Biosynthesis and antifungal activities of CuO and Al2O3 nanoparticles

Abstract

Abstract Biosynthesis of nanoparticles has gained unambiguous attention with a view of reformulating the conventional synthesis methods of nanomaterials using the green approach. In this synthetic approach, plants and different parts of plants like roots, flowers, stem, latex, bubs, etc. are used as source of active component for the synthesis of desired metal or metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs). Biosynthesis has gained lots of attention in the last few years due to the advantages, viz., less time consumption, free from harsh chemicals, and easy to scale. In this chapter, Urtica dioica leaf extract has been used to fabricate CuO and Al2O3 nanoparticles through biosynthesis approach. Synthesized particles showed surface related absorbance at 727 and 237 nm, respectively, for CuO and Al2O3 NPs. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirmed the purity and crystal structure of the fabricated NPs. Antifungal activity of prepared NPs were demonstrated using Aspergillus niger and Mucor piriformis. The NPs exhibited significant antimycotic activity against the examined fungal pathogens. However, the NPs showed greater antifungal activity towards Mucor piriformis. The pre-eminent antimicrobial activity was believed to be due to the strong cytotoxicity to various fungi. The functional groups present on the surface of the fungi might have interacted with the NPs to inactivate the fungi and destroy them. Antifungal activities followed the order CuO > Al2O3 NPs. Synergistic effects of small size and free radical scavenging potential of the CuO NPs play significant roles in enhancing the antifungal activity.