Chromatographic identification of "green capping agents" extracted from Nasturtium officinale (Brassicaceae) leaves for the synthesis of MoO3 nanoparticles.

A low-temperature, efficient and effective method was investigated for phytochemical hydroethanolic extraction of Nasturtium officinale (Brassicaceae). The phytocompounds of the selected plant leaves were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography with mass spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Acetic acid, d-alanine, octodrine, decanoic acid, and cyclohexylethylamine were the major phytocompounds identified in N. officinale leaves with high similarity match and spectral purity. The reducing and stabilizing potential of the extracted phytochemicals was demonstrated by synthesizing the metal oxide nanoparticles (MoO3 ) by treating ammonium heptamolybdate tetrahydrate (H4 MO7 N6 O24 .4H2 O) aqueous complex with bioactive compounds of the leaves. The bio-synthesized MoO3 nanoparticles were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, field emission-scanning electron microscopy, and gas chromatography with mass spectroscopy. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy identified acetic acid, d-alanine, and octodrine as stabilizing agents in the synthesis of MoO3 nanoparticles.