Gum arabic capped copper nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization, and applications

In present work, we synthesized copper nanoparticles using L-ascorbic acid as a reducing agent and capped them with gum arabic. Based upon spectrometric analysis and particle size distribution (19.60–35.06 nm) by intensity, a 1% concentration of gum arabic was selected as the suitable capping agent for copper nanoparticles. Gum arabic capped copper nanoparticles revealed significantly (p < 0.05) higher zeta potential value than that of unmodified copper nanoparticles. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed the purity of the copper nanoparticles, whereas scanning electron microscopy confirmed the polygonal prismatic shape of the gum arabic capped copper nanoparticles. As well, TEM analysis confirmed the monodispersed nature of the gum arabic capped copper nanoparticles. Gum arabic capped copper nanoparticles showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher zone of inhibition for Salmonella typhimurium (27 mm) than that of other bacterial strains. Approximately 95% photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue and crystal violet was observed within 40 and 20 min. As well, both unmodified and gum arabic capped copper nanoparticles were found to be non-toxic to Caco-2 cells during cell viability assay.