ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTION OF IRON NANOPARTICLE

USING SOLANUM CAROLINENSE AND PHYTOCHEMICAL

SCREENING

BY

MANZOOR AHMAD (20-01032-02119)

A thesis submitted to The University of Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in partial

fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

BACHELOR OF STUDIES IN CHEMISTRY

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
FACULTY OF SCIENCES,
THE UNIVERSITY OF SWABI, PAKISTAN
SESSION (2020-2024)
 ECO-FRIENDLY FABRICATION OF IRON NANOPARTICLE
USING SOLANUM CAROLINENSE AND PHYTOCHEMICAL
SCREENING

BY

MANZOOR AHMAD (20-01032-02119)

A thesis submitted to The University of Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in partial

fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

BACHELOR OF STUDIES IN CHEMISTRY

Approved by:

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
FACULTY OF SCIENCES,
THE UNIVERSITY OF SWABI, PAKISTAN
SESSION (2020-2024)
ii
iii
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER TITLE PAGE NO.

LIST OF FIGURES.......................................................................................................v
LIST OF TABLES…………………………………………...………………………vi
LIST OF ABBREVATIONS.......................................................................................vii
DEDICATION…………………………………………………………………… viii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS............................................................................................ix
ABSTRACT...................................................................................................................x
CHAPTER 1....................................................................................................................1
CHAPTER 2....................................................................................................................5
CHAPTER 3....................................................................................................................7
CHAPTER 4..................................................................................................................11
CONCLUSIONS..........................................................................................................15
REFERENCES.............................................................................................................16

iv
 LIST OF FIGURES
NO. TITLE PAGE NO.

Figure 3.1 Phytochemical test results 10

Figure 4.1 Color change during IONPs synthesis 12

Figure 4.2 Salt (FeCl3) UV-Visible spectra 13

Figure 4.3 Plant extract UV-Visible spectra 13

Figure 4.4 UV-Visible spectra confirming nanoparticles 14

synthesis
Figure 4.5 FTIR spectra identifying IONPs 14

v
 LIST OF TABLES
NO. TITLE PAGE NO.

Table 1 Phytochemical screening of solanum 11

carolinense fruit extract.

vi
 LIST OF ABBREVIATION

S.NO ABBREVIATION FULL NAME

1 NPs Nanoparticles

2 FeCl3 Iron trichloride

3 Fe-NPs Iron Nanoparticles

4 FTIR Fourier transform infrared

spectroscopy
5 IONPs Iron oxide nanoparticles

vii
 DEDICATION

I dedicated this thesis to my family, especially my parents, sisters, and brothers. Their
unwavering love, support, encouragement, and sacrifices have been the driving force
behind my accomplishments. For your boundless love, understanding, and patience, I
am forever grateful. Your constant belief in me has propelled me forward.
This accomplishment would not have been possible without your love and support.
Thank you for always believing in me.

Manzoor Ahmad, 2024

viii
 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Alhamdulillah for His mercy and direction throughout this path. I would like to thank
Allah SWT for helping me complete this thesis with strength, wisdom and
determination. I am also sending Salawat on our beloved prophet Muhammad (Peace
be upon him), who is the greatest teacher of sincerity, compassion and mercy. May
the blessings of Allah be upon him and his family.
Lots of people lifted me up with words so here I am sending love and thanking them
all back.
Acknowledgments I would like to pay my special thanks of gratitude to my
supervisors Dr. Abdur Rauf (Assistant Professor) for his original guidance throughout
the research and providing critical understanding, constant encouragement and moral
support during this work. His expertise and effort have played a critical role in
molding this thesis as well as making me grow academically.
I am grateful to Mr. Ibrahim (Research Associate) and Muhammad Zubair for giving
their time, experience & thought process towards this paper as well Their openness to
engagement has deepened the scope and meaning of this investigation.
I also owe thanks to my family and the close-knit group comprising Manzoor Ahmad,
Irfan Ullah and Zeeshan for these people have been highly supportive of every
moment where they showed patience with their undying spirit. The faith they showed
in me, constantly fueled my motivation.

