Background: Nanoparticles have gained attention in animal health for their applications as feed additives, antimicrobials, vaccine adjuvants and immunostimulants. This study aims to explore their potential as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional antibiotics in aquaculture. 
 
Methods: In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized from pomegranate rind (P-ZnO NPs), characterized using UV-Visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS) and their antibacterial and antioxidant activities were evaluated by well diffusion and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. 
 
Result: P-ZnO NPs exhibited a spherical morphology with an average size of 84.15 nm, strong antioxidant activity (IC50&nbsp;= 98.48&plusmn;0.89 &micro;g/mL) and significant antibacterial effects against Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae (MIC = 6.25 &micro;g/mL), P. damselae subsp. piscicida and Aeromonas hydrophila (MIC = 3.12 &micro;g/mL). These results highlight pomegranate rind mediated ZnO nanoparticles as a green and effective approach for controlling major aquaculture pathogens.

Pomegranate Rind-assisted Green Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles: Characterization, Antioxidant Activity and Antibacterial Potential against Bacterial Fish Disease

Background: A significant amount of rice production waste is rice husk. It is not humifiable and turns into a significant environmental pollutant if not properly utilized. Rice husk contains silica nanoparticles, which is a major inorganic component. High purity amorphous silica nanoparticles can thus be produced using simple thermo-chemical procedures without polluting the environment by cutting out the release of carbon dioxide during the process.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A study was carried out to extract amorphous silica nanoparticles from rice husk ash using an environmentally benign chemical process. Utilising a variety of material characterization techniques viz., X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and Particle size analyser (PSA), the extracted nanoparticles properties were confirmed. 
 
Result: The amorphous behaviour of the silica sample was confirmed using transmission electron microscopy-selected area electron diffraction patterns and X-ray diffraction analyses, whilst siloxane and silanol groups were primarily discovered using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Images obtained using scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy showed initial nanoparticles to be present along with secondary microparticles, possibly as a result of their agglomeration. The extracted amorphous silica has particles with an average diameter of 35 nm. This synthesized silica nanoparticles can be used in agriculture, nano-additives, microelectronics, sensors and in other fields.

Pomegranate Rind-assisted Green Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles: Characterization, Antioxidant Activity and Antibacterial Potential against Bacterial Fish Disease

Eco-friendly Synthesis and Characterization of Amorphous Nanosilica from Rice Husk