Phyto-Synthesis and Characterization of Parthenium-Mediated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and an Evaluation of Their Antifungal and Antioxidant Activities and Effect on Seed Germination

The present research provides a safe method for synthesizing iron oxide nanoparticles using leaf extract of Parthenium hysterophorus. The novelty of the present study is the utilization of P. hysterophorus biomass as a reducing, capping, and stabilizing agent for the production of iron oxide nanoparticles with antifungal and antioxidant potential. The size, shape, crystalline nature, stability, functional groups, and purity of as-synthesized nanoparticles were analysed. Spherically shaped, with an average size of 17.5 nm, highly stable and crystalline Parthenium-mediated iron oxide nanoparticles were produced. In addition, the antifungal activity was screened against fungal pathogens (Aspergillus niger and A. flavus) using well diffusion method. The growth of both funguses was inhibited by iron oxide nanoparticles. The antioxidant activity was performed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. A higher concentration of iron oxide nanoparticles showed higher free radical scavenging activity compared to ascorbic acid. The IC₅₀ value was 184.3 µg/ml. The seed germination assay was performed using Sesamum indicum and Arachis hypogaea. A lower concentration of Parthenium-mediated iron oxide nanoparticles, rather than higher ones, triggered the germination level. Parthenium-mediated iron oxide nanoparticles may be used as nano-fungicide in biomedical and agricultural fields to improve human health and agriculture productivity.