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Synthesis of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles using pulp and seed aqueous extract of Citrullus colocynth and evaluation of their antimicrobial activity

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Abstract

Objectives

Citrullus colocynth (CTC) is a wild medicinal plant with proven antimicrobial activity. The aim of this study is to investigate the use of its aqueous extract in producing magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) with improved antimicrobial activity. The cold and hot aqueous extract of seed and pulp parts of CTC, respectively, were used to produce MNPs. The particles were characterized by transmission electron microscope, energy dispersion x-ray, FTIR and their surface charge were measured. The antimicrobial activity of the produced particles was assessed against two Gram positive (Bacillus subtillis and Staphylococcus aureus) and two Gram negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria and well as against Candida albicans.

Results

MNPs synthesized using cold seed extract (S-MNP) and pulp extract (P-MNP) were spherical in shape. The size distribution was more uniform in the S-MNP (6–15 nm) compared to the P-MNP (12–45 nm). Both particles showed comparable anti-microbial potential against the tested microorganisms. At a concentration range of 0.48–1000 μg/mL, S-MNP inhibited bacterial growth by 16.0–99.0% and 10.0–91.0%; while P-MNP inhibition was 11.0–100.0% and 11.0–99.0% for Gram positive and negative bacteria; respectively. Candida albicans was the least affected microorganism with maximum inhibition of 63–88% after treatment with S-MNP and P-MNP (1 mg/mL), respectively.

Conclusions

The aqueous extract of CTC can be used for synthesis of MNPs with antimicrobial activity. The described procedures are simple and can be modified for large scale green synthesis of MNPs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahram Canadian University, Cairo, Egypt

    Faten Farouk

  2. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Buraydah Colleges, Qassim, Saudi Arabia and Hot Laboratory Center, Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt

    Mohammed Abdelmageed

  3. Department of Epidemic Disease Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, 31441, Dammam, Saudi Arabia

    Mohammad Azam Ansari

  4. Department of Chemistry, School of Sciences & Engineering, The American University in Cairo, New Cairo, Egypt

    Hassan M. E. Azzazy

Authors
  1. Faten Farouk
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  2. Mohammed Abdelmageed
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  3. Mohammad Azam Ansari
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  4. Hassan M. E. Azzazy
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Correspondence to Faten Farouk or Hassan M. E. Azzazy.

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Farouk, F., Abdelmageed, M., Azam Ansari, M. et al. Synthesis of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles using pulp and seed aqueous extract of Citrullus colocynth and evaluation of their antimicrobial activity. Biotechnol Lett 42, 231–240 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-019-02762-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-019-02762-7

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