In the present work, bioaugmented zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were prepared from aqueous fruit extracts of Myristica fragrans . The ZnO-NPs were characterized by different techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The crystallites exhibited a mean size of 41.23 nm measured via XRD and were highly pure, while SEM and TEM analyses of synthesized NPs confirmed their spherical or elliptical shape. The functional groups responsible for stabilizing and capping of ZnO-NPs were confirmed using FTIR analysis. The ζ-size and ζ-potential of synthesized ZnO-NPs were reported as 66 nm and −22.1 mV, respectively, via the DLS technique can be considered as moderate stable colloidal solution. Synthesized NPs were used to evaluate for their possible antibacterial, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antiparasitic, and larvicidal properties. The NPs were found to be highly active against bacterial strains both coated with antibiotics and alone. Klebsiella pneumoniae was found to be the most sensitive strain against NPs (27 ± 1.73) and against NPs coated with imipinem (26 ± 1.5). ZnO-NPs displayed outstanding inhibitory potential against enzymes protein kinase (12.23 ± 0.42), α-amylase (73.23 ± 0.42), and α-glucosidase (65.21 ± 0.49). Overall, the synthesized NPs have shown significant larvicidal activity (77.3 ± 1.8) against Aedes aegypti , the mosquitoes involved in the transmission of dengue fever. Similarly, tremendous leishmanicidal activity was also observed against both the promastigote (71.50 ± 0.70) and amastigote (61.41 ± 0.71) forms of the parasite. The biosynthesized NPs were found to be excellent antioxidant and biocompatible nanomaterials. Biosynthesized ZnO-NPs were also used as photocatalytic agents, resulting in 88% degradation of methylene blue dye in 140 min. Owing to their eco-friendly synthesis, nontoxicity, and biocompatible nature, ZnO-NPs synthesized from M. fragrans can be exploited as potential candidates for biomedical and environmental applications.

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It is highly desired to synthesize low‐cost photocatalysts for the degradation of colored dyes to safeguard our environment for the future generations. Here, we report an extremely efficient and low‐cost synthesis of alkaline earth and transition‐metal ferrite photocatalysts (MgFe2O4, CaFe2O4, BaFe12O19, CuFe2O4, and ZnFe2O4) from their chloride salts and their applications for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under UV–visible and direct sunlight irradiation. The as‐prepared photocatalysts displayed enhanced photoactivities under both conditions of irradiation. After calcination at 600°C, the photocatalytic degradation increased significantly, and 96 and 85% MB was removed with ZnFe2O4 under UV–visible and direct sunlight irradiation, respectively. Moreover, large amounts of hydroxyl free radicals were produced under both irradiation conditions, which participated in the degradation of MB. The enhanced photodegradation activities of these photocatalysts are attributed to their extended visible light absorption and low bandgaps. This work will provide a feasible route to the synthesis of efficient and low‐cost photocatalysts to utilize sunlight for environmental remediation.

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