Green synthesis of Iron oxide nanoparticles using Lagenaria siceraria and evaluation of its Antimicrobial activity

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) with appropriate surface chemistry exhibit many interesting properties that can be exploited in a variety of biomedical applications such as magnetic resonance imaging contrast enhancement, tissue repair, hyperthermia, drug delivery and in cell separation. In this study unexplored Lagenaria siceraria leaves extract was found to be capable in green synthesis of Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 -NPs) and their characteristics were studied by using UV-visible spectrophotometer, SEM, EDX, XRD, Zeta sizer and FT-IR. Thus synthesized Fe 3 O 4 -NPs were naturally stabilized, cubic shaped and in the size range of 30-100 nm. The phytochemicals present in the leaf has a main role as reducing agent that assists to the eco friendly synthesis of Fe 3 O 4 -NPs with enhanced antioxidant property. Functional groups present on the NPs are mainly –OH and –COOH (FT-IR) makes it hydrophilic hence NPs does not need any further functional modification for applications. The antimicrobial property of synthesized Fe 3 O 4 -NPs was evaluated against Gram negative - Escherchia coli, Gram positive- Staphylococcus aureus, The Zone of inhibition was found to be 10 mm for Escherchia coli, and 8 mm for Staphylococcus aureus. Thus naturally stabilized Fe 3 O 4 -NPs with herbal property can be used in various biological applications.