Biopolymer-mediated synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and investigation of their in vitro cytotoxicity effects

Abstract

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs; Fe3O4) were synthesized by a “green” co-precipitation method in aqueous starch solution as a food media. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns indicated that the synthesized samples were pure Fe3O4 with a spinel structure, and the coating of starch did not undergo any phase change. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra confirmed the formation of starch coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) micrographs illustrated the formation of nanoparticles in the size range of below 25 nm. Magnetic measurements revealed that the saturated magnetization of the starch-SPIONs reached 36.5 emu/g. The non-toxic effect of SPIONs concentration below 50 and 100 μg/ml was observed in the studies of in vitro cytotoxicity on normal and cancerous cell lines, respectively. The dose dependent toxicity made it a suitable candidate for various medical applications.