Green synthesized CuO nanoparticles using macrofungi extracts: Characterization, nanofertilizer and antibacterial effects

In this detailed study, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) are synthesized using the green synthesis method via the extracts of Rhizopogon roseolus (R) and Coprinus comatus (Co) macrofungi. Additionally, the effect of calcination temperature on the formation of CuO NPs is investigated at different temperatures such as 400, 600, 800 degrees C during the synthesis process. The structural, optical and morphological characterizations of biosynthesized CuO NPs are performed by XRD, FT-IR, UV-Vis spectroscopy and SEM-EDX analysis, respectively. From the XRD results, it is determined that CuO NPs formed in monoclinic structure in all samples. Also, the optical band gap values in UV-vis spectroscopy are approximately 1.3-1.4 eV for all calcination temperatures. As for SEM measurements, it is clearly seen that the particles have irregular planar morphology in a certain order. Also, the possibilities of using CuO NPs produced at different calcination temperatures as nanofertilizer at different concentrations are determined via analyzing the effects on the growth of Lepidium sativum (cress), Raphanus sativus (radish) and Zea mays (corn) seeds. Besides, it is found that the concentration values of 62.5 (for R) and 125 ppm (for Co) are more effective in the growth and development of all three seeds for all calcination temperatures. Further, the antibacterial effect of CuO NPs is tested against six bacterial strains (Y. enterocolitica,