Biosynthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Using Aqueous Thymus daenensis (Celak) Flora and Investigation of Its Antifungal Activity

In recent years, the green synthesis of nanoparticles has received much attention. Green synthesis has several advantages over other

cost-effectiveness, simplicity, and non-toxicity. In the present study, we obtained the aqueous extract of Thymus daenensis (Celak) flora, biosynthesized the copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs), and evaluated the antifungal activity.

UV-vis spectroscopy analyses, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) were used to identify the synthesized nanoparticles. The antifungal activity of the synthesized copper nanoparticles was evaluated using the microdilution method.

After adding the extract to the copper sulfate solution, the solution color changed from light blue to yellowish-green. A maximum peak at the wavelength of 414 nm confirmed the copper nanoparticles formation. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated the particle size ranging from 30 nm to 42 nm. The biosynthesized Cu-NPs had an inhibitory effect against Candida albicans, Fusarium solani, Aspergillus Niger, and Aspergillus flavus.

Our findings demonstrated that T. daenensis aqueous extract acts as a reducer and stabilizer factor. We successfully synthesized Cu-NPs from copper sulfate using T. daenensis (Celak) flora aqueous extract according to the UV-Vis spectrum, FTIR, and SEM results. This research was the first report of Cu-NPs synthesized from an aqueous T. daenensis (Celak) flora extract. Our simple, quick, and inexpensive method for biosynthesis of a nanoparticle, which showed antifungal activity, provides a new potential antifungal agent for therapeutic applications.