Potent antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of citric acid coated magnetite nanoparticles for leather preservation

Leather industry is a keystone for the global economy as it significantly contributes to various sectors including fashion, furniture, bags and automotive engineering¹. Despite economic importance, the safe and eco-friendly leather production and protection remains a pressing concern. Leather processing has various stages, which causes contamination issues, for environment and leather consumers, comprising different factors i.e. harmful chemical residues, pollutant absorption, and microbial proliferation and penetration². Hence these problems imposed substantial challenges in the quality and durability of leather and leather-based accessories³. Moreover, after leather processing, improper disposal of excessive waste material from leather factories introduces environmental hazards due to integration of toxic chemicals and reagents from leather manufacturing into biological life cycle⁴. Despite all these artificial chemical-based treatments, pathogenic microbial strains are still a serious challenge for leather industry as various fungal and bacterial strains i.e. Aspergillus niger and Escherichia coli, respectively, continuously grow on the leather surface leads to reduced quality and life span of leather products⁵. Addressing these issues, need an innovative, sustainable and eco-friendly approach, which aligns with the global requirements in order to reduce microbial pollution as well as human health hazards. In this regard, nanotechnology has played remarkable role in the field of scientific research where wide range of nanoparticles, with their excellent and unique physio-chemical properties⁶, are extensively used to treat leather and leather based-products^7,8.

Recent advancements in nanotechnology have led to the manufacturing of multifunctional nanomaterials with wide range of applications in biomedical and environmental sectors. For example, waste water treatment through reduced porphyrin conjugated graphene oxide nanocomposite⁹, degradation of methylene blue¹⁰ and microbial contamination¹¹ in waste water through reduced graphene oxide by using its photocatalytic activity¹². Similarly, surface modification of nanoparticles can improve their antimicrobial potential and helps to treat various pathogenic resistant microbial strains. A study has explained the antifungal and antibacterial nature of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles to protect leather surface and provides a better quality and durable leather products¹³. They have reported significant antimicrobial effects of TiO₂ doped ZnO NPs which highlighted the importance of nanotechnology in leather industry¹³. Among various nanomaterials, magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles have gained tremendous attention due to their exclusive physio-chemical and magnetic properties, high surface-to-volume ratio, and biologically compatible nature^14,15. Based on these properties, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles are widely used in water purification¹⁶, pollutant remediation¹⁷, and biomedical treatments¹⁸. The nature of nanoparticles to be manipulated through surface modifications make them particularly attractive for targeted applications¹⁹. Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles exhibited excellent antibacterial potential against broad range of pathogenic microorganisms by producing excessive amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS)^20,21. These ROS enters into the bacterial cell where they penetrate into the cellular organelles, damage protein functioning, destruct enzymes molecules and inhibit nucleic acid proliferation and replication as shown in the Fig. 1. By incorporating these mechanisms, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles create pores in the cell membrane of bacteria and ultimately leads to the cell death²².

Literature studies have reported limitations regarding chemical-based methods i.e. high cost, usage of toxic chemicals, and extra time consumption. These methods also prevented nanoparticles to be used for biological applications. Hence, for human use, the synthesis of nanoparticles through organic molecules is gaining importance due to better quality nanoparticles with reduce cytotoxicity. In this context, the functionalization of nanoparticles with biocompatible and eco-friendly agents, i.e. citric acid, further enhances their potential activities. Citric acid, a natural organic acid, have tremendous bioactive compounds with excellent antibacterial properties which can improves the dispersibility, stability, and functional properties of various nanoparticles^23,24. Selenium nanoparticles have synthesized in the presence of citric acid using a green synthesis approach with excellent antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and anticoagulant potential activities²⁵. Organic compounds are crucial to synthesize high-quality and biocompatible nanoparticles, hence offering a sustainable and bio-friendly alternative to traditional chemical and physical methods. Rich in varied bioactive components including flavonoids, polyphenols, and alkaloids, organic compounds serve as natural capping, stabilizing, and reducing agents during nanoparticle synthesis. This green synthesis approach has eradicated the use of toxic chemicals in comparison to conventional chemical methods.

While use of citric acid, to synthesize nanoparticles, has been expansively employed in various applications, its use in leather processing represents a novel and propitious frontier. Incorporating green-synthesized nanoparticles into leather processing can provides an innovative approach to leather industries to revolutionize traditional methods with clean, safe, and efficient substitute to traditional chemical treatments in order to get better quality and durable leather products. This study has focused on the synthesis, characterization and biological applications of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles coated with citric acid encountering adverse effects of chemical residues and microbial growth on leather surface. The structural, chemical, functional and antimicrobial properties of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles have investigated in addressing leather contamination challenges. This work aims to provide a comprehensive background for the excellent antimicrobial potential of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles against resistive microorganisms hence providing better leather processing, contributing to both industrial innovation and environmental conservation.

