Morphology-Controlled Green Synthesis of Magnetic Nanoparticles Using Extracts of ‘Hairy’ Roots: Environmental Application and Toxicity Evaluation

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were “green” synthesized from a FeCl3/FeSO4/CoCl2 mixture using ethanolic extracts of Artemisia tilesii Ledeb ‘hairy’ roots. The effect of chemical composition and reducing power of ethanolic extracts on the morphology, size destribution and other features of obtained MNPs was evaluated. Depending on the extract properties, nanosized magnetic materials of spherical (8–11 nm), nanorod-like (15–24 nm) and cubic (14–24 nm) shapes were obtained via self-assembly. Microspherical MNPs composed of nanoclusters were observed when using extract of the control root line in the synthesis. Polyhedral magnetic nanoparticles with an average size of ~30 nm were formed using ‘hairy’ root ethanolic extract without any additive. Studied samples manifested excellent magnetic characteristics. Field-dependent magnetic measurements of most MNPs demonstrated a saturation magnetization of 42.0–72.9 emu/g with negligible coercivity (∼0.02–0.29 emu/g), indicating superparamagnetic behaviour only for solids with a magnetite phase. The synthesized MNPs were minimally aggregated and well-dispersed in aqueous medium, probably due to their stabilization by bioactive compounds in the initial extract. The nanoparticles were tested for magnetic solid-phase extraction of copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) pollutants in aqueous solution, followed by ICP-OES analysis. The magnetic oxides, mainly magnetite, showed high adsorption capacity and effectively removed arsenic ions at pH 6.7. The maximum adsorption capacity was ~150 mg/g for As(III, V) on the selected MNPs with cubic morphology, which is higher than that of previously reported adsorbents. The best adsorption was achieved using Fe3O4-based nanomaterials with low crystallinity, non-spherical form and a large number of surface-localized organic molecules. The phytotoxicity of the obtained MNPs was estimated in vitro using lettuce and chicory as model plants. The obtained MNPs did not exhibit inhibitory activity. This work provides novel insights on the morphology of “green” synthesized magnetic nanoparticles that can be used for applications in adsorption technologies.

Green biologically synthesized metal nanoparticles: biological applications, optimizations and future prospects

“…Kobylinska et al green FeCl 3 /FeSO 4 /CoCl 2 mixture purified from the haiy root extract of Artemisia tilesii exhibited supermagnetic properties with no phyto-toxicities against Cichorium intybus and Lactuca sativa plants which are known for their distinguishably high and active seed germination rates. The seeds are thought to be more sensitive to metal toxicities and the study denotes that green oxide MNPs have no effect of germination rates of seeds suggesting their environmental safety [ 289 ].…”

Embracing Sustainability in the Industry: A Study of Environmental, Economic, and Exergetic Performances in Large-Scale Production of Magnetite Nanoparticles

“…Another study by Kobylinska et al investigated the use of ethanolic extracts of Artemisia tilesii Ledeb "hairy" roots to synthesize MNPs. 15 The findings revealed that this approach resulted in the production of MNPs with favorable magnetic properties that are minimally aggregated and well-dispersed in aqueous medium. Additionally, phytotoxicity analysis demonstrated that the biosynthesized MNPs had no inhibitory effect on two plant species, further highlighting their potential for environmentally friendly applications.…”

“…Moreover, these NPs can be used as efficient adsorbents in the treatment of water and wastewater. Another study by Kobylinska et al investigated the use of ethanolic extracts of Artemisia tilesii Ledeb “hairy” roots to synthesize MNPs . The findings revealed that this approach resulted in the production of MNPs with favorable magnetic properties that are minimally aggregated and well-dispersed in aqueous medium.…”

Plant-Mediated Synthesis of Magnetite Nanoparticles with Matricaria chamomilla Aqueous Extract

“…For example, magnetite NPs have been successfully synthesized using biomaterials such as Dolichos lablab extract, Musa acuminata peel ash, Cynara carduncculus leaf extract, Quince ( Cydonia oblonga Miller) seed extract, Aloe vera and Flaxseed extract, Kappaphycus alvarezii seaweed, the natural rubber latex of Hevea brasiliensis , lemon juice, Parkia speciosa Hassk. pod extract, the plant root extract of Chromolaena odorata , Artemisia tilesii L. “hairy” roots, Calotropis procera aqueous leaf extract, and Ficus Benghalensis plant leaf extracts [ 13 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. As already mentioned, plant substances can have multiple functions, so that no additional agents are needed.…”