Green adeptness in synthesis of non-toxic copper and cobalt oxide nanocomposites with multifaceted bioactivities

Abstract Background In the present era, we are facing different health problems mainly concerning with drug resistance in microorganisms as well as in cancer cells. In addition, we are also facing the problems of controlling oxidative stress and insect originated diseases like dengue, malaria, chikungunya, etc. originated from mosquitoes. In this investigation, we unfurled the potential of Achatina fulica mucus in green synthesis of mucus mediated copper oxide bio-nanocomposites (SM-CuONC) and cobalt oxide bio-nanocomposites (SM-Co 3 O 4 NC). Herein we carried out the physico-chemical characterization like UV–Vis spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy ( XPS) of as synthesized bio-nanocomposites. Both the bio-nanocomposites were tested for their potential as antimicrobial activity using well diffusion assay, anticancer activity by MTT assay, antioxidant activity by phosphomolybdenum assay and mosquito larvicidal activity. Results The results of this study revealed that, SM-CuONC and SM-Co 3 O 4 NC were synthesized successfully using A. fulica mucus. The FESEM and TEM data reveal the formation of nanoparticles with quasi-spherical morphology and average particle size of ~ 18 nm for both nanocomposites. The EDAX peak confirms the presence of elemental copper and cobalt in the analyzed samples. The X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the crystalline nature of the CuO and Co 3 O 4 . The result of anti microbial study exhibited that, SM-CuONC showed maximum antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli NCIM 2065 and Aspergillus fumigatus NCIM 902 which were noted as 2.36 ± 0.31 and 2.36 ± 0.59 cm resp. at 60 µg/well concentration. The result of anticancer activity for SM-CuONC was exhibited as, 68.66 ± 3.72, 62.66 ± 3.61 and 71.00 ± 2.36 percent kill, while SM-Co 3 O 4 NC exhibited 61.00 ± 3.57, 72.66 ± 4.50 and 71.66 ± 4.22 percent kill against Human colon cancer (HCT-15), Cervical cancer (HeLa), and Breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cell lines, respectively, at 20 µg/well concentration. Both the nanocomposites also exhibited better antioxidant activity. Total antioxidant activity for SM-CuONC at 50 µg/ml concentration was found to be highest as 55.33 ± 3.72 while that of SM-Co 3 O 4 Ns was 52.00 ± 3.22 mM of ascorbic acid/µg respectively. Both bio-nanocomposites also exhibited 100% mosquito larvicidal activity at concentration ranging from 40 to 50 mg/l. During cytotoxicity study it is noted that at 5 µg/well concentration, SM-CuO and SM-Co 3 O 4 NCs suspension showed more than 97% viability of normal (L929) cell lines. We also studied phytotoxicity of both bio-nanocomposites on Triticum aestivum . In this study, 100% seed germination was observed when seeds are treated with SM-CuONC and SM-Co 3 O 4 NC at 500 mg/l and 250 mg/l concentration respectively. Conclusions This study concludes that in future as synthesized SM-CuONC and SM-Co 3 O 4 NC can be used in pharmaceutical, health care system for betterment and welfare of human life as both bio-nanocomposites exhibits better antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant and mosquito larvicidal potential.