No abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of functionalized single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) using an extract of the herb, Hempedu bumi. H bumi extract and H bumi extract complexed SWNT were evaluated for biological activities against Bacillus sp., (pathogen) Escherichia coli (opportunistic pathogen), and Aspergillus niger (pathogen).The formation of inhibition zones of these 3 microbes was measured to be evident for the functionalized SWNT with H bumi. Further, morphological and structural analyses were conducted to investigate the functionalized SWNT with H bumi using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, well supporting the intact and crystalline nature of the SWNT. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy result shows the highest peak at 3371.48 cm −1 , representing an andrographolide group from the plant extract. An apparent clear zone has been noticed with SWNT conjugated H bumi extract, displaying a zone of inhibition larger than 1.0 cm against the tested microbes. The results indicate that SWNT has the potential for use as a carrier of components from plant extracts.

Different nanostructures were engineered with the nanoscale dimension lesser than 100 nm. These nanostructures include silver, cellulose nanoparticles and single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT). Biological ligands were obtained from the medicinally important herbal plants, such as Solanum trilobatum and Hempedu bumi and conjugated with the nanostructures silver nanoparticle and SWCNT, respectively. On the other hand, bio-ligands from cow urine were encapsulated in the cellulose nanoparticle. To confirm morphology these nanostructures, they were observed under Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope and the results displayed the uniformed nanostructures. Further, biological ligand carrying ability of these nanostructures was confirmed by the bacterial inhibition assay on the agar plate. This study provided the evidence on the capability of nanostructures to carry the biological ligands.