Magnetic Nanoparticle Interface with an Antimicrobial Propensity

Magnetic nanoparticles for its biocompatible, magnetic, thermal, and mechanical properties have made inroads in different fields of medical and pharmaceutical sciences, like pathogen detection, antigen diagnosis, tissue repair, drug delivery, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), etc. Studies have elucidated the insignificant antimicrobial activity of intact magnetic nanoparticles; however, the activity is likely to be enhanced by altering the nanoparticle interface to broaden the particle applications. Hence, this chapter discusses the antimicrobial activity of magnetic nanoparticles against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including multidrug-resistant pathogens, the role of interaction pattern at the bio-nano interface determining the antimicrobial activity, effect of nanoparticle interface alteration on the particle antimicrobial activity, and role of reactive oxygen species in the antimicrobial activity of magnetic nanoparticles. To this end, the chapter would explore the potential of magnetic nanoparticles as novel antimicrobial agents against microbes including plant pathogens.