Chemical Analysis of Iraqi Ruta graveolens. L leaf extract by GC–MS and its application in the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

Background: Nanoparticles are used in numerous medical and other fields thanks to their physical and chemical properties. Green synthesis using plant extracts is an environmentally friendly approach for Ruta graveolens. L was used to prepare ZnO-NPs because it contains compounds that act as reducing and stabilizing agents.

Aims: This study aimed to chemically characterize the leaf extract of Ruta graveolens L using GC-MS technology, and then utilize it in the green synthesis of ZnO-NPs.

Materials and Methods: The plant leaves were collected and extracted using methanol. The extract was then used to prepare nanoparticles, which were characterized using DLS, SEM, and EDS techniques.

Results: GC-MS results revealed ten identified chemical compounds belonging to furanocoumarins, aliphatic ketones, terpene alcohols, and fatty acids. Psoralen, 3-(α, α-dimethylallyl)- was the most abundant compound at 11.773%, followed by 2-Undecanone at 11.370%. DLS analysis showed that the prepared particles fell within the nanometre scale range, averaging a size of 94.3 nm, a Z-average of 64.5 nm, and a dispersion index (PI) of 0.703, indicating relative size heterogeneity. SEM images showed that the particles had a spherical to irregular shape with a clear tendency to clump together, while some direct measurements of their dimensions ranged from 29.86 to 32.89 nm. EDS analysis confirmed that zinc and oxygen were the main elements in the sample, with zinc comprising 77.91% and oxygen 22.09% by weight.

Conclusion: The study concludes that the alcoholic extract of Ruta graveolens .L leaves has clear potential for use in the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles, and that the various characterization results supported the successful preparation of particles within the nanoscale with morphological and elemental properties that confirm the successful formation of ZnO-NPs.