This study investigates the synthesis, structural characteristics, and antimicrobial applications of zinc oxide (ZnO) and cobalt-doped ZnO (Co-doped ZnO) nanoparticles synthesized via a green method utilizing Platycladus orientalis aqueous extract. Comprehensive characterization techniques, including x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–vis spectroscopy, and Fourier transformed infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, were employed to evaluate the structural, morphological, and optical properties. XRD analysis confirmed the hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO with successful Co-doping, evidenced by lattice distortion and reduced crystallite size. The estimated crystallite size and lattice microstrain of the ZnO and Co-doped ZnO nanoparticles were 26.9 and 19.0 nm, and 0.16% and 0.2%, respectively. Furthermore, the lattice parameters showed a significant distortion of the lattice along the c-axis in the Co-doped ZnO nanoparticles. SEM and TEM revealed improved particle uniformity and decreased agglomeration in Co-doped ZnO nanoparticles. UV–Vis spectroscopy demonstrated a narrowing of the optical band gap, enhancing visible light absorption. Antimicrobial studies showed significant concentration-dependent activity, with Co-doped ZnO nanoparticles exhibiting superior antibacterial and antifungal properties compared to pristine ZnO. Co-doped ZnO demonstrated enhanced inhibition zones against Listeria monocytogenes (13.50 mm), Escherichia coli (13.65 mm), and Enterococcus faecalis (14.05 mm), and also showed better minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against fungal strains such as Mucor mucedo (0.05 mg/mL), Penicillium chrysogenum (0.05 mg/mL), and Aspergillus niger (0.03 mg/mL). The superior antimicrobial performance is attributed to modifications in particle size, morphology, and lattice defects induced by cobalt doping. These findings highlight the potential of Co-doped ZnO nanoparticles as advanced antimicrobial agents, suitable for applications in biomedical fields.

Green synthesis of nanomaterials harnesses naturally occurring materials, including plant extracts, to offer environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional biomedicine, agriculture, and other field applications. This study explores the green route to Fe₂O₃ and cerium-doped Fe₂O₃ (Ce-doped Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles synthesized for the first time using the leaf extract of Platycladus orientalis. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized for their structural, morphological, chemical, and optical properties. The hematite phase of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles with spherical morphology was obtained. The introduction of Ce as a dopant into Fe₂O₃ increased the lattice strain of Ce-doped Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (0.51%) compared to pristine Fe₂O₃ (0.46%) even though the size of both nanomaterials was similar. Compared to pristine Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles, Ce-doped Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles also demonstrated enhanced antimicrobial and antifungal activities against Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Listeria monocytogenes, Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus niger, and Mucor mucedo. The green-synthesized Ce-doped Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles possess potential for application in biomedical and environmental fields based on their relevance to human health and food safety, diversity in microbial characteristics, and potential for resistance to conventional treatments.

This study examined the effect of dietary lysolecithin on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, haematobiochemistry, and oxidative status in finisher broiler chickens. In a completely randomized design (CRD), 300 21-day-old Chikun strain chicks were randomly allocated to 30 pens in which they were allotted to 5 dietary treatments as follows TI (0 g /100kg), T2 (100 g /100kg), T3 (200 g /100kg), T4 (300 g /100kg), T5 (400 g /100kg) of feed with 6 replicates pens of 10 during the finisher phase (28 days). Results showed that dietary supplementation with lysolecithin increased the final body weight (FBW) (quadratic P = 0.0178), body weight gain (BWG) (quadratic P = 0.0232), whilst it decreased the total feed intake (TFI) (linear P = 0.0104). Similarly, it linearly increased the retention of dry matter (P = 0.0324); crude protein (P = 0.0029), crude fibre (P = 0.0147), and crude fat (P = 0.0002). Furthermore, it increased the superoxide dismutase (linear P < 0.001), glutathione peroxidase (quadratic P < 0.001), glutathione (linear P < 0.001), whilst it decreased malondialdehyde (linear P = 0.003), without affecting (P > 0.05) the haematobiochemistry parameters. Therefore, dietary lysolecithin could be supplemented up to 400 g /100 kg without compromising performance, nutrient retention, haemato-biochemistry, and oxidative status in finisher broiler diets.