Synthesis, morphological analysis, antibacterial activity of iron oxide nanoparticles and the cytotoxic effect on lung cancer cell line

Focusing on the huge importance associated in developing functional materials, this research study describes the synthesis, characterization of morphology, bactericidal activity and cytotoxic effect of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs). IONPs have been successfully fabricated through thermal decomposition of a diiron(III) complex precursor. The morphology of the nanoparticle has been delineated with different spectroscopic and analytic methods. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (FE-SEM and HR-TEM) analyses estimate the cross linked porous structure of IONPs with an average size ~97 nm. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) study of IONPs determines the hydrodynamic diameter as 104 nm. The cytotoxic behavior of IONPs has been examined against human lung cancer cell line (A549) through different fluorescence staining studies which ensure the mode of apoptosis for cell death of A549. Furthermore, measurement of reactive oxygen species suggests the destruction of mitochondrial membrane of Staphylococcus aureus, leading to effective bactericidal propensity which holds a good promise for IONPs to become a clinically approved antibacterial agent.

Keywords: Antibacterial activity; Cytotoxic effect; Inorganic chemistry; Iron oxide nanoparticles; Materials chemistry; Reactive oxygen species; Scanning electron microscopy images.