This research work presents the synthesis, characterization, evaluation of the antibacterial and anticancer activity of ZnO nanopowders prepared by solution combustion method using the bio fuels Punica granatum L and Tamarindus indica L. The X-ray diffractograms of all the samples revealed the hexagonal Wurtzite structure with the standard JCPDS pattern of zincite [36–1451]. Surface morphology of the samples was studied by SEM. Particle shapes and sizes were determined by TEM. Qualitative phytochemical screening of the aqueous fruit extracts of Punica granatum L and T. indica L revealed the presence of many phyto-components in them. Toxicity of the nanopowders was tested on Gram-negative Escherichia coli MTCC 7410 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 7903 by disk diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by microbroth dilution technique. Anticancer activity of ZnO powders was tested against breast cancer cell line MCF-7 by MTT assay. The cytotoxicity was assessed by hemolytic activity.