Thesis (MSc) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research Bioengineering

Recent nanotechnology research has successfully synthesized iron oxide
nanoparticles from various plant species using green synthetic methods, examining
their bioactivity features. Ficus carica, a Moraceae plant found in Mediterranean
regions and dry climates, is known for its medicinal properties and biologically active
chemicals for treating various ailments including diabetes, diarrhea, respiratory
diseases. The GC-MS analysis revealed that the n-Hexane extract contains 159
chemotypes, including fatty acids esters, sterols, unsaturated alcohols, and alkynes,
all of which have significant phytopharmaceutical relevance. The study aims to
synthesize iron oxide nanoparticles using Ficus carica leaf extracts, characterizing
them using techniques like UV-visible spectroscopy, XRD, FT-IR, Zetasizer
analysis, phytochemical examination, antibacterial and antioxidant activity. UV
spectra analysis indicated the spectrum with the peaks of 315, 271, 224, and 198 nm
with absorption while that of plant extract peaks are 317, 266, 224 and 215nm. The
zeta size has a size of 77.37 nm with a charge of -17.01 mV. The study assessed
antioxidant activity utilizing DPPH free radical and H2O2 scavenging tests on extract,
iron oxide nanoparticles, iron oxide solution, and ascorbic acid. The IC50 of DPPH
free scavenging activity of the extract, iron oxide nanoparticles, and ascorbic acid
(standard) were 0.08744mg/mL, 0.9275mg/mL, and 0.0000509mg/mL respectively
while the IC50 of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging activity were 1.151mg/mL,
1.668mg/mL, and 0.6743mg/mL respectively. Ficus carica L extract demonstrated
antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli using the
agar-well diffusion method, inhibiting growth with a zone of inhibition ranging
between 7.016-8.660mm for nanoparticles, while standard drugs cefoxitin and
gentamycin ranged between 22.69-28.86mm and 0.216-0.311mg/mL respectively,
indicating potential as antioxidants and bacterial strain inhibitors.