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Assessment of antibacterial and antifungal activity of cream incorporating silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized via ginger and garlic extract

. Iqra Ikram & Dr Maryam Zain


Abstract

Green nanotechnology is a part of green innovation that incorporates green chemistry and green engineering principles. Green chemistry aims to reconsider chemical use in order to make it safe, secure and much more effective. In this study, Silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared using ginger (Zingiber officinale) and garlic (Allium sativum) extract. TSC (Trisodium citrate) solution and metal salts (Silver nitrate and Zinc sulfate) were also used in combination with green extract for preparation of nanoparticles. TSC is green chemical and no serious or toxic effects have been reported yet. Different characterization techniques including UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM and XRD confirmed the formulation of silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles. Confirmed nanoparticles were used for production of antibacterial and antifungal cream. Nanoparticles were incorporated in formulated cream separately at different concentrations (2%, 4%, and 6%) and antibacterial activity of cream was tested against E.coli and S.aureus. Cream without nanoparticles was used as control in antibacterial testing. Control did not show any antibacterial activity. While nanoparticle’s cream exhibited good activity against both strains. But inhibition zone were larger for S.aureus. 6% concentration of formulated cream samples incorporating silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles were used for antifungal testing against Candida albicans. In comparison to both nanoparticles containing cream, Zinc oxide NPs containing cream exhibited better antibacterial and antifungal activity than nanosilver cream. Nanocream was effective against skin pathogens.

Key words: Green nanotechnology; green chemistry; nanoparticles; nanocosmetics; nanocream; antibacterial; antifungal

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