Applications in Xanthene Synthesis

In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesized via a green chemistry approach using Satureja mutica extract as both a reducing and capping agent. The successful formation of ZnO NPs was confirmed through UV–visible spectroscopy, which revealed surface plasmon resonance at 356 nm. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis identified phenolic compounds in the plant extract responsible for nanoparticle reduction and stabilization. Characterization of the ZnO NPs using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) showed that the nanoparticles are spherical with an average diameter of 42 nm and exhibit high stability. The catalytic potential of these biosynthesized ZnO NPs was evaluated in the synthesis of xanthene derivatives through a reaction of aromatic aldehydes with dimedone, yielding products with efficiencies ranging from 85% to 98%. Furthermore, antibacterial assays demonstrated that the ZnO NPs exhibit significant inhibitory effects against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. These findings underscore the efficacy of Satureja mutica extract as a sustainable, non-toxic, and biocompatible method for ZnO NP synthesis, with substantial potential for applications in catalysis, bioecology, and biomedical fields.