Membrane lipid peroxidation by the peroxidase-like activity of magnetite nanoparticles

We report that Fe3O4 nanoparticles are able to catalyse lipid peroxidation in liposomes at acidic but not neutral pH. The oxidation is dependent on either pre-existing lipid peroxides or hydrogen peroxide as a substrate. This is the first evidence for metal oxide nanoparticles as peroxidase mimetics oxidising biomolecules in a relevant environment.