Masevhe, N. A.Samie, A.Rambau, Unarine2025-06-192025-06-192025-05-16Rambau, U. 2024. Green synthesis of copper nanoparticles using Lannea discolor (Sond.) Engl. and evaluation of their biological efficacy. Thohoyandou, South Africa.<https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/2833>.https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/2833PhD (Botany)Department of Biological SciencesWorldwide, herbal medicine has become a preferred source of therapy as it contains an array of bioactive phytochemicals, is biologically compatible, and has been used to synthesize nanoparticles with advanced therapeutic potential. Lannea discolor, commonly known as “dikbas,” occurs in southern Africa and is extensively utilized as a traditional medicine. This study explores the phytochemical composition of the plant extracts, identifying potential active compounds. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening and radical scavenging capabilities of the crude extracts of Lannea discolor revealed the presence and abundance of flavonoids, fatty acids, phenolics, and terpenoids and high antioxidant activity. Using LC-MS, several compounds were elucidated by comparing the molecular formulae and retention times with those already published in various chemical databases. The extracts displayed efficient antibacterial activity when evaluated against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Additionally, the methanolic and acetone extracts were highly toxic against the Caco-2 cancer cell line. The study also focuses on the green synthesis of copper, gold, and silver nanoparticles using Lannea discolor plant extracts as reducing and stabilizing agents. Biosynthesis of copper, gold, and silver nanoparticles was executed using the different extracts at temperatures of 25 °C and 80 °C. The composition of the synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) was confirmed visually by the observation of color change and characterized by UV-Vis, FEGSEM, EDX, HRTEM, FTIR, and Zetasizer. Plasmon resonance peaks confirmed that the particle interfaces were coated with phytochemicals. Evaluation of the zeta potential affirmed the extent of the stability of the NPs, as substantiated by conclusive negative potential values. Elemental mapping revealed particles consisting of copper, gold, and silver among the main elements. The nanoflowers resulting from the reduction of leaf extracts and the nanoparticles acquired from the stem and root of Lannea discolor ranged from 30–97 nm and 9–37 nm, respectively, while the copper nanoparticles had sizes of 20–104 nm. Both nanoparticles showed potential for application in biomedicine and conductivity for manufacturing industries. The gold nanoparticles exhibited exceptional antibacterial activity, while the copper nanoparticles had no activities. Furthermore, silver nanoparticles were synthesized to evaluate their antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity against Caco-2 cells. The spherical silver nanoparticles had notable activity against the bacteria Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as Klebsiella pneumoniae, and were able to inhibit cell proliferation in Caco-2 cells, demonstrating their intrinsic potential as both antibacterial and anticancer agents. Additionally, the nanoparticles showed notable antioxidant activities. As the first study based on phytochemical profiling of L. discolor, this work highlights its potential for unexploited medicinal properties. This was the first study on nanoparticle synthesis of L. discolor, and it contributes positively to the eco-friendly and liberal technique of fabricating nanoparticles for the manufacturing of novel drugs from plants used as alternative medicine.1 online resource (iii, 185 leaves): color illustrationsenUCTDThesisRambau U. Green synthesis of copper nanoparticles using Lannea discolor (Sond.) Engl. and evaluation of their biological efficacy. []. , 2024 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from:Rambau, U. (2024). <i>Green synthesis of copper nanoparticles using Lannea discolor (Sond.) Engl. and evaluation of their biological efficacy</i>. (). . Retrieved fromRambau, Unarine. <i>"Green synthesis of copper nanoparticles using Lannea discolor (Sond.) Engl. and evaluation of their biological efficacy."</i> ., , 2024.TY - Thesis AU - Rambau, Unarine AB - Worldwide, herbal medicine has become a preferred source of therapy as it contains an array of bioactive phytochemicals, is biologically compatible, and has been used to synthesize nanoparticles with advanced therapeutic potential. Lannea discolor, commonly known as “dikbas,” occurs in southern Africa and is extensively utilized as a traditional medicine. This study explores the phytochemical composition of the plant extracts, identifying potential active compounds. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening and radical scavenging capabilities of the crude extracts of Lannea discolor revealed the presence and abundance of flavonoids, fatty acids, phenolics, and terpenoids and high antioxidant activity. Using LC-MS, several compounds were elucidated by comparing the molecular formulae and retention times with those already published in various chemical databases. The extracts displayed efficient antibacterial activity when evaluated against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Additionally, the methanolic and acetone extracts were highly toxic against the Caco-2 cancer cell line. The study also focuses on the green synthesis of copper, gold, and silver nanoparticles using Lannea discolor plant extracts as reducing and stabilizing agents. Biosynthesis of copper, gold, and silver nanoparticles was executed using the different extracts at temperatures of 25 °C and 80 °C. The composition of the synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) was confirmed visually by the observation of color change and characterized by UV-Vis, FEGSEM, EDX, HRTEM, FTIR, and Zetasizer. Plasmon resonance peaks confirmed that the particle interfaces were coated with phytochemicals. Evaluation of the zeta potential affirmed the extent of the stability of the NPs, as substantiated by conclusive negative potential values. Elemental mapping revealed particles consisting of copper, gold, and silver among the main elements. The nanoflowers resulting from the reduction of leaf extracts and the nanoparticles acquired from the stem and root of Lannea discolor ranged from 30–97 nm and 9–37 nm, respectively, while the copper nanoparticles had sizes of 20–104 nm. Both nanoparticles showed potential for application in biomedicine and conductivity for manufacturing industries. The gold nanoparticles exhibited exceptional antibacterial activity, while the copper nanoparticles had no activities. Furthermore, silver nanoparticles were synthesized to evaluate their antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity against Caco-2 cells. The spherical silver nanoparticles had notable activity against the bacteria Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as Klebsiella pneumoniae, and were able to inhibit cell proliferation in Caco-2 cells, demonstrating their intrinsic potential as both antibacterial and anticancer agents. Additionally, the nanoparticles showed notable antioxidant activities. As the first study based on phytochemical profiling of L. discolor, this work highlights its potential for unexploited medicinal properties. This was the first study on nanoparticle synthesis of L. discolor, and it contributes positively to the eco-friendly and liberal technique of fabricating nanoparticles for the manufacturing of novel drugs from plants used as alternative medicine. DA - 2025-05-16 DB - ResearchSpace DP - Univen LK - https://univendspace.univen.ac.za PY - 2025 T1 - Green synthesis of copper nanoparticles using Lannea discolor (Sond.) Engl. and evaluation of their biological efficacy TI - Green synthesis of copper nanoparticles using Lannea discolor (Sond.) Engl. and evaluation of their biological efficacy UR - ER -