Rapid biosynthesis and antibacterial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles using fruit peel of Punica granatum L as cellulose

A biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) is investigated by using Punica granatum (PG) fruit peels as cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). As a first step, the phytochemical properties of (PG) were evaluated as reducing agents and as control agents for nanocomposites. The second step involved biosynthesizing PG–CNC–ZnONPs using a simple and rapid method, which was then confirmed by spectroscopy and microscopy. In addition, the antibacterial activity of PG–CNC–ZnONPs was tested against S. aureus, E.coli, S. typhi, and S.flexneri in vitro. E. coli and S. flexneri had zones of inhibition (mean values) of 14.19 mm and 14.16 mm, respectively, for PG–CNC–ZnONPs. For PG–CNC–ZnONPs, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs) that completely inhibited the growth of S. aureus was 250 μg/mL, while for E. coli, S. flexneri, and S. typhi the minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs) was achieved at 125 μg/mL, 31.2 μg/mL, and 15.6 μg/mL respectively. Moreover, the results of minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) also showed that S. typhi had the lowest MBC (31.2 μg/mL) of all tested strains. The current work has the advantages of simplicity, a low particle size, a high concentration of Zn, and maximum inhibition zones. •Medicinal plant biosynthesis is a simple, low-cost, non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and efficient method.•E. coli and S. flexneri demonstrated higher susceptibility to PG–CNC–ZnONPs.•Antibacterial properties are enhanced by CNC-ZnONPs using Punica granatum.