Abstract:
General Background: Water contamination by pathogenic bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli, poses serious public health risks, necessitating the development of effective antibacterial agents. Specific Background: Nanoparticles synthesized via green chemistry offer an environmentally sustainable alternative for bacterial control, with metal oxide nanoparticles demonstrating promising antimicrobial properties. Knowledge Gap: Despite extensive research on metal oxide nanoparticles, comparative studies on Fe₂O₃ and MgO nanoparticles synthesized from Allium sativum extract remain limited, particularly regarding their antibacterial efficacy against E. coli in contaminated water. Aims: This study investigates the antibacterial activity and characterization of Fe₂O₃ and MgO nanoparticles synthesized via a green synthesis method using Allium sativum extract, evaluating their efficacy against E. coli isolates. Results: Characterization via X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the structural and morphological properties of the nanoparticles. Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles exhibited superior antibacterial activity, generating 20 mm inhibition zones compared to MgO's 12-15 mm zones, attributed to their smaller size (24.41 nm), amorphous nature, and increased surface area. Novelty: This study highlights the potential of Allium sativum-mediated Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles as a more effective antibacterial agent than MgO nanoparticles. Implications: These findings support the application of green-synthesized metal oxide nanoparticles in sustainable water treatment solutions, contributing to advancements in antimicrobial technology.
Highlights:
- Higher Antibacterial Efficiency – Fe₂O₃ outperforms MgO in inhibition zones.
- Eco-Friendly Synthesis – Allium sativum ensures green nanoparticle production.
- Water Treatment Potential – Effective against bacterial contamination in water.
Keywords: Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles, MgO nanoparticles, antibacterial activity, green synthesis, water treatment
References
B. M. Mustafa and N. E. Hassan, “Water Contamination and Its Effects on Human Health: A Review,” J. Geogr. Environ. Earth Sci. Int., vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 38–49, 2024.
D. B. Olawade et al., “Nanoparticles for Microbial Control in Water: Mechanisms, Applications, and Ecological Implications,” Front. Nanotechnol., vol. 6, p. 1427843, 2024.
S. Elhenawy et al., “Emerging Nanomaterials for Drinking Water Purification: A New Era of Water Treatment Technology,” Nanomaterials, vol. 14, no. 21, p. 1707, 2024.
P. M. de Souza, A. K. Mahapatra, and E. P. da Silva, “Emerging Technologies for Water Decontamination: Ensuring Safe and Clean Water,” in Emerging Trends and Technologies in Water Management and Conservation, 1st ed., vol. 1, 2025, pp. 35–86.
D. B. Olawade et al., “Nanoparticles for Microbial Control in Water: Mechanisms, Applications, and Ecological Implications,” Front. Nanotechnol., vol. 6, p. 1427843, 2024.
D. Dey, S. Chowdhury, and R. Sen, “Insight Into Recent Advances on Nanotechnology-Mediated Removal of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria and Genes,” J. Water Process Eng., vol. 52, p. 103535, 2023.
S. H. Khan, “Green Nanotechnology for the Environment and Sustainable Development,” in Green Materials for Wastewater Treatment, 1st ed., 2020, pp. 13–46.
N. T. T. Nguyen et al., “Formation, Antimicrobial Activity, and Biomedical Performance of Plant-Based Nanoparticles: A Review,” Environ. Chem. Lett., vol. 20, no. 4, pp. 2531–2571, 2022.
J. D. Van Elsas et al., “Survival of Escherichia Coli in the Environment: Fundamental and Public Health Aspects,” ISME J., vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 173–183, 2011.
K. Mongkolsuttirat and J. Buajarern, “Uncertainty Evaluation of Crystallite Size Measurements of Nanoparticle Using X-Ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD),” J. Phys.: Conf. Ser., vol. 1719, no. 1, 2021.
O. A. Bulavchenko and Z. S. Vinokurov, “In Situ X-Ray Diffraction as a Basic Tool to Study Oxide and Metal Oxide Catalysts,” Catalysts, vol. 13, no. 11, p. 1421, 2023.
P. K. Stoimenov et al., “Metal Oxide Nanoparticles as Bactericidal Agents,” Langmuir, vol. 18, no. 17, pp. 6679–6686, 2002.
M. Arakha et al., “Antimicrobial Activity of Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Upon Modulation of Nanoparticle-Bacteria Interface,” Sci. Rep., vol. 5, no. 1, p. 14813, 2015.
J. Jiang, G. Oberdörster, and P. Biswas, “Characterization of Size, Surface Charge, and Agglomeration State of Nanoparticle Dispersions for Toxicological Studies,” J. Nanoparticle Res., vol. 11, pp. 77–89, 2009.
R. M. Cornell and U. Schwertmann, The Iron Oxides: Structure, Properties, Reactions, Occurrences, and Uses, 2nd ed. Weinheim, Germany: Wiley-VCH, 2003.
F. Paladini et al., “Surface Chemical and Biological Characterization of Flax Fabrics Modified With Silver Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications,” Mater. Sci. Eng. C, vol. 52, pp. 1–10, 2015.
P. K. Stoimenov et al., “Metal Oxide Nanoparticles as Bactericidal Agents,” Langmuir, vol. 18, no. 17, pp. 6679–6686, 2002.