Green Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Using Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) Peel Extract and Antifungal Study

Copper nanoparticles were synthesized by the reduction method using copper (II) sulfate with the reducing agent (ascorbic) acid in aqueous mandarin (Citrus reticulata) peel extract characterisation, and protective polyvinyl alcohol (PVA, Mw = 85000 g/mol). The morphology and structure of the synthesized copper nanoparticles ranged from 10 – 40 nm by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), transmission Electronic Microscope (TEM) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE – SEM). It can be controlled during synthesis by varying the reaction temperature, pH and relative ratio of copper sulfate to the surfactant. These synthesized copper nanoparticles were found to be effective in controlling the growth of pathogens viz. Corticium salmonicola and Phanerochaete salmon color. The antifungal activities of copper nanoparticles were enhanced by increasing their concentration and copper nanoparticles recorded higher events than those of copper sulfate.