Exploring the potential of a Ephedra alata leaf extract: Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant activity, antibacterial properties, and green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue

Authors

• Abdelmalek Zaater, University of Echahid Hamma Lakhdar
• Mohammed Oualid Serhoud, University of Batna 1
• Ilham Ben Amor, University of Echahid Hamma Lakhdar
• Soumeia Zeghoud, University of Echahid Hamma Lakhdar
• Amira Hemmami, University of Echahid Hamma Lakhdar
• Abdelkrim Rebiai, University of Echahid Hamma Lakhdar
• Yacine Bouras, University of Echahid Hamma Lakhdar
• Ammar Touhami Laiche, University of Echahid Hamma Lakhdar
• Ali Alsalme, College of Sciences
• David Cornu, University Montpellier
• Mikhael Bechelany, University Montpellier
• Ahmed Barhoum, Helwan University

ORCID

• Ahmed Barhoum: 0000-0002-4859-5264

Abstract

Ephedra alata leaf extracts have therapeutic properties and contain various natural compounds known as phytochemicals. This study assessed the phytochemical content and antioxidant effects of a Ephedra alata leaf extract, as well as zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle production. The extract contained phenolic acids, including vanillic acid, chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, vanillin and rutin. Its total phenolic content and total flavonoid content were 48.7 ± 0.9 mg.g^-1 and 1.7 ± 0.4 mg.g^-1, respectively. The extract displayed a DPPH inhibition rate of 70.5%, total antioxidant activity of 49.5 ± 3.4 mg.g^-1, and significant antimicrobial activity toward Gram-positive and negative bacteria. The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles had spherical shape, crystallite size of 25 nm, particle size between 5 and 30 nm, and bandgap energy of 3.3 eV. In specific conditions (90 min contact time, pH 7, and 25°C), these nanoparticles efficiently photodegraded 87% of methylene blue, suggesting potential applications for sustainable water treatment and pollution control.

Keywords

antibacterial activity, antioxidant activity, high-performance liquid chromatograph, methylene blue dye degradation, photocatalytic degradation, plant extract phytochemical analysis, ZnO nanoparticle synthesis

DOI Link

10.3389/fchem.2024.1367552

Publication Date

2024-01-01

Publication Title

Frontiers in Chemistry

Volume

12

Deposit Date

2025-08-01

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Additional Links

https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85186613982

Recommended Citation

Zaater, Abdelmalek; Serhoud, Mohammed Oualid; Ben Amor, Ilham; Zeghoud, Soumeia; Hemmami, Amira; Rebiai, Abdelkrim; Bouras, Yacine; Laiche, Ammar Touhami; Alsalme, Ali; Cornu, David; Bechelany, Mikhael; and Barhoum, Ahmed, "Exploring the potential of a Ephedra alata leaf extract: Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant activity, antibacterial properties, and green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue" (2024). Research Outputs: 2025-Present. 20.
https://arrow.tudublin.ie/scschcpsro/20