Synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Vigna mungo seed husk extract: An enhanced antibacterial, anticancer activity and eco-friendly bio-toxicity assessment on algae and zooplankton

An ecological synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) from plant extracts has several applications in contemporary research owing to its enhanced pharmacological efficacy, lower toxicity, and cost-effectiveness. This study synthesized ZnONPs using the seed husk extracts of Vigna mungo (Vm) (Black gram). UV, XRD, FTIR, SEM, and TEM were used to analyze well-dispersed Vm-ZnONPs. Moreover, we examined the bactericidal efficacy of Vm-ZnONPs against aquatic Gram-negative pathogens. In addition, the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 was utilized to conduct conventional apoptosis tests, fluorescent dye assays, and cytotoxicity of cancer cell line data, which revealed that Vm-ZnONPs had good anticancer activity against MDA-MB-231. Furthermore, the growth rate and biotoxicity of Vm-ZnONPs were investigated on three marine microalgae: Chaetoceros calcitrans, Isochrysis galbana, and Nannochloropsis oculata. The concentration of Vm-ZnONPs significantly improved the growth rate of three algae species. At 96 h, I. galbana grew at a faster rate than N. oculata and C. calcitrans in response to Vm-ZnONPs. Also, the effects of biotoxicity on Vm-ZnONPs were validated using two animal models, including zooplankton rotifers and copepods. Brachionus plicatilis and Parvocalanus crassirostris treated with Vm-ZnONPs exhibited low toxicity, with LC50 values of 62.87 and 71.73 μg/mL, respectively. The Vm-ZnONPs were highly identified by zooplankton rotifers (B. plicatilis), copepods (P. craniirostris), and no morphological or anatomical alterations verified their safety to the variety of fauna. This is the first research to examine the impact of Vm-ZnONPs on the marine ecosystem biotoxicity of three phytoplanktons and two zooplanktons.