Magnetic Properties and Biological Activity Evaluation of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

The aim of this study was to provide information about the biological properties of iron oxide nanoparticles (IO‐NPs) obtained in an aqueous suspension. The IO‐NPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Analysis of hysteresis loops data at room temperature for magnetic IO‐NPs sample indicated that the IO‐NPs were superparamagnetic at room temperature. The calculated saturation magnetization for magnetic iron oxide was M s = 18.1 emu/g. The antimicrobial activity of the obtained PMC‐NPs was tested against Gram‐negative ( Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1397, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922), Gram‐positive ( Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Bacillus subtilis IC 12488) bacterial as well as fungal ( Candida krusei 963) strains. The obtained results suggested that the antimicrobial activity of IO‐NPs is dependent on the metallic ions concentrations and on the microbial growth state, either planktonic or adherent. The obtained IO‐NPs exhibited no cytotoxic effect on HeLa cells at the active antimicrobial concentrations.