Abstract

Chromium oxide nanoparticles (NPs) were rapidly synthesized by reduction of potassium dichromate solution with a Tridax procumbens leaf extract containing carbohydrates as a major component which act as reducing agent. The results indicated that watersoluble carbohydrates which have aldehyde group may cause the formation of Cr2O3 nanoparticles. The purification process of the Cr2O3 product does not require expensive methods, since a solid product is obtained from a reaction in liquid phase. The antibacterial effect of Cr2O3 nanoparticles against Escherichia coli was investigated as a model for Gram-negative bacteria. Bacteriological tests were performed in Luria–Bertani (LB) medium on solid agar plates and in liquid systems supplemented with different concentrations of nanosized Cr2O3 particles. These particles were shown to be an effective bactericide. The resulting Cr2O3 nanoparticles were characterized by XRay Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), UV-VIS absorption and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.

Keywords: Tridax procumbens, potassium dichromate solution, Cr2O3 nanoparticles, E. coli