Structural characterization of polysaccharide-coated iron oxide nanoparticles produced by Staphylococcus warneri, isolated from a thermal spring

Green synthesis and characterization of iron nanoparticles synthesized from bioflocculant for wastewater treatment: A review

Nanotechnology is a rapidly expanding field with diverse healthcare, agriculture, and industry applications. Central to this discipline is manipulating materials at the nanoscale, particularly nanoparticles (NPs) ranging from 1 to 100 nm. These NPs can be synthesized through various methods, including chemical, physical, and biological processes. Among these, biological synthesis has gained significant attention due to its eco-friendly nature, utilizing natural resources such as microbes and plants as reducing and capping agents. However, information is scarce regarding the production of iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) using biological approaches, and even less is available on the synthesis of FeNPs employing microbial bioflocculants. This review aims to provide a comprehensive examination of the synthesis of FeNPs using microbial bioflocculants, highlighting the methodologies involved and their implications for environmental applications. Recent findings indicate that microbial bioflocculants enhance the stability and efficiency of FeNP synthesis while promoting environmentally friendly production methods. The synthesized FeNPs demonstrated effective removal of contaminants from wastewater, achieving removal rates of up to 93 % for specific dyes and significant reductions in chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen demand (BOD). Additionally, these FeNPs exhibited notable antimicrobial properties against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. This review encompasses studies conducted between January 2015 and December 2023, providing detailed characterization of the synthesized FeNPs and underscoring their potential applications in wastewater treatment and environmental remediation.

The Opportunistic Pathogen Staphylococcus warneri: Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance, Clinical Features, Association with Orthopedic Implants and Other Medical Devices, and a Glance at Industrial Applications

In recent decades, the risk of developing opportunistic infections has increased in parallel with the ever-increasing number of people suffering from chronic immunosuppressive diseases or undergoing prosthetic surgery. Staphylococcus warneri is a Gram-positive and coagulase-negative bacterium. Usually found as a component of the healthy human and animal microbiota of the skin and mucosae, it can take on the role of an opportunistic pathogen capable of causing a variety of infections, ranging from mild to life-threatening, not only in immunocompromised patients but even, although rarely, in healthy people. Here, in addition to a concise discussion of the identification and distinguishing features of S. warneri compared to other staphylococcal species, a systematic overview of the findings from case reports and clinical studies is provided. The paper highlights the virulence and antibiotic resistance profiles of S. warneri, the different clinical contexts in which it has proven to be a serious pathogen, emphasizing its ability to colonize artificial prosthetic materials and its tropism for musculoskeletal and cardiovascular tissues. Some original data on orthopedic implant infections by S. warneri complement the discussion. Finally, from a different perspective, the paper addresses the possibilities of industrial exploitation of this bacterium.

Green biologically synthesized metal nanoparticles: biological applications, optimizations and future prospects

In green biological synthesis, metal nanoparticles are produced by plants or microorganisms. Since it is ecologically friendly, economically viable and sustainable, this method is preferable to other traditional ones. For their continuous groundbreaking advancements and myriad physiochemical and biological benefits, nanotechnologies have influenced various aspects of scientific fields. Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) are the field anchor for their outstanding optical, electrical and chemical capabilities that outperform their regular-sized counterparts. This review discusses the most current biosynthesized metal nanoparticles synthesized by various organisms and their biological applications along with the key elements involved in MNP green synthesis. The review is displayed in a manner that will impart assertiveness, help the researchers to open questions, and highlight many points for conducting future research.

Hydrophilic Copolymers with Hydroxamic Acid Groups as a Protective Biocompatible Coating of Maghemite Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Physico-Chemical Characterization and MRI Biodistribution Study

