Abstract. Small particles of magnetite, i.e. 7.5, 13.4 and 14.1 nm in diameter, were obtained by the method of co-precipitation. The crystal structure and size distributions were determined by means of transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The magnetic properties of the nanoparticles were tested by Mössbauer spectroscopy within the temperature range from 3 K to room temperature (RT). The Mössbauer study of magnetic nanoparticles reveals relaxation behaviour related to the existence of the superparamagnetic phase. The blocking temperature depends on the sizes of the nanoparticles and the ammonia concentration.
Candida albicans is one of the most frequently isolated fungal pathogens causing opportunistic infections in humans. Targeted magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) is a promising method in thermal therapy facilitating selective heating of pathogen cells like C. albicans. In the paper, we used meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA)-coated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and functionalised anti-C. albicans immunomagnetic nanoparticles (IMNPs) to investigate the potential of MFH in combating C. albicans cells in vitro. Using Mössbauer spectroscopy it was found that synthesised MNPs exhibited superparamagnetic phenomena. On the basis of calorimetric experiments, the maximum SAR (specific absorption rate) was found and a proper concentration of MNPs was established to control the temperature. MFH based on both DMSA-coated MNPs and functionalised anti-C. albicans IMNPs was more effective in combating C. albicans cells in vitro than thermostat hyperthermia. Especially promising results were obtained using functionalised IMNPs, which eradicated most of the pathogen colonies at the temperature of 43 °C.
Abstract. The paper presents the investigation of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) dedicated to hyperthermia application. The crystal structure and size distributions have been determined by means of transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Magnetic properties of the nanoparticles were tested by Mössbauer spectroscopy together with calorimetric experiments. The Mössbauer spectroscopic study of MNPs revealed the existence of a superparamagnetic phase. The relative contribution of the relaxing component to the total spectrum at room temperature was about 10%. The heating effect of these MNPs under alternating magnetic fi eld was examined. The temperature increase has reached 5°C in 10 min. The preliminary temperature rise suggests that the investigated materials are applicable for hyperthermia.
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