*Phytomass-Derived Multifunctional Activated Carbon as a "Wonder-Material"… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99448*

elements such as S & N has been proved responsible for their action [85]. Likewise, it has already been mentioned that ACs derived from phytomass too has these heteroatoms present in the form of organic functional groups in its structure to explain the activity observed against certain human pathogens. It is motivating and interesting to know that the application of kitchen soot was earlier in practice as an antimicrobial and was called "old woman's remedy" [86]. Consequently, natural carbon seemed to occupy a paramount place in household medicine. Scanning of literature shows that not many research reports have appeared pertaining to antibacterial activities of phytomass-derived AC and hence a few valid reports are given here to substantiate the importance of phytomass-derived ACs. Yallappa et al. [87] have done a revolutionary research using groundnut shell-based nano carbon, which proved in-vitro antibacterial activity. In-vitro evaluation of antibacterial efficacy using *Passiflora foetida* derived AC against a score of pathogens has been reported by Dheeban et al. [88]. Similarly, Lakshmi et al. [89] have elaborately reviewed interesting reports on AC nanoparticles from biowaste as a new generation antimicrobial agents.

In yet another research, Shamsi et al. [90] have reported a clear zone of inhibition of carbon nanoparticles obtained from sandal wood bark against *B. cereus*, *E. coli*, *C. violeceum* and *P. notatum*. Sheena et al. [86] have reported enormous

**Figure 9.**

*Antimicrobial activity of* Vitex negundo *leaves AC against gram-positive pathogens (left) & gram-negative pathogens (right) [30].*

**Figure 10.** *Scheme of plausible mechanism of antimicrobial activity of AC [30].*

antimicrobial activity of carbon nanoparticles isolated from natural sources against pathogenic gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Karthik et al. [91] have prepared AC from *Tribulus terrestris* and have proved activity against *E. coli*, *B. subtilis*, *S. aureus*, and *K. pneumoniae*. Anvarsha et al. [30] has recently reported *Vitex negundo*-derived AC and its importance as an antibacterial agent against human pathogens. Zone of inhibition was measured with reference to 5% DMSO and values are plotted in **Figure 9**. A schematic of mechanism of antimicrobial activity of AC particles is shown in **Figure 10**, which is self explanatory.

All these reports conclude that carbon materials produced from the chemical activation of phytomass still has huge potentials against various bacterial strains and that in-depth investigation should be devoted for a commercial success in the near future. Hopefully, the results envisaged through the above studies would certainly attract researchers globally to study various phytomass-derived carbons as novel and affordable therapeutic agents which can effectively inhibit the growth of various strains of microbes.

#### **4. Summary, conclusions and future prospects**

The objective of the chapter is to appreciate and provide details of the multifunctional aspects of zero-cost phytomass-derived AC in the areas where the most coveted commercial AC is hitherto celebrating. Fundamental aspects of AC were discussed initially followed by six important applications of the phytomassderived AC to understand the value-added advantages of phytomass-derived AC. It is well documented that the preparation of carbonaceous materials from phytomass or biomass wastes has also important added advantages such as an effective management of the wastes and lower synthesis costs. Consequently, this chapter is a fair consolidation of research done on six major fields where the novel phytomass-derived AC can find applications equal to commercial ACs now. Nonetheless, researchers are still looking for practical and affordable carbons which can be applied at the commercial scale that leads to improved performance and applications in future.

With the authors' own experience in the title subject and with a global view to realize the suitability and applicability of the synthesized phytomass-derived ACs in the commercial quarters, the problems of significance which may invite research attention has been identified and have been listed below.

