Green synthesis of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles with sicilian lemon and its activity against the proliferation of trypanosoma cruzi

In the last decades, nanoparticles have been the subject of intense studies, since intrinsic characteristics, such as their size, morphology, physical and chemical properties, that allow the manipulation of functionalities and applications mainly in the biomedical area, whose research has demonstrated several advantages in pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, demonstrating its ability in the drug delivery system. Besides, another important features in producing nanoparticles is related respect to the principles of green chemistry to its synthesis, thus resulting in reduction of the generation of harmful substances, mainly for the environment. In this work, green synthesis of a cobalt ferrite nanoparticle was performed using the Sicilian lemon and subsequently tested against Trypanosoma cruzi for its antiproliferative activity. Cobalt ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized by a sustainable method with the aid of Sicilian lemon (Citrus limonia) using water as the only solvent. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy. The X-ray diffractometry confirmed that the nanoparticles crystallized in a CoFe2O4 pure phase. SEM images show an agglomeration of fine particles that, in concentrations of 20 and 50 μg/mL, were evaluated against Trypanosoma cruzi. The nanoparticles produced with the aid of Sicilian lemon showed antiproliferative activity against T. cruzi and by transmission electron microscopy was observed inside the parasite, thus resulting in its growth inhibition.