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) with a "non-fouling" surface represent a versatile group of biocompatible nanomaterials valuable for medical diagnostics, including oncology. In our study we present a synthesis of novel maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles with positive and negative overall surface charge and their coating by copolymer P(HPMA-co-HAO) prepared by RAFT (reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer) copolymerization of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) with N-[2-(hydroxyamino)-2-oxo-ethyl]-2-methyl-prop-2-enamide (HAO). Coating was realized via hydroxamic acid groups of the HAO comonomer units with a strong affinity to maghemite. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) demonstrated high colloidal stability of the coated particles in a wide pH range, high ionic strength, and the presence of phosphate buffer (PBS) and serum albumin (BSE). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show a narrow size distribution and spheroid shape. Alternative coatings were prepared by copolymerization of HPMA with methyl 2-(2-methylprop-2-enoylamino)acetate (MMA) and further post-polymerization modification with hydroxamic acid groups, carboxylic acid and primary-amino functionalities. Nevertheless, their colloidal stability was worse in comparison with P(HPMA-co-HAO). Additionally, P(HPMA-co-HAO)-coated nanoparticles were subjected to a bio-distribution study in mice. They were cleared from the blood stream by the liver relatively slowly, and their half-life in the liver depended on their charge; nevertheless, both cationic and anionic particles revealed a much shorter metabolic clearance rate than that of commercially available ferucarbotran.

Biocatalysis as a Green Approach for Synthesis of Iron Nanoparticles—Batch and Microflow Process Comparison

There is a growing need for production of iron particles due to their possible use in numerous systems (e.g., electrical, magnetic, catalytic, biological and others). Although severe reaction conditions and heavy solvents are frequently used in production of nanoparticles, green synthesis has arisen as an eco-friendly method that uses biological catalysts. Various precursors are combined with biological material (such as enzymes, herbal extracts, biomass, bacteria or yeasts) that contain chemicals from the main or secondary metabolism that can function as catalysts for production of nanoparticles. In this work, batch (“one-pot”) biosynthesis of iron nanoparticles is reviewed, as well as the possibilities of using microfluidic systems for continuous biosynthesis of iron nanoparticles, which could overcome the limitations of batch synthesis.

Vascular Repair by Grafting Based on Magnetic Nanoparticles

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have attracted much attention in the past few decades because of their unique magnetic responsiveness. Especially in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, they are mostly involved in non-invasive ways and have achieved good results. The magnetic responsiveness of MNPs is strictly controlled by the size, crystallinity, uniformity, and surface properties of the synthesized particles. In this review, we summarized the classification of MNPs and their application in vascular repair. MNPs mainly use their unique magnetic properties to participate in vascular repair, including magnetic stimulation, magnetic drive, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic hyperthermia, magnetic assembly scaffolds, and magnetic targeted drug delivery, which can significantly affect scaffold performance, cell behavior, factor secretion, drug release, etc. Although there are still challenges in the large-scale clinical application of MNPs, its good non-invasive way to participate in vascular repair and the establishment of a continuous detection process is still the future development direction.

Biogenic Ferrihydrite Nanoparticles Produced by Klebsiella oxytoca: Characterization, Physicochemical Properties and Bovine Serum Albumin Interactions

The synthesis of nanoparticles inside microorganisms is an economical alternative to chemical and physical methods of nanoparticle synthesis. In this study, ferrihydrite nanoparticles synthesized by Klebsiella oxytoca bacterium in special conditions were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), small-angle X-ray (SAXS), UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), and molecular docking. The morphology and the structure of the particles were characterized by means of SEM and SAXS. The elemental content was determined by means of the EDS method. The absorption properties of the ferrihydrite nanoparticles were investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The binding mechanism of the biogenic ferrihydrite nanoparticles to Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) protein, studied by fluorescence, showed a static and weak process, combined with FRET. Protein denaturation by temperature and urea in the presence of the ferrihydrite nanoparticles demonstrated their influence on the unfolding process. The AutoDock Vina and UCSF Chimera programs were used to predict the optimal binding site of the ferrihydrite to BSA and to find the location of the hydrophobic cavities in the sub-domain IIA of the BSA structure.

A Review of Microbial Mediated Iron Nanoparticles (IONPs) and Its Biomedical Applications

Nanotechnology is a booming avenue in science and has a multitude of applications in health, agriculture, and industry. It exploits materials’ size at nanoscale (1–100 nm) known as nanoparticles (NPs). These nanoscale constituents are made via chemical, physical, and biological methods; however, the biological approach offers multiple benefits over the other counterparts. This method utilizes various biological resources for synthesis (microbes, plants, and others), which act as a reducing and capping agent. Among these sources, microbes provide an excellent platform for synthesis and have been recently exploited in the synthesis of various metallic NPs, in particular iron. Owing to their biocompatible nature, superparamagnetic properties, small size efficient, permeability, and absorption, they have become an integral part of biomedical research. This review focuses on microbial synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles using various species of bacteria, fungi, and yeast. Possible applications and challenges that need to be addressed have also been discussed in the review; in particular, their antimicrobial and anticancer potentials are discussed in detail along with possible mechanisms. Moreover, some other possible biomedical applications are also highlighted. Although iron oxide nanoparticles have revolutionized biomedical research, issues such as cytotoxicity and biodegradability are still a major bottleneck in the commercialization of these nanoparticle-based products. Addressing these issues should be the topmost priority so that the biomedical industry can reap maximum benefit from iron oxide nanoparticle-based products.

