Eco-Friendly Production and In-Vitro Assessment of Antibacterial Iron Nanoparticles Synthesized from Achyranthes aspera Leaf Extract: A Comprehensive Characterization Study

Abstract

The remarkable antibiotic properties of Achyranthes aspera leaf extracts have been harnessed in this study to produce iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) with potent antibacterial activity against various pathogens. Serving as both a reducing and capping agent, the phytochemical and protein-rich composition of A. aspera leaves facilitated the eco-friendly synthesis of FeNPs. This study delves into an innovative, environmentally conscious strategy for the production of iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) by utilizing A. aspera leaf extract as a dual-function reducing and capping agent. The resulting FeNPs, endowed with powerful antibacterial attributes, are crafted from the rich phytochemical and protein composition of A. aspera leaves. The comprehensive characterization of these nanoparticles, employing techniques such as energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-visible spectrophotometry, revealed diverse morphologies and agglomeration. The latter, confirmed by EDX analysis, was potentially stabilized by plant proteins. These agglomerated FeNPs are subjected to rigorous in-vitro antibacterial assessments against prevalent human pathogens, namely E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values are discerned, with the MIC established at 500 µg/ml for E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and P. aeruginosa, while S. aureus exhibits a MIC of 1000 µg/ml. This study underscores the ecologically sustainable production of FeNPs through a plant-mediated approach and emphasizes their potential for diverse applications in nanotechnology and biomedicine, presenting Achyranthes aspera as a valuable resource in the quest for sustainable and potent therapeutic solutions.