Paper Title
Plant-Mediated Synthesis of Nanoparticles using Chrysanthemoides Monilifera and Harpephyllum Caffrum and Their Biological Activity

Abstract
The method of using plant extracts for the synthesis of metal-based nanoparticles is a recently developed technique, which is not only cost effective but also environmentally friendly. In this study, extracts and phytocompounds from the indigenous, South African, medicinal plant species Chrysanthemoidesmonilifera and Harpephyllumcaffrumwere obtained and used to synthesise and stabilise silver, zinc oxide and selenium nanoparticles. Quercetin was isolated from the extract of C. monilifera and catechin from the extract of H. caffrum. The growth of nanoparticles was investigated at various concentrations of phytocompounds. Growth seemed to occur by agglomeration and subsequent re-orientation. Results showed biosynthesised nanoparticles to be capped with plant biomolecules. The biosynthesised nanoparticles had a wider size distribution than freestanding nanoparticles. The particles were tested for their antioxidant activity using three different assays. The results showed plant biomolecules to enhance the antioxidant activity of the biosynthesised nanoparticles. The anti-microbial activities of the nanoparticles were evaluated using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion susceptibility test. Capping of silver nanoparticles with plant biomolecules enhanced antibacterial activity but capping of selenium and zinc oxide nanoparticles with plant biomolecules did not have any effect Keywords - Silver Nanoparticles, Selenium Nanoparticles, Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles, Antioxidants, Antibacterial Agents