A novel approach for the green synthesis of iron nanoparticles using marigold extract, black liquor, and nanocellulose: Effect on marigold growth parameters

Elham Malekzadeh; Aliasghar Tatari; Mojtaba Barani Motlagh; Maryam Nohesara; Siamak Mohammadi

doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131552

A novel approach for the green synthesis of iron nanoparticles using marigold extract, black liquor, and nanocellulose: Effect on marigold growth parameters

Int J Biol Macromol. 2024 Apr 13;267(Pt 2):131552. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131552. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Elham Malekzadeh¹, Aliasghar Tatari², Mojtaba Barani Motlagh³, Maryam Nohesara³, Siamak Mohammadi⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Water and Soil Engineering, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran. Electronic address: emalekzadeh@gau.ac.ir.
² Department of Cellulose Science and Engineering, Faculty of Wood and Paper Engineering, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran.
³ Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Water and Soil Engineering, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran.
⁴ Department of Horticulture and Landscape Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.

PMID: 38615855
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131552

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate a novel method for the green synthesis of iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) using marigold extract (Calendula officinalis L), kraft pulping black liquor, and nanocellulose. Then, the efficacy of FeNPs as a direct nanofertilizer on the growth parameters of marigold was investigated. Characterization techniques including FESEM, EDX, VSM, and FTIR were used to confirm the successful synthesis of FeNPs. The characterization results confirmed the formation and presence of FeNPs in the 20-100 nm range. FeNPs synthesized with nanocellulose notably enhanced marigold growth parameters compared to other materials. However, all nanoparticle variants, including those from marigold extract and black liquor, improved germination, plant height, root length, and plant dry weight compared to the control. Moreover, treatments exhibited higher available iron and total plant iron levels than the control. Thus, employing 10 mg FeNPs (prepared with 5.0 % nanocellulose) appears optimal for enhancing marigold growth and yield.

Keywords: Black liquor; Calendula officinalis; Green synthesis; Iron; Nanocellulose; Nanofertilizer.