Glucosamine functionalized copper nanoparticles (GlcN-Cu NPs) were synthesized for anti-bacterial function. Electron microscopic characterization revealed the hybrid morphology, selected-area electron diffraction pattern and elemental mapping of GlcN-Cu NPs. Average particle size distribution was 93 8 nm. GlcN functionalization allowed significant shift in the ultraviolet (UV)-visible absorbance at 525 nm and fluorescent emission wavelength at approximately 353 nm for Cu NPs. Stretching and bending vibrations from Fourier transform-infrared and Raman analysis ensured GlcN functionalization on Cu NPs. We demonstrated the enhanced anti-bacterial property of GlcN-Cu NPs against two Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains by UV irradiation of prepared materials for 10 and 20 min. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determinations revealed that UV irradiated GlcN-Cu NPs possessed enhanced anti-bacterial activity than simple Cu NPs, Cu metal salt and standard anti-biotic kanamycin. MIC for GlcN-Cu NPs was 4 mu g/mL for Escherichia coil and 8 mg/mL for Salmonella typhimurium, Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus subtilis, confirming its potential as an anti-infective agent for the protection of medical instruments, water treatment and in food processing. Crown Copyright (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.