Green Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Efficacy against Multi Drug Resistant Bacteria and Fungi

Nanoparticles are increasingly used to target bacteria as an alternative to antibiotics. Nanotechnology may be particularly advantageous in treating bacterial and fungal infections. The antimicrobial mechanisms of Nanoparticles were reported due to oxidative stress induction, metal ion release, and non-oxidative mechanisms. Plant mediated synthesis is preferred due to ecofriendly nature and enhanced quality of the synthesized nanoparticles. This study investigated the phytochemical analysis of the major bioactive constituents of medicinal important plant of Punica granatum peels in its aqueous extract and green synthesis of Iron oxide nanoparticles, their characterization and antimicrobial activity. Qualitative preliminary phytochemical screening was performed on Punica granatum peels aqueous extract for flavonoid, phytosterol, steroids, amino acids and protein, saponins, carbohydrate, phenol and tannin, etc. The characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles was done by using UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The antimicrobial activity of these nanoparticles was studied against Escherichia coli, Staphylococus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus vulgaris, Candida albicans, and Candida tropicalis. The peels aqueous extract of Punica granatum quickly reduced particles and enhanced synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles with highly antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial properties of iron oxide nanoparticles were found to be effective against tested bacteria and fungi. It can be concluded that the iron oxide nanoparticles constitute an effective antimicrobial agent against common pathogenic microorganisms.