Effortless Production, Characterization of Cu/Cu2O Nanostructures using Coconut Water (Cocos nucifera L.) as Bioreductants towards Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxicity on A549 & HeLa Cell lines

Abstract

Facile fabrication of Copper/Cuprous Oxide Nanostructures (Cu/Cu2O-NS) using Fehling’s solution and Tender, Matured Coconut water (TCW & MCW); Cocos nucifera) as bio-reductants was accomplished. The bio-fabricated nanostructures displayed the distinctive SPR bands confirming the formation of Cu/Cu2O-NS. The powder X – ray diffraction studies showed the FCC crystal pattern of copper with co-existence of cuprous oxide. The morphology of synthesized Cu/Cu2O-NS was analyzed with the help of FE-SEM and HR-TEM analysis. The DLS measurements indicated negative zeta potential (ζ) values, which endorsed the colloidal stability of Cu/Cu2O-NS. The BET surface area analysis demonstrated that both Cu/Cu2O-NS possessed a mesoporous structure as confirmed by N2 sorption isotherms, the pore size distribution analysis was carried out by BJH method. The bio-fabricated Cu/Cu2O-NS exhibited the remarkable antibacterial efficacy against Gram + Ve and Gram –Ve bacteria. The antioxidant capability of Cu/Cu2O-NS was assessed through DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The anticancer potential of synthesized Cu/Cu2O-NS was evaluated against Lung and Cervical Cancer Cell lines using MTT assay. The apoptotic assessments were performed by fluorescence microscopy with AO/EB staining. The results showed that MCW-Cu/Cu2O-NS exhibited higher potency compared to TCW-Cu/Cu2O-NS. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the maximum concentration of (50 µg/ml) of MCW-Cu/Cu2O-NS inducted the highest level of apoptosis. Overall the results highlighted the potential of bio-fabricated Cu/Cu2O-NS against specific bacterial strains as well as Lung and Cervical Cancer cell lines.