Adsorptive potential of dispersible chitosan-coated biogenic iron oxide nanocomposite for enhanced anti-bacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial pathogens

The use of various biomaterials, such as plants or microbes, to create nanoparticles (NPs), is seen as a viable strategy in green nanotechnology. The synthesis of low-cost, energy-efficient, nontoxic, ecologically acceptable metallic nanoparticles has recently become a critical topic. The biosynthesis of iron oxide NPs using pomegranate peel extract has been investigated. Biogenic iron oxide NPs were coated with highly porous chitosan as a supporting material to enhance applicability of NPs for wastewater remediation. Biogenic magnetic NPs and its composite were characterized by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier Transformer Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Our study focused on the ability of biogenic magnetite Fe(3)O(4 )NPs and its bio-composite for removal of As+5 ions from wastewater. Adsorption isotherms were obtained using metal ion concentrations ranging from 5 to 25 mg/L. The Langmuir adsorption model was validated by our data. The reaction kinetics of the adsorption process were pseudo-second order. Interestingly, the bio-composite achieved 90% As+5 removal at pH4. In addition, the prepared nanocomposite was characterized using various analytical techniques to confirm its physicochemical properties. The adsorptive capacity of the nanocomposite was evaluated by studying the removal of pollutants and contaminants from aqueous solutions. Additionally, the antibacterial activity of the nanocomposite was assessed against a panel of clinically relevant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, including Staphylococcus epidermidis (RCMB 9241, ATCC 12228), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (RCMB 010028, ATCC 15305), Enterococcus faecalis (RCMB 010052), Streptococcus salivarius (ATCC 13415), Escherichia coli (RCMB 010052, ATCC 25922), Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (RCMB 006(1), ATCC 14028) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853). Our findings have important implications in the field of low-cost, easy, and environmentally friendly water bioremediation.