Green Synthesis of Iron Nanoparticles using Ficus capensis Stem Bark Extract: Characterization, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Evaluations

Abstract

distinctive properties that support the development of sustainable therapeutic alternatives. This study evaluated the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) synthesized via a green route using Ficus capensis stem bark extract. The plant part was collected from its natural habitat, authenticated, and extracted with 80% methanol. Phytochemical analysis was performed on the extract following standard protocols. FeNPs were prepared using a mixture of 0.1 M ferric chloride and the extract. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Their antioxidant capacity was assessed using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay (RSA), while antibacterial activity and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined according to established microbiological methods. The synthesized FeNPs were found to be agglomerated and non-spherical in nature, exhibiting substantial DPPH RSA with an IC50 of 6.474 ± 0.59 mikrogram/mL. The FeNPs showed antibacterial action against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus, with limited activity against Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These results underscore the potential of F. capensis-derived FeNPs as environmentally benign therapeutic agents for addressing oxidative stress and certain bacterial infections.