The leather samples were randomly collected from various leather industries in Sialkot, Pakistan. The microorganisms i.e. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Aspergillus Niger were isolated from collected leather samples. The citrus lemon was purchased from local market in Lahore, Pakistan.

Chemicals

All the chemicals and reagents of analytical grade were used without further purification. Iron (II) chloride tetrahydrate (FeCl₂. 4H₂O > 99% purity), Iron (III) chloride hexahydrate (FeCl₃. 6H₂O > 99% purity), ammonia (NH₄OH), and sodium hydroxide were purchased from Sigma Aldrich while citric acid was obtained from Merck. De-ionized water was used as a solvent.

Isolation and incubation of fungal strain

The obtained leather samples were placed inside the desiccator as a source of tropical chamber at temperature 28 °C. Continuous sprinkling of autoclaved water was applied to maintain humidity required for the optimal growth of fungal strains. This was kept for 7 days and cultured on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) in the presence of 10 mg of streptomycin and 1 mL of 10% tartaric acid and incubated at 28 °C for two days. This protocol was followed by the guidelines of Asma Irshad et al., 2024¹³. The isolated fungus was purified on yeast peptone dextrose agar, identified through Olympus CX23 microscope and characterized by Fungal Bank of University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.

Synthesis of citric acid coated Fe ₃ O ₄ nanoparticles

The magnetite nanoparticles were prepared through chemical co-precipitation method by reacting different concentration of ferrous chloride and ferric chloride i.e. 1 molar concentration of Fe²⁺ (FeCl₂. 4H₂O) and 2 molar concentration of Fe³⁺ (FeCl₃. 6H₂O), respectively. The mixture was homogenized by adding 25% ammonia (NH₄OH) dropwise, with continuous stirring for 10 min at 80 °C. The pH was maintained at 8 to 12 and black precipitates were obtained, washed with de-ionized water and subjected to magnetic field. The protocol was followed by the guidelines of²⁶ with slight modifications. The purified magnetic nanoparticles were dried, ground to fine powder and further processed for citric acid coating. For this purpose, 1 g citric acid and 1 g nanoparticles with 2 mL water were dissolved, stirred for 30 min at 90 °C and reduced the temperature as coating process was went to completion. The citric acid coated magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@CA) were washed with de-ionized water, dried and ground to fine powder.

Characterization of citric acid coated magnetite nanoparticles

UV-Vis spectroscopy

The concentration of synthesized nanoparticles was determined through UV-Vis spectroscopy. For this, solution of Fe₃O₄@CA nanoparticles was prepared in de-ionized water and UV-Vis analysis was done with the instrument UV-Vis spectrophotometer Shimadzu UV-1900i (Shimadzu Corporation, Kyoto, Japan). The spectrum was obtained in the wavelength ranges from 200 to 500 nm by keeping de-ionized water as blank¹³.

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy

The functional groups and chemical bonds present between citric acid components and magnetite nanoparticles were investigated through FT-IR in dry air at room temperature (26 °C). The spectrum for Fe₃O₄@CA NPs was obtained in the presence of potassium bromide pellet by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy type ThermoFisher-Scientific Nicolet iS50 (ThermoFisher Scientific, USA) in the wavenumber ranges from 400 to 4000 cm⁻¹²⁷.

Scanning electron Microscopy-Energy dispersive X-Ray (SEM-EDX)

The surface morphology and size distribution of Fe₃O₄@CA NPs was determined via scanning electron microscopy by using Nova NanoSEM 450 analyzer (ThermoFisher Scientific, USA), and Image J software was used to get the size of nanoparticles. Furthermore, SEM associated EDX profile was obtained to determine the elemental composition of Fe₃O₄@CA nanoparticles²⁷.

X-Ray diffraction (XRD)

The crystalline structure and phase purity of Fe₃O₄@CA nanoparticles were determined by using Diffractometer-Bruker AXS D8 Advance (Bruker Corporation, Karlsruhe, Germany) using copper anticathode (Cu K = 1.5406 Å) under maintained constant conditions over a 2θ range from 10° to 80° for the step of 0.0101/minute¹³. The obtained diffractograms have been analyzed via system, based on the data sheets ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) with interplanar spacing (d) 2θ recorded software.

