Neem fruit pulp extract mediated biosynthesis, characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles, and evaluation of their antioxidant, anticancer, and catalytic properties

Green synthesis of nanoparticles using biological extracts has gained immense attention due to its eco-friendly and simple approach. This study presents a novel, eco-friendly approach for synthesizing ZnO nanoparticles using Neem fruit pulp extract (NFPE) through a solvent combustion method. The synthesized ZnO NPs were characterized using Several characterization techniques, including UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, DLS, and EDX, analysis. The ZnO NPs exhibited a UV–Vis absorption peak at 367 nm, confirming nanoparticle formation. FTIR analysis revealed functional groups in Neem fruit pulp extract that significantly contribute to the stabilization of the synthesized nanoparticles, and XRD revealed a hexagonal wurtzite structure with an average crystalline size of 42 nm. SEM and HR-TEM analyses showed spherical and rod-like morphologies with an average size of 35.5 nm, while DLS indicated a hydrodynamic size of 41.5 nm with a zeta potential of 15.1 mV. NFE-ZnO NPs demonstrated significant antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ values: DPPH = 68.30 μg/mL, H₂O₂ = 84.59 μg/mL, NO = 77.63 μg/mL). In the anticancer assay, a dose-dependent inhibition of A549 cells (lung cancer cells) was observed, with an IC₅₀ value of 50.2 μg/mL. The catalytic activity showcased efficient degradation of cotton blue dye and reduction of 4-nitrophenol. ZnO NPs were synthesized using NFPE via solvent combustion and characterized by spectroscopic and microscopic method. The NPs exhibited notable antioxidant, anticancer, and catalytic activity, particularly in reducing Cotton blue dye and 4-nitrophenol, highlighting their potential in environmental and biomedical applications.