BIOGENIC SYNTHESIS OF Fe3O4 NANOPARTICLES USING TRIDAX PROCUMBENS LEAF EXTRACT AND ITS ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY ON PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA

Abstract

Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4) were rapidly synthesized by reduction of ferric chloride solution with Tridax procumbens leaf extract containing carbohydrates as a major component which act as reducing agent. The results indicated that water-soluble carbohydrates which have aldehyde groups may cause the formation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The purification process of the Fe3O4 product does not require any expensive methods, since solid product is obtained from the reaction in liquid phase. The antibacterial effect of Fe3O4 nanoparticles against Pseudomonas aeruginosa was investigated as a model for Gram-negative bacteria. Bacteriological tests were performed in Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium on solid agar plates and in liquid systems supplemented with different concentrations of nanosized Fe3O4 particles. These particles were shown to be an effective bactericide. The resulting Fe3O4 nanoparticles were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), UVVIS absorption and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.