Fabrication and Characterization of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Derived From Aegle marmelos Fruit: Evaluation of Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Photocatalytic Properties.

A green synthesis approach was employed to produce zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) utilizing Aegle marmelos fruit extract as a natural capping agent. The resulting nanoparticles (AMF-ZnONPs) were analyzed using various characterization techniques. The findings highlighted the presence of bioactive compounds in the fruit extract, which played a key role in stabilizing and forming the nanoparticles. The AMF-ZnONPs exhibited a wurtzite crystal structure with a particle size of 52 nm and hexagonal morphology. The antibacterial activity demonstrated significant inhibition zones against Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with maximum inhibition zones of 22 ± 0.30 and 20 ± 0.35 mm, respectively. Antioxidant properties were confirmed using a DPPH assay, showing high free radical scavenging activity. Additionally, the photocatalytic efficiency of AMF-ZnONPs was tested for the degradation of methylene blue and reactive red 120 dyes under sunlight, achieving degradation efficiencies of 95% and 93%, respectively. These results underscore the multifunctional potential of green-synthesized ZnONPs for environmental and biomedical applications, offering a sustainable approach to pollution control and antimicrobial resistance.