Magnetic removal of Entamoeba cysts from water using chitosan oligosaccharide-coated iron oxide nanoparticles.
Amebiasis, a major health problem in developing countries, is the second most common cause of death due to parasitic infection. Amebiasis is usually transmitted by the ingestion of Entamoeba histolytica cysts through oral-fecal route. Herein, we report on the use of chitosan oligosaccharide-functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles for efficient capture and removal of pathogenic protozoan cysts under the influence of an external magnetic field. These nanoparticles were synthesized through a chemical synthesis process. The synthesized particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and zeta potential analysis. The particles were found to be well dispersed and uniform in size. The capture and removal of pathogenic cysts were demonstrated by fluorescent microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Three-dimensional modeling of various biochemical components of cyst walls, and thereafter, flexible docking studies demonstrate the probable interaction mechanism of nanoparticles with various components of E. histolytica cyst walls. Results of the present study suggest that E. histolytica cysts can be efficiently captured and removed from contaminated aqueous systems through the application of synthesized nanoparticles.
School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Delhi, India.
Sudeep
S
Shukla
Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, Delhi, India.
Vikas
V
Arora
School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Delhi, India.
Alka
A
Jadaun
School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Delhi, India.
Jitender
J
Kumar
School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Delhi, India.
Nishant
N
Singh
School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Delhi, India.
Vinod Kumar
VK
Jain
D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D004747:Entamoeba / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology; D014867:Water / Q000469:parasitology*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D014867:Water; D048271:Chitosan
amebiasis; nanotechnology; water treatment