Revista Cultura Científica - web logo
Submit Your Research
  • Research Article

Green Synthesis, Characterization, and Antibacterial Efficacy of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Bougainvillea glabra Leaf Extract

Mamoona Aleem1, Gull Naz2, Sabira Sultana 1, Rizwana Dilshad3, Beenish Ihsan3, Shehla Akbar4, Ayesha Sarwar2, Fajar Abbas2
1Department of Eastern Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
2Institute of Microbiology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
3Faculty of Pharmacy, Chenab University of Sciences and Technology, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan
4College of Pharmacy, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70517/revcc2624208
Published: 13/11/2026
: Mamoona Aleem, Gull Naz, Sabira Sultana , Rizwana Dilshad, Beenish Ihsan, Shehla Akbar, Ayesha Sarwar, Fajar Abbas. Green Synthesis, Characterization, and Antibacterial Efficacy of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Bougainvillea glabra Leaf Extract. Revista Cultura Científica, 2026 Issue 24. pg. 2593-2606.

Abstract

This study evaluates the physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial properties of zinc oxide preparations synthesized using Bougainvillea glabra leaf extract. The preparations were examined using a Zetasizer, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. An aluminum chloride assay was described for total flavonoid content (TFC), although a quantitative TFC result was not supplied. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH radical-scavenging assay, and antibacterial activity was examined by agar well diffusion against three bacterial species. Dynamic light scattering yielded an average hydrodynamic diameter of 218.6 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.242, and a zeta potential of -30.20 mV. SEM images showed irregular, agglomerated structures; the reported micrometer-scale features should not be interpreted as primary nanoparticle dimensions. The FTIR spectrum contained bands tentatively associated with organic functional groups. The reported XRD peaks occurred at 33.3∘ and approximately 60.0∘, and a Scherrer calculation using the supplied peak width gave a crystallite-size estimate of approximately 83 nm. These observations alone do not establish crystal phase or phase purity. The maximum reported DPPH inhibition was 62.436%, and bacterial inhibition zones ranged from 15 to 20 mm. The antibiotic control is identified inconsistently as polymyxin B in the method and ciprofloxacin in the results, requiring confirmation. The reported microdilution tables contain arithmetic discrepancies: the original maximum means of 4.203 and 5.129 do not match their constituent measurements. Recalculated means are therefore presented alongside the original entries, without interpreting these measurements as validated minimum inhibitory concentrations. Overall, the observations support preliminary in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activity under the reported conditions, while the concentration units, antimicrobial endpoints, and structural assignments require clarification before therapeutic conclusions can be drawn.

Keywords: Nanoparticles, Green synthesis, Bougainvillea glabra leaves, Zetasizer, Antibacterial activity, Antioxidant activities

Abstract

This study evaluates the physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial properties of zinc oxide preparations synthesized using Bougainvillea glabra leaf extract. The preparations were examined using a Zetasizer, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. An aluminum chloride assay was described for total flavonoid content (TFC), although a quantitative TFC result was not supplied. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH radical-scavenging assay, and antibacterial activity was examined by agar well diffusion against three bacterial species. Dynamic light scattering yielded an average hydrodynamic diameter of 218.6 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.242, and a zeta potential of -30.20 mV. SEM images showed irregular, agglomerated structures; the reported micrometer-scale features should not be interpreted as primary nanoparticle dimensions. The FTIR spectrum contained bands tentatively associated with organic functional groups. The reported XRD peaks occurred at 33.3∘ and approximately 60.0∘, and a Scherrer calculation using the supplied peak width gave a crystallite-size estimate of approximately 83 nm. These observations alone do not establish crystal phase or phase purity. The maximum reported DPPH inhibition was 62.436%, and bacterial inhibition zones ranged from 15 to 20 mm. The antibiotic control is identified inconsistently as polymyxin B in the method and ciprofloxacin in the results, requiring confirmation. The reported microdilution tables contain arithmetic discrepancies: the original maximum means of 4.203 and 5.129 do not match their constituent measurements. Recalculated means are therefore presented alongside the original entries, without interpreting these measurements as validated minimum inhibitory concentrations. Overall, the observations support preliminary in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activity under the reported conditions, while the concentration units, antimicrobial endpoints, and structural assignments require clarification before therapeutic conclusions can be drawn.

Keywords: Nanoparticles, Green synthesis, Bougainvillea glabra leaves, Zetasizer, Antibacterial activity, Antioxidant activities

References

  1. Fakhari, S.; Jamzad, M.; Kabiri Fard, H. (2019). Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles: a comparison. Green Chemistry Letters and Reviews, 12 (1), 19–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/17518253.2018.1547925.

  2. Akinlotan, O. O.; Ezenobi, U. V. (2020). A review of various methods of synthesizing nanoparticles and their applications. Journal of Chemical Society of Nigeria, 45 (4), 656–662. https://doi.org/10.46602/jcsn.v45i4.489.

  3. Al-Ghamdi, S. A.; Alkathiri, T. A.; Alfarraj, A. E.; Alatawi, O. M.; Alkathiri, A. S.; Panneerselvam, C.; Vanaraj, S.; Darwish, A. A. A.; Hamdalla, T. A.; Pasha, A.; Khasim, S. (2022). Green synthesis and characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Camellia sinensis tea leaf extract and their antioxidant, anti-bactericidal and anticancer efficacy. Research on Chemical Intermediates, 48 (11), 4769–4783. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-022-04845-z.

