Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have attracted significant attention in recent years due to their versatility and facile synthesis. They are considered a promising platform for the development of novel antimicrobial delivery systems, particularly in the context of the emerging antibiotic-resistant pathogens that continue to pose a global threat. This study aims to investigate the potential antimicrobial efficacy of IONPs, synthesized using the co-precipitation method and functionalized with anthocyanins, which act as bioactive agents that have been extracted from
blackcurrants (Ribes nigrum), forming a core–shell architecture. Anthocyanins are pH-dependent phenolic pigments, naturally occurring in various berries and fruits, that exhibit a strong antioxidant activity, strongly associated with antimicrobial and anti-cancer properties.
The resulting bio-composite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which confirmed its spherical morphology, with an average particle size of approximately 10 nm, while Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) demonstrated the successful organic coating of the nanoparticles. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activity of the functionalized IONPs was assessed against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using the disk-diffusion method and broth microdilution assays in 96 microtiter plates. The obtained results highlight the potential of anthocyanin-functionalized IONPs as sustainable, plant-derived antimicrobial agents.
By combining natural bioactive compounds with biocompatible nano-delivery systems, this approach offers a promising strategy for developing alternative antimicrobial therapies capable of overcoming resistance mechanisms.