Biosynthesized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Show Promising Antifungal and Photocatalytic Activity

A team of researchers at Aligarh Muslim University has made a significant breakthrough in the development of biosynthesized iron oxide nanoparticles, which have shown promising antifungal and photocatalytic activity. The study, which was supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, demonstrated the potential of using chicken egg albumin as a reducing and capping agent for the biosynthesis of Fe3O4 NPs.

The researchers successfully evaluated the antifungal efficacy of the biosynthesized Fe3O4 NPs against Macrophomina phaseolina, a fungus that causes significant damage to plants. The study found that the fungicidal potential of Fe3O4 NPs was enhanced with increasing concentrations from 100 ppm to 300 ppm, demonstrating its potential as a natural and eco-friendly solution for plant disease control.

Furthermore, the researchers conducted dielectric studies, which revealed advantageous current conduction processes and conductive network development with temperature variation, particularly beneficial in the low-frequency range. The photocatalytic activity of Fe3O4 NPs was also assessed for the degradation of methylene blue (MB), an organic dye, under solar irradiation. The results showed that Fe3O4 NPs photocatalysts achieved 89% MB degradation within 75 min, highlighting their potential in photocatalytic applications.

Key Takeaways:

• Biosynthesized iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) using chicken egg albumin demonstrated promising antifungal efficacy against Macrophomina phaseolina.
• The fungicidal potential of Fe3O4 NPs was enhanced with increasing concentrations from 100 ppm to 300 ppm.
• Dielectric studies revealed advantageous current conduction processes and conductive network development with temperature variation.
• The photocatalytic activity of Fe3O4 NPs was assessed for the degradation of methylene blue (MB), showing 89% degradation within 75 min.
• The study offers a promising alternative for plant disease control and highlights the suitability of Fe3O4 NPs for integration into eco-friendly plant protection strategies.
• The researchers used chicken egg albumin as a reducing and capping agent for the biosynthesis of Fe3O4 NPs.
• The study was supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University.

Statistics:

• 89% methylene blue (MB) degradation within 75 min
• 100-300 ppm concentration range showed enhanced fungicidal potential of Fe3O4 NPs
• Low-frequency range demonstrated advantageous current conduction processes and conductive network development

Sources:

• Biosynthesis of Fe 3 o 4 Nanoparticles Using Egg Albumin: Antifungal, Dielectric Analysis and Photocatalytic Activity. Catalysts, 2025;15(6):505.
• Aligarh Muslim University
• Deanship of Scientific Research at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University
• Mdpi, St Alban-Anlage 66, Ch-4052 Basel, Switzerland
• NewsRx. Findings in the Area of Nanoparticles Reported from Aligarh Muslim University (Biosynthesis of Fe 3 o 4 Nanoparticles Using Egg Albumin: Antifungal, Dielectric Analysis and Photocatalytic Activity). Nanotechnology Weekly. July 21, 2025; p 417.