Synthesis, Characterization, and Biomedical Applications of Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Vehicles Containing Antimicrobial Molecules

Abstract

The present project focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of the cytotoxicity of iron oxide nanoparticles, specifically magnetite (Fe3O4), with the purpose of exploring their potential as a vehicle for antimicrobial molecules.In this context, the physicochemical properties of these nanoparticles (NPs) will be examined, which will be synthesized through the coprecipitation method using iron salts and the introduction of a weak base.The initial objective of this project is to investigate the factors affecting the structure, morphology, and magnetic and optical properties of this class of compounds, as these elements play a crucial role in the characteristics of these materials. The approach will involve the surface functionalization of the particles using biocompatible molecules, such as glutathione, in various proportions relative to the surface of the nanoparticles and the chosen ligand. In a second phase, the anchoring process of two bioactive molecules, such as cephalexin and toluidine blue, recognized for their antimicrobial properties, will be carried out. The advantage of using magnetite-type NPs lies in their superparamagnetic property, which enables the guiding of these molecules to a specific target.Structural, morphological, magnetic, optical characterization, and the efficiency of ligand functionalization on the surface of NPs, as well as the hydrodynamic radius and colloidal stability, will be performed by different techniques. The last part of the project focuses on the use of these systems as drug-releasing vehicles against E. coli bacteria. Through the obtained results, a comparative study will be conducted between the two molecules to understand and differentiate the antimicrobial effects obtained from these nanoparticles with different anchored bioactive molecules