Comparative Study of Copper and Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized from Extract of Cissus Quandanularis l. Stem and their Antimicrobial Activity

Abstract

Ruchika Khatri, Rohit Jain, Abhishek Dadhich and Smita Purohit

Nanotechnology has revolutionized antimicrobial strategies, with green synthesis of nanoparticles emerging as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional methods. This study explores the synthesis of copper (CuNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using stem extracts of Cissus quadrangularis, a medicinal plant known for its rich phytochemical profile. The objective was to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of CuNPs and AgNPs against Gram- positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and fungal strains such as Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus niger. The nanoparticles were synthesized using green methods and characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, and SEM, confirming their stability, nanoscale size (30–74 nm for AgNPs and approximately 100 nm for CuNPs), and morphology. The results indicated that CuNPs displayed superior antimicrobial activity, with inhibition zones measuring up to 28 mm for Bacillus cereus and 25 mm for E. coli, compared to AgNPs, which achieved inhibition zones of 18 mm and 17 mm, respectively, at 500 μg/mL. Similarly, CuNPs demonstrated significant antifungal activity, with inhibition zones of 21 mm for Candida albicans and 19 mm for Fusarium oxysporum. These findings underscore the enhanced efficacy of CuNPs over AgNPs, highlighting their potential as effective antimicrobial agents. Cissus quadrangular is mediated synthesis of CuNPs offers a promising pathway for sustainable nanotechnology applications. Future studies should focus on scaling up production, elucidating antimicrobial mechanisms, and exploring CuNPs' integration into medical and industrial antimicrobial systems.

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