Biosynthesis of Stable Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Aqueous Extracts of Hordeum vulgare and Rumex acetosa Plants

Abstract

We report the synthesis and characterization of amorphous iron oxide nanoparticles from iron salts in aqueous extracts of monocotyledonous (Hordeum vulgare) and dicotyledonous (Rumex acetosa) plants. The nanoparticles were characterized by TEM, absorbance spectroscopy, SAED, EELS, XPS, and DLS methods and were shown to contain mainly iron oxide and iron oxohydroxide. H. vulgare extracts produced amorphous iron oxide nanoparticles with diameters of up to 30 nm. These iron nanoparticles are intrinsically unstable and prone to aggregation; however, we rendered them stable in the long term by addition of 40 mM citrate buffer pH 3.0. In contrast, amorphous iron oxide nanoparticles (diameters of 10-40 nm) produced using R. acetosa extracts are highly stable. The total protein content and antioxidant capacity are similar for both extracts, but pH values differ (H. vulgare pH 5.8 vs R. acetosa pH 3.7). We suggest that the presence of organic acids (such oxalic or citric acids) plays an important role in the stabilization of iron nanoparticles, and that plants containing such constituents may be more efficacious for the green synthesis of iron nanoparticles.

Green Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Mediated by Actinodaphne madraspatna Bedd Leaves

“…The selected area electron diffraction (Fig. 2d) pattern does not shows any prominent diffraction spots/rings which insist that synthesized FeONPs are amorphous in nature [14]. The FT-IR measurements were carried out to identify the role of phytoconstituents of Actinodaphne madraspatna Bedd leaves extract in the formation of FeONPs.…”

Rapid Synthesis of Gold Nano-Particles Using Pulse Waved Potential in a Non-Aqueous Electrolyte

“…This method was reported by Turkevitch, et al in 1951 and was able to produce AuNPs with a particle size of 10-20 nm of [10][11]. The AuNPs produced by this chemical method were able to be synthesized easily, however there are many problems stemming from this process such as acid waste, environmental pollution, and difficulties in controlling size and distribution of the particles [12][13].…”

An Overview: Biological Organisms That Serves as Nanofactories for Metallic Nanoparticles Synthesis and Fungi Being the Most Appropriate

“…For example from Hordeum vulgare (monocotyledonous) and Rumex acetosa (dicotyledonous) plants, iron oxide nanoparticles were produced [15]. In addition to that, Diopyros kaki leaf extract is known for the green production of platinum nano crystals [16], gold nanocrystals using Gnidia glauca flower extract [17], silver and gold nano crystals from Aloe Vera extract [18] and clove [19] have been reported.…”