Green synthesized CuO nanoparticles using Zanthoxylum chalybeum extracts: Characterization and antibacterial effects

Authors

  • Posla Chelanga Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Eldoret, Eldoret, Kenya.
  • Kiplagat Ayabei Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Eldoret, Eldoret, Kenya.
  • Zipporah Onyambu Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Eldoret, Eldoret, Kenya.
  • Paul Tarus Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Eldoret, Eldoret, Kenya.
  • Njenga Lemeitaron Department of Chemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.nasij/7.1.1

Keywords:

Biosynthesis, Nanoparticles, Antifungal, Antibacterial activity, Green synthesis, Metal oxide nanoparticles, Plant extracts, Biological applications

Abstract

The green synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles via plant extracts is an environmentally friendly, rapid, inexpensive, and simple approach for obtaining nanoparticles for biological applications. In this study, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) were successfully synthesized from an aqueous extract of Zanthoxylum chalybeum stem bark. The structural, optical, and morphological characteristics of the nanoparticles were assessed via X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, a UV?visible spectrophotometer, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Nanocrystalline CuO NPs, with an average crystalline size of 18.26 nm and a band gap energy of 1.45 eV, were confirmed via XRD and UV?vis spectrophotometry, respectively. Morphological studies via SEM revealed spherical nanoparticles. Antifungal evaluation of the Candida albicans fungal strain and antibacterial evaluation of four bacterial strains (Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus) revealed greater potency of the green-synthesized CuO NPs than the Zanthoxylum chlamydium extracts and erythromycin (positive control). The bio-synthesized CuO NPs may be used as antibacterial and antifungal agents for therapeutic applications.

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Published

2026-05-03

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles

How to Cite

Green synthesized CuO nanoparticles using Zanthoxylum chalybeum extracts: Characterization and antibacterial effects. (2026). Natural and Applied Sciences International Journal (NASIJ), 7(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.nasij/7.1.1

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