BIOSYNTHESIS OF COPPER OXIDE NANOPARTICLES USING THE PREFORMED BIOMASS OF ASPERGILLUS FUMIGATUS AND THEIR ANTIBACTERIAL AND PHOTOCATALYTIC ACTIVITIES

Abstract

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) were biosynthesized in this work using the preformed mycelium of Aspergillus fumigatus. They had amaximum absorption with sharp peak at 335 nm. On examination with high resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM), the NPs were found spherical uniformly distribution with mean size of 6 nm. A clear edge was detected around the CuO NP when magnified in a preliminary indication of their crystalline nature that proved by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. They retained full stability for at least six months on storage at 4oC. Its zeta potential was found to be -28.2 mv. The antibacterial activity of these NPs was proved against two important human pathogens i.e. Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia. Also, they succeeded in degradation of 97% methylene blue (MB) dye in direct sunlight after 200 min.