Synthesis, Characterization and Antifungal Activity of Fe(III) Metal-Organic Framework and its Nano-composite

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained developing interest due to their high specific surface area and pore volume, which has been exploited for gas storage, sensors and, drug delivery. This study presents the synthesis of a non-toxic, biocompatible and thermally stable MIL-53(Fe) and the preparation of its silver(I) nitrate nano-composite. This MIL-53(Fe) is a three-dimensional porous solid composed of infinite FeO4(OH)(2) cluster connected by 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate (H2BDC) ligand using solvothermal method of synthesis and the encapsulation process was also carried out to produce a composite composed of silver nanoparticle (AgNP). The synthesized materials were characterized using Powder X-ray Diffractometer (PXRD), Scanning Electron Microscope coupled with Electron Diffraction X-ray Spectrometer (SEM-EDS) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy. The Ag@MIL-53(Fe) composite exhibits a remarkable antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus using a poison plate method. This can be attributed to the therapeutic nature of nanoparticle with a range of 55-64% growth inhibition rate as the concentration of the Ag@MIL-53(Fe) was increased. Minimum lethal concentrations (MLC) were observed to be 40 mu g/mL and 15 mu g/mL for the prepared MIL-53(Fe) and the Ag@MIL-53(Fe) composite, respectively.