Phyto-synthesis, characterization of magnesium oxide nanoparticles using aqueous extract of Piper betle leaf and an assessment of its antioxidant potential

Bio-nanotechnology is a fusion of nanotechnology with biological technology. Biological methods are used to synthesize the nanomaterials through the concept of bio-nanotechnology. The novelty of the present investigation is to synthesize the magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) with enhanced antioxidant efficiency using P. betle leaf extract. In this study, Piper betle leaf extract was employed as a bio-reducing agent to synthesize the MgO NPs. The physicochemical characteristics of MgO NPs were investigated using UV-visible spectroscopy, XRD, FT-IR, SEM, and TGA. The optical properties of MgO NPs were confirmed by the UV-visible spectra having a wide absorption peak at 384 nm with a band gap energy of 3.2 eV. FT-IR spectrum showed peaks at 486 cm(-1) and 699 cm(-1), which correlate with the metal oxide functional groups. XRD spectra determined the formation of crystalline MgO NPs with a size of 18-20 nm. SEM analysis revealed that the synthesized nanoparticles were spherical. Thermogravimetric analysis proved that 33.6% of weight loss was due to removing water molecules, carbon, and organic compounds on P. betle-mediated MgO NPs. DPPH analysis was used to measure the antioxidant activity of MgO NPs produced. MgO NPs had an IC50 value of 143.71 mu g/mL. At a 500 mu g/ml concentration, the DPPH assay of P. betle-mediated MgO NPs could achieve 88%. The results showed that the P. betle-mediated MgO NPs possess strong antioxidant capabilities and could be plausibly used for drug design and development.