In this paper, a green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using Phyllanthus embilica stem extract as a reducing/capping agent. The prepared ZnO nanoparticles were characterized using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis-DRS), X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles are wurtzite hexagonal structure with an average average crystallite size of ZnO prepared using Phyllanthus embilica stem extract was smaller (25.96 nm) when compared to the same ZnO prepared using a chemical method (36.73 nm). FT-IR spectra revealed the functional groups and the presence of protein as the stabilizing agent for surrounding the ZnO nanoparticles. The antibacterial activity of the ZnO was tested against gram negative bacteria Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella phnemonea by disc diffusion method. ZnO nanoparticles were subjected to antimicrobial studies and significant results were obtained.
