Abstract
Introduction:
Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) have attracted significant interest due to their diverse applications, particularly in antimicrobial treatments. In agriculture, the bacterial pathogen Burkholderia glumae (BG) is recognized as the primary causal agent of bacterial panicle blight (BPB) in rice, a disease that severely reduces yield and grain quality. Current management strategies, including chemical treatments, cultural practices, and resistant cultivars, remain limited by resistance development, inconsistent field performance, and environmental concerns. Therefore, the development of eco-friendly and effective alternatives is urgently needed.
Methods:
In this study, CuNPs were synthesized through a green mycosynthesis approach using Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom) extract, with the synthesis process enhanced via an autoclave-assisted method. The nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Antibacterial activity was evaluated against six BG strains of varying pathogenicity through minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays.
Results:
Characterization confirmed successful nanoparticle formation, with a distinct absorption peak at 374 nm. FESEM images revealed irregular morphologies and a wide size distribution ranging from 41.56 to 131.9 nm, while FTIR spectra indicated functional groups acting as capping and stabilizing agents. Antibacterial testing demonstrated that the synthesized CuNPs were effective against all BG strains, with the lowest bactericidal concentration observed at 2.5 mg/mL.
Conclusion:
These findings highlight the potential of autoclave-assisted mycosynthesized CuNPs as an environmentally sustainable and efficient alternative for the control of B. glumae. Their dual ability to suppress bacterial growth and provide eco-friendly synthesis suggests a promising application in rice disease management and sustainable agriculture.
