Green Synthesis of Copper Ferrite Nanoparticles Exhibits Promising Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity

Strategic Insights -

Scientists at the School of Biosciences have developed a low-cost and environmentally friendly method for producing copper ferrite nanoparticles using mushroom extract. The research, published in the journal Discover Nano, demonstrates the potential of these nanoparticles in various applications, including antibacterial activity, antioxidant activity, and dye degradation. The team's findings suggest that the nanoparticles could be used in wastewater treatment and for other purposes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The researchers developed a novel method for producing copper ferrite nanoparticles using mushroom extract, which is a low-cost and environmentally benign approach.
  • The characterization methods, including SEM and TEM, confirmed the spherical and homogeneous distribution of the CuFeO NPs with an average size of 22.4 ± 1.4 nm.
  • The nanoparticles exhibited a potent antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, with a zeta potential of 28.9 ± 0.2 mV.
  • The biofunctionalized CuFeO NPs demonstrated a remarkable antioxidant activity (77-83%) and their scavenging ability is more comparable to ascorbic acid.
  • The nanoparticles showed a degradation efficiency of 91-92% within 10-15 min for CuFeO NPs in rhodamine B (RhB) and methylene blue (MB) dyes.
  • The research concluded that future studies may focus on applying CuFeO NPs to comprehensive wastewater treatment and determining the degradation products and ecological consequences.

Statistics:

  • Average size of CuFeO NPs: 22.4 ± 1.4 nm.
  • Zeta potential of CuFeO NPs: 28.9 ± 0.2 mV.
  • Antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus: 91.2 ± 1.2%.
  • Antioxidant activity (77-83%).
  • Degradation efficiency of CuFeO NPs in rhodamine B (RhB) and methylene blue (MB) dyes: 91-92%.

Sources:

  • NewsRx LLC, 2025, "School of Biosciences Reports Findings in Nanoparticles," Nanotechnology Weekly, July 14, 2025, p 1405.
  • Beena Cherian et al., "Investigation of antibiosis, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, molecular docking and dye degradation potential of green synthesized copper ferrite (CuFe2O4) nanoparticles using mushroom Pleurotus florida," Discover Nano, 2025; 20(1): 99.