Antibacterial efficacy of Ocimum sanctum leaf extract-treated iron oxide nanoparticles

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were prepared via a co-precipitation method and were then characterized and evaluated for their antibacterial activity after modification with Ocimum sanctum leaf extract. The geometry of the as-synthesized nanoparticles was found to be hexagonal, as confirmed by the diffraction analysis. The comparative data from X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy indicate the successful modification of IONPs. The disc diffusion antibacterial assay of the nanoparticles was performed against Gram-negative (E. coli) and Gram-positive (S. aureus) bacteria. The modification with the leaf extract resulted in a significant increase in the antimicrobial propensity of the IONPs. The results show significant inhibition of S. aureus upon treatment with the modified IONPs.