ix
 ABSTRACT
Nanotechnology has transformed numerous fields through the development of
nanoparticles with unique properties and diverse applications. Traditional synthesis
methods, however, often use harmful chemicals and conditions that pose risks to
health and the environment. This study presents an eco-friendly alternative by
synthesizing iron nanoparticles using fruit extracts from the plant Solanum
carolinense. The generation of nanoparticles is aided by the bioactive chemicals
present in the crude extract. FTIR and UV-visible spectroscopy are then used to
characterize the nanoparticles. The Solanum carolinense extract underwent thorough
phytochemical screening to determine the components involved in the production
process. The results confirm the effectiveness of Solanum carolinense in producing
iron nanoparticles, highlighting its potential for sustainable nanomaterial production.
This research contributes to the advancement of green synthesis techniques, providing
a viable and environmentally friendly approach to nanoparticle synthesis.
Keywords: Solanum carolinense, nanoparticles, Phytochemicals, Screening, Fruit
Extract.

x
 CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Nanotechnology

Nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly vital across a spectrum of scientific disciplines,

including materials science, healthcare, electronics, and environmental studies, due to
their specific properties at the nanoscale (Ahamed et al., 2010). Among these, metal
nanoparticles are particularly notable for their exceptional versatility and utility. Their
tiny size imparts unique physical and chemical characteristics, they are particularly
advantageous in multiple fields. Metal nanoparticles are being extensively examined
in the medical field for their use in drug delivery. targeted treatment methods, and
advanced imaging techniques (Huang & El-Sayed, 2010). Additionally, In
environmental fields including water treatment, pollution removal, including the
development of sensitive detection technologies, they are important (Khin et al.,
2012). They are superb catalysts for decomposing pollutants and tracking changes in
the environment because of their significant surface area versus volume proportion
and sensitivity (Zhang & Webster, 2009).
As the demand for nanoparticles grows, so does environmental sustainability and
friendliness in processes of synthesis. As a result, green nanotechnology has grown
up, which focuses on using natural resources like plant extracts to produce
nanoparticles (Khan et al., 2022). This approach not only minimizes environmental
impact but also enhances the biocompatibility of the nanoparticles produced (Naahidi
et al., 2013). Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have gained particular attention due to
their diverse applications in medicine, environmental science, and technology (Xu et
al., 2022). These include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), drug delivery systems,
and environmental cleanup efforts (Rümenapp et al., 2012). However, traditional
methods for synthesizing these nanoparticles often involve hazardous chemicals and
harsh conditions, raising environmental and health concerns.
To address these issues, recent research has focused on green synthesis techniques,
in which plant extracts behave as agents for stability and reduction (Shafey, 2020).
This tactic is economical, scalable, and it opposes the usage of dangerous materials.
Furthermore, green synthesis develops nanoparticles that tend to have greater strength
and biocompatibility as (Kumar et al., 2021). The rich variety of biochemical
compounds found in plants enhances the potential uses of nanoparticles through

1
enabling the synthesis of those with certain characteristics and capabilities. This study
explores green synthesized IONPs using Solanum carolinense, a plant known for its
rich phytochemical content. The bioactive compounds in Solanum carolinense, such
as flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins, have inherent reducing and stabilizing properties
that make them suitable for nanoparticle synthesis (Ahmad et al., 2024) (Singh et al.,
2023). The target of this study is to create a scalable process for the fabrication of
metal oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) and to apply Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR)
and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy to assess these nanoparticles.
Additionally, a phytochemical screening of the Solanum carolinense extract will be
conducted to identify the specific compounds responsible for the synthesis process.
By advancing green synthesis methods and providing comprehensive characterization
of the nanoparticles, it additionally enriches the subject of sustainable nanotechnology
in broad. Also, it underlines the potential uses of IONPs derived from Solanum
carolinense in a range of academic and professional domains, promoting the
development of environmentally friendly and biocompatible nanomaterials.
1.2 Introduction to solanum carolinense
Solanum carolinense, commonly referred to as horse nettle, is a persistent herbaceous
plant within the Solanaceae family. It is mainly present in the southeastern United
States but has also spread across North America due to its adaptability (Bentley,
2014). This plant is easily identifiable by its prickly stems and leaves, along with its
bright yellow berries that appear after the plant's characteristic star-shaped flowers,
which can be either purple or white.
1.3 Importance of research
While Solanum carolinense is often considered a weed due to its invasive nature,
Scientific enthusiasm has also been piqued by it due to possible uses in areas like
pharmacology as well as nanotechnology. The fabrication of iron oxide nanoparticles
(IONPs) applying Solanum carolinense is an exciting area for study. This method
utilizes the plant’s natural phytochemicals to reduce metal ions into nanoparticles,
providing an eco-friendly alternative to conventional chemical synthesis techniques.
1.4 Green fabrication of metals nanoparticles
There is a lot of attention in the use of nanoparticles because of their distinct
properties and potential uses in areas like medicine, electronics, and environmental
science (Pareek et al., 2017). Traditionally, these nanoparticles are produced using

