Comparative study on the role of extracts of male and female of jojoba's leaves in the green synthesis of α-MnO2 as an antimicrobial agent.

The green synthesis method is a predominant trend as it is an ecofriendly, cleaner, scalable, and cheaper method and viable to form biocompatible NPsrather than the traditional methods. Jojoba plant is a natural and strong antioxidant as it contains phenolic and flavonoids compounds.Since male and female jojoba plants are known to differ in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activity and phytochemical composition, this comparison was designed to test whether such sex-linked phytochemical variability translates into measurable differences in the structural, morphological, and antimicrobial properties of the resulting MnO2 nanoparticles. This study focuses on preparation of MnO2 nanoparticles using the extract of male (M-MnO2) and female (F-MnO2) jojoba's leavesand to evaluate theirantimicrobialactivity.The prepared samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Thermal analyses (TGA & DTG) to assess their structural and physicochemical properties. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) also used to assess the morphology and microstructure evolution. The X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the cryptomelane-type α-MnO2 phase for both samples distinguished by its characteristic (2 × 2) tunnel framework capable of hosting potassium ions within the crystal lattice. The microstructure analyses also reveal the nanocrystalline nature with flake morphology of MnO2 NPs that enhances the surface reactivity helping in improving the antimicrobial performance.The antimicrobial efficacy of the two samples (M-MnO2 and F-MnO2) was evaluated throughtheCup Diffusion Agar Method and the Colony Forming Unit (CFU) Assay using Four representative microorganisms were selected for testing: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538-P (Gram-positive bacterium), Escherichia coli ATCC 25,933 (Gram-negative bacterium), Candida albicans ATCC 10,231 (yeast), and Aspergillusniger NRRL-A326 (filamentous fungus).The findings of this research highlight sample F-MnO2 as a potential antimicrobial agent with higher percent of the inhibition zones and higher reduction percent of the number of colonies formation.