Environmentally friendly synthesis and biological activity assessment of titanium dioxide nanoparticles with hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) leaf extract

Abstract

This study investigates the synthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs) using extracts from Cannabis sativa L. leaves. FT-IR analysis identified phytochemicals involved in the synthesis and stabilization of TiO₂-NPs. XRD revealed the crystalline structure, while SEM showed spherical NPs with diameters of 21–29 nm. EDX provided compositional details. The synthesized TiO₂-NPs exhibited antimicrobial activity, inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation, and had an AChE IC<inf>50</inf> of 2.472 mg/mL. Hemp waste leaves, used for the first time as a reducing agent, proved effective in NP synthesis, highlighting the potential of renewable plant resources in nanomaterial production. This study is a good example of the use of edible and sustainable waste plant resources in NP synthesis studies.