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Mesoporous carbon nanospheres derived from agro-waste as novel antimicrobial agents against gram-negative bacteria

Abstract

Porous carbon nanospheres were synthesized from agro-waste garlic peels by a one-pot facile and easy to scale-up pyrolysis method. Surface morphology and structural features of the nanospheres have been studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and N2 adsorption desorption experiments were explored to detect surface functionality, surface area, and porosity. Average particle diameter of the synthesized nanospheres was 31 ± 6.3 nm and zeta potential of − 25.2 mV ± 1.75 mV. Nanoscale carbon was mesoporous in nature with type IV isotherms, mean pore diameter of 15.2 nm, and total pore volume of 0.032 cm3/g. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values of carbon nanospheres against Escherichia coli are 480 ± 0.5 μg/ml and 495 ± 0.5 μg/ml, respectively. Synthesized nanospheres exhibited gram-selective antimicrobial action against Escherichia coli probably linked to membrane deformity due to interaction of nanocarbon with the bacterial membrane. Carbon nanospheres resulting from waste to wealth transformation emerged as promising candidates for antibacterial application.

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Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgments

P Roy and S Saha are grateful to the Chancellor, Adamas University, and Dean, School of Pharmaceutical Technology, for extending the university facilities for the implementation of the research. One of the authors Gurumurthy Hegde would like to thank DST-Nanomission for providing grant with file number SR/NM/NT-1026/2017.

Funding

DST-Nanomission provided grant with file number SR/NM/NT-1026/2017.

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PR and GH designed, analyzed, revised the data, and wrote the manuscript. VB and SS conducted the experiments both in nano- and antibacterial activities. DS, SD, and SD are responsible for conducting biologically related studies and correlating the nano with bio along with paper drafting.

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Correspondence to Gurumurthy Hegde.

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Roy, P., Bhat, V.S., Saha, S. et al. Mesoporous carbon nanospheres derived from agro-waste as novel antimicrobial agents against gram-negative bacteria. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 13552–13561 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11587-1

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Keywords

  • Carbon nanospheres
  • Mesoporous
  • Garlic peels
  • Escherichia coli
  • Antimicrobial