Plant-mediated green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using pomegranate peel (Punica granatum L) extract: free radical scavenging, drug loading and photo-catalytic activity

Researchers are becoming more interested in the biological synthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) due to its wide range of biomedical uses. Extract of pomegranate peel [Punica granatum L (P. granatum)] is used to green synthesize gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs) with the variation in content. The ultraviolet (UV) absorption peak of gold nanoparticles is observed at ~512–515 nm. Antioxidant analysis is used to assess the synthesized gold nanoparticles’ (Au-NPs) capacity to scavenge free radicals. The gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) demonstrate antibacterial effects when applied to harmful microorganisms. Drug loading studies demonstrate that curcumin, a naturally occurring medicine, exhibits the highest loading at 120 min. Green synthesized nanoparticles are used to test the improved photo-catalytic activity against the methylene blue, methyl orange and methyl red dye. It has been noted that the longer a dye is exposed to sunshine, the more dye degrades. Based on all these factors, the green synthesized gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) can be beneficial for various biological fields.