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UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, LAHORE

M.Phil THESIS TOPIC PROPOSAL

Title of Research:

Optimized biosynthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using citrullus lanatus

Rinds and study of its antibacterial activity.

Name of Student: Sheraz Ali

Registration No. 2015-M.PHIL-APP-CHEM-31
Date of Registration 26-01-2015
Part Time/Full Time: Full Time

Supervisor
Pro.Dr.Syeda Robina Gilani

Year
2015-2017

Department of Chemistry.
University of engineering and technology, Lahore, Pakistan.
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1. Problem Statement.

The present study demonstrated the biosynthesis of ZnO nanoparticles

using watermelon extract. Wish for appropriate size ZnO nanoparticles
synthesis. Drying of watermelon rinds should be done properly. The ZnO
nanoparticles will characterize by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM),
X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The
procedure described in this work was simple, cost-effective, energy-saving and
environment-friendly. The various parameters for optimized fabrication of ZnO
nanoparticles will monitored using a UV-Visible spectrophotometer. The
formation of the nanoparticles will have confirmed using TEM analysis and
EDAX analysis. Result material will found to be highly toxic against pathogenic
bacteria and to exhibit antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Based on the result
obtained, this effective green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles could be utilized in
biomedical and biotechnology applications.

2. Objectives (To be attained).

Biosynthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using citrullus lanatus Rinds and

analyze its anti-microbial & anti-bacterial activity.

3. Literature Survey (Brief survey of past work done on the topic and any
related work with reference, developing need for present study).

Watermelon (Citrullus )is a warm season crop in the Cucurbit family.

Watermelon rind is the area of white-colored flesh between the colored flesh
(usually red or yellow) and the outer skin. Watermelon is rich in carotenoids some
of which include lycopene, phyto fluene, phytoene, beta-carotene, and lutein. An
average watermelon contains about 30% of rind, 68% of flesh or pulp, and 2% of
seeds. The rind is usually discarded, it may be applied to feeds or used as
fertilizer; but it is also edible and may be used as a vegetable [1]. The inner
portions of the rind which is usually light green or white contains many hidden
nutrients and is also edible; however, most times it is avoided due to its
unappealing flavor. It contains mainly citrulline which is a known stimulator of
nitric oxide[2].
The rind has been shown to contain alkaloids, saponin, cardiac
glycosides, Zinc oxide, with its unique physical and chemical properties, such as
high chemical stability, high electrochemical coupling coefficient, broad range of
radiation absorption and high photo stability, is a multifunctional material. ZnO
nanoparticles were synthesized by different methods[3]. Bio-inspired green
synthesis of Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles using watermelon rinds and their
catalytic activity have been studied. The synthesis of very small ZnO nuclei was
simplified. It was found that aging of particles was governed by temperature, the
water content, and the presence of reaction products. Water and acetate induced
considerably accelerated particle growth[4]. Growth could almost be stopped by
removal of these species (“washing”).
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Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a potential photocatalyst instead of TiO2 due to its band gap
energy and stability[5]. By its wide bandgap, ZnO can be applied in a broad range
of applications, including self-cleaning, photocatalysis and and environmental
purification. In order to enhance the activity of ZnO in such application in
photocatalysis, synthesis of ZnO to form nanoparticles is widely
investigated.Washing consisted of repeated precipitation of ZnO by addition of
alkanes such as heptane, removal of the supernatant, and redispersion in ethanol.
The aging characteristics are interpreted in terms of the concentration of dissolved
ZnII species and reactions well-known in sol−gel chemistry[6]. These findings
present a better-defined and more versatile procedure for production of clean ZnO
sols of readily adjustable particle size. Such sols are of particular interest for
studies of electrical and optical properties of ZnO nanoparticle films.
Several physical and chemical procedures have been reported for the
synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and currently, biosynthesis method is
widely utilized. Plant-mediated biological synthesis of nanoparticles is gaining
importance due to its simplicity, eco-friendliness and extensive photocatalytic
activity.In recent years, nanostructured materials have attracted great interest
owing to their particular physical and chemical properties[7] .Generally magnetic
iron oxide nanoparticles are utilized as gas sensors and pigments, recording
material and electro photographic developer, such as in magnetic resonance
imaging(MRI) in lithium ion battery, as optical material in catalysis
environmental remediation, tissue repair engineering and targeted drug delivery
biomedical treatment and in spintronic devices Large varieties of methods have
been reported in the literature for the synthesis of Fe3O4 MNPs such as
hydrothermal process micro-emulsion technique), electrochemical and co-
precipitation method The green synthesis of nanoparticles has been proposed as a
cost-effective environmental-friendly and an alternative to chemical and physical
methods. The literature survey reveals that some of the reports are available on
green synthesis of Fe3O4.
Biosynthesis and Characterization of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles using
Root Extract of Zingiber officinale also have studied. In recent years,
nanostructured materials have attracted great interest owing to their particular
physical and chemical properties[8] .Generally magnetic iron oxide nano particles
are utilized as gas sensors and pigments, recording material and
electrophotographic developer, such as in magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) in
lithium ion battery field as optical material ,in catalysis environmental
remediation, tissuerepair engineering and targeted drug delivery, biomedical
treatment and in spintronic devices. Large varieties of methods have been
reported in the literature for the synthesis of Fe3O4 MNPs such as hydrothermal
process), sonochemical method emulsion technique), electrochemical route and
co-precipitation method . The green synthesis of nanoparticles has been proposed
as a cost-effective environmental-friendly and an alternative to chemical and
physical methods.
It is found that the character and size of nanoparticles are depend on the
kind of plant extract as well as temperature of oxide formation. Refer to some
publications, present work investigates the synthesis of ZnO NPs by comparing
the use of two plant extracts; Mimosa pudica leaves extract and coffee powder
extract. Study on the thermal transformation of Zn-extract complexes was
performed by differential thermal analysis-thermal gravimetric analysis(DTA-
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TGA)[9]. For other physicochemical properties of the NPs x-ray diffraction(XRD),

