Biogenic synthesis of Albizia lucidior mediated magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs): Therapeutic applications and photocatalytic activity

Abstract

This study presents the biogenic synthesis of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles using Albizia lucidior ethanolic leaf extract, a novel green approach leveraging the plant's rich phytochemical profile, including phenols (157.37 ± 1.69 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (224.65 ± 1.74 mg QE/g), and terpenoids (231.08 ± 1.90 mg LNE/g) for the first time. Characterization techniques of nanoparticles, including XRD, FTIR, UV–Vis, AFM, FESEM and EDX were performed. FESEM and XRD confirmed the formation of spherical NPs with a crystallite size of 12.28 nm. The NPs exhibited significant antioxidant activity (DPPH scavenging: 64.55 ± 0.49 %; metal chelation: 73.77 ± 0.6 %) and demonstrated cytotoxic effects against HeLa (45.11 ± 1.4 %) and MCF-7 (53.88 ± 0.6 %) cell lines. Photocatalytic studies revealed 60.32 % degradation of sunset yellow dye by NPs under sunlight. The phytotoxicity assays indicated a growth-stimulating effect on Vigna radiata seeds. These significant findings underscore the potential of A. lucidior mediated Fe₃O₄ NPs as innovative nano-formulation, offering mechanistic insights into therapeutic actions, while also serving as effective tools for environmental protection through effective pollutant degradation.