ONE POT POMEGRANATE MEDIATED SYNTHESIS OF ZIRCONIUM & STRONTIUM NANO PARTICLES AND THEIR ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFICACY STUDY

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Nanotechnology has revolutionized various scientific fields, offering novel approaches for synthesizing and applying nanoparticles, providing innovative solutions for drug delivery, diagnostics, and therapeutic applications. This study focuses on the green synthesis of zirconium and strontium nanoparticles using pomegranate extract, which leverages the natural reducing and stabilizing agents present in pomegranate to simplify the production process and minimize environmental impact.
METHODS
Pomegranate peel aqueous extract was prepared by drying and grinding the peels, followed by autoclaving, heating, and centrifugation to extract bioactive compounds. Zirconium and strontium nanoparticles were synthesized by mixing the extract with zirconium chloride and strontium chloride solutions, followed by continuous stirring. The formation of nanoparticles was confirmed by a color change. The nanoparticles were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis). Their antimicrobial efficacy was assessed using the agar-well diffusion method, while anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using the albumin denaturation method.
RESULTS
FTIR analysis revealed characteristic peaks indicating the presence of functional groups involved in nanoparticle stabilization. UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed the formation of nanoparticles with characteristic surface plasmon resonance peaks. The antimicrobial study demonstrated significant activity of the nanoparticles against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Salmonella, with inhibition zones increasing with nanoparticle concentration. However, no inhibitory effect was observed against Klebsiella. Anti-inflammatory tests indicated that the nanoparticles inhibited protein denaturation effectively.
CONCLUSION
The green synthesis of zirconium and strontium nanoparticles using pomegranate extract is an effective method that produces biocompatible nanoparticles with significant antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. This study highlights the potential of these nanoparticles for use in biomedical applications, offering a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional methods.