Phytochemical Profiling of Aqueous Extract of Carica Papaya Leaf Extract for Green Synthesis of Zinc, Magnesium and Calcium Nanoparticles
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1018-6038Keywords:
Phytochemical, carica papaya, Green Synthesis, NanoparticlesAbstract
Green synthesis of nanoparticles using plant materials has gained attention as a sustainable alternative to conventional methods involving hazardous chemicals, toxic reducing agents, and high-energy processes. Plant extracts contain phytochemicals that can function as reducing, chelating, capping, and stabilizing agents during nanoparticle synthesis. Carica papaya leaves are a readily available biological resource with potential for nanoparticle production. This study investigated the phytochemical profile of aqueous Carica papaya leaf extract for its potential application in the green synthesis of zinc, magnesium, and calcium nanoparticles. C. papaya leaves were collected from Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria, authenticated, washed, air-dried, pulverized, and extracted with distilled water at 85°C for one hour. The extract was subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening. The reddish-brown extract contained saponins, alkaloids, steroids, tannins, terpenoids, flavonoids, reducing sugars, and phenolic compounds, while anthraquinones were absent. Phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, and reducing sugars possess functional groups capable of electron donation, metal-ion reduction, chelation, and stabilization. Other detected phytochemicals may contribute to nanoparticle capping and stabilization. The findings demonstrate that aqueous C. papaya leaf extract is a promising, simple, inexpensive, and environmentally sustainable biological resource for synthesizing zinc, magnesium, and calcium nanoparticles.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Olubunmi Abiola Adewusi, Ese Queen Umudi, Lawrence Ekanem Ese, Fatima Tijjani Sadauki, Apuyor Kingsley Efe, Ikechukwu Sampson Chikwe, Onyema Clifford Tobechi, Obruche Kennedy Erienu
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