Effect Iron Oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles synthesis by Teucrium polium L. on Cryptococcus neformans isolated from environmental sources in Kirkuk city, Iraq

This study isolated 60 samples from various locations in Kirkuk, including areas with high numbers of pigeons, and birds, residential backyards where chicken breeding takes place, and chicken selling markets where positive samples for Cryptococcus neoformans were identified. Five antifungals were used in different concentrations (Ketoconazole, Griseofulvin, Fluconazole, Nystatin, Clotrimazole), (0.02 g/mL, 0.04 g/mL, and 0.06 g/mL) the sensitivity of the drug to the spread method against isolates of the Cryptococcus neformans. The results showed that the fungal isolates were sensitive to antifungals. This study showed that nystatin has a greater inhibitory ability and a broad spectrum of activity than other antifungals, while griseofulvin did not show any inhibitory ability. Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs) are produced by the Teucrium polium L. extract as a reducing agent. We used an X-ray diffraction analysis and an SEM to confirm if these nano-oxides were present. The antifungal properties of Fe2O3 NPs against Cryptococcus neformans were investigated by the well diffusion method. With the increase in concentration of (Fe2O3 NPs). The diameter of inhibition growth zones of the fungal strains became greater; the Cryptococcus neformans growth inhibition zone was 32. 6 ± 0.6 mm, 31.2 ± 0.6 mm, 26 ± 0.5 mm, 24. 4 ± 0.4 mm and 21 ± 0.3 mm and 17.1 ± 0.0 for concentrations 6 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL, 4 mg/mL, 3 mg/mL, 2 mg/mL and 1 mg/mL respectively. Thus, we can conclude that the concentration of the solution of nanoparticles and antifungals directly affects the ability to inhibit the growth of fungi.