Biosynthesized magnetite nanoparticles as an environmental opulence and sustainable wastewater treatment

This review emphasizes the win-win one-pot valorization process of different waste biomass that composed of many biological macromolecules (e.g. polysaccharides, polyphenols, carbohydrates, lipids, enzymes, proteins, etc.) and other biomolecules (e.g. alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, phenolics, carotenoids, amino acids, sugars, vitamins, etc.) into biofunctionalized magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles (BMNPs). It illustrates the sustainable recruitment of microbial intra- and extra-cellular metabolites, proteins, and/or enzymes in the biosynthesis of BMNPs. It elucidates the environmental affluence of such sustainable, cost-effective, and ecofriendly BMNPs as an antimicrobial agent for water disinfection, photo-degrader, and adsorbent for different xenobiotics, organic and inorganic water pollutants. It confers the future environmental aspects of BMNPs in biofuels production from lipids and lignocellulosic wastes, biosensors manufacturing and bio-upgrading of petroleum fractions, etc. It discusses the circular economy, challenges, and opportunities for scaling up the zero-waste green synthesis of MNPs. Nevertheless, imminent investigations are still needed to elucidate the exact rule of biological macro- and micro- molecules in BMNPs synthesis and mechanisms involved in its microbicidal and photodegradation activities. Accentuated researches are more required on the toxicity and/or biosafety of the green synthesized BMNPs to humans and other non-target organisms to ensure its eco-safety upon environmental applications.

New Perspectives on Iron-Based Nanostructures

Among all minerals, iron is one of the elements identified early by human beings to take advantage of and be used. The role of iron in human life is so great that it made an era in the ages of humanity. Pure iron has a shiny grayish-silver color, but after combining with oxygen and water it can make a colorful set of materials with divergent properties. This diversity sometimes appears ambiguous but provides variety of applications. In fact, iron can come in different forms: zero-valent iron (pure iron), iron oxides, iron hydroxides, and iron oxide hydroxides. By taking these divergent materials into the nano realm, new properties are exhibited, providing us with even more applications. This review deals with iron as a magic element in the nano realm and provides comprehensive data about its structure, properties, synthesis techniques, and applications of various forms of iron-based nanostructures in the science, medicine, and technology sectors.

Bio-synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles for cancer treatment

Various living organisms, such as bacteria, plants, and animals can synthesize iron oxide nanoparticles (IONP). The mechanism of nanoparticle (NP) formation is usually described as relying on the reduction of ferric/ferrous iron ions into crystallized nanoparticulate iron that is surrounded by an organic stabilizing layer. The properties of these NP are characterized by a composition made of different types of iron oxide whose most stable and purest one appears to be maghemite, by a size predominantly comprised between 5 and 380 nm, by a crystalline core, by a surface charge which depends on the nature of the material coating the iron oxide, and by certain other properties such as a sterility, stability, production in mass, absence of aggregation, that have apparently only been studied in details for IONP synthesized by magnetotactic bacteria, called magnetosomes. In the majority of studies, bio-synthesized IONP are described as being biocompatible and as not inducing cytotoxicity towards healthy cells. Anti-tumor activity of bio-synthesized IONP has mainly been demonstrated in vitro, where this type of NP displayed cytotoxicity towards certain tumor cells, e.g. through the anti-tumor activity of IONP coating or through IONP anti-oxidizing property. Concerning in vivo anti-tumor activity, it was essentially highlighted for magnetosomes administered in different types of glioblastoma tumors (U87-Luc and GL-261), which were exposed to a series of alternating magnetic field applications, resulting in mild hyperthermia treatments at typical temperatures of 41-45 °C, leading to the full disappearance of these tumors without any observable side effects.