GREEN SYNTHESIS OF TIO2 NANOPARTICLES USING OPUNTIA FICUS INDICA FRUIT PEEL EXTRACT AND EVALUATION OF THEIR ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY

Abstract

The green synthesis pathway is cost-effective, environmentally benign (using non-toxic materials), and frequently produces better results than traditional methods. In the current study, an extract from a by-product such as the peel of Opuntia ficus indica (OFI) fruits was used in an improved phyto-synthesis process to create TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs). With the aid of stabilizing molecules found in the extract, titanium isopropoxide (TiTP) functions as a precursor of titanium to create TiO2 NPs. To characterize the appearance and structure of the synthesized nanoparticles, a range of analytical methods was utilized. The techniques employed encompassed X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), in addition to scanning electron microscopy paired with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM with EDX) and zeta potential analysis. Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis and Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria were effectively inhibited by the as-prepared TiO2. Nanoparticles prepared by this phyto-synthesis method may be thus suitable for a wide range of biological and medicinal applications.