ABSTRACT

The development of environmentally friendly nanomaterials with potent antimicrobial properties has garnered significant attention in biomedical applications. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were successfully synthesized using a simple electrochemical method and then coated with virgin olive oil using an environmentally friendly surface modification technique to enhance their stability and biological activity. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy dispersion analysis. The antifungal activity of the olive oil-coated ZnO NPs against Candida albicans was evaluated using a diffusion-well method on agar medium at concentrations of 50, 75, and 100 µg/ml. The nanocomposite exhibited concentration-dependent antifungal activity, producing inhibition zones with diameters of 17, 23, and 27 mm, respectively, while no inhibition was observed in the control group. The enhanced antifungal efficacy is attributed to the synergistic effect between zinc oxide nanoparticles and bioactive phytochemicals present in olive oil. These compounds promote the production of reactive oxygen species, release zinc ions, disrupt fungal cell membranes, and inhibit fungal growth. Furthermore, the olive oil coating improved nanoparticle dispersion and reduced aggregation, thereby enhancing the interaction between the nanoparticles and fungal cells. These findings demonstrate that olive oil-coated zinc oxide nanoparticles are a promising and environmentally friendly nanomaterial with potent antifungal activity and potential applications in biomedicine and antimicrobial pharmaceuticals.
 

KEYWORDS 

Zinc oxide nanoparticles; Olive oil; Green synthesis; Candida albicans; Antifungal activity; Nanocomposite.

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Cite this article

Abbas, Z. K., Hadi, I. S., & Muslim, W. T. (2026). Eco-Friendly Fabrication of Olive Oil-Coated Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Antifungal Activity Against Candida Albicans. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH & MEDICAL RESEARCH, 5(7), 629-634. https://doi.org/10.58806/ijhmr.2026.v5i7n08