Antibacterial Activities of Phytofabricated ZnO and CuO NPs by Mentha pulegium Leaf/flower Mixture Extract against Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria

Abstract

<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> In this study, leaf/flower aqueous extract of medicinal plant species <i>Mentha pulegium</i> was used to synthesize ZnO and CuO nanoparticles (NPs) as a cost-effective, one-step, and eco-friendly method. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Physicochemical properties of both metal oxide NPs (MONPs) were determined by UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) techniques. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Phytofabricated ZnONPs and CuNPs illustrated 65.02±7.55 and 26.92±4.7 nm with antibacterial activities against antibiotic-resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>. Higher antibacterial activities were observed for CuONPs compared with ZnONPs. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Large surface area and more reactivity resulted from smaller size as well as higher production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were considered to antibacterial efficiency of CuONPs against antibiotic-resistant <i>E. coli</i> and <i>S. aureus</i>.