Antibacterial properties of copper nanoparticles synthesized by aqueous extract of Oliveria decumbens flowers

Ebrahimi , Katrin; Kavyanifard , Amirarsalan

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Volume 34, Issue 1 (3-2026)

Journal of Ilam University of Medical Sciences 2026, 34(1): 14-28

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Antibacterial properties of copper nanoparticles synthesized by aqueous extract of Oliveria decumbens flowers

Katrin Ebrahimi¹

, Amirarsalan Kavyanifard ^*²

1- Payame Noor University, Dept of Biology, Tehran, Iran
2- Payame Noor University, Dept of Biology, Tehran, Iran , kavyanifarda@pnu.ac.ir

Abstract: (347 Views)

Introduction: The production of nanoparticles by biological methods is less hazardous than traditional chemical methods and is also cost-effective. The aim of this study was to synthesize copper nanoparticles using the aqueous extract of Oliveria decumbens flowers and to investigate their antibacterial properties.
Materials & Methods: The soaking method was used for extraction. Nanoparticle synthesis was carried out by reducing copper sulfate with the aqueous extract of O. decumbens flowers. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized using spectrophotometric analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The antibacterial effects of the extract and the synthesized nanoparticles on Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were investigated using the disk method, and their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were determined.
Results: The aqueous extract of O. decumbens flowers was found to reduce copper sulfate. The produced nanoparticles were spherical, with an average size of 36.93 nm. Although the aqueous extract had no effect on the tested bacteria, the synthesized nanoparticles at concentrations of 2000 and 4000 μg/disk exhibited antibacterial activity against all these bacteria. The MIC and MBC values were determined to be 1000 μg/ml for S. aureus and B. cereus and 2000 μg/ml for K. pneumoniae and E. coli.
Conclusion: The results showed that the aqueous extract of O. decumbens flowers acts as a reducing and stabilizing agent for copper sulfate. The synthesized copper nanoparticles exhibited acceptable antibacterial activity against the studied Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Keywords: green synthesis, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, microdilution, nanoparticles

Full-Text [PDF 2212 kb] (195 Downloads)

Editorial Note: Research | Subject: Microbiology
Received: 2025/10/2 | Accepted: 2026/02/15 | Published: 2026/03/25

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Ebrahimi K, Kavyanifard A. Antibacterial properties of copper nanoparticles synthesized by aqueous extract of Oliveria decumbens flowers. J. Ilam Uni. Med. Sci. 2026; 34 (1) :14-28
URL: http://sjimu.medilam.ac.ir/article-1-8772-en.html

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