Green synthesis-assisted copper nanoparticles using Aegle marmelos leaves extract: physical, optical, and antimicrobial properties.

In the present report, Aegle marmelos leaf powder was used to synthesize copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) using a simple and cost-effective method. A. marmelos leaves have various medicinal uses including for the treatment of diarrhoea, constipation, diabetes, cholera, skin diseases, earache, blood purification, heart problems, and so on. The plant biomolecules induce the reduction of Cu ions to CuNPs and also act as a capping and stabilizing agent. The formation of CuNPs was confirmed using photoluminescence (PL) excitation and emission spectra on a Shimadzu RF-5301 PC spectrofluorophotometer and the absorbance spectra of a UV-visible spectrophotometer at different stages during the synthesis process. In addition, other properties of synthesized CuNPs were also investigated using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The average size of the synthesized CuNPs was in the range 20-40 nm. Furthermore, the synthesized NPs were also considered for an antimicrobial study against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus, and Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. using the agar well diffusion method. The zone of inhibition against the Gram-positive bacteria was greater than the zone of inhibition against the Gram-negative bacteria. These investigation results suggest that synthesized NPs are promising nanomaterials for use as antimicrobial agents.