Antibacterial activity of Fe2O3/MgO Nanoparticles against Escherichia coli isolated from contaminated Water: Aktivitas Antibakteri Nanopartikel Fe2O3/MgO terhadap Escherichia coli yang diisolasi dari Air yang terkontaminasi

Ali A. Fayyadh (Ministry of Education, General Directorate of Wasit Education, Wasit)
Jawad N. K. Makassees (Ministry of Education, General Directorate of Wasit Education, Wasit)
Ali K. Hattab (Department of Physics, College of Science, University of Wasit, Wasit)

Academia Open
Vol. 10 No. 1 (2025): June

General Background: Water contamination by pathogenic bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli, poses serious public health risks, necessitating the development of effective antibacterial agents. Specific Background: Nanoparticles synthesized via green chemistry offer an environmentally sustainable alternative for bacterial control, with metal oxide nanoparticles demonstrating promising antimicrobial properties. Knowledge Gap: Despite extensive research on metal oxide nanoparticles, comparative studies on Fe₂O₃ and MgO nanoparticles synthesized from Allium sativum extract remain limited, particularly regarding their antibacterial efficacy against E. coli in contaminated water. Aims: This study investigates the antibacterial activity and characterization of Fe₂O₃ and MgO nanoparticles synthesized via a green synthesis method using Allium sativum extract, evaluating their efficacy against E. coli isolates. Results: Characterization via X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the structural and morphological properties of the nanoparticles. Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles exhibited superior antibacterial activity, generating 20 mm inhibition zones compared to MgO's 12-15 mm zones, attributed to their smaller size (24.41 nm), amorphous nature, and increased surface area. Novelty: This study highlights the potential of Allium sativum-mediated Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles as a more effective antibacterial agent than MgO nanoparticles. Implications: These findings support the application of green-synthesized metal oxide nanoparticles in sustainable water treatment solutions, contributing to advancements in antimicrobial technology. Highlights: Higher Antibacterial Efficiency – Fe₂O₃ outperforms MgO in inhibition zones. Eco-Friendly Synthesis – Allium sativum ensures green nanoparticle production. Water Treatment Potential – Effective against bacterial contamination in water. Keywords: Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles, MgO nanoparticles, antibacterial activity, green synthesis, water treatment