BIOSYNTHESIS OF TITANIUM DIOXIDE NANOPARTICLES USING CALENDULA OFFICINALIS EXTRACT FOR ANTIFUNGAL APPLICATIONS

Abstract

The present study investigated the green synthesis, physicochemical characterization, and antifungal activity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) using Calendula officinalis extract. Nanoparticles were synthesized by reacting titanium isopropoxide with aqueous plant extract under controlled conditions, followed by drying and calcination. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). UV–visible analysis revealed a prominent spectral peak near 378 nm, while FTIR confirmed characteristic hydroxyl and Ti–O vibrations. XRD analysis indicated a crystalline anatase structure, whereas SEM revealed agglomerated, nearly spherical particles with rough surfaces. EDX confirmed titanium (59.25 wt%) and oxygen (36.08 wt%) as major constituents. Antifungal activity was evaluated against five fungal strains using the agar diffusion method. Maximum inhibition was observed against Penicillium glabrum (45 mm), followed by Aspergillus niger (37 mm), Trichoderma harzianum (31 mm), Candida albicans (30 mm), and Mucor circinelloides (20 mm). Overall, the findings suggest that Calendula officinalis-mediated TiO₂ nanoparticles possess species-dependent antifungal potential, supporting further investigation of their applications in environmentally sustainable antimicrobial formulations and related technologies.