Green synthesis of Plectranthus amboinicus leaf extract incorporated fine-tuned manganese dioxide nanoparticles: Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity

Plectranthus amboinicus Manganese dioxide (PA-MnO2) nanoparticles were synthesized by the reduction of po-tassium permanganate (KMnO4) using Plectranthus amboinicus (P. amboinicus) leaf extract at room temperature. A dark brown colour appeared after the addition of leaf extract to the solution of KMnO4. PA-MnO2 nanoparticles showed absorbance maximum at 324 nm. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) study of particle size and morphology revealed that PA-MnO2 nanoparticles have spherical structures in shape. The electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the presence of Mn and O in the sample. Fourier Transforms infrared spectra of PA-MnO2 nanoparticles show the occurrence of O-Mn-O vibrational mode at around 515 cm-1. Based on the spectral and morphological data confirms the prepared compounds are nanometer in size. The structural investigation of MnO2 nanoparticles using the powder X-ray diffraction method reveals that the nanoparticles have a tetragonal configuration. Powder X-ray diffraction measurements were used to estimate crystallite grain diameter. The size of the crystalline grains is 7.5 nm. The PA-MnO2 nanoparticles demonstrated enhanced antibacterial activity against various gram positive bacteria like as S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, Stap. Pneumoniae and B. subtilis and various gram negative bacterial strains like as E. coli, K. pneumoniae, p. mirabilis and P. aeruginosa than standard drug ciprofloxacin. Antifungal activity of PA-MnO2 nanoparticles exhibited abnormal character against various fungal strains such as A. niger, C. albicans, C. tropicalis and M. campestris than the standard drug nystatin. Free radical scavenging study by DPPH assay showed enhanced activity by increasing the concentration of PA-MnO2. This study shows simple and eco-friendly synthesis of PA-MnO2 nanoparticles by plant extract. PA-MnO2 nanoparticles by green approach have potential to resolve emerging drug resistance against pathogenic diseases.

Automated summary

Plectranthus amboinicus leaf extract was used to synthesize MnO2 nanoparticles, which showed spherical structures with a grain size of 7.5 nm. These nanoparticles exhibited strong antibacterial and antifungal activities, as well as free radical scavenging activity. The study highlights the simple and eco-friendly synthesis of MnO2 nanoparticles using plant extract.