2
chemical methods that often involve toxic reagents and generate harmful byproducts.
In reaction to the increasing demand for green substitutes, green synthesis has
emerged as a promising approach. Green synthesis utilizes biological entities such as
plant extracts, bacteria, fungi, and algae to produce metal nanoparticles (Shah et al.,
2015). This strategy has the advantages of being economical and physically safe, and
typically operates under mild conditions (Shanker et al., 2016). Plant extracts are rich
in natural reducing agents like phenolics, flavonoids, and terpenoids, which help the
turning of metallic ions to nanoparticles (Shafey, 2020). Further, these
phytochemicals have the power to act as stabilizers, hindering clumping of
nanoparticles and enhancing the stability of them. The process of green synthesis
involves mixing metal salts with plant extracts, leading to the rapid formation of
nanoparticles (Soltys et al., 2021). This approach reduces reliance on hazardous
chemicals and utilizes renewable resources, delivering a long-term substitute for
classic synthesis procedures. The resulting nanoparticles often exhibit enhanced
biocompatibility and functionality, broadening their applicability in various sectors
(Ahmed et al., 2022).
In summary, green synthesis marks a breakthrough in the fabrication of metal
nanoparticles, offering a sustainable and environmentally benign alternative to
traditional methods. This procedure, which uses plant extracts, shows how natural
resources may aid the rise of nanotechnology.
1.5 Introduction to The Renewable Manufacture of Fe Nanoparticles
A blue fabrication of iron tiny particles offers an environmentally conscious
alternative to typical chemical processes, utilizing biological resources like plant
extracts. These extracts contain natural compounds that facilitate the conversion of
iron ions into nanoparticles, working as agents that both reduce and stabilize. This
process is environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and operates under mild
conditions without toxic reagents. The resulting iron nanoparticles has uses in
domains like catalysis, biomedical imaging, pharmacotherapy, environmental cleanup
and showcasing the potential of sustainable nanotechnology.
Solanum carolinense, commonly referred to as horse nettle, is a persistent herbaceous
plant within the Solanaceae family. It is mainly present in the southeastern United
States but has also spread across North America due to its adaptability. This plant is
easily identifiable by its prickly stems and leaves, along with its bright yellow berries

3
that appear after the plant's characteristic star-shaped flowers, which can be either
purple or white.

4
 CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
Due to its simple nature of use and ecologically friendly nature, the green
development of nanoparticles applying plant extracts is receiving an array of
attention. The introduction of plant-based materials as stabilizers and decreasing
agents in the fabrication of nanostructures has been the subject of multiple
investigations in recent years, affording a renewable replacement for typical chemical
tactics. Due to its rich phytochemical composition, one such plant, Solanum
carolinense, additionally referred to as horse nettle, demonstrated promise in the
manufacturing of iron nanoparticles (FeNPs).
2.1 Importance of Iron Nanoparticles
The wide range of benefits of iron nanoparticles is highly valued, particularly for the
sectors of environment restoration, catalytic processes, and biological tasks like taking
medications and visualization (Zhang, 2003). They offer advantages for detoxifying
pathogens like organic dyes and heavy metals from water due to the large surface-
area-to-volume percentage, magnetic traits and capacity for redox reactions (Garole et
al., 2018). But conventional techniques for creating these nanoparticles often require
costly processes and possibly harmful substances (Iqbal et al., 2020), which highlights
problems around how toxic they are and future impact on the environment.
2.2 Green Synthesis: A Sustainable Approach
By incorporating biological creatures and plant extracts as decreasing and stabilizing
agents, the field of green nanotechnology continues to deal with the problems found
in traditional synthesis methods (Iravani, 2011). Compared to doing up with
dangerous substances, green synthesis makes use of naturally occurring plant
components including phenolics, flavonoids, and alkaloids that have the ability to
lower metal ions and stabilize nanoparticles as they form. These organic compounds
allow for easier manufacture nanoparticles in a practical, non-toxic, and energy-
efficient fashion.
2.3 Mechanism of Iron Nanoparticle Formation Using Plant Extracts
Research is still being done to determine the unique strategy by which plant extracts,
such as that from Solanum carolinense, promote the breakdown of iron nanoparticles.
It is generally accepted, while that the extract's bioactive compounds work with iron
ions to turn them into nanoparticulate form, this process typically requires the bio

