Biosynthesis of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles mediated Allium cepa extract: Chemical characterization and antimicrobial applications

Scientists have become more interested in the use of plant extracts as efficient capping and reducing agents for the environmentally friendly fabrication of nanoparticles. In the current study, the Iraqi onion extract ( Allium cepa ) was prepared and subsequently used as a reducing agent for the biosynthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. UV-visible, FT-IR, XRD, TEM, FESEM, and EDS investigations were used to characterize nanoparticles. The in vitro cytotoxicity of both A. cepa extract and Fe3O4 NPs was evaluated in MDCK-SIAT cells using the MTT test, and the antiviral activity of Fe3O4 NPs was investigated using the Neuraminidase Assay Kit MAK12. The antibacterial activities of A. cepa extract and Fe3O4 NPs were investigated against S. aureus , and E. coli using a disk-diffusion approach. Our results showed the generation of stable, crystalline, and semi-spherical, 36 ± 1.23 nm-sized Fe3O4 nanoparticles, and had strong antibacterial, and antiviral activities, assuming that onion peel extract is an excellent choice for producing Fe3O4 nanoparticles, which may be utilized in the future for a range of therapeutic objectives.