Effect of Ferric Oxide Nanoparticles on Staphylococcus aureus

Background: Ferric oxide nanoparticles (FeO NPs) have gained attention for their potential applications in various fields, including medicine and biotechnology. When it comes to Staphylococcus aureus , a bacterium known for causing various infections, researchers have explored the use of FeO NPs due to their antimicrobial properties. Objectives: These nanoparticles have shown the ability to inhibit the growth and viability of S. aureus , making them a promising tool in combating this bacterium, this research can contribute to the development of effective antimicrobial treatments and infection control methods. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight samples of S. aureus were collected from burns, wounds, and urine, but only 19 were identified as S. aureus based on cultural and morphological characteristics and by using polymerase chain reaction technique. To study the effect of FeO NPs on S. aureus , they were biosynthesized by pyocyanin pigment produced from Pseudomonas aeruginosa . FeO NPs were characterized using atomic force microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and UV–vis spectroscopy. S. aureus was cultured on MHA for determining the antimicrobial effect, and the agar well diffusion method was used. Result: The findings demonstrate a clear relationship between the substance’s concentration and the inhibition zone’s diameter. Specifically, when the concentration was 0.1 μg/mL, the diameter of the inhibition zone was 30 mm, but at a concentration of 0.0125 μg/mL, the diameter was 14 mm. Conclusion: The use of FeO NPs has demonstrated significant antimicrobial properties against S. aureus , suggesting their potential as a novel therapeutic approach.