Biofabrication of calcium phosphate nanoparticles using the plant Mimusops elengi

Nanoparticles are now widely applied in products. The synthesis of nanomaterials using biological materials is an emerging field, notably for medical applications because biologically derived compounds can be safe. For instance, calcium phosphate is a natural biomineral that possesses an excellent biocompatibility due to its chemical similarity to human hard tissue such as bone and teeth. Here, we synthesized calcium phosphate nanoparticles by using bark extract of Spanish cherry (Mimusops elengi). Calcium phosphate nanoparticles showed an absorbance at 275 nm by UV-visible analysis and particle size of 25 nm by nanoparticle tracking and analysis. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of aromatic amines as a capping and reducing agent. Transmission electron microscopy showed the presence of polydispersed spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 50 nm. Measurements of zeta potential revealed the stability of the synthesized calcium phosphate nanoparticles. These particles demonstrated antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. We conclude that the synthesis of calcium phosphate nanoparticles by using a M. elengi is easy, eco-friendly and scalable.