Physico-chemical characteristics and cytotoxicity evaluation of CuO and TiO2 nanoparticles biosynthesized using extracts of Mucuna pruriens utilis seeds

The green synthesis approach to nanoparticles has been widely received as an alternative to the conventional methods, specifically for applications in areas such as biology, agriculture and medicine, where toxicity is of great concern. In this study, copper oxide (CuO) and titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using an aqueous extract of Mucuna pruriens utilis seed. The morphology and structural characterization of the NPs were achieved by using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement, while the elemental composition was studied using electron diffraction X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). A monoclinic phase of CuO and anatase phases of TiO2 with high crystallinity were confirmed from the diffraction patterns of the XRD. Both TEM and SEM micrographs of the CuO confirmed short rod-shaped nanostructure, while spherical morphologies were obtained for the TiO2 NPs. The EDS study indicated that the composition of the samples conformed with the identified products in the XRD and attest to the purity of the NPs. The nanoparticles exhibited a dose-dependent profile in MTT cytotoxicity assay with some cell specificity. However, the anticancer potential of these NPs was still lower than that of the standard anticancer drug, 5-fluorouracil. Agricultural nanotechnology; Copper oxide; Titanium oxide; Biosynthesis; Cytotoxicity; Mucuna pruriens utilis.