Authors: San Chitta Raj Raja Rajamanikkam | Geetha Anbalagan | S. Balachandran | Vasugi Suresh | Pitchiah Sivaperumal
Source: Cureus (article, 2024-04-01)
Field: Materials Science — Materials Chemistry

Green Synthesis of Copper and Copper Oxide Nanoparticles From Brown Algae Turbinaria Species' Aqueous Extract and Its Antibacterial Properties Background Copper and copper oxide nanoparticles synthesized by green methods have attracted considerable attention due to their environmentally friendly properties and potential applications. Green synthesis involves non-hazardous and sustainable techniques used in the production of a wide range of substances, including nanoparticles, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. These methods often use different organisms, including bacteria, fungi, algae, and plants, each offering different advantages in terms of simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. The environmentally friendly nature of these green synthesis methods responds to the growing need for sustainable nanotechnologies. Brown algae have gained popularity due to their distinct morphological characteristics and diverse biochemical composition. This research focuses on the process of synthesizing copper and copper oxide nanoparticles from the brown algae <i>Turbinaria</i>. It emphasizes the natural ability of the bioactive compounds contained in the algae extract to reduce and stabilize the nanoparticles. The green synthesis of copper and copper oxide nanoparticles from brown algae has demonstrated a wide range of applications, including antibacterial activity. Materials and methods Fresh <i>Turbinaria</i> algae were collected from marine environments to ensure that they were free of contaminants. The algae underwent a purification process to remove impurities and were dried. An aqueous extract was prepared by pulverizing the dried algae and mixing them with distilled water. A copper salt solution utilizing copper nitrate was prepared. The algae extract was mixed with the copper salt solution. There are bioactive compounds in the algae extract that help reduce copper ions, which makes copper and copper oxide nanoparticles come together. The reaction mixture was incubated in a controlled environment to facilitate the growth and enhance the stability of the nanoparticles. To separate the nanoparticles from the reaction mixture, centrifugation was employed, or filtration was done with Whatman filter paper (Merck, Burlington, MA). The nanoparticles were dried to yield a stable powder. Results Copper and copper oxide nanoparticles derived from brown algae extract showed antibacterial effects against <i>Streptococcus mutans, Klebsiella sp., </i>and <i>Staphylococcus mutans</i>. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis verified the irregular shape and elemental content of the synthesized copper and copper oxide nanoparticles. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated that the synthesized nanoparticles exhibited a crystallinity nature and were composed of a mixture of copper and copper oxide species, namely face-centered cubic and monoclinic structures. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed copper and copper oxide nanoparticles that were evenly distributed and had a rectangular shape. They exhibited substantial antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Conclusions This study enhances the field of green synthesis techniques by showcasing the adaptability of <i>Turbinaria</i> brown algae to synthesize copper and copper oxide nanoparticles. It underscores the potential advantages of these nanoparticles in terms of their antibacterial properties. Copper ; Algae ; Environmentally friendly ; Nanoparticle ; Aqueous solution ; Green algae ; Green chemistry ; Chemistry ; Materials science ; Nanotechnology ; Botany ; Organic chemistry ; Biology ; Ecology Nanoparticles: synthesis and applications ; Graphene and Nanomaterials Applications ; Laser-Ablation Synthesis of Nanoparticles