Antifungal, Antimicrobial and Larvicidal Activities of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized from the Leaf Extract of Balanites aegyptiaca

Abstract

This study investigates the Antifungal, Antimicrobial and Larvicidal Activities Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) produced from the leaf extract of Balanites aegyptiaca. The nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Visible spectrophotometry, FTIR, XRD, and SEM techniques. Their antimicrobial activity was assessed against two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes), two Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumoniae), and two fungi (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger). The ZnO-NPs demonstrated strong inhibitory effects on Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes and Salmonella typhi. Larvicidal activity against Anopheles mosquito larvae at concentrations of 40, 50, and 60 mg/L showed 100% mortality in first instar larvae, with LC₅₀ values ranging from 36.24 to 38.07 mg/L across instars. These results highlight the strong dose-dependent larvicidal and antimicrobial properties of ZnO-NPs derived from Balanites aegyptiaca leaf extract demonstrating their potential as eco-friendly nanobiopesticides and plant-based therapeutics for controlling disease vectors and pathogens.