Biosynthesis of Nanoparticles Offers Eco-Friendly Solutions for Biomedical and Environmental Applications

Strategic Insights -

A recent study from the Cancer Genetics & Nanomedicine Laboratory at Bharathidasan University in Tamil Nadu, India, has highlighted the potential of biosynthesized nanoparticles in providing eco-friendly and biocompatible solutions for biomedical and environmental applications. The research team, led by Karthikeyan Kandhasamy, successfully biosynthesized yttrium oxide nanoparticles (Y O NPs) using star anise biomolecules, which were further functionalized with fucoidan (Fu) and folic acid (Fa) to produce FuFa/Y O NPs. The resulting nanoparticles showed enhanced anticancer activity, antibacterial properties, and larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti larvae, making them a promising multi-functional platform for anti-cancer, biomedical, and environmental remediation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research team successfully biosynthesized Y O NPs using star anise biomolecules, which were further functionalized with fucoidan (Fu) and folic acid (Fa) to produce FuFa/Y O NPs.
  • The resulting FuFa/Y O NPs showed enhanced anticancer activity against A549 lung cancer and HeLa cervical cancer cells, with IC values of 45.23 ± 18 mg/mL and 43.32 ± 3.8 mg/mL, respectively.
  • The nanoparticles demonstrated significant inhibition of E. coli and S. aureus growth through membrane disruption, leading to cytoplasmic leakage and morphological damage.
  • FuFa/Y O NPs also exhibited potent larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti larvae, causing significant histopathological damage under sunlight irradiation.
  • The research team concluded that FuFa/Y O NPs represent a promising multi-functional platform for anti-cancer, biomedical, and environmental remediation.

Statistics:

  • The size of Y O NPs particles was found to be 82 ± 0.4 nm, while the size of FuFa/Y O NPs was 91 ± 0.9 nm.
  • The zeta potential (z) of Y O NPs was -20.4 mV, while the zeta potential of FuFa/Y O NPs was +27.2 mV.
  • The IC values for FuFa/Y O NPs against A549 and HeLa cancer cells were 45.23 ± 18 mg/mL and 43.32 ± 3.8 mg/mL, respectively.
  • The photocatalytic degradation of the carcinogenic dye Congo red treated with FuFa/Y O NPs was found to be 79.15%, compared to 69.24% for dye treated with Y O NPs.

Sources:

  • Multifunctional fucoidan and folic acid-functionalised yttrium oxide nanoparticles: A novel approach for anti-cancer, antibacterial, larvicidal and environmental remediation. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2025:144761.
  • NewsRx. Bharathidasan University Reports Findings in Cancer (Multifunctional fucoidan and folic acid-functionalised yttrium oxide nanoparticles: A novel approach for anti-cancer, antibacterial, larvicidal and environmental remediation). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. June 13, 2025; p 72.