gas sorption analyzer, diffuse reflectance UVVisible (DRUV-Vis) analysis were
studied. Furthermore the photoactivity of ZnO NPs methylene blue photo
oxidation was chosen[10].

4. Methodology.

a) Brief description of how research will be conducted

Watermelon peels will be dried and powdered.it will treated with metal salt
solution. Result will be analyzing in the end. the development of efficient green
chemistry methods for synthesis of metal nanoparticles has become a major focus of
researchers. They have investigated in order to find an eco-friendly technique for
production of well-characterized nanoparticles. One of the most considered methods is
production of metal nanoparticles using organisms. Among these organism’s plants seem
to be the best candidates and they are suitable for large-scale biosynthesis of
nanoparticles. Nanoparticles produced by plants are more stable and the rate of synthesis
is faster than in the case of microorganisms. Moreover, the nanoparticles are more
various in shape and size in comparison with those produced by other organisms. In this
review, most of the plants used in metal nanoparticle synthesis are shown[11].

The advantages of using plant and plant-derived materials for biosynthesis of metal
nanoparticles have interested researchers to investigate mechanisms of metal ions uptake
and bio reduction by plants, and to understand the possible mechanism of metal
nanoparticle formation in plants[12].

b) Experimentation.

In producing nanoparticles using plant extracts, the extract will simply mixed with a ZnO
solution at room temperature. The reaction will complete within minutes.

c) Experimental set up.

The watermelon peels will separate from the flesh. The dried peels will ground using a
manual grinder, reducing the size to smaller form (powdered form). The powdered
sample will store in an air tight container. Techniques for characterization of
nanoparticles and also for nanodeposited plate
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 XRD ( X-ray Diffraction)

 SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope)
 TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope)
 UV-Vis.Spectroscopy
 EDX (Energy dispersive x-ray)
 FT-IR ( Fourier transform Infrared Spectroscopy)
 AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy)

d) Theoretical Studies.

The synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using biological method is always eco friendly and
attractive. The average size of the nanoparticles was found to be 30-50nm.
Results obtained from experimentation will be theoretically studied and a comparative
discussion will be given on the basis of experimental results and relevant literature
collected

e) Results expected and method of the Analysis.

The Scanning Electron Microscope with the Energy Dispersive X-ray studies were
used for characterization that provides the size and the elemental composition of the
synthesized ZnO nanoparticles. The average size of the nanoparticles was found to be 30-
50nm.
5. Utilization of research results.

Biogenic synthesis of ZnO nanoparticle is ecofriendly, simple and efficient than

the conventional method with the less usage of toxic chemicals. Zinc oxide nanoparticles
has a wide application in various fields such as optical, piezoelectric, mechanical,
thermodynamic, electrodynamic, electromagnetic and gas sensing They also find
applications in the pharmaceutical industry, cosmetic industry, solar cells and also as
semiconductors
6. Research Time Table.
(Showing the period for the start of work and expected time for each stage like,
literature review, time for experimental set up, experimentation, analysis of results
and submission of thesis etc).

Topic selection (1-10-16)

Litrature review (10-11-16)

Experimental set up (20-12-16)

Experimentation (10-01-17)

Results analysis (02-03-16)

Viva (20-04-16)
Thesis submission (1-07-16)
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7. References.

