Abstract Description

Green nanotechnology offers eco-friendly alternatives to conventional synthesis methods. This study explores the untapped potential of novel fungal endophytes isolated from Kirkia acuminata medicinal plant for the biosynthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles for anticancer and antimicrobial applications. Aqueous extracts prepared from the fungi were analysed using FTIR spectroscopy, phytochemical assays, and antioxidant activity tests. The extracts revealed characteristic functional groups alongside notable levels of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. KaS-3 exhibited comparatively higher total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) than the other isolates. Consistent with these results, DPPH radical scavenging assays confirmed that KaS-3 also demonstrated the strongest antioxidant activity, while KaS-4 and KaS-6 displayed moderate activity. These findings emphasise the contribution of phenolic- and flavonoid-rich metabolites to antioxidant potential in fungal endophytes and suggest that these secondary metabolites have potential as reducing agents in the biosynthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles. By integrating ethnobotanical knowledge with phytochemical profiling and bioactivity testing, this study highlights the untapped potential of endophytic fungi from K. acuminata as sources of natural antioxidants and use as reducing agents in the synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles. The preliminary results provide valuable insight into their metabolic diversity and lay the foundation for exploring therapeutic applications, including antimicrobial and anticancer research using K. acuminata endophyte-derived metal oxide nanoparticles. Ultimately, this work contributes to the growing field of biologically inspired solutions that align with the principles of sustainability and green chemistry.