Biosynthesis of Cu4O3 nanoparticles using Razma seeds: application to antibacterial and cytotoxicity activities

Abstract

In the present work, Cu4O3 nanoparticles were prepared by biosynthesis method using Razma seeds and copper sulfate as a precursors. The synthesized Cu4O3 nanoparticles were characterized using various analytical tools such as XRD, FTIR, UV–Vis, SEM and TEM. The average crystallite size of the prepared Cu4O3 nanoparticles was calculated by Debye–Scherrer’s equation and found to be 13 nm. The TEM images clearly reveal the average size of the particles is 27 nm. Antibacterial activity of Cu4O3 nanoparticles was tested against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria by agar well diffusion method. The cytotoxic activity of synthesized Cu4O3 nanoparticles was examined against human prostate cancer cells (PC-3). The prepared NPs show the significant antioxidant activity through scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radicals.