Mycosynthesis of Hematite (α-Fe2O3) Nanoparticles Using Aspergillus niger and Their Antimicrobial and Photocatalytic Activities

Abstract

Nanoparticles (NPs) and nanomaterials (NMs) are now widely used in a variety of applications, including medicine, solar energy, drug delivery, water treatment, and pollution detection. Hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticles (Hem-NPs) were manufactured in this work by utilizing a cost-effective and ecofriendly approach that included a biomass filtrate of A. niger AH1 as a bio-reducer. The structural and optical properties of Hem-NPs were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and UV-visible and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. The results revealed that all of the studied parameters, as well as their interactions, had a significant impact on the crystallite size. The average diameter size of the biosynthesized Hem-NPs ranged between 60 and 80 nm. The antimicrobial and photocatalytic activities of Hem-NPs were investigated. The antimicrobial results of Hem-NPs revealed that Hem-NPs exhibited antibacterial activity against E. coli, B. subtilis, and S. mutans with MICs of 125, 31.25, and 15.62 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, Hem-NPs exhibited antifungal activity against C. albicans and A. fumigatus, where the MICs were 2000 and 62.5 µg/mL, respectively. The efficiency of biosynthesized Hem-NPs was determined for the rapid biodegradation of crystal violet (CV) dye, reaching up to 97 percent after 150 min. Furthermore, Hem-NPs were successfully used more than once for biodegradation and that was regarded as its efficacy. In conclusion, Hem-NPs were successfully biosynthesized using A. niger AH1 and demonstrated both antimicrobial activity and photocatalytic activity against CV dye.

Antifungal Activity of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) against Aspergilli Causing Aspergillosis: Ultrastructure Study

“…The study of natural systems has led to the development of microbial and plant-extract-based methods that have replaced nanosynthesis. Microorganisms have drawn a lot of interest in the green production of nanomaterials [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. The biological and physicochemical properties of these nanoparticles are valuable in various applications in many fields, including biomedical and agricultural production [ 13 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ].…”

Green Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of Ag/Fe2O3 Nanocomposite Using Buddleja lindleyana Extract

“…Leaf extract-mediated synthesis of Fe 2 O 3 NPs is gaining the attention of researchers because of its lower toxicity compared to other chemical reduction methods [ 28 ]. Due to their potential utility in targeted drug administration and magnetic hyperthermia cancer treatment, extensive study has been completed on the anticancer properties of Fe 2 O 3 NPs [ 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 ]. There have been very few reports of investigations on the creation of Ag/Fe 2 O 3 NPs.…”

Mycosynthesis of Silica Nanoparticles Using Aspergillus niger: Control of Alternaria solani Causing Early Blight Disease, Induction of Innate Immunity and Reducing of Oxidative Stress in Eggplant

“…The fabrication of nanomaterials is one of nanotechnology’s most challenging and rapidly expanding sectors [ 24 ]. Nanoparticle synthesis can be accomplished through physical, chemical, or biological methods [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. The employment of biological mass, such as bacteria, fungus, yeast, plant extract or biomass, and algal extract or biomass, is an alternative to conventional methods for the ecofriendly, healthier, faster, and less expensive synthesis of nanoparticles [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”