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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Early Access

Biogenic zinc nanoparticles synthesized from Terminalia chebula Retz: A sustainable approach to synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial studies

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.13051
Submitted
3 December 2025
Published
19-03-2026

Abstract

Zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs) are particularly valuable due to their broad applications, including antibacterial, antifungal, anti-diabetic and wound healing properties. In this study the phytochemicals of Terminalia chebula Retz. fruits were extracted via Soxhlet extraction and cold extraction method using methanol as solvent after that, ZnNPs were synthesized using a green chemistry methodology employing the above methanolic extracts. After the synthesis, qualitative phytochemical analysis of the extract was executed to precisely identify the key biomolecules responsible for facilitating the nanoparticle formation. The ZnNPs were characterized using UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Subsequently, their effectiveness as an antibacterial agent was tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Visual observation confirmed nanoparticles formation through a colour change from brown to creamy. UV-Vis spectroscopy showed characteristic absorption peak around 360–380 nm, which is the typical excitonic peak of Zn nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the highly crystalline and polycrystalline nature of the zinc nanoparticles, while FTIR spectra revealed differences in extraction efficiency between Soxhlet and cold extraction methods. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed irregular morphology and agglomerated clusters of the synthesized ZnNPs. Crucially, the T. chebula mediated ZnNPs demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, often surpassing streptomycin, with optimal activity between 150–200 µg/mL, highlighting its potential as a source for natural antimicrobial compounds.

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