Structure-Property-Activity Relationships of ZnO Nanoparticles Phytochemically Synthesized from Pumpkin Pulp and Peels
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Abstract
The development of functional nanomaterials through environmentally sustainable approaches has attracted growing interest, particularly in the use of plant-derived resources as alternatives to conventional synthesis methods. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesized using two pumpkin-derived extracts, obtained from the pulp and peel, to investigate how the nature of the biological medium influences their physicochemical characteristics and biological performance. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis. XRD measurements confirmed the formation of crystalline ZnO with a hexagonal wurtzite structure and average crystallite sizes of approximately 29–30 nm. Surface area and porosity analyses further indicated mesoporous features that may contribute to the accessibility of reactive surface sites. Biological investigations revealed distinct responses depending on the extract used during synthesis. ZnO NPs prepared with pumpkin pulp juice exhibited appreciable antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, together with an anti-inflammatory effect that showed no clear concentration dependence and a moderate level of cytotoxicity. Conversely, peel-mediated ZnO NPs displayed comparatively weaker antibacterial activity but showed improved cellular compatibility and greater inhibition of protein denaturation at intermediate concentrations. Overall, the findings suggest that the choice of pumpkin-derived extract plays an important role in determining the structural characteristics and biological behavior of ZnO nanoparticles. The observed differences provide a basis for selecting suitable biomass sources according to the intended application and support further exploration of pumpkin-derived materials as accessible resources for the sustainable production of ZnO nanomaterials.
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