Biosynthesis of chitosan-coated iron oxide (Fe3O4) hybrid nanocomposites from leaf extracts of Brassica oleracea L. and study on their antibacterial potentials

In this study, we prepared chitosan (CS)-coated iron oxide (Fe 3 O 4 ) nanocomposites (NCs) by employing the aqueous leaf extract of Brassica oleracea L. and evaluated its antimicrobial potential. The characterization of hybrid CS-Fe 3 O 4 NCs was performed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis to evaluate the chemical bonding of chitosan to nanoparticles (NPs). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies revealed the presence of oxidation state elements Fe 2p, O 1s, N 1s, and C 1s, and the zeta potential analysis was found to have well-colloidal stability (+ 76.9 mV) of NCs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis determined that CS-Fe 3 O 4 NCs were spherical with an average particle size of 27 nm. The X-ray diffractometer (XRD) spectrum ascertained the crystallinity of the hybrid NCs and the vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) inferred the ferromagnetic behavior of the synthesized NCs. Furthermore, the significant antibacterial efficacy of NPs was demonstrated against foodborne bacterial pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ) and Escherichia coli ( E. coli ), and the highest zone of inhibition was observed to be 11.5 mm and 13.5 mm in CS-Fe 3 O 4 NCs, respectively. In comparison with Fe 3 O 4 NPs, synergistic impacts of CS-Fe 3 O 4 NCs displayed great antibacterial potential as exhibited by a clearly enlarged zone. Thus, CS-Fe 3 O 4 NCs could be used as efficacious antimicrobial agents in food packaging and food preservation fields.