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

<p class="p1">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 <em>Lagenaria siceraria </em>leaves extract was found to be capable in green synthesis of Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe<span class="s2">3</span>O<span class="s2">4</span>-NPs) and their characteristics were studied by using UV-visible spectrophotometer, SEM, EDX, XRD, Zeta sizer and FT-IR. Thus synthesized Fe<span class="s2">3</span>O<span class="s2">4</span>-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<span class="s2">3</span>O<span class="s2">4</span>-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<span class="s2">3</span>O<span class="s2">4</span>-NPs was evaluated against Gram negative - <em>Escherchia coli, </em>Gram positive- <em>Staphylococcus aureus, </em>The Zone of inhibition was found to be 10 mm for <em>Escherchia coli, </em>and 8 mm for <em>Staphylococcus aureus. </em>Thus naturally stabilized Fe<span class="s2">3</span>O<span class="s2">4</span>-NPs with herbal property can be used in various biological applications.</p>