The average crystalline size of Fe₃O₄@CA nanoparticles from FWHM (full width at half maximum) was calculated using Scherrer Eq. 1 given below;

, where D is the average crystalline size, K is constant (shape factor, commonly 0.9), λ is the wavelength (1.5406 Å) of X-rays, β is the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of diffraction peak, and θ is the Bragg angle.

Antimicrobial potential of citric acid coated magnetite nanoparticles

Agar well-diffusion method

Antimicrobial activities of Fe₃O₄@CA nanoparticles were estimated by agar well diffusion method against bacterial strains i.e. gram-positive strain Staphylococcus aureus, gram-negative strain Escherichia coli and fungal strain fungal strain Aspergillus niger. Potato dextrose and Luria Bertani agar were used to cultured fungal and bacterial strains, respectively. Wells were formed using cork-borer, each filling 100 µl of 1 mg/mL Fe₃O₄@CA nanoparticles solution. Streptomycin was used as a positive control for bacterial species while Fluconazole for fungal species by keeping water as a negative control. Plates were incubated at 37 °C (bacteria) or 28^°C fungi for 24–48 h^13,28.

Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)

The antimicrobial efficacy of Fe₃O₄@CA nanoparticles was also investigated through standard broth dilution method with reference to minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The MIC is the lowest nanoparticle concentration, which has ability to inhibit microbial growth. Serial two-fold dilutions of Fe₃O₄@CA nanoparticles were prepared in the concentrations 5, 2.5, 1.25, 0.625, and 0.312 mg/mL. The microbial concentration was arranged to 10⁸ CFU/mL (0.5 McFarland’s standard) and both control and experimental samples were incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. Control samples were Streptomycin (for bacteria) and Fluconazole (for fungus)²⁸.

Anti-biofilm potential

The crystal violet dye assay was performed to determine the biofilm inhibition potential of Fe₃O₄@CA nanoparticles. The CV dye has ability to binds with the extracellular polymeric substances of bacterial cells. The total biofilm mass formation was measured through this assay. For this, bacterial and fungal cultures were prepared and incubated at 37 °C for 48 h. Streptomycin and Fluconazole were used as reference for bacteria and fungi, respectively. The MIC Fe₃O₄@CA nanoparticles were added in the test sample tubes and after incubation, this material was discarded, tubes were stained with 2% CV dye, and washed with phosphate buffer saline (PBS). Then test-tube material was dissolved in 30% glacial acetic acid and absorbance was measured at 570 nm to obtain biofilm inhibition activity¹³.

Statistical analysis

The obtained values were calculated through Minitab Statistical Software version 22.1 and results were expressed as mean ± SD. The p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The experiments were conducted in triplicates and these results are mentioned as mean with standard deviation.

Microscopic analysis of isolated fungus

The microscopic examination of isolated fungal samples has shown the presence of Aspergillus niger. The physical characteristics and morphological features of Aspergillus niger i.e. tiny, upright conidiophores, phialides growing from the center of spore and small globule swelling at the ends have observed under microscope. The conidia were light to dark brown, single celled and globule shaped.

Citric acid coated magnetite (Fe ₃ O ₄ @CA) nanoparticles

The fine powder of citric acid coated Fe₃O₄ NPs has obtained by co-precipitation of Iron (III) chloride hexahydrate (FeCl₃. 6H₂O) and Iron (II) chloride tetrahydrate (FeCl₂. 4H₂O) with 25% ammonium hydroxide in the presence of citric acid. The particles have been observed in the reaction mixture via color shifting from orange to black, indicated Fe₃O₄ NPs formation through magnetic decantation. The fine black powder of Fe₃O₄@CA has collected from bottom of beaker and confirmed through characterization methods.

Characterization of Fe ₃ O ₄ @CA NPs

UV-Visible spectroscopic analysis

The optical properties of Fe₃O₄ NPs and citric acid coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles have been studied through UV-Vis spectroscopy under the wavelength ranges from 200 to 1100 nm. The obtained UV-Vis spectrum for Fe₃O₄ NPs, as shown in the Fig. 2, has represented long and broad peak around 200–350 nm before and after coating of citric acid. Figure 2a has indicated the presence of Fe₃O₄ NPs with the spectrum peak around 250–300 nm. This peak has also confirmed through a literature study, in which Fe₃O₄ NPs were prepared and characterized through different techniques²⁹. These results have also coincided with different existing studies^30,31. In Fig. 2b, shifted peak has observed around 300–320 nm due to the coating of citric acid with Fe₃O₄ NPs. This shifting is due to conjugation of different biologically active components of citric acid with Fe₃O₄ NPs. A study was synthesized Fe₃O₄ NPs using papaya fruit extract coating and biologically characterized through UV-Vis spectroscopy. Their results were showed spectral peaks at 295 nm for FeCl₃ NPs while 346 nm for Fe₂O₃ NPs³². These findings have shown the concept of shifting of wavelength due to the presence of citric acid.

