Biosynthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles from dates, characterization, and investigation of anticarcinogenic and antimicrobial properties

Nanomaterial synthesis using natural biological systems, especially plant-based green synthesis has evinced great excitement and interest. In this study, iron oxide nanomaterials were synthesized from three different varieties of date palms obtained from Srivilliputhur, Tamil Nadu, India. The extract of date palms reduced ferric chloride in solution and facilitated the formation of iron oxide nanomaterials. Phytochemical studies of the extracts obtained from all three varieties of date palms indicated the presence of phenols. The synthesized nanomaterials were characterized by UV-VIS spectroscopy, SEM, EDAX, XRD and FTIR methods. The ability of the synthesized nanomaterials to inhibit human microbial pathogens proliferation was tested in Staphylococcus sp. and Bacillus sp. by turbidity method and recorded the maximum antimicrobial property against Bacillus sp. in the iron nanomaterial synthesized from Sukhri date palm. The cytotoxic potential of the iron oxide nanomaterials was assessed against two human cancer cell lines (A-549 and MDA-MB-231) by MTT assay. The substantial cytotoxicity response was detected from the iron oxide nanomaterials made from Sukhri date palm.