Melatonin-stimulated biosynthesis of anti-microbial ZnONPs by enhancing bio-reductive prospective in callus cultures of Catharanthus roseus var. Alba

Melatonin as plant growth regulator induces differential effects on metabolites that are responsible for reduction, capping and stabilization of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Phytochemical analysis of callus cultures was performed and results were compared with callus cultures supplemented with other plant growth regulators (α-napthalene acetic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid and thidiazuron). Highest total phenolic and flavonoid content [42.23 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE) g−1 DW and 36.4 mg of (quercetin equivalent) g−1 DW, respectively] were recorded at melatonin (1.0 µM) + NAA (13.5 µM). ZnONPs were synthesized from NAA (13.5 µM) and melatonin (1.0 µM) + NAA (13.5 µM)-induced calli extracts separately and characterized via X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of phenolics and flavonoids that were mainly found responsible for reduction and capping of ZnONPs. SEM analysis showed triangular shaped ZnONPs synthesized from melatonin + NAA callus extract and these NPs were more dispersed as compared to the spherical-agglomerates of ZnONPs synthesized from NAA-mediated callus extract. Melatonin + NAA callus extract-mediated ZnONPs (having smaller size) were more potent against multiple drug resistant bacterial strains, e.g. Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by producing zone of inhibitions 17 ± 0.76 mm,10 ± 0.57 mm and 13 ± 0.54 mm, respectively.