Green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using Balanites aegyptiaca stem bark extract and investigation of antibacterial activity

Several attempts have been made for green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) using different plant extracts. The present study revealed that, antibacterial and CuO-NPs were synthesized using ecofriendly and non-toxic Balanites aegyptiaca stem bark extract. The biosynthesized CuO-NPs were characterized by using UV–Vis analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared analysis (FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray analysis (EDX) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis. In addition, the antibacterial activity of green synthesized CuO-NPs was tested using the agar well diffusion method against four bacterial pathogens “viz”: E. coli, V. cholerae, B. substilis and E. faecalis, which were responsible for causing severe infectious diseases in human being. CuO NPs exhibited enhanced antibacterial activity against the pathogen of B. subtilis i.e. 13 mm. Hence, CuO-NPs have the potential to be used as bactericidal component.