title: Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of Ag/Fe3O4 nanocomposites synthesized using starch.
abstract: Ag/Fe3O4 nanocomposites were successfully synthesized by a facile and cost-effective method using starch. Starch acts as both a biocompatible capping agent for Fe3O4 nanoparticles and a reducing agent for the reduction of silver ions in an alkaline medium. Samples were characterized using several analytical techniques including field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The vibrating sample magnetometer revealed that the nanocomposites were superparamagnetic. The Ag/Fe3O4 nanocomposites demonstrated a high-antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli as evaluated by means of minimum inhibitory concentration. The characteristics and antibacterial activity of the nanocomposites were significantly influenced by the concentration of silver nitrate and pH.
authors.affiliation: Nanomaterials Group, Engineering faculty, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O.Box:14155-114 Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyedeh Masumeh
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ghaseminezhad
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Group, Chemical Engineering Faculty, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O.Box:14155-114 Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: shoja_sa@modares.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Seyed Abbas
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Shojaosadati
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D060328:Magnetic Phenomena; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry*; D012835:Silver Nitrate / Q000737:chemistry; D013213:Starch / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D012834:Silver; D013213:Starch; D012835:Silver Nitrate; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide
keywords: Ag/Fe(3)O(4); Green method; Nanocomposites; Starch