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

In the present report, Aegle marmelos leaf powder is used for the synthesis of copper nanoparticles using a simple and cost-effective method. Aegle marmelos leaves have a variety of medicinal uses, including the treatment of diarrhoea, constipation, diabetes, cholera, skin diseases, earaches, blood purification, heart problems, and so on. The plant biomolecules induce the reduction of Cu 2+ ions to CuNPs and also act as a capping and stabilising agent. The formation of CuNPs was confirmed by the photoluminescence (PL) excitation and emission spectra using a Shimadzu RF-5301 PC Spectro-fluorophotometer and the absorbance spectra of a UV visible spectrophotometer at different stages during the synthesis process. In addition, other properties of synthesised CuNPs were also investigated using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) techniques. The average size of the synthesised Cu nanoparticles is in the range of 20-40 nm. Further, the synthesised nanoparticles were also considered for an antimicrobial study against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus, and Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. by using the Agar well diffusion method. The zone of inhibition against Gram-positive bacteria is greater than the zone of inhibition against Gram-negative bacteria. This investigation's results suggested that synthesised nanoparticles are promising nanomaterials that can be used as antimicrobial agents.