Monometallic Zinc and Bimetallic Cu-Zn Nanoparticles Synthesis Using Stem Extracts of Cissusquadrangularis (Haddjod) and Proneness as Alternative Antimicrobial Agents

Cissus quadrangularis belongs to family Vitaceae and is an edible medicinal plant found in India, Malaysia, Java, West Africa and Thailand. Mainly an osteogenic by nature, the plant is used for strengthening joints and bones, reducing pain and helps to re pair fractures so named as “Haddjod”. It has been reported in treatment of Bloody Diarrhea, skin disorders, ear ache, hemorrhoids, irregular menstruation and leucorrhoea. The plant is a potent antioxidant and a anti-inflammatory agent. The activity of aqueous stem extracts against Gram-negative bacteria: Escherichia coli (MTCC-5704), Pseudomonas aeruginosa(MTCC-2295),and two gram positive bacteria: Bacillus subtilis(MTCC-121) and Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC-3160) along with one cariogenic pathogen Streptococcus mutans (MTCC-497) was analyzed using agar well diffusion assay. Zinc nanoparticles and bimetallic Cu-Zn nanoparticles were synthesized using stem as plant part in contradiction to leaves which have been exploited by many nanotechnologists in nanoparticle synthesis as reducing and capping agent. Pathogenic microbes confirmed that the plant contains bioactive compounds which exhibited measurable antimicrobial activity against bacteria. Zinc nanoparticles have abundant scope in food as additives and packaging and are considered safe in food items. Synthesis of Zinc nanoparticles was further confirmed using UV visible spectroscopy and XRD analysis. While bimetallic Cu-Zn nanoparticles were confirmed by simple visual color change and UV visible spectroscopy. The bimetallic have been in more demand as compared to monometallic as they are better in magnetic, optical properties and this is the first report of bimetallic nanoparticle synthesis from Cissus stem.