1. Garima, S.; Bhavesh, R.; Kasariya, K.; Ranjan, A.S.; Singh, R.P. Biosynthesis of silver
nanoparticles using Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) leaf extract and screening its antimicrobial activity, J
Nanopart Res, 2011, 13:2981–2988.
2. Vidhya, C.; Shilpa, H.; Chandraprabha, M.N.; Antonyraj, M.A.L.; Indu, V.G.; Aayushi, J.; Bansal, K. Green
synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles by Calotropis gigantea, IJCET, 2013, 118-120.
3. Singh, R.P.; Magesh, S.; Rakkiyappan, C. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) root extract: a
source of silver nanoparticles and their application, IJBEST, 2011, 02,75-80.
4. Hasna, A.S.; Rajeshwari, S.; Venckatesh, R.Green synthesis and characterization of
zinc oxide nanoparticles from Ocimum basilicum L. var. purpurascens Benth.- Lamiaceae leaf extract,
Mater lett, 2014,131,16-18.
5. Thirumavalavan, M.; Huang, K.; Lee, J. Preparation and Morphology Studies of Nano Zinc Oxide
Obtained Using Native and Modified Chitosans, Materials , 2013,6,
4198-4212.
6. Gupta AK, Gupta M (2005) Synthesis and surface engineering of iron oxide nanoparticles for
biomedical applications. Biomaterials 26:3995
7.Radzimska, A.K; Jesionowski, T. Zinc Oxide—From Synthesis to Application: A Review, Materials, 2014,
7, 2833-2881
8.Singh, R.P.; Magesh, S.; Rakkiyappan, C.Ginger (Zingiber officinale) root extract: a source of silver
nanoparticles and their application, IJBEST, 2011, 02,75-80.
9.Eric A. Meulenkamp † Philips Research Laboratories, WA 13, Prof. Holstlaan 4, 5656 AA Eindhoven, The
Netherlands J. Phys. Chem. B, 1998, 102 (29), pp 5566–5572
10.Sangameswaran B, Singh R, Balkrishnan BR and Jayakar B. Anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic
effects of Ipomoea reniformis Chois on alloxan induced diabetic rats. J Res Educ Indian Med Oct-Dec 2007:
27-30.
Shankar, S.S., et al., Rapid synthesis of Au, Ag, and bimetallic Au core–Ag shell nanoparticles using Neem
(Azadirachta indica) leaf broth. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2004. 275(2): p. 496-502.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2004.03.003.

11. Prabhu, S. and E. Poulose, Silver nanoparticles: mechanism of antimicrobial action, synthesis, medical
applications, and toxicity effects. International Nano Letters 2012. 2(32): p. 1-10.
12.Geetha, N., et al., Biofabrication of Silver Nanoparticles Using Leaf Extract of Chromolaena Odorata (L.)
King and Robinson. International Conference on Nuclear Energy, Environmental and Biological Sciences,
2012. 8: p. 56-59.
13. Saxena, A., R. Tripathi, and R. Singh, biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles by using onion and their
antibacterial activity. Digest Journal of Nanomaterials and Biostructures, 2010. 5(2): p. 427-432.
14. Torresday, J.L.G., et al., Formation and growth of Au nanoparticles inside live alfa alfa plants.
Nanoletters, 2004. 2(4): p. 397-401. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/nl015673+.
15. Bai, H.J., et al., Biosynthesis of cadmium sulfide nanoparticles by photosynthetic bacteria
Rhodopseudomonas palustris. Colloids and surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 2009. 70: p. 142-146.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2008.12.025.
16.Song, J.Y., H.K. Jang, and B.S. Kim, Biological synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Magnolia kobus and
Diopyros kaki leaf extracts. Process Biochemistry, 2009. 44: p. 1133-1138.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2009.06.005.
17. Elumalai, E.K., et al., Green synthesis of silver nanoparticle using Euphorbia hirta L and their antifungal
activities. .Archives of Applied Science Research, 2010. 2 (6): p. 76-81.
18. Nagajyoti, P., et al., Bio-fabrication of silver nanoparticles using leaf extract of Saururus chinenis.
Digest Journal of Nanomaterials and Biostructures 2011. 6: p. 121-133.
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19. Awwad, A.M. and N.M. Salem, Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles byMulberry LeavesExtract.
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 2012. 2(4): p. 125-128. http://dx.doi.org/10.5923/j.nn.20120204.06.
20. Ponarulselvam, S., et al., Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using leaves of Catharanthus roseus Linn. G.
Don and their antiplasmodial activities. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed., 2012. 2(7): p. 574–580.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2221-1691(12)60100-2.
21. kumar, D.S., Rapid and green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using leaf extracts of parthenium
hysterophorus: a novel biological approach International Research Journal of Pharmacy, 2012. 3(2): p. 169-
173.
22. Prathna, T.C., et al., Biomimetic Synthesis of Nanoparticles: Science, Technology and Applicability.
Biomimetics Learning from Nature. 2010, , book edited by Amitava Mukherjee, ISBN 978-953-307-025-4.
23. Ganaie, S., et al., Biomimetic synthesis of silver nanoparticles using the amphibious weed ipomoea and
their application in pollution control. Journal of King Saud University-Science, 2014. 26(3); p. 222-229.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jksus.2014.02.004.
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8. Comments of Supervisor.
This Project is fully apprehended and evaluated and found feasble for project work of
MPhil Thesis as a partial fulfillment of Degree of M. Phil in Applied Chemistry from
Chemistry Department, University of Engineering & Technology.

Signature of Supervisor Signature of Student

________________________________________________________________________

Endst. No. Univ./______________ Dated: _____________

The above proposal duly recommended by the Departmental Board of

Studies/Committee of Post-Graduate Studies in its meeting held on _____________ is
forwarded to the Director of Research for obtaining the approval of the Vice-Chancellor.

Chairman/Director
of the Department

The Dean Faculty of NSH & IS