Biosynthesis of Copper Nanoparticles and Their Antimicrobial Activity

Abstract

Development of green nanotechnology is generating interest of researchers toward ecofriendly biosynthesis of nanoparticles. Biomolecules present in plant extracts can be used to reduce metal ions to nanoparticles in a single-step green synthesis process. This biogenic reduction of metal ion to base metal is quite rapid, readily conducted at room temperature and pressure, and easily scaled up. In this study, biosynthesis of stable copper nanoparticles were done using datura meta leaf extract. These biosynthesized Cu nanoparticles were characterized by UV/Vis-spectroscopy, Particle size analyzer (PSA), Transmission electron mictroscopy (TEM), Energy dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDX),Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). It was observed that the datura meta leaf extract can reduce copper ions into copper nanoparticles within 8 to 10 min of reaction time. Thus, this method can be used for rapid and ecofriendly biosynthesis of stable copper nanoparticles.Synthesis mediated by plant extracts is environmentally benign. The reducing agents involved include the various water soluble plant metabolites (e.g. alkaloids, phenolic compounds, terpenoids) and co-enzymes. Extracts of a diverse range of plant species have been successfully used in making nanoparticles. In addition to plant extracts, live plants can be used for the synthesis. It was found that copper nanoparticles were also found to exhibit reasonably good antimicrobial activity when compared with standard Chloramphenicol, which suggests its potential use as antimicrobial agent. Hence, there is scope to develop new methods for the synthesis of nanoparticles which should be required inexpensive reagent, less drastic reaction condition and eco-friendly.