Eco-friendly synthesis of ZnO, CuO, and ZnO/CuO nanoparticles using extract of spent Pleurotus ostreatus substrate, and their antioxidant and anticancer activities
Abstract Biosynthesis techniques for nanomaterials have advanced significantly, promoting eco-friendly synthesis chemistry as a sustainable alternative to conventional methods. This study presents a novel and environmentally friendly approach for synthesizing nanoparticulate ZnO, CuO, and ZnO/CuO na...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Discover Nano |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-025-04199-6 |
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| author | Simangele Ngwenya Nkanyiso J. Sithole Khosi Ramachela Doctor M. N. Mthiyane Mulunda Mwanza Moganavelli Singh Damian C. Onwudiwe |
| author_facet | Simangele Ngwenya Nkanyiso J. Sithole Khosi Ramachela Doctor M. N. Mthiyane Mulunda Mwanza Moganavelli Singh Damian C. Onwudiwe |
| author_sort | Simangele Ngwenya |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Biosynthesis techniques for nanomaterials have advanced significantly, promoting eco-friendly synthesis chemistry as a sustainable alternative to conventional methods. This study presents a novel and environmentally friendly approach for synthesizing nanoparticulate ZnO, CuO, and ZnO/CuO nanocomposites using aqueous extracts of Pleurotus ostreatus spent substrate, is reported. The structural, optical, and morphological properties of the synthesized NPs were analysed. A hexagonal phase of ZnO NPs and a monoclinic phase of CuO NPs were obtained according to the X-ray diffraction analysis. A reduction in the peak intensity of these metal oxides was observed in the ZnO/CuO NPs due to reduced crystallinity. The absorption spectra, obtained from the UV–vis analysis, showed peaks at 354, 365, and 525 nm for the ZnO, CuO, and ZnO/CuO NPs, respectively. An anticancer assay of the NPs was conducted using human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) and cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cell lines, while a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was used for the antioxidant evaluation. The ZnO, CuO, and ZnO/CuO NPs showed higher antioxidant potency with IC50 of 2.15, 2.16, and 3.18 µg/mL, respectively, than the ascorbic acid (4.25 µg/mL). This indicates that the nanoparticles were more effective in capturing DPPH free radicals. Anticancer assays showed strong cytotoxic effects for all nanoparticles, with ZnO NPs exhibiting the highest activity (IC50: 1.94 μM for HEK 293 cells, 3.23 μM for HeLa cells), surpassing CuO and ZnO/CuO NPs. Cell viability for both HEK 293 and HeLa cells decreased as nanoparticle concentration increased, confirming dose-dependent cytotoxicity. The green synthesized metal oxides and their composite have the potential for biomedical applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-681a3e9693f64fecaa81d31c4cc8c14a |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2731-9229 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Nano |
| spelling | doaj-art-681a3e9693f64fecaa81d31c4cc8c14a2025-08-20T02:48:30ZengSpringerDiscover Nano2731-92292025-02-0120111410.1186/s11671-025-04199-6Eco-friendly synthesis of ZnO, CuO, and ZnO/CuO nanoparticles using extract of spent Pleurotus ostreatus substrate, and their antioxidant and anticancer activitiesSimangele Ngwenya0Nkanyiso J. Sithole1Khosi Ramachela2Doctor M. N. Mthiyane3Mulunda Mwanza4Moganavelli Singh5Damian C. Onwudiwe6Crop Science Department, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West UniversityCrop Science Department, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West UniversityFood Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West UniversityFood Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West UniversityFood Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West UniversityNano-Gene and Drug Delivery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, University of KwaZulu-NatalMaterial Science Innovation and Modelling (MaSIM), Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West UniversityAbstract Biosynthesis techniques for nanomaterials have advanced significantly, promoting eco-friendly synthesis chemistry as a sustainable alternative to conventional methods. This study presents a novel and environmentally friendly approach for synthesizing nanoparticulate ZnO, CuO, and ZnO/CuO nanocomposites using aqueous extracts of Pleurotus ostreatus spent substrate, is reported. The structural, optical, and morphological properties of the synthesized NPs were analysed. A hexagonal phase of ZnO NPs and a monoclinic phase of CuO NPs were obtained according to the X-ray diffraction analysis. A reduction in the peak intensity of these metal oxides was observed in the ZnO/CuO NPs due to reduced crystallinity. The absorption spectra, obtained from the UV–vis analysis, showed peaks at 354, 365, and 525 nm for the ZnO, CuO, and ZnO/CuO NPs, respectively. An anticancer assay of the NPs was conducted using human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) and cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cell lines, while a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was used for the antioxidant evaluation. The ZnO, CuO, and ZnO/CuO NPs showed higher antioxidant potency with IC50 of 2.15, 2.16, and 3.18 µg/mL, respectively, than the ascorbic acid (4.25 µg/mL). This indicates that the nanoparticles were more effective in capturing DPPH free radicals. Anticancer assays showed strong cytotoxic effects for all nanoparticles, with ZnO NPs exhibiting the highest activity (IC50: 1.94 μM for HEK 293 cells, 3.23 μM for HeLa cells), surpassing CuO and ZnO/CuO NPs. Cell viability for both HEK 293 and HeLa cells decreased as nanoparticle concentration increased, confirming dose-dependent cytotoxicity. The green synthesized metal oxides and their composite have the potential for biomedical applications.https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-025-04199-6Green synthesisMetal oxidesPlant extractsBiological assaysBiomedical |
| spellingShingle | Simangele Ngwenya Nkanyiso J. Sithole Khosi Ramachela Doctor M. N. Mthiyane Mulunda Mwanza Moganavelli Singh Damian C. Onwudiwe Eco-friendly synthesis of ZnO, CuO, and ZnO/CuO nanoparticles using extract of spent Pleurotus ostreatus substrate, and their antioxidant and anticancer activities Discover Nano Green synthesis Metal oxides Plant extracts Biological assays Biomedical |
| title | Eco-friendly synthesis of ZnO, CuO, and ZnO/CuO nanoparticles using extract of spent Pleurotus ostreatus substrate, and their antioxidant and anticancer activities |
| title_full | Eco-friendly synthesis of ZnO, CuO, and ZnO/CuO nanoparticles using extract of spent Pleurotus ostreatus substrate, and their antioxidant and anticancer activities |
| title_fullStr | Eco-friendly synthesis of ZnO, CuO, and ZnO/CuO nanoparticles using extract of spent Pleurotus ostreatus substrate, and their antioxidant and anticancer activities |
| title_full_unstemmed | Eco-friendly synthesis of ZnO, CuO, and ZnO/CuO nanoparticles using extract of spent Pleurotus ostreatus substrate, and their antioxidant and anticancer activities |
| title_short | Eco-friendly synthesis of ZnO, CuO, and ZnO/CuO nanoparticles using extract of spent Pleurotus ostreatus substrate, and their antioxidant and anticancer activities |
| title_sort | eco friendly synthesis of zno cuo and zno cuo nanoparticles using extract of spent pleurotus ostreatus substrate and their antioxidant and anticancer activities |
| topic | Green synthesis Metal oxides Plant extracts Biological assays Biomedical |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-025-04199-6 |
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