Characterization of metal (Mg, Ni & Zn) complexes with β-sitosterol for antimicrobial studies

The metal complexes of Mg (II), Ni (II), and Zn (II) with β-sitosterol were synthesized and the obtained ‎complexes were characterized by various techniques such as elemental analysis, Infrared Spectroscopy (IR), UV ‎Visible Spectroscopy (UV VIS), Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR), Electron Dispersive X-ray ‎Spectroscopy (EDX), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). From the ‎analytical data, the stoichiometry of all the complexes was found to be a 1:2 (metal: ligand) ratio with the general ‎formula ML2X. The IR spectral data predict that the βs behave as a bidentate ligand with a hydroxyl group (OH) and ‎C=C (double bond) groups pointing towards the central metal ion. The Absorption spectra showed an octahedral ‎geometry of the complexes. The EDX features indicated that the desired elements along with their mass percentage ‎ratio are present in the metal complexes. The ligand and complexes were screened for their antibacterial, antifungal ‎and antioxidant activities. The metal ions present in the complexes accelerate the anti-microbial activity and they ‎are more effective than ligands in terms of their biological activity which gives them the opportunity for use in ‎medical practice.