Research in Plant Metabolites

Research in Plant Metabolites

Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Malva sylvestris Extract and Its Effect on Some Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Trigonella foenum-graecum L.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
alireza galavi
hamid sobhanian
safoora bazzi
Enayatollah Yazdanpanah
Department of Biology, Payame Noor University (PNU), Tehran, Iran, P.O. Box: 19395-4697
10.22034/jrpsm.2025.511325.1058
Abstract
In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were synthesized using the green synthesis method with Malva sylvestris extract, and their effects on certain physiological and morphological characteristics of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. were investigated. Green synthesis is considered a sustainable, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly approach due to its reliance on plant-derived bioactive compounds. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) confirmed that the synthesized nanoparticles had an approximate size of 40 nm.
The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with six ZnO-NPs concentration levels (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg/l) and three replications. The results showed that nanoparticle concentration had no significant effect on shoot and root fresh weight. The highest shoot dry weight was observed at 40 mg/l and 50 mg/l. Additionally, the greatest shoot and root lengths were recorded at 30 mg/l, while the lowest values were found in the control group. Chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll content were highest in the control plants, and carotenoid content showed no significant changes. The highest total protein content was recorded at 20 mg/l, while the highest ascorbate peroxidase activity was observed at 10 mg/l. Catalase and peroxidase enzyme activities did not show significant variations.
Overall, ZnO-NPs synthesized using M. sylvestris extract positively affected some physiological and morphological traits of T. foenum-graecum L. . However, their effects were concentration-dependent, showing variable impacts on chlorophyll content and antioxidant enzyme activities.
Keywords
Phytochemical compounds
Antioxidant activity
Ascorbate peroxidase
Oxidative stress
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