Biogenic synthesis, characterization, and antifungal activity studies of copper oxide nanoparticles using Moringa Oleifera leave extract

Abstract

The current study describes an environmentally friendly method of producing cupric oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) by using Moringa oleifera leaf extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The structural, morphological and spectroscopic studies of CuO NPs were analyzed in detail. UV-Vis spectroscopy spectrum of CuO NPs displays the surface plasmon resonance peak at 640 nm. The synthesized CuO NPs are highly uniform in size, between 3-5 nm. X-ray diffraction data reveals the formation of single-phase cupric oxide with a monoclinic structure. The antifungal activities of the CuO NPs against plant pathogenic Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger were investigated. The use of nitro blue tetrazolium chloride staining and cell viability assessment using propidium iodide staining confirmed that intracellular higher reactive oxygen species generation (ROS) resulted in the death of treated fungi. The findings revealed that green-synthesized CuO NPs have antifungal activity and are stable in an open atmospheric environment. The results showed that green-synthesized CuO NPs have antifungal activity and stability under an open atmospheric environment.