Nanopartículas metálicas mediadas por extratos vegetais como possíveis agentes alelopático, antioxidante, larvicida e antimalárico

Abstract

The circular economy has increasingly become the focus of innovative research, promoting sustainability through the reuse of resources and the minimization of waste. Nanotechnology drives innovation via materials at the nanometric scale, with enormous potential, such as titanium nanoparticles, which are used in a wide range of applications from cosmetics to medicine. Green synthesis represents another promising avenue and an alternative to conventional synthetic resources, aiming for industrial processes that are both environmentally benign and efficient, while minimizing costs and environmental impacts. Jucá (Libidibia ferrea) extract exemplifies this concept, being a natural compound used in industry with renewable and biodegradable benefits. These areas are interconnected, forming a network of technological and environmental advances that shape a more sustainable and efficient future. The aim of this study was to synthesize and characterize titanium dioxide metal nanoparticles mediated by jucá plant extracts as potential antioxidant, allelopathic, larvicidal, and antimalarial agents. The research was conducted in the following stages: I) extraction of jucá extract; II) chemical characterization of the extract; III) synthesis of titanium nanoparticles containing jucá extract; IV) nanoparticle characterization; V) evaluation of allelopathic, antioxidant, larvicidal, and antimalarial properties. The results confirmed the successful synthesis of the nanoparticles, which were diluted and tested across eight different treatments for allelopathic activity. The findings indicated superior germination capacity of titanium nanoparticles containing jucá extract compared to the control for seeds of watermelon, tomato, kale, lettuce, and corn. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the extracts was confirmed, as well as in the ABTS assay for the nanoparticles. In larvicidal tests, the NPLF fraction demonstrated 100% efficacy. However, for antimalarial activity, the fractions did not show mortality against Plasmodium falciparum. These results support the effectiveness of green synthesis in obtaining jucá-based nanoparticles, which showed promising allelopathic, antioxidant, and larvicidal activity, positioning them as a novel and promising agent for agricultural, industrial, and medical applications.