This study was designed to examine the in vitro antioxidant activity of essential oil and methanol extracts of Eucalyptus leucoxylon. Furthermore, the polar fraction of the extract was used as a reducing agent for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). Antioxidant activities of the samples were determined by using three different test systems, namely DPPH and β-carotene/linoleic acid and reducing power. The structure and composition of the prepared Ag NPs were characterised by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy. Synthesised Ag NPs were almost spherical in shape with an average diameter of about ∼ 50 nm and synthesised within 120 min reaction time at room temperature.
Keywords: Eucalyptus leucoxylon; antioxidant activity; green synthesis; silver nanoparticles.