Synthesis of Zinc oxide nanoparticles from Clitoria ternatea L. extracts: a green approach

We report the development of green methods for synthesis of zinc oxide at nano scale. Biological systems are being explored for the synthesis of nanoparticles. The plant Clitoria ternatea contains alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, resins, steroids, saponins, flavonoids, phenols, kaempferol, clitorin, taraxerol, aparajitin, sistosterol, hexacosanal and anthoxanthin. The whole plant is traditionally used to treat leprosy, bronchitis, inflammation, leucoderma and tuberculosis. The present report describes the biosynthesis and characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles using aqueous extracts of leaves, stem, root, flowers and fruits of Clitoria ternatea. The aqueous reaction mixture of leaf, flower petals and roots showed strong broad UV spectral peak at 296 nm, stem at 293 nm and roots at 311 nm.