Synthesis and characterization of phytogenic zinc nanoparticles and their antimicrobial activity

Synthesis of phytogenic metallic nanoparticles is currently under exploitation. Application of plant materials for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles is considered to be one of the fastest emerging research branches of nanobiotechnology. In the present study we have synthesized zinc nanoparticles by treating the leaf extract of Hibiscus rosasinensis with different concentrations of zinc nitrate. UV-Vis absorption peak at 269nm wavelength confirmed the formation of zinc nanoparticles at an elevated temperature. The formed zinc nanoparticles were observed to be triangular in shape with size range of 32.7 - 89.8 nm. The measured zeta potentials 22.8 mV and 30.8 mV respectively indicate high dispersion of nanoparticles. The synthesized zinc nanoparticles exhibited good antimicrobial activity.