Exploring a Sustainable Approach to Antioxidant Potential of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Citrus sinensis Peel Extract

Abstract

The objective of this research paper is to investigate a simple, effective, and environmentally-friendly technique for synthesizing Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles using aqueous-based extract derived from the peels of Citrus sinensis fruit. The primary goal of this method is to produce Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles with potential antioxidant properties. The biological reducing and capping agents used for this process are the phytochemicals and bioactive compounds present in the aqueous extract of Citrus sinensis fruit peel. Ferrous sulfate was used as the precursor for the synthesis of the Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles, which were analyzed and characterized using XRD, SEM, EDX, FT-IR, TGA, and zeta potential. According to the findings, the Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles exhibited a crystalline and spherical structure, and their average size was 22 nm, and a value of – 56.5 mV. TGA spectra determined a weight loss of 36.61% in the nanoparticles in a temperature range of 200–600 °C, because of the thermal decomposition of biomolecules. The strength of the nanoparticles' antioxidant properties was evaluated using a DPPH and ABTS assay and determined to be robust. The maximum scavenging activity of 88–90% was observed at higher concentrations (100 µg/mL) of the nanoparticles. The findings of this research suggest that this eco-friendly synthesis of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles from Citrus sinensis fruit peel extract is an efficient method that could potentially have a broad range of biomedical applications due to its antioxidant properties.