Cobalt-bismuth (Co-Bi) nanocomposites have emerged as promising candidates for biomedical applications due to their unique physicochemical and biological properties. In this study, Co-Bi nanoparticles (50:50 ratio) were synthesized using the sol-gel method and characterized through UV- Vis, FT-IR, SEM, EDS, and XRD analysis. Their biological activity was assessed in terms of anticancer potential against A549 human lung carcinoma cells using the MTT assay, and antifungal efficacy against selected pathogenic strains using the agar well diffusion method. Characterization confirmed the successful formation of nanoscale Co-Bi composites with uniform morphology and elemental distribution. The MTT assay demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxicity, resulting in significant inhibition of A549 cell proliferation. Similarly, antifungal screening revealed distinct zones of inhibition, indicating strong nanoparticle-mediated growth suppression. The observed bioactivity can be attributed to the synergistic effects of cobalt and bismuth, which induce oxidative stress and disrupt microbial and cellular pathways. These findings highlight the dual therapeutic potential of sol-gel-synthesized Co-Bi nanocomposites, suggesting their potential use in the development of antifungal and anticancer drugs.

Keywords: cobalt-bismuth nanocomposites; sol-gel synthesis; anticancer activity; antifungal activity; MTT assay