Carica papaya Mediated Green Synthesis of CuO-ZnO nanocomposite and its Anti-bacterial Activity

S. Jemimah¹, A. Sundar Raj¹, Muralikrishnan Dhanasekaran³, J. Sivapriya²,

K. Reeta Vijaya Rani⁴,

1. PG & Research Department of Chemistry, Bishop Heber College, Trichy-620017
2. Department of Chemistry, St. Joseph’s Institute of Technology, Chennai – 119
3. Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA, 36848
4. Department of Pharmaceutics, Surya School of Pharmacy, Surya Group of Institutions, Vikravandi, Villupuram – 605 652, Tamilnadu, India.

Abstract:

Metal oxides exhibit a multi-dimensional use and consequently find varied applications in healthcare (biomedical applications) and industries (gas detectors, catalysts for numerous reactions, and supermagnets).  Due to their unique chemical and structural features, metal oxides have long stimulated the interest of several researchers who engage in the creation of new molecules.  Specifically, Cu and Zn-based nanocomposites are unique and safe to be used in biomedical applications as both Cu and Zn are found in protein and enzyme molecules in our body.  ZnO/CuO nanocomposite was prepared by employing metal precursors mediated by Carica papaya extract, which was used as a stabilizer.  The CuO-ZnO nanocomposite formation was confirmed by a band at 322nm in the UV-visible spectrum.  FT-IR spectroscopic studies suggested that phytoconstituents are primarily responsible for the reduction and capping of CuO-ZnO nanocomposite.  SEM with EDAX, TEM, and XRD analysis revealed the uniformity in shape and crystalline nature and formation of two phases (CuO phase and ZnO phase) of the CuO-ZnO nanocomposite.  Furthermore, the CuO-ZnO nanocomposite exhibited significant anti-bacterial activity against Streptococcus sobrinus, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, and Streptococcus salivarius.  The prepared nanocomposite could also be developed into a potential drug for fighting dental caries.

Keywords: CuO-ZnO nanocomposite, anticarcinogenic activity, green synthesis