Green Synthesis, Characterization, and Antifungal Activity of Propolis and Pomegranate Peel-Mediated Zinc Oxidenanoparticles Against Candida Albicans

This study involving the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles by using the propolis and pomegranate peel, the nanoparticles showed superior efficacy, zinc oxide nanoparticles was prepared electrochemically by using Zn metal as positive electrode and Graphite as negative electrode, all electrodes was immersed in 200ml solution in a 200 mL solution containing 5 mL of potassium chloride (KCl) as the electrolyte, 10 mL of a stabilizer (polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)), and 185 mL of distilled water. A green synthesis approach is commonly used to coat zinc oxide nanoparticles with propolis and pomegranate peel extract. The plant extract acts as both a reducing agent and a coating agent, forming a bio-organic coating around the nucleus of the zinc oxide nanoparticles. Ultrasonic treatment was used to increase the surface area, and the pH was adjusted to the alkaline range to facilitate coating and precipitation. Candida albicans was readily cultured using Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) cultures at 35–37°C for 24 hours or by incubation. Gribkov 0.5 suspensions are used in standard McFarland tubes, including 1 × 10⁶ CFU/ml. The XRD analysis of zinc oxide nanoparticles showed the values 72.58°, 69.191°, 68.051°, 66.52°, 62.983°, 56.683°, 47.645°, 36.374°, 34.552° and 31.873°, related to the Miller indices ((202), (004), (201), (112), (200), (110), (102), (101), (002) and (100), (002), (101), (102), (110), (103), (200), (112), (201), (004) and (202), also the analysis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). Propolis and propolis are zinc oxide-enhanced (ZnO NPs) with anti-Candida albicans activity. They achieve a high concentration with a significant thermogenic effect. The tablets are available in 2 TB packs, with dosages of 50 µg/ml (16 mm – 20 mm), 75 µg/ml (moisture-activated area), and 100 µg/ml (23 mm diameter), with an external control for swelling (0 mm).