The valorization of agricultural waste into functional nanomaterials represents a sustainable approach to nanotechnology. In this study, coconut husk ash extract was utilized as a green precursor for the synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) via a sol-gel method using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a structure-directing agent. The nanoparticles were characterized for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, surface morphology, and FTIR spectra. Results indicated particle sizes ranging from 247 to 722 nm with PDIs between 0.118 and 0.168, confirming acceptable homogeneity. Zeta potential values ranged from -18.9 to -22.2 mV, consistent with silanol group deprotonation. SEM analysis revealed spherical morphology with smooth surfaces, validating successful condensation and template removal. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging assay, with the optimized formulation (SP4) showing dose-dependent inhibition and an IC₅₀ value of 33.18 µg/mL. These findings highlight the potential of coconut husk ash-derived MSNs as eco-friendly nanocarriers with significant antioxidant activity, offering promise for biomedical and nutraceutical applications.
NAMES:
ONLINE ISSN:24568244
Keywords: Coconut husk ash; Green synthesis; Mesoporous silica nanoparticles; Antioxidant activity; DPPH assay
DOI:
1. Das G, Shin HS, Kumar A, Vishnuprasad CN, Patra JK. Photo-mediated optimized synthesis of silver
nanoparticles using the extracts of outer shell fibre of Cocos nucifera L. fruit and detection of its antioxidant,
cytotoxicity and antibacterial potential. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2021;28(1):980-7. doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.11.022
2. Vazquez N, Gonzalez Z, Ferrari B, Castro Y. Synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles by sol–gel as
nanocontainer for future drug delivery applications. Bol Soc Esp Cerám Vidr. 2017;56(3):139-45.
doi:10.1016/j.bsecv.2017.01.002
3. Vallet-Regí M, Balas F, Arcos D. Mesoporous materials for drug delivery. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl.
2007;46(40):7548-58. doi:10.1002/anie.200701494
4. Mohseni M, Gilani K, Mortazavi SA. Preparation and characterization of rifampin-loaded mesoporous silica
nanoparticles as a potential system for pulmonary drug delivery. Iran J Pharm Res. 2015;14(1):27-34.
PMID:25853077
5. Halliwell B, Gutteridge JMC. Free radicals in biology and medicine. 5th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press;
2015. p. 1-30.
6. Yuvaraj T, Murugan M. Green synthesis of nanoparticles in Cocos nucifera pollen extract using aluminium
nitrate nanohydrate with biomedical application and food preservative potential. Discover Nano.
2025;15:4318. doi:10.1186/s11671-025-04318-3
7. Das S, Singh S, Sharma S, Sinha S. Green synthesis of silica nanoparticles using agricultural waste and
evaluation of their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. J Nanostruct Chem. 2020;10(3):193-204.
doi:10.1007/s40097-020-00327-9
8. Brand-Williams W, Cuvelier ME, Berset C. Use of a free radical method to evaluate antioxidant activity.
LWT Food Sci Technol. 1995;28(1):25-30. doi:10.1016/S0023-6438(95)80008-5
9. Kapildev K, Ramesh K, Viruthagiri G, Ananthi A. Production and characterization of coconut husk ash as
a source of bio-silica. Int J Creat Res Thoughts. 2026;14(4):j163-8.
10. Labban N, Al-Otaibi HN, Binrayes A, Aljamhan AS, Alfouzan AF, Al Taweel SM, Assery MK. Int J Adhes
Adhes. 2021;111:102975. doi:10.1016/j.ijadhadh.2021.102975
11. Vazquez N, Gonzalez Z, Ferrari B, Castro Y. Synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles by sol–gel as
nanocontainer for future drug delivery applications. Bol Soc Esp Cerám Vidr. 2017;56:139-45.
doi:10.1016/j.bsecv.2017.01.002
12. Mohseni M, Gilani K, Mortazavi SA. Preparation and characterization of rifampin-loaded mesoporous silica
nanoparticles as a potential system for pulmonary drug delivery. Iran J Pharm Res. 2015;14(1):27-34.
PMID:25853077
13. Zhu Z, Yang T, Zhao Y, Gao N, Leng D, Ding P. A simple method to improve the dissolution of repaglinide
and exploration of its mechanism. Asian J Pharm Sci. 2014;9:218-25. doi:10.1016/j.ajps.2014.07.002
14. Samadi-Maybodi A, Vahid A. Synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles by means of hydrogel. Int Nano
Lett. 2013;3:1-3. doi:10.1186/2228-532X-3-1
15. Mishra N, Jain P, Mishra B. Derivatization of gallic acid with amino acids for accentuation of its antioxidant
potential. J Pharmacol Biomed. 2017;1(3):94-102.
16. Ruksar, Chaurey M. Evaluation of estrogenic potential of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Petunia hybrida. J
Pharmacol Biomed. 2021;5(3):312-8.
17. Dissanayaka DMSB, Jayasinghe JMAP, Jayasinghe JMAP, et al. Evaluation of the nutritional composition of
king coconut husk waste biochar and ash soil conditioners. J Plant Nutr. 2025;48(3):412-25.
doi:10.1080/01904167.2024.2294567
18. Patil SS, Kumar A, Deshmukh R. Coconut husk ash extract: A review of its formulations and
pharmacological actions. Int J Novel Res Dev. 2026;11(7):45-52.
19. Fernando J, Perera R, Jayasinghe JMAP, Silva K, Kumara S, et al. Biomass characterization of coconut shell
and husk combustion residues. Biomass Bioenergy. 2027;165:106118. doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2027.106118
20. Dissanayaka NS, Dissanayake L, Dassanayake SD, Udumann SS, Keerthisinghe JP, Jayalath N, et al.
Enhancing sustainable agriculture through king coconut husk ash: Investigating optimal processing
parameters for high potassium content and efficient waste management. Biol Life Sci Forum. 2023;27:17.
doi:10.3390/IECAG2023-15802
21. Zhang Y, Li H, et al. Mechanistic insights into alkali metal migration and slagging behavior in K-type biomass
ash during thermal conversion. Energy. 2025;329:136800. doi:10.1016/j.energy.2025.136800
22. Zhao D, Feng J, Huo Q, et al. Triblock copolymer syntheses of mesoporous silica with controlled pore
structures. Science. 1998;279(5350):548-52. doi:10.1126/science.279.5350.548
23. Anuar MF, Yap WF, Zaid MHM, Khamirul A. Synthesis and structural properties of coconut husk as
potential silica source. Results Phys. 2018;11:1-4. doi:10.1016/j.rinp.2018.07.001