Synthesis of iron nanoparticles by aqueous extract of Manilkara zapota leaves and evaluation of the antimicrobial activity.

The main aim of green chemistry is the application of biological material in the synthesis of nanoparticles. Generally, the metal nanoparticles have antimicrobial activity with low biological toxicity. Iron nanoparticles have potential components of wound healing than commercially available antibiotics. However, antibiotic heal the wound quickly it causes many side effects. The present work aims to synthesize the iron nanoparticles from the aqueous extract of Manilkara zapota leaves in a biological method. The UV spectroscopy showed a peak at 252nm, indicates the presence of iron nanoparticles (FeNPs). The morphology of synthesized FeNPs was determined by SEM analysis and the iron elements in the FeNPs was identified by EDX analysis. This green synthesis of FeNPs revealed good antibacterial activity and showed higher zone of inhibition for Escherichia coli (17mm), Staphylococcus aureus (18mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (23mm) than standard amikacin. Hence, the synthesised FeNPs from aqueous extract of Manilkara zapota leaves proved the potential antimicrobial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]