Metallic nanoparticles synthesized using aqueous plant extracts are environment-friendly, biocompatible, and highly stable. The aim of this study was to synthesize iron nanoparticles using aqueous Ageratum conyzoides extracts and evaluating their antimicrobial and photocatalytic properties. The particles were analysed using UV-Vis spectrophotometer, FT-IR Spectrophotometer, X-ray diffractometer and Scanning electron microscope. GC-MS profile of the extracts revealed presence of secondary metabolites which were further quantified to determine the total phenolic and total flavonoids content of the extracts. The antibacterial activity of the plant extract and the synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles was evaluated against five microorganisms using agar well diffusion method. Iron nanoparticles synthesized in a one step process observed using visible spectra and the functional groups present such as C=O were identified from IR spectrum. SEM-EDX profile identified presence of iron, oxygen, chlorine, calcium in the particles while XRD data revealed the particles synthesized were composed oxides of iron which had moderate activity against the selected microorganisms as compared to the antibiotic ciprofloxacin. The particles were able to photocatalytic degrade methylene blue with a degradation efficiency of 92%. The results obtained in this study confirms that Ageratum conyzoides can play an important role in the bioreduction of Fe ions to FeNPs which have moderate activity against microorganisms and can act as photocatalyst to degrade methylene blue.

Green synthesized metallic nanoparticles are environmentally friendly, bio-compatible, and highly stable. The aim of this study was to synthesize iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) from FeCl 3 solution using aqueous leaf extracts of Galinsoga parviflora (Gp), Conyza bonariensis (Cb) and Bidens pilosa (Bp) and use them in degradation of methylene blue dye. The iron nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometer, FT-IR spectrophotometer, X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Phytochemical screening for presence of secondary metabolites revealed presence of phenolics, phytosterols and flavonoids. The total phenolic and flavonoid content in Galinsoga parviflora, Conyza bonariensis and Bidens pilosa leaf extracts were 57.67 ± 1.27, 117.13 ± 0.03, 126.27 ± 0.013 mg Gallic Equivalent/g of Dry Weight (mg GAE/g DW) and 39.00 ± 0.56, 45.50 ± 0.59, 33.13 ± 0.81 mg Rutin Equivalent/g of Dry Weight (mg RE/g DW) respectively. The UV-Vis spectrum of FeCl 3 had a shoulder at 320 nm, which disappeared upon addition of G. parviflora, C. bonariensis and B. pilosa extracts confirming formation of iron nanoparticles. Evaluation of iron content of the synthesized nanoparticles revealed that the iron content in G. parviflora, C. bonariensis and B. pilosa extracts was 51, 47 and 44% respectively. XRD data revealed presence of a large amorphous coating that masked iron peaks, though 2 theta values observed have been reported to be of iron oxides. Methylene blue degradation studies revealed that CbNPs, BpNPs and GpNPs synthesized were good biocatalysts as they degraded the dye by 86, 84.3 and 92% respectively. Therefore, green synthesized iron nanoparticles is cost effective and environmentally safe in providing insight in the environmental removal of dyes.

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