Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Against Escherichia coli

Introduction: Considering the usefulness of metal oxide nanoparticles in biology and biomedicine, iron oxide nanoparticles were biosynthesized using bioresource engineering to evaluate its antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. Methods: Macrodilution method was used for calculating the lowest concentration which prevented the growth of bacteria (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC]), and the lowest concentration that destroyed all bacterial cells (minimum bactericidal concentration [MBC]). Results: The lowest concentration of iron oxide nanoparticles that inhibited the growth of E. coli (MIC) was recorded at 250 µg/mL. On the other hand, the MBC of iron oxide nanoparticles was calculated at 500 µg/mL. Conclusion: Iron oxide nanoparticles were produced by a green and eco-friendly, simple and inexpensive method. The results showed the inhibitory effect of iron oxide nanoparticles on E. coli at 250 µg/mL. This may suggest using these nanoparticles as potential antibacterial agents.