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Cell Labeling and Targeting with Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Published on: October 19, 2015
Biologically safe colloidal suspensions of naked iron oxide nanoparticles for in situ antibiotic suppression
Massimiliano Magro1, Davide Baratella2, Simone Molinari3
1Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Viale dell'Università, Legnaro, Agripolis, 35020, Italy; Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Palacky University in Olomouc, Šlechtitelů, Olomouc, 78371, Czech Republic.
Abstract:
A category of naked maghemite nanoparticles (γ-Fe2O3), named surface active maghemite nanoparticles (SAMNs), is characterized by biological safety, high water colloidal stability and a surface chemistry permitting the binding of ligands. In the present study, the interaction between SAMNs and an antibiotic displaying chelating properties (oxytetracycline, OxyTC) was extensively structurally and magnetically characterized. OxyTC emerged as an ideal probe for providing insights into the colloidal properties of SAMNs. At the same time, SAMNs turned out as an elective tool for water remediation from OxyTC. Therefore, a dilute colloidal suspension of SAMNs was used for the removal of OxyTC in large volume tanks where, to simulate a real in situ application, a population of zebrafish (Danio rerio) was introduced. Interestingly, SAMNs led to the complete removal of the drug without any sign of toxicity for the animal model. Moreover, OxyTC immobilized on SAMNs surface resulted safe for sensitive Escherichia coli bacteria strain. Thus, SAMNs were able to recover the drug and to suppress its antibiotic activity envisaging their feasibility as competitive option for water remediation from OxyTC in more nature related scenarios. The present contribution stimulates the use of novel smart colloidal materials to cope with complex environmental issues.
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