Green Synthesis and Characterization of Copper Nanoparticles Using Saraca asoca Leaf Extract and Their Antibacterial, Catalytic, and Plant Growth-Promoting Activities

Abstract

The green synthesis of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) using plant extracts has emerged as an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative to conventional chemical and physical synthesis methods. In the present study, copper nanoparticles were successfully fabricated using Saraca asoca leaf extract, which served as both a reducing and stabilizing agent due to its rich phytochemical composition, including flavonoids, tannins, phenolics, and saponins. The biosynthesized CuNPs were characterized using various analytical techniques such as UV–Visible spectroscopy to confirm nanoparticle formation, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to identify the functional groups involved in reduction and capping, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) to determine crystallinity, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) or Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) to examine morphology and particle size, and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis to confirm elemental composition. The synthesized CuNPs exhibited predominantly spherical morphology with nanoscale dimensions and good stability. Furthermore, the biomedical potential of the CuNPs was evaluated through antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxicity assays. The nanoparticles demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against both Grampositive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, potent free radical scavenging ability, and promising anticancer activity against selected cancer cell lines while exhibiting acceptable biocompatibility toward normal cells. These findings highlight that Saraca asoca-mediated copper nanoparticles possess excellent physicochemical properties and promising biomedical applications. The study underscores the potential of green-fabricated CuNPs as environmentally benign nanomaterials for future applications in nanomedicine, drug delivery, antimicrobial formulations, and therapeutic development. Keywords: Green synthesis, nanoparticles, copper, Saraca asoca, phytochemicals, antitoxicity, anticancer.