Green Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Using a Bioflocculant from <i>Proteus mirabilis</i> AB 932526.1 for Wastewater Treatment and Antimicrobial Applications
Nanotechnology offers effective solutions for removing contaminants and harmful bacteria from polluted water. This study synthesized copper nanoparticles using a carbohydrate-based bioflocculant derived from <i>Proteus mirabilis</i> AB 932526.1. The bioflocculant is a natural polymer tha...
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2025-03-01
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| Series: | Applied Nano |
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| author | Nkanyiso C. Nkosi Albertus K. Basson Zuzingcebo G. Ntombela Nkosinathi G. Dlamini Rajasekhar V. S. R. Pullabhotla |
| author_facet | Nkanyiso C. Nkosi Albertus K. Basson Zuzingcebo G. Ntombela Nkosinathi G. Dlamini Rajasekhar V. S. R. Pullabhotla |
| author_sort | Nkanyiso C. Nkosi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Nanotechnology offers effective solutions for removing contaminants and harmful bacteria from polluted water. This study synthesized copper nanoparticles using a carbohydrate-based bioflocculant derived from <i>Proteus mirabilis</i> AB 932526.1. The bioflocculant is a natural polymer that facilitates the aggregation of particles, enhancing the efficiency of the nanoparticle synthesis process. Characterization of the bioflocculant and copper nanoparticles was conducted using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction, and Transmission Electron Microscopy techniques to assess their properties, flocculation efficiency, and antibacterial characteristics. The optimal flocculation efficiency of 80% was achieved at a copper nanoparticle concentration of 0.4 mg/mL, while a concentration of 1 mg/mL resulted in a lower efficiency of 60%. The effects of biosynthesized copper nanoparticles on human-derived embryonic renal cell cultures were also investigated, demonstrating that they are safe at lower concentrations. The copper nanoparticles effectively removed staining dyes such as safranin (90%), carbol fuchsine (88%), methylene blue (91%), methyl orange (93%), and Congo red (94%), compared to a blank showing only 39% removal. Furthermore, when compared to both chemical flocculants and bioflocculants, the biosynthesized copper nanoparticles exhibited significant nutrient removal efficiencies for nitrogen, sulfur, phosphate, and total nitrates in coal mine and Vulindlela domestic wastewater. Notably, these biosynthesized copper nanoparticles demonstrated exceptional antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e50716ffaf664726adf17cdf6ea08b23 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-3501 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Nano |
| spelling | doaj-art-e50716ffaf664726adf17cdf6ea08b232025-08-20T03:43:47ZengMDPI AGApplied Nano2673-35012025-03-0161510.3390/applnano6010005Green Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Using a Bioflocculant from <i>Proteus mirabilis</i> AB 932526.1 for Wastewater Treatment and Antimicrobial ApplicationsNkanyiso C. Nkosi0Albertus K. Basson1Zuzingcebo G. Ntombela2Nkosinathi G. Dlamini3Rajasekhar V. S. R. Pullabhotla4Biochemistry and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Agriculture, and Engineering, P/Bag X1001, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South AfricaBiochemistry and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Agriculture, and Engineering, P/Bag X1001, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South AfricaBiochemistry and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Agriculture, and Engineering, P/Bag X1001, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South AfricaBiochemistry and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Agriculture, and Engineering, P/Bag X1001, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South AfricaChemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Agriculture, and Engineering, P/Bag X1001, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South AfricaNanotechnology offers effective solutions for removing contaminants and harmful bacteria from polluted water. This study synthesized copper nanoparticles using a carbohydrate-based bioflocculant derived from <i>Proteus mirabilis</i> AB 932526.1. The bioflocculant is a natural polymer that facilitates the aggregation of particles, enhancing the efficiency of the nanoparticle synthesis process. Characterization of the bioflocculant and copper nanoparticles was conducted using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction, and Transmission Electron Microscopy techniques to assess their properties, flocculation efficiency, and antibacterial characteristics. The optimal flocculation efficiency of 80% was achieved at a copper nanoparticle concentration of 0.4 mg/mL, while a concentration of 1 mg/mL resulted in a lower efficiency of 60%. The effects of biosynthesized copper nanoparticles on human-derived embryonic renal cell cultures were also investigated, demonstrating that they are safe at lower concentrations. The copper nanoparticles effectively removed staining dyes such as safranin (90%), carbol fuchsine (88%), methylene blue (91%), methyl orange (93%), and Congo red (94%), compared to a blank showing only 39% removal. Furthermore, when compared to both chemical flocculants and bioflocculants, the biosynthesized copper nanoparticles exhibited significant nutrient removal efficiencies for nitrogen, sulfur, phosphate, and total nitrates in coal mine and Vulindlela domestic wastewater. Notably, these biosynthesized copper nanoparticles demonstrated exceptional antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3501/6/1/5copper nanoparticlesflocculating activityantimicrobial activitycytotoxicitywastewater treatment |
| spellingShingle | Nkanyiso C. Nkosi Albertus K. Basson Zuzingcebo G. Ntombela Nkosinathi G. Dlamini Rajasekhar V. S. R. Pullabhotla Green Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Using a Bioflocculant from <i>Proteus mirabilis</i> AB 932526.1 for Wastewater Treatment and Antimicrobial Applications Applied Nano copper nanoparticles flocculating activity antimicrobial activity cytotoxicity wastewater treatment |
| title | Green Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Using a Bioflocculant from <i>Proteus mirabilis</i> AB 932526.1 for Wastewater Treatment and Antimicrobial Applications |
| title_full | Green Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Using a Bioflocculant from <i>Proteus mirabilis</i> AB 932526.1 for Wastewater Treatment and Antimicrobial Applications |
| title_fullStr | Green Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Using a Bioflocculant from <i>Proteus mirabilis</i> AB 932526.1 for Wastewater Treatment and Antimicrobial Applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Green Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Using a Bioflocculant from <i>Proteus mirabilis</i> AB 932526.1 for Wastewater Treatment and Antimicrobial Applications |
| title_short | Green Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Using a Bioflocculant from <i>Proteus mirabilis</i> AB 932526.1 for Wastewater Treatment and Antimicrobial Applications |
| title_sort | green synthesis of copper nanoparticles using a bioflocculant from i proteus mirabilis i ab 932526 1 for wastewater treatment and antimicrobial applications |
| topic | copper nanoparticles flocculating activity antimicrobial activity cytotoxicity wastewater treatment |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3501/6/1/5 |
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