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)

The functional groups and chemical bonding between citric acid (C₆H₈O₇) and Fe₃O₄ NPs have determined through FTIR spectroscopy. The spectrum was obtained between 4000–400 cm⁻¹, with various broad and short peaks for correct formation of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Fig. 3a) and citric acid coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Fig. 3b). Figure 3b has represented short peaks around 3211.48 cm⁻¹ for O-H (hydroxyl) stretching vibrations of citric acid. A sharp prominent peak at 1579.70 cm⁻¹ has revealed the binding of citric acid with the surface of nanoparticles through chemisorption of citrate ion³³. The peak at 1409.96 cm⁻¹ has confirmed the conjugation between citric acid and Fe₃O₄ NPs while stretching of the CO bond within the COOH group has recognized through the demonstration of an intense band at 1344.38 cm⁻¹. At 447.49 cm⁻¹, an absorption band has signified Fe-O bonding as well as verified Fe₃O₄ phase formation. Hence, these FTIR peaks have confirmed the citric acid coating over magnetite core as described by another literature study. Dheyab et al. 2020 synthesized citric acid functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles in colloidal solution. Their FTIR spectrum showed similar peaks which provided clear evidence to the current research work³⁴.

Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-Ray (SEM-EDAX)

Scanning electron microscopy was performed to determine the high-resolution structural morphology and characteristics features of Fe₃O₄@CA NPs. Three-dimensional structure of Fe₃O₄@CA was produced when electron in SEM interacted with the surface of nanoparticles. Figure has represented particles with average size of obtained nanoparticles approximately 40 nm (Fig. 4a) which indicating the crystalline shape forming less agglomerates linked to active sites on the nanoparticle’s surface, including steric effects through interaction. Figure 4b, has shown the elemental composition of citric acid coated magnetite nanoparticles as shown in the EDX profile. The iron (Fe) has shown the predominant element followed by carbon (C) and oxygen (O) due to the coating of citric acid over the surface of magnetite nanoparticles.

X-ray diffraction (XRD)

The crystalline structure and phase purity of Fe₃O₄@CA NPs has been determined through X-ray diffraction (Table 1). Figure 5 represented well-defined peaks at 2Ɵ of 27.2^o, 35.7^o, and 47.1^o which intimated to the crystal plane of (220), (311), and (400), respectively³³, while some short peaks were observed at 2Ɵ of 57.0^o and 60.8^o for (511) and (440), respectively³⁵. The resulted peaks were narrow and well-defined which confirmed the high crystallinity of Fe₃O₄@CA NPs. These peaks were consistent to the diffraction pattern of Fe₃O₄ (Ref. Code 01-075-0033). A study was conducted in which magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized via co-precipitation method and coated with citric acid. Their XRD results are coincided with the obtained spectrum of Fe₃O₄@CA NPs³⁴.

Antimicrobial potential analysis of Fe ₃ O ₄ @CA NPs

Agar well-diffusion

The antimicrobial potential of Fe₃O₄@CA NPs has determined through agar well-diffusion method against both gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Escherichia coli bacterial strains and fungal specie Aspergillus Niger. The synthesized nanoparticles have shown excellent antimicrobial efficacy against both bacterial and fungal strains. Figure 6 have represented diameter of clear zones of inhibition which were recorded and documented as shown in the Table 2. Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles produced greater number of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which incorporated into the microbial cell and invade cellular organelles along with genetic material³⁶. The maximum zone of inhibition, i.e. 27 ± 0.9 mm (Fig. 6a) has been observed against Escherichia coli followed by 23 ± 0.2 mm (Fig. 6c), fungal specie Aspergillus Niger and Staphylococcus aureus (22 ± 0.7 mm) (Fig. 6b) and. the obtained ZOI have demonstrated that these nanoparticles can provide excellent antimicrobial efficacy against Aspergillus niger as compared to bacterial strains, hence beneficial for preventing resistant fungal growth on the surface of leather and related products. Streptomycin and Fluconazole were applied as reference against bacterial and fungal strains, respectively. The synthesized nanoparticles have shown excellent antimicrobial properties in comparison to standard antibiotics. A study was designed to synthesize magnetite nanoparticles by busing Calotropis procera aqueous leaf extract through green synthesis approach. They revealed the excellent antimicrobial activity of magnetite nanoparticles with notable zones of inhibition i.e. 7.1 mm to 22.5 mm against S. aureus, K. pneumonia, (A) niger, F. oxysporum and (B) subtilis, through agar well-diffusion method³⁷. Various other studies have also provided evidence for the antimicrobial potential of magnetite nanoparticles^38,39. These results have revealed the antimicrobial potential of synthesized Fe₃O₄@CA NPs.

Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)

Due to excellent antimicrobial activity of Fe₃O₄@CA NPs against both bacterial and fungal species, they have further assessed for minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) through micro-dilution technique, with dilutions ranges 5-0.156 mg/mL. MIC is the minimum concentration of nanoparticles able to degrade microbial cells¹³. Table 3 has demonstrated the MIC values of Fe₃O₄@CA NPs against selected microbial strains. The minimum the value of MIC, greater the inhibitory mechanism. For bacterial strains, the results have shown MIC value 0.3 mg/mL while 0.625 mg/mL for Aspergillus niger. These values have depicted that bacterial strains are more susceptible to synthesized Fe₃O₄@CA NPs as compared to fungal strain. The obtained results have coincided with the literature findings of similar studies performed by Lathakumari, R. H. et al., 2022. They reported similar MIC values of bare and citrate coated magnetite nanoparticles i.e. 0.0375-0.3 mg/mL against broad range of microorganisms⁴⁰. Al-Rawi M et al., 2021 conducted experiment with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles to determine minimum inhibitory concentration against local virulent bacterial isolates in urine samples. Their results represented MIC 550 µg/mL against gram-negative bacterium E. coli. The value of MIC was different because of different method of production and precursors for Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles⁴¹.

Antibiofilm Potential

Various groups of microorganisms exhibit network of complex polysaccharides in the form of biofilm for their growth, survival and protection. The synthesized Fe₃O₄@CA NPs have subjected to investigate the antibiofilm potential against both bacterial and fungal strains. The optical density of each sample has recorded to depict the biofilm production. Table 4 has shown no optical density for Fe₃O₄@CA NPs containing samples against each selected microbial strain while non-Fe₃O₄@CA NPs samples have different optical densities (OD) against Staphylococcus aureus (1.79 ± 0.05), Escherichia coli (1.58 ± 0.06), and Aspergillus Niger (1.86 ± 0.07). This experiment has clearly demonstrated the antibacterial and antifungal potential of Fe₃O₄@CA NPs. Similar study was conducted in 2020, where magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized by using ferrous and ferric salts through co-precipitation method and further coated with polyethylene imine. They performed biofilm inhibition analysis of magnetite and nickel ferrite nanoparticles, separately. Their results showed excellent anti-biofilm potential against pathogenic strains. The highest biofilm inhibition concentration of synthesized nanoparticles was 10 µg/mL against E. coli followed by other strains⁴². The difference in results values may be due to different coating material and concentration of nanoparticles. These studies have provided clear evidence about the antimicrobial nature of magnetite nanoparticles^26,43.

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Authors and Affiliations

1. School of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

   Amina Hayat & Asma Irshad

2. Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan

   Uzair Ishtiaq

3. Department of Research and Development, Paktex Industries, 2.5 KM Tatlay Road, Saroya Abad, Kamoke, 52470, Pakistan

   Uzair Ishtiaq

4. Department of Zoology , Baba Guru Nanak, University , Nankana Sahib, Pakistan

   Qudsia Mushtaq

5. Univ. Artois Unilasalle, Unité Transformations &amp Agroressources, Béthune, F-62408, France

   Alexis Spalletta & Patrick Martin

6. School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

   Rabbia Jawad

7. Department of Life Sciences, Superior University, Lahore, T.B, Pakistan

   Tahira Batool

Contributions

Conceptualization, A.I, P.M. U.I.; Data curation: Q.M. and P.M; Validation: U.I., A.H.; Formal analysis, A.S, R.J, and T.B; Funding acquisition, U.I., P.M; Investigation, U.I and P.M., A.I.; Methodology, U.I., A.S. and A.I.; Project administration: P.M. and U.I., Resources: U.I., P.M.; Software, A.H, R.J, T.B and Q.M; Supervision, P.M., A.I.; Visualization, R.J, Q.M, T.B, A.H.; Writing – original draft, U.I.,; Writing – review & editing, P.M.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Asma Irshad or Patrick Martin.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

No Ethical concern was raised during this study as no animal or human was used for this study.

Consent for publication

This research work is original, has not been previously published, and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. Therefore, all authors give their consent for this publication.

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