A Sustainable Approach for the Synthesis of Metallic Nanoparticles and its Application as Antimicrobial Agents

In this research, a green and safe approach for synthesizing nickel nanoparticles (Ni NPs) was successfully executed using the aqueous extracts of orange peels (OPs) and pomegranate peels (PPs). The morphological structure and metallic nature of the synthesized Ni NPs were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The results reveal the prepared Ni NPs was in the range 1μm to 100 nm with pyramidal structure, high crystalline and purity. However, the average Ni NPs size were calculated using XRD analysis and found to be 28.18 nm. In addition, the synthesized Ni NPs showed a high activity against pathogenic bacteria. The Ni NPs fabricated with PP extract had the largest inhibition zone (32 mm) at 210 mg/ml against Escherichia coli, whereas the inhibition was smaller against Staphylococcus aureus (30 mm) and Candida albicans (27 mm). Moreover, the Ni NPs fabricated with OP extract showed higher antimicrobial activities against E. coli (36 mm), S. aureus (34 mm), and C. albicans (30 mm). The results of this study indicate that Ni NPs synthesized with PP or OP extracts have promising antimicrobial activities and potential for various antimicrobial applications.