Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of green synthesized copper nanoparticles

Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) synthesized by crude extract of Enicostemma axillare and Celastrus paniculatus plants were evaluated for their antifungal and reactive oxygen species scavenging enzyme activities under in vitro and in vivo conditions. In vitro antifungal activity of synthesized EaCuNPs, evaluated against Fusarium oxysporum, showed 55.92%, 61.48%, and 71.48% mycelial growth inhibition at 0.02%, 0.04%, and 0.08% concentrations, respectively. Maximum mycelial growth inhibition was observed at 0.08% CuNPs concentration. A maximum of 75.36% and 82.70% spore germination was inhibited by 0.08% concentration of EaCuNPs and CpCuNPs, respectively. The experiment confirmed that mycelial growth inhibition depended on NPs concentrations. In vivo studies showed that CuNPs and positive control bavistin-treated plants appeared clear and healthy. Antioxidant enzyme results indicated that the effect of CuNPs was significant on the activity of SOD, CAT, and POD content.