Plant growth promoting Dictyosphaerium DHM2 derived magnesium peroxide nanoparticles with antibacterial, antioxidant and photocatalytic properties

This study narrates the biological, eco-friendly, and cost-effective technique for the synthesis of magnesium peroxide nanoparticles (MgO2 NPs) through Dictyosphaerium DHM2 aqueous extract. The biosynthesized MgO2 NPs were characterized through various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for particle size, morphology, elemental, and functional group analysis. In order to determine the antibacterial efficacy of MgO2 NPs, antibacterial and antibiofilm activities were determined against plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefacians. The mean size of biosynthesized MgO2 NPs is around 48 nm. The MgO2 NPs efficiently inhibit the growth of an important phytopathogen, Agrobacterium tumefacians, with a 21 mm zone of inhibition. Also, the biofilm synthesis was significantly reduced compared to the control. The antioxidant behavior of MgO2 NPs was examined, and a slight transformation in percentage inhibition was observed, ranging between 45 and 49.63 % at concentrations 62–1000 μg ml−1, respectively. Further, biosynthesized MgO2 NPs promote peanut seed germination and growth. Overall, these results suggested that the algae-based synthesized MgO2 NPs may be served as an alternative to bio-chemical fertilizers and can be employed in the field to enhance peanut growth.