Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Fabrication of a Functionalized Magnetic Bacterial Nanocellulose with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Published on: May 26, 2016
Preparation and characterization of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles functionalized by nisin
Ruta Gruskiene1, Tatjana Krivorotova2, Ramune Staneviciene3
1Department of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
Abstract:
Nisin is a known bacteriocin approved as a food additive for food preservation. It exhibits a wide spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction method. A main part of iron oxide nanoparticles was found to be maghemite though a small quantity of magnetite could also be present. Magnetic nanoparticles were stabilized by citric, ascorbic, gallic or glucuronic acid coating. Stable iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles were functionalized by nisin using a simple and low cost adsorption method. Nisin loading was confirmed by FT-IR spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy methods. Nisin-loaded iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles were stable at least six weeks as judged by the measurements of zeta-potential and hydrodynamic diameter. The antimicrobial activity of nisin-loaded iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles was demonstrated toward Gram-positive bacteria. Functionalized nanoparticles could therefore find the application as antimicrobials in innovative and emerging technologies based on the magnetic field.
Related Concept Videos
Oxidation Numbers
Pyruvate Oxidation
First, the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase removes the carboxyl group from pyruvate and releases it as carbon dioxide. The stripped molecule is then oxidized and releases electrons, which are then picked up by NAD+...
Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
Colors and Magnetism
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human...
Oxidation of Alcohols
The process of oxidation in a chemical reaction is observed in any of the three forms:
Magnetism
An individual magnetic pole cannot be isolated. No matter how small, every piece of a magnet contains a north pole and a south...