  4. Alamdari, S.; Sasani Ghamsari, M.; Lee, C.; Han, W.; Park, H. H.; Tafreshi, M. J.; Afarideh, H.; Ara, M. H. M. (2020). Preparation and Characterization of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Leaf Extract of Sambucus ebulus. Applied Sciences, 10 (10), 3620. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10103620.

  5. Abdelghany, T. M.; Al-Rajhi, A. M. H.; Yahya, R.; Bakri, M. M.; Al Abboud, M. A.; Yahya, R.; Qanash, H.; Bazaid, A. S.; Salem, S. S. (2023). Phytofabrication of zinc oxide nanoparticles with advanced characterization and its antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial activity against pathogenic microorganisms. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 13 (1), 417-430. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-022-03412-1.

  6. Agarwal, H.; Kumar, S. V.; Rajeshkumar, S. (2017). A review on green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles–An eco-friendly approach. Resource-Efficient Technologies, 3 (4), 406–413. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reffit.2017.03.002.

  7. Adam, F.; Himawan, A.; Aswad, M.; Ilyas, S.; Heryanto; Anugrah, M. A.; Tahir, D. (2021). Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Moringa oleifera L. water extract and its photocatalytic evaluation. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1763 (1), 012002. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1763/1/012002.

  8. Rameshraddy; Pavithra, G. J.; Rajashekar Reddy, B. H.; Salimath, M.; Geetha, K. N.; Shankar, A. G. (2017). Zinc oxide nano particles increases Zn uptake, translocation in rice with positive effect on growth, yield and moisture stress tolerance. Indian Journal of Plant Physiology, 22 (3), 287-294. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40502-017-0303-2.

  9. Rizwan, M.; Ali, S.; Qayyum, M. F.; Ok, Y. S.; Adrees, M.; Ibrahim, M.; Zia-ur-Rehman, M.; Farid, M.; Abbas, F. (2017). Effect of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles on growth and physiology of globally important food crops: A critical review. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 322, 2-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.05.061.

  10. Faizan, M.; Yu, F.; Chen, C.; Faraz, A.; Hayat, S. (2021). Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Help to Enhance Plant Growth and Alleviate Abiotic Stress: A Review. Current Protein and Peptide Science, 22 (5), 362–375. https://doi.org/10.2174/1389203721666201016144848.

  11. Venkatachalam, P.; Jayaraj, M.; Manikandan, R.; Geetha, N.; Rene, E. R.; Sharma, N. C.; Sahi, S. V. (2017). Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) alleviate heavy metal-induced toxicity in Leucaena leucocephala seedlings: A physiochemical analysis. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 110, 59-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2016.08.022.

  12. Agarwal, H.; Shanmugam, V. (2020). A review on anti-inflammatory activity of green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticle: Mechanism-based approach. Bioorganic Chemistry, 94, 103423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.103423.

  13. Saleem, H.; Usman, A.; Mahomoodally, M. F.; Ahemad, N. (2021). Bougainvillea glabra (Choisy): A comprehensive review on botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 266, 113356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113356.

  14. Sahu, N.; Saxena, J. (2012). Bougainvillea glabra a natural antioxidant: A review. Inventi Rapid: Planta Activa (April–June). Publisher record.

  15. Abarca-Vargas, R.; Petricevich, V. L. (2018). Bougainvillea Genus: A Review on Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018 (1), 9070927. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/9070927.

  16. Samzadeh-Kermani, A.; Izadpanah, F.; Mirzaee, M. (2016). The improvements in the size distribution of zinc oxide nanoparticles by the addition of a plant extract to the synthesis. Cogent Chemistry, 2 (1), 1150389. https://doi.org/10.1080/23312009.2016.1150389.

  17. Oves, Mohammad; Rauf, Mohd Ahmar; Qari, Huda A. (2023). Therapeutic Applications of Biogenic Silver Nanomaterial Synthesized from the Paper Flower of Bougainvillea glabra (Miami, Pink). Nanomaterials, 13 (3), 615. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13030615.

Mamoona Aleem
Department of Eastern Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Gull Naz
Institute of Microbiology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Sabira Sultana
Department of Eastern Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
sabirasultana@gcuf.edu.pk
Rizwana Dilshad
Faculty of Pharmacy, Chenab University of Sciences and Technology, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan
Beenish Ihsan
Faculty of Pharmacy, Chenab University of Sciences and Technology, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan
Shehla Akbar
College of Pharmacy, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan
Ayesha Sarwar
Institute of Microbiology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Fajar Abbas
Institute of Microbiology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

How to cite:

Mamoona Aleem, Gull Naz, Sabira Sultana , Rizwana Dilshad, Beenish Ihsan, Shehla Akbar, Ayesha Sarwar, Fajar Abbas. Green Synthesis, Characterization, and Antibacterial Efficacy of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Bougainvillea glabra Leaf Extract. Revista Cultura Científica, 2026 Issue 24. pg. 2593-2606.

Publication History

  • Received: 28/06/2026
  • Accepted: 18/09/2026
  • Published: 13/11/2026
Copyright © 2026, Mamoona Aleem, Gull Naz, Sabira Sultana, Rizwana Dilshad, Beenish Ihsan, Shehla Akbar, Ayesha Sarwar, Fajar Abbas. Published by Revista Cultura Científica. This article is published as open access under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Browse Advance Search