Green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using Bougainvillea leaves aqueous extract and antibacterial activity evaluation

Ahid M. Al-Fa,ouri, Mahmoud H. Abu-Kharma and Akl M. Awwad

Abstract

The aim of present study is based on low cost, efficient, non-toxic and ecofriendly method for green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) using Bougainvillea leaves aqueous extract. The green synthesized nanoparticles were subjected to characterization techniques UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The synthesized CuONPs were pure, predominantly spherical with sizes ranges from 8-20 nm. CuONPs showed excellent antimicrobial activity against various bacterial strains Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, E. coli and E. faecalis exhibited the highest sensitivity to CuONPs while Staphylococcus aureus was the least sensitive. Possible mechanisms of antimicrobial activity of CuONPs should be further investigated.