ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Green synthesis and characterization of CuO nanoparticles using Angelonia angustifolia Benth. plant extract for antibacterial applications

Kiran L. Parwate, Arvind J. Mungole, Abhimanyu P. Pawar, Harsha P. Kanfade, and A. N. Yerpude

Department of Botany, Nevjabai Hitkarini College, Bramhapuri, Chandrapur District, India

E-mail: aru.mungole@mgail.com

Received: 14 June 2025  Accepted: 4 February 2026

Abstract:

The large-scale and chemical synthesis of metallic nanoparticles often involves toxic reagents and harsh reaction conditions, leading to environmental and biological hazards. Hence, developing a green, biocompatible, and sustainable synthesis route remains a major challenge in nanotechnology. The industrial and biomedical applications of biosynthesized metallic nanoparticles (NPs) represent a rapidly expanding area of research, as green synthesis offers an eco-friendly, sustainable, and facile approach for the advancement of nanotechnology. In the present investigation, biological synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) free from toxic chemical components, using plant extract of Angelonia angustifolia, has been proposed. To confirm their crystalline orientation and structural arrangement, the copper oxide nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrophotometry. The morphology and particle size were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The probable bio-reducing agents present within the plant extract were identified by Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The investigational analyses confirmed that the biological synthesis method using Angelonia angustifolia extract effectively produced spherical-shaped CuO NPs with an average size ranging from 0.21 to 6.18 nm. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of the biosynthesized CuO NPs was evaluated. According to the present study, the green synthesis approach successfully yielded copper oxide nanoparticles with desired size, shape, morphology, and functional properties, without the involvement of any toxic chemicals, thereby demonstrating the potential of plant-mediated synthesis for environmentally benign nanoparticle production. The biologically synthesized CuO NPs exhibited significant antibacterial activity against human pathogenic bacteria, indicating their potential application in biomedical and pharmaceutical fields.

Keywords: Biosynthesis; Nanoparticles; Angelonia angustifolia; Antibacterial activity

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-026-04724-6

Chemical Papers 80 (5) 5487–5497 (2026)