Synthesis of zinc oxide and silver nanoparticles using ficus palmata - Forssk leaf extracts and assessment of antibacterial activity

Multidrug resistance of bacteria is an emerging human health hazard and warrants development of novel antibacterial agents with more effective mode of action. Here, zinc oxide and silver nanomaterials were prepared using Ficus palmata Forssk leaf extract with efficient antibacterial activity. SEM coupled with EDS confirmed the spherical symmetry with average particle diameter 50 to 65 nm while the XRD confirmed crystalline face centered cubic structure of silver and hexagonal crystallize phase of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Antibacterial activity was evaluated for 8 pathogenic bacterial strains including 3 drug resistant pathogenic strains. The nanoparticles showed enhanced growth inhibition for resistant strains in comparison with the broad-spectrum antibiotics i.e. roxithromycin and cefixime. Minimum inhibitory concentration in mu g.mL(-1) of silver nanoparticles was found to be as low as 33.3 for resistant Streptococcus haemolyticus; 11.1 for Staphylococcus aureus and E Coli; and 3.7 mu g.mL(-1) for resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Similarly, the minimum inhibitory concentration of zinc oxide nanoparticles was found to be 100 mu g.mL(-1) against resistant Streptococcus haemolyticus and Staphylococcus aureus; 11.1 mu g.mL(-1) for resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa; and 3.7 mu g.mL(-1) against resistant E coli. Ficus palmata Forssk leaf extracts can be explored effectively for synthesizing active antibacterial nanomaterials as a non-toxic and environmentally benign synthesis route.