Beta vulgaris extract assisted green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles: antimicrobial and nano priming studies

In this present study, we report the synthesis of surface-modified zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) using chemical method (Z) as well as green method using Beta vulgaris extract (BvZ). The band gap energy of BvZ (3.14 eV) was found to be greater than that of Z (3.0 eV) owing to its smaller particle size. The X-ray diffraction patterns reveal the reduction in crystallite size for BvZ when compared to Z. TEM and SEM images show the agglomeration of particles for BvZ and spherical morphology for Z. The XPS spectra of the BvZ NPs were studied to confirm the oxidation state of Zn ions. Antimicrobial activities of BvZ and Z were tested against bacterial strains such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus and fungal strains viz., Candida tropicalis, and Aspergillus niger. The seed germination property of BvZ for chickpea seeds was also studied.