ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF ZINC OXIDE NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIZED USING Maranta arundinacea AGAINST ORAL PATHOGENS

Introduction: Nanoparticles are a special group of materials with unique features and have extensive applications in many fields. Arrowroot is a starch, obtained from the rhizomes of several tropical plants, traditionally Maranta arundinacea and also produce good medicinal and antimicrobial property. Hence the area of interest here is Maranta arundinacea synthesis ZnO nanoparticles.

Materials and Methods: Preparation of arrow root extract: Fresh arrowroot powder was collected from the market. One gram of freshly collected arrow root powder extract is mixed with 100 ml of water and boiled for three to five minutes. This mixture is filtered using filter paper.

Preparation of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: 0.861g of Zinc Sulphate is added to 50ml of distilled water. To this arrow root extract has been added. The solution was mixed with plant extract and were used to prepare the ZnO nanoparticles

Evaluating Antimicrobial Activity: The antibacterial and the antifungal activity of the green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles were tested against the oral pathogens- S.mutans, Lactobacillus, C. albicans.

Observation: The zone of inhibition for the zinc oxide nanoparticles was observed, and it was estimated that the zinc oxide nanoparticles had a great antifungal activity against the Candida albicans. It was also observed that the zinc oxide nanoparticles provide a better antibacterial activity than the standard drug used.

Results: As a result, it is evident that zinc oxide nanoparticles had a better antimicrobial activity and this is preferred to be used as the drug of choice for the next generation.

Aim: The aim of this study was to find the antibacterial and the antifungal activity of Zinc oxide nanoparticles which is synthesized using Maranta arundinacea.