5
reduction of Fe3- to Fe2– (Pédrot et al., 2011), which is followed by the nucleation
and development of nanoparticles, which are capped by the phytochemicals in the
extract. By solidifying the nanoparticles while minimizing aggregation, the capping
layer enables a controllable distribution of particle size.
2.4 Comparative Studies of Green Synthesis Approaches
The capability of a selection of plant species, including Moringa oleifera, to produce
iron nanoparticles has been investigated (Madubuonu et al., 2019). The results
presented showed that, relative to their chemically built counterparts, green synthesis
delivers nanoparticles that are less toxic and have excellent biocompatibility. Though
it is not being tested extensively as other species, Solanum carolinense fruit is
showing promise as a substitute (Connolly & Anderson, 2003), initial research
indicates that Solanum carolinense's distinct phytochemical composition contributes
to the production of nanoparticles with similar or higher stability and efficiency.
2.5 Applications of Iron Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Plant Extracts
Recyclable iron nanoparticles created using plant extracts, such as those from
Solanum carolinense, hold promise in a number of industries. They have been used in
environmental science to remove dyes, heavy metals, and other contaminants from
wastewater (Borth et al., 2021). In recognition of their strong magnetic qualities and
biocompatibility, iron nanoparticles are widely used in biomedicine for targeted drug
delivery systems, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and as disinfectants (Chertok
et al., 2008).
2.6 Challenges and Future Directions
Despite the advantages of green synthesis methods, hurdles endure, particularly in the
scalability and similarity of nanoparticle creation. To create nanoparticles with the
required properties, a number of parameters like pH, temperature, reaction duration,
and plant extract concentration need to be carefully controlled (Hasan et al., 2018).
likewise, even if studies on plants like Solanum carolinense are uplifting, greater
study will be required to completely comprehend the underlying biochemical
principles and to fully explore the potential of various plant species in the synthesis of
nanoparticles.
.

6
 CHAPTER 3
MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Chemicals and Reagents

In the present experiment, the different chemicals are applied. Chemicals are utilized
based on their specific importance in the experiment and their compatibility. A variety
of chemicals had been supplied by the department of the University of Swabi,
Pakistan: iron salt (FECl3), solanum carolinense extract, dist. water, and all the other
additional chemicals utilized during this study had been of analytic class.

3.2 Picking plants and making an extract from Solanum carolinense

The species of plant chosen for this study, Solanum carolinense, was acquired in
October 2023 from Anbar Lahore, Pakistan. To retain its phytochemical components,
the fruit of Solanum carolinense was meticulously cleaned to get rid of contaminants
and then dried in a vigilant environment. Next, a grinder was use to finely shred the
drained fruit into a powder. In a round-bottom flask, 50 g of freshly powdered plant
fruit materials were blended via 250 milliliters of purified water to formulate the
solanum carolinense extract. At so, the mixture was draped with aluminum foil and
left as ambient temperature under the shade for eight days. The extract was
subsequently removed from the plant elements by filtering them via the Whatman
filter paper. To get a highly concentrated extract, the filtrate was concentrated under
minimal pressure in a rotating evaporator and then kept until required.
3.3 Preparation of a salt solution reparation of a salt solution
FeCl3 weighing 0.0162 g immersed in one hundred milliliters of purified water, a 1
mM solution of FeCl3 was prepared.
3.4 Apparatus used in the experiment
In scientific experiments, apparatus is essential for reliable results. The fruit of the
plant was crushed using a grinder. The spectra for UV-Vis were measured using a
double spectrophotometer (Model 2601) with a path length of 1cm. With the use of an
analytical balance (QHAUS), weights were calculated. A rotary evaporator to make
the extract concentrated was used. All the components have been incorporated using
an electromagnetic stirrer (Model DLAB, MS-H-S).

7
3.5 Glass wares used in experiment
 Round-bottom flask
 Beakers
 Vials
 Volumetric flask
 Test tubes
 Funnel

