Process optimisation for green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles and evaluation of its antimacrofouling activity

In recent years, considerable attention has been given to the plant‐mediated synthesis of nanoparticles because it is an eco‐friendly method compared to the synthesis by chemical route. This study aims to optimise the biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO‐NPs) mediated by coconut water using response surface methodology (RSM). The effects of the individual variables (concentration of coconut water, temperature and time) and their interactions during the biosynthesis of ZnO‐NPs were determined by RSM employing Box–Behnken design. The variables selected were tested by a 17‐run experiment and quadratic model was used for the analysis of the results. The accuracy of the model was confirmed by the coefficient of determination (R ²) value of 0.9968. The significance of the regression model was found to be high which is validated by the low probability value of P  < 0.0001. The ZnO‐NPs thus synthesised was evaluated for its antimacrofouling activity against mollusks using in‐vitro foot‐adherence bioassay. The results demonstrated the potential of biosynthesised ZnO‐NPs in inhibiting fouling induced due to the test organisms.Inspec keywords: nanoparticles, antibacterial activity, response surface methodology, zinc compounds, regression analysis, design of experiments, biotechnologyOther keywords: plant‐mediated synthesis, eco‐friendly method, biosynthesis, zinc oxide nanoparticles, coconut water, response surface methodology, RSM, Box–Behnken design, quadratic model, regression model, antimacrofouling activity, biosynthesised ZnO‐NPs, process optimisation, green synthesis, ZnO nanoparticles