DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v25i4.176

Keywords: Nanoparticles; synthesis; antifungal activity; antioxidant activity; ZnO NPs

Abstract

Nanotechnology has considerably improved, or even revolutionized, many technology and industry sectors, e.g., information technology, energy, environmental science, medicine, homeland security, food safety, and transportation. Nanotechnology today uses recent advancements in chemistry, physics, materials science, and biotechnology to generate innovative materials with specific features even though their structures are defined at the nanoscale level. Nanoparticles are categorised as particles with sizes between 1 and 100 nm. Particles can act differently at smaller size scales than their bulk counterparts. "Green" synthesis has attracted a lot of interest in the field of material research as it is a trustworthy, durable, and environmentally friendly process for producing a variety of materials and nanoparticles, including hybrid materials, bioinspired materials, and metal/metal oxide nanomaterials. In order to investigate the synthesis, characterization, antioxidant and antifungal properties of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), potato peel extract was used to synthesise zinc oxide nanoparticles for the current study. These NPs were also subjected to stability testing, visual examination, UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD and other characterisation methods. Antifungal activity was tested against Rosellinia necatrix, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and Fusarium spp. The diameter of the zone of inhibition (ZIH) observed with ZnO NPs were: Rosellinia necatrix - 37.5%, Fusarium spp - 55.2%, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum - 60.5%. This research has established the ZnO NP complex as a unique natural preservative with potential applications in agriculture.