Abstract

The purpose of this research work was to synthesize copper nanoparticles using landolphia

dulcis leaves extract and to test their anti-microbial potency. The synthesized copper

nanoparticles were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-Ray Diffraction analysis (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy

(SEM). The UV-visible spectrum showed peaks at 292 nm due to surface plasmon resonance

showing the formation of copper nanoparticles. The FT-jR analysis was used to identify the

functional groups present in the landophia dulcis leaves extract and copper nanoparticles and

was also used to identify the functional groups responsible for the reduction of the copper ions to

copper nanoparticles. The band around 3280.1cm1 shows 0-H stretching vibration of alcohol.

The absorption band at 2851.4 cm 1and 2918.5 cm' indicates the presence of C-H stretching

vibration of alkane. The absorption band at 1233.7 cmindicates C-0 stretching vibration of

alcohol. The absorption band at 1021.3 cm' and 1028.7cm'corresponds to C-0 stretching

vibration of alcohols. The similarity of the two FT-JR spectra suggest that the copper

nanoparticles are surrounded by phytochemicals from landoiphia dulcis leaves extract. The

morphology of the copper nanoparticles obtained by SEM showed aggregated particle in form of

a cake with rough surfaces. A few isolated ones are a blend of cylindrical and irregular shaped

particles. The XRD pattern of copper nanoparticles was used to obtain the size of copper

nanoparticles and was found to be 98 nm. The anti-microbial potency of copper nanoparticles

was carried out against pathogenic bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus, salmonella entrica,

Proteus mirabilis, and streptococcus pyo gene. The result shows low anti-microbial activity

against the bacteria.