Green-synthesized manganese nanoparticles for antibiotic and heavy metal remediation: integrated experimental and computational evaluation.

The current study investigates the use of Acacia tortilis seed powder to synthesize innovative manganese nanoparticles (MnNPs) through an eco-friendly process providing an eco-friendly alternative to conventional chemical methods for remediating co-contaminated soils. These MnNPs are designed to remediate soils contaminated with tylosin (TYL) antibiotics and heavy metals (HMs), including lead, cadmium, and copper. The synthesized MnNPs were characterized using UV-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential analysis, confirming successful formation with an average size of 84.6 nm and a surface charge of -32.09 mV, indicating good stability. Remediation experiments demonstrated significant removal efficiencies, achieving 39.8% reduction of TYL and 51.19% reduction of cadmium (Cd) in industrial soil, compared to lower efficiencies in stable soil (16.1% and 14.9%, respectively), highlighting the influence of soil properties on treatment performance. Compared to conventional remediation approaches, MnNPs offer a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternative, although their efficiency varies depending on soil composition and contaminant interactions. In addition, in silico analysis it revealed that certain phytochemicals, such as 4-ethenyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol, exhibit rapid degradation (half-life = 16 days), supporting their suitability for environmental applications. This study addresses the limited integration of green nanoparticle synthesis with combined experimental and computational environmental assessment. However, further research is required to evaluate the long-term stability, ecological risks, and large-scale applicability of MnNPs in diverse soil systems.