Bactericidal Potency of Bioderived Carbon and Calcium Decorated on Synthesized Copper Oxide Nanocomposite from Calotropis gigantea against Primitive Wound Associated Pathogens

Abstract Commercialized antibiotics are often linked with ineffectiveness in treating chronic wound ulcer especially associated multi-drug resistant pathogens. Photocatalytic nanoparticles have become current trade attention as potent antibacterial agent. This study investigates the bactericidal potency of green synthesised CuO nanoparticles from Calotropis gigantea (C. gigantea) leaves extract at different calcination temperatures (i.e. 400°C and 500 °C) against MDR and non-MDR wound related pathogens. A well-defined oval shape CuO nanoparticles were obtained at 500 °C (CuO-500C) with present of calcium and carbon atoms were characterized using the X-ray powder diffraction, electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. FTIR and UV-Vis analysis successfully confirmed phenol and carbonyl group are the stabilizing phytochemical agents. Further antimicrobial performance of CuO-500C sample was observed against non-MDR and MDR pathogens. CuO-500C sample found to markedly inhibit biofilm formation of S. aureus. A significant reduction of non-MDR Gram-positive bacterial colonies observe starts from 6 h exposure and bactericidal activity was noticed at 12 h exposure. Furthermore, constant prolong free radicals release was observed up to 30 days which might provide advantage against long-term antimicrobial application. Overall, it proves that high concentrated natural carbon and calcium wrapped green synthesised CuO nanocomposite demonstrated potential as a strong antimicrobial agent for combating pathogens associated with open wound infections especially in long- term basis.