Itraconazole Coated Super Paramagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Antimicrobial Studies

In this present study, Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) were produced using FeCl3 and FeCl2 which were reduced to iron oxides using NaOH and ammonia solution (chemical co-precipitation). These naked SPIONs were further fabricated to form drug laden core-shell for controlled drug release and delivery. The fabrication was achieved by subjugating the naked SPIONs for oleic acid functionalization, drug tagging (Itraconazole) and finally encapsulated with a microbial derived polyester namely Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). Every stage of fabrication was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The core-shell produced was checked for drug release kinetics, antibacterial and antifungal activities. These synthesized core-shells were carrying the drug and showed a slow drug release profile. The antimicrobial studies against bacteria - Pseudomonas aeruginosa & Brevibacillus brevis and fungi - Candida albicans by diffusion method proved that the core-shells inhibited bacterial and fungal activity. Furthermore, the naked SPIONs was found to be a good contrasting agent in X-ray imaging.