3.6 Phytochemical analysis of Solanum carolinense fruit extract

Phytochemical screening involves the decision of bioactive substances in extracted
plants and their analysis to determine their potential medicinal, toxic, or nutritional
properties. This process includes extracting plant material with solvents and utilizing
qualitative tests and chromatographic techniques to detect and characterize various
natural compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids,
glycosides etc. These compounds are responsible for distinctive colors, flavors, and
aromas of plants. The fruit fractions of Solanum carolinense were evaluated for the
presence of different phytochemical constituents, revealing both the presence and
absence of various bioactive compounds.
5.0 g of dried fruit powder from Solanum carolinense was soaked in 50 ml of distilled
water, ethanol, methanol, ethyl acetate, chloroform, n-hexane, and dichloromethane
three days at ambient temperature, after which it was filtered. A rotating evaporator
has been employed to get out the solvent, obtaining a crude extract. Various solvents
were used to extract different chemical components. Subsequently, the crude extracts
underwent multiple phytochemical screening procedures to determine the active
ingredients included in the solvent extracts.
3.6.1 Alkaloid test
To detect alkaloids, 3.0 ml of a heated 1% hydrochloric acid solution was paired with
1.0 g of the crude extract, then filtered. Wagner's reagent (2.0 mL) was then added to
the filtrate for treatment. The presence of alkaloids can be verified by the occurrence
of a yellow precipitate.
3.6.2 Carbohydrate Test
5.0 ml of the plant extract solution was reacted with Molisch's reagent (α-Naphthol in
alcohol). The presence of carbohydrates was confirmed by the appearance of a violet
ring at the interface of the liquids.

8
3.6.3Tannin(Phenol)Test
To test tannins and phenols, upon blending 1.0 g each of the crude extract by 2.0
milliliters of sterile water, the mixture was filtered. The filtered solution was
incorporated with several drops in a 10% iron chloride solution. The existence of
these chemicals is indicated by shifting colors from blue to green, or black.
3.6.4 Xanthoproteic Test for Proteins and Amino Acids
To test proteins, 1.0 mL of concentrated nitric acid was combined with 2.0 mL of the
crude extract. After heating, this mixture was let to cool. The development of a yellow
color signals the presence of proteins.
3.6.5 Terpenoid Test
To identify terpenoids, after dissolving 1.0 g of raw extract in 2.0 mL of chloroform,
the resulting substance was heated until the evaporated. After evaporation, 2.0 mL of
concentrated sulfuric acid was added, and the mixture was heated for an additional
two minutes. The appearance of a grayish color confirms the presence of terpenoids.
3.6.6 Saponin Test (Foam Test)
To test saponins, 5 mL of the solvent extract was combined with 5 mL of purified
water. The mixture was then shaken vigorously. The presence of a stable foam layer
measuring 0.5 cm confirmed the presence of saponins.
3.6.7 Quinone Test
To detect quinones, one milliliter of concentrated sulfuric acid and three milliliter of
solvent extract was mixed. The appearance of a red precipitate indicated a positive
result for quinones.
3.6.8 Flavonoid Test (Alkali Test)
1 milliliter of the plant obtain plus 2 milliliters of the Two% sodium hydroxide
mixture have been employed for the flavonoid assay, followed by the gradual
introduction of diluted hydrochloric acid. A deep yellow color that turns colorless
upon adding the diluted acid indicates the presence of flavonoids.

9
Figure 3.1 Phytochemical test results

3.7 Synthesis of IONPs

Iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) were synthesized using an extract from Solanum
carolinense, which operated as a stabilizing and dropping agent. During the synthesis
procedure, a certain amount of 1% Solanum carolinense fruit extract was infused in
multiple combinations with one mM ferrous salt concentration. For the full three
hours, the reaction erupted at 60–65 degrees Celsius. The occurrence of tiny iron
particles is demonstrated by the color transition from yellow brown to a deeper
brown.
3.8 Characterization tools

3.8.1 UV and Visible spectroscopy

FeNPs the generation was verified through the utilization of a spectrophotometer with
UV-visible wavelengths (Model - UV2601). Following the development process, the
material was examined at continually over a wavelength range of 210–800 nm. The
probable presence of IONPs was suggested by the peak of absorbency at 325
nanometers.

3.8.2 FTIR

FTIR-990 infrared spectroscopy with the Fourier transform had been employed to
discover the functional structures that anchored the nanoparticles that were made. The
FTIR spectra were captured within the 400–4,000 cm-1 range.

10
 CHAPTER 4
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Screening for phytochemicals of solanum carolinense

Phytochemical evaluation of Solanum carolinense fruit extract showed that it

contained proteins, flavonoids, carbohydrates, alkaloids, tannins, quinones, and
saponins, while tests for terpenoids gave a negative result.

Phytoche Extracts Wa Meth Etha Dichlorom Eth Chloro n-

mical ter anol nol ethane yl form hex
constitue acet ane
nts ate
Proteins Xanthop
and roteic
+ + + + -
Amino + +
acids
Alkaloids Wagner’
s + - + - + - +
Carbohy Molisch’
drates s + - - + - + -
Flavonoi Alkali
ds test + + + - - - -
Tannins FeCl3
(Phenols) test + + + - - - -

Quinones
+ + + + + - +
Terpenoi
ds - - - - - - -
Saponins
+ + + + - + +

Table 1: phytochemical screening of Solanum carolinense fruit extracts.

