Greener Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nano‐Particles Using Rivina Humilis L. Plant Extract, Characterization and Their Biological Evaluation for Anti‐Microbial and Anti‐Oxidant Activity

Abstract

AbstractSynthesis of nano‐particles using various greener approaches such as the use of plant extract, microbes, etc. is gaining a lot of popularity in the scientific community due to their advantages of being a cheaper protocol, reduction in the use of less hazardous chemicals, more environmentally benign method and good yield. It has been previously reported by many research groups that plant material provides reducing, capping as well as stabilizing agents and brings down biological and environmental risks in the green synthesis of nano‐particles. So it was thought worthwhile to synthesize copper oxide nano‐particles (CuO NPs) using some locally available medicinal plants. Rivina humilis L. plants which are available in our region of Vidarbha in Maharashtra State, India are considered to be the herbal plant for the treatment of respiratory‐related disorders mainly for asthma and cold by local tribal peoples. It has been found that it contains a variety of phytochemicals which can be employed for the synthesis of nanomaterials. With this aim it was thought worthwhile to present an efficient and greener approach for the synthesis of copper oxide nano‐particles using Rivina humilis L. (RH) whole plant extract. For characterization of bio‐synthesized CuO NPs, various spectral and analytical techniques such as UV‐Vis spectroscopy, FT‐IR, XRD, SEM, TEM, and EDS were employed. The newly synthesized CuO NPs were also tested for their potential biological activities against six different bacterial stains namely E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, P. vulgaris, B. subtilis, and S. typhi using the well diffusion method. The antioxidant efficacy of the synthesized CuO NPs was undertaken through 1,1‐Diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity. Their results have been presented and discussed in the present work.