Phytosynthesis of Magnetite Nanoparticles from Piper betle (L.) var. Mysore and Evaluation of Anti-microbial properties

Background: Piper betle L., is a well-known herb in Asia, popular for its fragrance and mouth-refreshing properties. With more than 100 varieties, it has a number of medicinal and socio-economic benefits. Its phenolic constituents have been displayed to treat oral anaerobes, animate lipase action, and reduces lipid peroxidation. Magnetite nanoparticles, with their novel properties, are utilized in different applications, and amalgamating with plant sources, increases the efficacy of the nanoparticles to many folds. Methods: In this study, biogenic synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) was carried out using aqueous solutions of Ferric Chloride and Ferrous Sulphate in a ratio of 2:1 with the utilization of crude ethyl acetate extract of Piper betel var. Mysore as reducing, stabilizing, capping and tailing agent. The phytosynthesized MNPs were subjected to check for the inhibition of E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, A. baumanii, S. aureus, S. mutans, S. pneumoniae, and C. albicans. Results: The phytosynthesized MNPs are having varying size with diameter of 155nm and zeta potential value of 3.6mV. Upon comparing of the plant extracts and MNPs for the inhibition the microbial cultures, MNPs inhibit the growth of all the cultures having the maximum inhibition percentage with S. pneumoniae, and C. albicans of 90.24% and 83.10% respectively. Conclusions: MNPs are being cheap; ecofriendly and ease of synthesis, making them an ideal candidate for the upscale synthesis. With the incorporation of the betel leaf bioactive metabolites, it increases the antimicrobial properties to many folds as well as with the high surface to volume ratio, it can be utilized in various formulations like ointment, oral pill etc.