Abstract
Pineapple Pulp paper (PALP) modified with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-paper) was
developed in order to obtain an antifungal property. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs)
were bio-synthesized using Nang Lae pineapple (Ananas Comosus L. Merr) peels extract as
a reducing agent. ZnONPs were characterized by Transmission electron microscope (TEM),
X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and UV-visible spectrophotometer. The result showed that white
powder of ZnONPs had rod shape with 42 nm length. Hexagonal wurtzite of ZnO was found
by XRD. The absorption UV of ZnONPs was shown at 350 nm. Additionally, ZnONPs was
applied onto PALP by surface coating. Subsequently, PALP was incorporated with various
concentrations of ZnONPs (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg/ml). The obtained materials;
ZnONPs, PALP and ZnO-paper were characterized using XRD to confirm that ZnONPs was
incorporated with paper. Moreover, antifungal effects of the ZnO-paper against Aspergillus
niger and Colletotrichum alatae were estimated using disk diffusion method. The result
showed that ZnO-paper incorporated with 60 mg/ml ZnO showed antifungal activity against
Aspergillus niger and Colletotrichum alatae.
