Journal of Environmental Biology

Biosynthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles for potential agronomical application

P. Singh¹, A. Pratinidhi² and S. Ravindran²*     

¹Symbiosis Centre for Waste Resource Management, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune-412 115, India

²Symbiosis School of Biological Sciences, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune-412 115, India 

Received: 24 October 2025                   Revised: 24 February 2026                   Accepted: 28 February 2026

*Corresponding Author Email : selvan.ravindran@ssbs.edu.in                     *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6846-319X

Abstract

Aim: Green synthesis of iron nanoparticles (IONPs) is a sustainable approach to develop IONP based fertilizers for agronomical applications. Study of unexplored biomass and biological sources are vital to expand the domain of IONP synthesis. The aim of the current study was to explore lemon juice as an unexplored precursor for IONPs synthesis.

Methodology: Characteristics of IONPs synthesised by biological route from lemon juice as a precursor were compared with chemically synthesized IONPs. These IONPs were studied for their agricultural application by assessing their potential to affect tomato seed germination.

Results: Large sized IONPs (43.83 nm) were generated from lemon juice as a precursor as compared to chemically synthesized IONPs (27.86 nm). Biological IONP increased tomato seed germination by 59.1%. With reduced use of chemicals and at par performance, this study confirms biological IONPs (generated from lemon juice) as promising alternative to chemically synthesized IONPs.

Interpretation: This work established a new low cost organic solution, lemon juice, as a promising precursor for green synthesis of IONPs, with effective performance in enhanced tomato seeds germination, indicating their potential for agronomic applications.

Key words: Green synthesis, Iron oxide nanoparticle, Lemon juice, Nanofertilizer, Seed germination

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