Synthesis and functionalization of silver ferrite (AgFe2O3) nanoparticles with l-methionine: In vivo toxicity studies against Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Abstract

In the present study, silver ferrite nanoparticles (AgFe2O3 NPs) were synthesized by a simple and rapid solution precipitation method using ammonium hydroxide as a complexing agent. AgFe2O3 NPs were conjugated with folic acid and l-methionine for in vivo administration to Drosophila melanogaster (DM) flies. The drug conjugated AgFe2O3 NPs were characterized by using different physicochemical techniques such as UV–Visible spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM), particle size distribution (DLS), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and thermogravimetric analysis. SEM images reveal the nearly spherical shaped AgFe2O3 NPs (ф 25–30 nm), while energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy reveals the expected elemental composition. On the DM flies’ model (observation from 3 to 50 days), the results reveal that drug conjugated AgFe2O3 NPs have good repeatability and are less toxic. Furthermore, functionalized NPs of concentrations 0.25 mM, 0.5 mM, and 1 mM were administered orally, but no significant differences in viability, fecundity, or locomotory assay were identified up to 0.5 mM. The drug loading and releasing efficiency were tested, and the amount of drug released was highest at pH 5.3 (the normal ambient setting for intravenous neuron drugs), followed by pH 7.2 and pH 6.8. This study showed that the functionalized AgFe2O3 NPs are safe to use in living organisms. As a result, they can be used as a drug delivery carrier in many disease models, including neural delivery.

Keywords

• AgFe2O3 nanoparticles
• SEM
• l-Methionine
• Folic acid
• Drosophila melanogaster
• In vivo toxicity