International Journal of Research Studies in Microbiology and Biotechnology (IJRSMB) Volume 1, Issue 1, June 2015, PP 20-24 www.arcjournals.org ©ARC Page | 20 Biogenesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles using Aqueous Extracts of Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. Manokari M., Mahipal S. Shekhawat* Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Plant Science, M.G.G.A.C. Mahe, Pondicherry, India. smahipal3@gmail.com Abstract: This study reports the biosynthesis of Zinc oxide nanoparticles from the leaves, stem and root extracts of Hemidesmus indicus and their characterization. The development of eco-friendly, nontoxic and green methods for the synthesis of Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) has attracted increasing attention of the researchers. H. indicus is known as Indian Sarasaparilla, Nannari and Sariva in India and widely used in the Indian traditional systems of medicines. It is useful in the treatment of blood diseases, respiratory disorders, syphilis, eye diseases, kidney and urinary disorders etc. Leaves stem and root aqueous extracts contain various primary and secondary metabolites are responsible for the synthesis of nanoparticles. Zinc Nitrate hexahydrate (Zn(NO 3 ) 2 .6H 2 O) solution was used as precursor solution to synthesize the nanoparticles. The synthesis of nanoparticles was confirmed by changes in the color to pale green after heat treatment to the reaction solution using oven. The Zinc oxide nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Visible spectrophotometer and the absorption peaks were reported in between 29 nm to 310 nm proved the formation of Zinc oxide nanoparticles in the reaction mixture. Keywords: Zinc oxide nanoparticles, green-synthesis, Hemidesmus indicus, characterization. 1. INTRODUCTION Recently nanoparticles gained immense scientific interest due to their specific intrinsic properties, determined by size, morphology and distribution [1, 2], they represent a bridge between the bulk materials and the molecules. The commercial exploration of nanoparticles paved the way with huge applications to humankind [3]. Metal oxide nanoparticles have been exploited enormously by their ability to withstand under harsh conditions and harmless to the environment [4]. The interaction of nanoparticles with biological materials establishes a series of bio-nanoparticle interfaces due to colloidal forces and biophysicochemical interactions [5]. The inorganic nanoparticles are very immense material because of their high surface area, easy to enter in cells through plasmodesmatal connections at nanoscale size, and they have potential properties for sensing and detection of various biological analytes. It has been reported that the semiconductor metal zinc oxide nanoparticles (< 30 nm) have the ability to alter the biological properties. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have significant applications in various areas including optical piezoelectric, magnetic and gas sensing, high catalytic efficiency, strong adsorption ability, high isoelectric point, biocompatibility, and fast electron transfer kinetics for biosensing purposes. ZnO is extensively used as an alternative to TiO 2 for photodegradation mechanism. It has highest photocatalytic activity because of its more active sites, higher reaction rates and is more effective in generating hydrogen peroxide [6]. These have extensive applications in water purification [7] to remove arsenic, sulphur etc. from the polluted water [8]. ZnO-NPs are versatile elements with various biomedical properties like, antimicrobial [9], antibacterial activities [10] etc. These are also used in the preparation of cosmetics as well as eugenol for dental applications [11, 12], in biomolecular detection, diagnostics, antimicrobial textile industries and micro-electronics [9]. Biogenesis of ZnO-NPs using plant parts has already attracted researchers towards this field, and it has been achieved in Acalypa indica [13], Aloe barbadensis [14], Morinda pubescens, Passiflora foetida, Hybanthus enneaspermus, Ficus benghalensis and Lawsonia inermis [15-19].