Biosynthesis and effects of copper nanoparticles on plants

Abstract

Copper nanoparticles have improved properties compared to the bulk copper material. Copper nanoparticles indeed find applications in gas sensors, heat transfer fluids, catalysis, solar energy and batteries. Antibacterial and antifungal activities of copper nanoparticles find applications in the agriculture and healthcare sectors. Nonetheless, careless use of copper nanoparticles may cause environmental pollution and health effects. Here we review the biosynthesis of copper nanoparticles using plant materials, named phytosynthesis, and micro-organisms. We also discuss the effect of copper nanoparticles on crops and pathogenic micro-organisms. Copper nanoparticles varying in sizes from 5 to 295 nm have been synthesized using leaf extracts and latex from plants, and using bacteria and fungi. Biosynthesized copper nanoparticles show good antimicrobial activity inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria and pathogenic fungi. Copper nanoparticles enhance the germination and growth of some plants at lower concentrations, whereas high concentrations result in retarded growth. Keywords Copper nanoparticles Biosynthesis Antimicrobial activity Pathogenic micro-organisms Agriculture crops Phytosynthesis Introduction Increasing agriculture production in economized way without polluting the environment is a global challenge. Agriculture and healthcare sectors have witnessed great strides during recent past; still, many developing countries face the threat of food/healthcare insecurity (Husen and Siddiqi 2014). Exploiting the latest innovations in the field of nanobiotechnology, researchers are trying to develop alternative antimicrobial agents including cationic polymers, metal nanoparticles and antimicrobial peptides against