Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: from Biosynthesis, Characterization, and Optimization to Synergistic Antibacterial Potential

In the current era, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have gained abundant attention due to their distinctive biomedical properties. Zinc is considered as one among the chief micronutrient in living organisms. Bio-genic synthesis of ZnO NPs using plant extract has expanded scientific community’s interest to explore them as rapid, non-toxic, economical, and eco-friendly alternative. A diverse range of plants parts has been exploited for the synthesis of ZnO NPs, which was further characterized using UV-VIS spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, and SEM for their spectral analysis. Researchers have further optimized the synthesis of ZnO NPs under various parameters including pH, temperature, and time. ZnO NPs developed as the most popular metal oxide due to their admirable biocompatibility and low toxicity. The present review describes the synthesis, analysis, optimization, and antibacterial applications of ZnO NPs. In addition, combinatorial effects of ZnO NPs with various antibiotics have also been discussed to overcome drug resistance issues.