Investigating Green Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles using the Bacterium Pseudomonas Grimontii, their Characterization, and Antibacterial Activity

Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) are used in various industries, including pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences, agricultural and food chemistry, electronics and environmental applications, due to their novel optical, chemical, photoelectrochemical, and electronic properties as well as antimicrobial activities. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ability of endophytic bacteria to synthesize CuNPs.

Eighteen endophytic bacteria (CN1-CN18) were isolated from the root and crown rot of the bean. The agar dilution method was used to determe the intrinsic tolerance of endophytic bacterial isolates to copper ions. Characterization of CuNPs was performed using different methods including ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray energy diffraction spectroscopy (EDS), and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The antimicrobial activity of the copper nanoparticles was investigated by the agar well diffusion method.

The results of the study indicated that isolate CN10 was able to reduce CuCl2 to CuNPs. Based on the obtained phenotypic data and 16s rDNA sequence analysis (similarity above 99%), the isolate was identified as Pseudomonas grimontii. Additionally, spherical CuNPs with an average size of 24.8 nm were synthesized by resting cells of strain CN10 under 3 mM of copper chloride, pH 7.0, agitation 100 rpm, and 96 hours of incubation. The results of antimicrobial tests showed that the produced CuNPs exhibited the highest inhibitory effects on Xanthomonas campestris (19.2 mm) and the lowest inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus (9.4 mm).

The current study is the first report on the synthesis of CuNPs using a resting cell of Pseudomonas grimontii. The results suggested the synthesis of CuNPs using endophytic bacteria as a promising tool for the production of CuNPs in a controlled shape and size.