A System for Green Production of Copper Nanoparticles Using Rosa Webbiana Extract for Environmental Control of Pathogenic Bacteria

Abstract

To provide a system for the green synthesis of copper nanoparticles using Rosa webbiana root extract for environmental control of pathogenic bacteria. [Solution] The system comprises a plant extraction module configured to prepare a Rosa webbiana root extract, including a crushing unit, a methanol soaking tank, a filtration unit using Whatman filter paper, and a solar drying device; a nanoparticle synthesis module configured to react the prepared extract with an aqueous copper sulfate solution under controlled heating and stirring conditions to form copper nanoparticles, including a reaction chamber equipped with a heating and stirring mechanism; a drying and collection module including means for evaporating the solvent under controlled conditions and collecting the synthesized copper nanoparticles; and a characterization unit configured to analyze the optical, structural, and morphological properties of the synthesized copper nanoparticles, including a UV-visible spectrophotometer, an FTIR spectrophotometer, an X-ray diffractometer, and a scanning electron microscope.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a system for the biosynthesis and utilization of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs). More specifically, it relates to an environmentally friendly, plant-based system for synthesizing CuNPs using Rosa webbiana root extract, which has applications in environmental photocatalysis and antibacterial treatment. [Background technology]

[0002] Nanotechnology, particularly in the area of ​​metal nanoparticles, has developed rapidly due to its potential medical, agricultural, and environmental implications. Traditionally, metal nanoparticles are synthesized via physical or chemical methods, often involving toxic reagents or high energy inputs. Green synthesis methods using plant extracts offer a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative, taking advantage of the natural reducing and stabilizing agents found in plants.

[0003] Rosa webbiana is a medicinal plant endemic to areas such as Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, and has long been used in traditional medicine. Its bioactive components act as reducing agents, facilitating nanoparticle synthesis and providing a low-cost, non-toxic method for producing CuNPs. These biologically synthesized nanoparticles exhibit potent antibacterial activity and photocatalytic degradation capabilities, making them ideal for wastewater treatment and pathogen control applications. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a system for green synthesis of copper nanoparticles, which includes a processing module for preparing Rosa webbiana root extract, a reaction chamber for synthesizing CuNPs, and a characterization unit for confirming the morphology and functionality of the nanoparticles. The system also includes a module for evaluating the photocatalytic and antibacterial activities of the synthesized nanoparticles.

[0005] The synthesized CuNPs exhibit high photocatalytic efficiency in dye degradation and bioactivity against bacteria such as E. coli and S. aureus. The system enables scalable, safe, and sustainable production of CuNPs for environmental and medical applications. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] UV-visible pattern of CuNPs [Figure 2] FTIR patterns of CuNPs DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Detailed description of the system This invention provides a system designed for the environmentally friendly synthesis and characterization of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) using Rosa webbiana root extract. The system includes interconnected modules configured to perform sequential operations including plant extract preparation, nanoparticle synthesis, product collection, material characterization, and functional evaluation for both photocatalytic and antibacterial activity.

[0008] The plant extraction module forms the initial stage of the system and is configured to obtain a concentrated methanolic extract of Rosa webbiana roots. The roots are first manually crushed and ground into a powder using standard mechanical tools. The powder is then immersed in methanol in a suitable container and macerated at room temperature for an extended period, typically 24 days. After incubation, the mixture is filtered using filter paper to remove coarse particles. The filtrate is then sun-dried to evaporate the methanol, yielding a concentrated extract that serves as a biological reducing and stabilizing agent in the nanoparticle synthesis process.

[0009] The nanoparticle synthesis module contains a reaction chamber equipped with stirring and heating mechanisms. A measured volume of the prepared root extract is mixed with an aqueous copper sulfate solution, typically 0.5 M CuSO4·5H2O. The mixture is continuously stirred and heated at approximately 70°C for 2 hours. A visible color change from blue to green indicates the reduction of copper ions and the formation of copper nanoparticles. After completion of the reaction, the mixture is transferred to a sterile dish and dried at a controlled temperature between 40°C and 50°C. The dried copper nanoparticles are collected for further analysis and applications.

[0010] The characterization unit is a key component of the system, designed to evaluate the optical, structural, and morphological properties of the synthesized nanoparticles. Figure 1 shows the UV-visible pattern of CuNPs. A UV-visible spectrophotometer was used to verify the formation of CuNPs by detecting surface plasmon resonance near 395 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to identify the functional groups involved in the reduction and capping of the nanoparticles. Typical observations include shifts in the OH, C=O, and CO stretching peaks, indicating interactions between copper ions and the phytochemicals in the extract. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed that the crystalline structure of the particles was monoclinic copper oxide (CuO) rather than metallic copper, with an estimated crystallite size of approximately 13 nm based on Debye-Scherrer calculations. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to determine the particle morphology, revealing rod-shaped and cylindrical nanoparticles in the submicron range. Figure 2 shows a comparison of the FTIR spectra of the RWR extract and the green-produced CuNPs. The absorbance peak of the nanoparticles is at 3249 cm -1 From 3086cm -1 This indicates a decrease in band intensity from the leaf extract intensity, suggesting that copper ions bind to the hydroxyl groups (OH) of the extract.

[0011] The system also incorporates an evaluation module for determining the functional efficiency of the synthesized CuNPs. In one aspect, the photocatalytic properties of the nanoparticles are tested by exposing them to a methylene blue dye solution under visible light. Over a 24-hour period, the dye undergoes gradual degradation, with a maximum reduction of 88% observed, thus confirming the photocatalytic capabilities of the CuNPs for environmental remediation applications. In another aspect, the antibacterial efficacy of the nanoparticles is evaluated through zone of inhibition assays against common pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The CuNPs exhibited significant zones of inhibition of approximately 14 mm and 9 mm, respectively, demonstrating their broad-spectrum antibacterial activity.

[0012] Together, these modules form a cohesive system capable of producing biofunctional copper nanoparticles via green synthesis. The overall process is free of hazardous chemicals, energy-saving, and amenable to scale-up. The system offers practical applications in wastewater treatment, antibacterial coatings, and environmentally safe nanomedicine production, thus addressing key challenges in public health and environmental safety.

Claims

1. a botanical extraction module configured to prepare a Rosa webbiana root extract using methanol; a nanoparticle synthesis module having a reaction chamber for reacting the extract with copper sulfate under controlled heating and stirring conditions; A drying and collection module for evaporating the solvent and collecting the synthesized CuNPs; and A characterization unit configured to analyze the optical, structural, and morphological properties of CuNPs. A system for green synthesis of copper nanoparticles comprising:

2. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the plant extraction module includes a crushing unit, a methanol steeping tank, a filtration unit using Whatman paper, and a solar drying device.

3. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticle synthesis module is configured to heat the reaction mixture to 70°C for at least 2 hours to induce a color change indicative of nanoparticle formation.

4. The characterization unit comprises: a UV-visible spectroscopic unit that detects surface plasmon resonance at around 395 nm; FTIR unit identifying O-H, C-H and C=O functional groups; XRD unit to determine the monoclinic CuO structure and estimate the nanoparticle size; and SEM unit confirms nanoparticle morphology as rod-like or cylindrical The system of claim 1 , comprising:

5. 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a photocatalytic evaluation module configured to degrade methylene blue dye in aqueous solution, the photocatalytic evaluation module achieving at least 88% degradation within 24 hours.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising an antibacterial evaluation module configured to test the biological activity of CuNPs against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, exhibiting inhibition zones of 14 mm and 9 mm, respectively.

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