Utilizing Camellia Sinensis Extract for the Biosynthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and Assessing their Antibacterial Effectiveness

In this study, an extract from green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) was prepared using 5 grams of leaves in 100 ml of distilled water, then the mixture was heated to 80 °C using a magnetic stirrer to obtain the extract for half an hour. After cooling, iron oxide particles were synthesized by adding 0.01 molar iron chloride to 100 ml of distilled water and using a magnetic stirrer for half an hour. The extract was mixed in ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 2:3 with iron chloride, and the mixture immediately turned black. The results showed that the light absorption of iron oxide particles decreased with increasing ratios, resulting in a shift towards longer wavelengths. The indirect band gap increased from 3.2 eV at a 1:1 ratio to 3.3 eV at a 2:3 ratio, which may be attributed to the confinement effect. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns show the amorphous nature of the particles, and crystal sizes were estimated using the Scherrer formula. In terms of surface properties, particle aggregation was observed in the 1:1 and 2:3 ratios, while the 1:2 ratio had a more uniform distribution. The results showed that iron oxide particles have antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, with a highest inhibition zone at a ratio of 3:2. This indicates their potential in managing infections caused by these organisms.