4.2 Fabrication of FeNPs

A color shift indicated that the Solanum carolinense extract had formed FeNPs. The
reaction mixes originally started a pale-yellow hue, indicating the inclusion of iron

11
atoms. The prone digestion of iron via the ingredients in the plant obtain is indicated
by the initial color evolve that was noticed during just a brief period of the synthesis
operation. The color gradually transformed to an intense deep brown, considered the
standard color to IONPs, while the reaction went on (see Figure 4.1). The alteration of
these hues to light yellow to a rich brown is a telltale indication that IONPs have
appeared in the reaction of the mixture. Over time, the brown color's intensity rose,
offering more proof of the nanoparticles' continuous growth and stability. In addition
to being visually intriguing, the color move that became apparent during the synthesis
process provided a fast and practical qualitative indication that the NPs building was
successful. When FeNPs are synthesized deploying organic collectors, a well-
documented thing known as a hue shift emerges. This change is linked to the decrease
of iron production into green and the multidimensional description of the FeNPs. The
UV-visible spectra showed a characteristic peak for iron NPs at 325 nm in Figure 6,
which indicates the formation of nanoparticles.

a) b)
Figure 4.1 Color change during IONPs synthesis

4.3 Characterization
4.3.1 UV-Visible spectroscopy
i) Spectroscopic analysis of nanoparticles
Nanoparticles have peaks in the range of 290–500 nm. In the above figure 3, the λ
max is given at 325 nm for iron, which indicates the formation of nanoparticles. The
synthesis of FeNPs using the plant extract of the formation of FeNPs was first

12
indicated by UV-visible spectroscopy. We know that most of the Solanum
carolinense was carried out with a positive result.
ii) Optimization ratio of nanoparticles
A UV-visible spectrophotometer was used to analyze different ratios of samples
containing IONPs. Peaks show different ratios of iron salt to plant extract. The best
peak among different ratios is the one that has the sharpest peaks at of 325 nm. The
result showed the formation of iron NPs at a peak of 325 nm for 1:6. The utilization of
a spectrophotometer with an UV-visible spectrum has rendered it simple to assess the
creation of iron nanoparticles. The spectra were taken for plant extract as well as plant
extract. The spectra were compared to each other for the conformation of iron NPs.

Figure 4.2: Salt (FeCl3) spectra

Figure 4.3: Plant extract UV-Visible spectra

13
 Figure 4.4: UV-Visible spectrum confirming nanoparticles synthesis.

4.3.2 FTIR
The chemical makeup of the synthesized iron nanoparticles was analyzed using FTIR.
The graphic below displays the green synthesized IONPs' FTIR band. The FTIR
spectra showed a peak at 3300 cm -1, this is the O-H vibration stretch pattern which
reveals several OH groups. Likewise, a band exists at 1640 cm -1, which is suggestive
of the vibratory stretching of C=O and might be related to the groups of carbonyls. A
further noteworthy characteristic was the acute peak of about 496 cm -1 and 631 cm-1,
which may be ascribed to the vibration of the Fe-O stretching band. The apparent
fluctuation in band strengths is supportive of the phytochemicals in the solution
possibly playing a role in decreasing the intensity and maintenance of metal ions,
which ultimately aids the building of nanoparticles.

Figure 4.5: FTIR spectra identifying IONPs.

14
 CONCLUSION

In the current research, the fruits of Solanum carolinense were analyzed using
phytochemical screening. Fruit extracts are shown to contain proteins, alkaloids,
flavonoids, tannins (phenolic chemicals), carbohydrates, saponins, and quinones, in
line with research. Previous studies have reported that Solanum carolinense has
analgesic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, and diuretic effects and has been used in the
therapy of epilepsy, bronchitis, asthma, and other convulsive disorders. And the juice
of the fruit can also be used to treat tetanus. To further enhance these activities, the
extract of the fruit of Solanum carolinense was subjected to treatment with iron
trichloride, leading to the production of FeNPs. The beneficial phytochemical
compounds had a major effect on the production of microscopic iron nanoparticles.
The iron nanoparticles peak at 325 nm. The synthesis of these nanoparticles holds
potential for enhancing the reported activities of Solanum carolinense, and their
synthesis can be made through a cost-effective and straightforward method.

15
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