Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the antimicrobial activities of Euphorbia heterophylla latex. Methods: The antibacterial and antifungal activities of acetone, chloroform, and diethyl ether extracts were assayed by disk diffusion method. Results: The study of plant E. heterophylla latex revealed the presence of medically active metabolites. Bacterial strains such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus vulgaris, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited a strong zone of inhibition. Acetone extract exerts a potent zone of inhibition against P. aeruginosa compared to tetracycline. Fungi, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, and Penicillium sp., were used for the antifungal activity. It was observed that the highest zone of inhibition was noticed against A. niger in all the extracts. Interestingly, F. oxysporum and Penicillium sp. showed no zone of inhibition and were resistant to standard drug, fluconazole which was used as a control. Conclusion: E. heterophylla latex extract was found to be more potent than the standard drugs which were used against both the bacterial and fungal strains.

Objective: The aim of this study is to synthesis the copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) using the leaf extract of Parthenium hysterophorus. Methods: Dry and fresh leaf extract was prepared and CuSo4 was added. The color change was noted and recorded by ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer. The morphological characteristics were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Antimicrobial activities were performed by the disc diffusion method. Results: The color change indicates the production of CuNPs. Surface plasmon resonance band was observed around 599 nm and 572 nm for fresh and dry samples of P. hysterophorus leaf extract. SEM confirms the formation and the crystalline nature of CuNPs and X-ray diffraction studies show the particle size. The antibacterial potentials of the CuNPs were studied and have shown good high inhibition activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus vulgaris, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at different concentrations in compare to fungi species. Conclusion: This method is effective and environmental friendly for the synthesis of CuNPs using leaf extract of Parthenium hysterophorus.