Cefixime wastewater management via bioengineered Hematite nanoparticles and the in-vitro synergetic potential multifunction activities of Cefixime@Hematite nanosystem

The current paper evaluates the adsorption performance of the biofabricated Alpha Hematite nanoparticles (α-HNPs) for the removal of the Cefixime (Cfx) drug from the pharmaceutical wastewater. Adsorption isotherm, kinetic, and thermodynamic studies have been investigated using batch mode procedures. The optimum conditions were conducted as solution pH 4, α-HNPs dose 100 mg, Cfx concentration 100 mg/L, and absolute temperature 298 K. Cfx adsorption found to follow the Langmuir isothermal model via maximum monolayer adsorption capacities of 147.1 mg/g, and equilibrium kinetic as pseudo-second-order. Thermodynamic parameters were derived as spontaneous chemisorption endothermic processes. The capability of the process for the adsorbent regeneration study revealed the utility of the α-HNPs efficiency up to 5 successive times. Antibacterial activity of the adsorbed Cfx at the surface of α-HNPs (Cfx@α-HNPs) was investigated manifesting highly potent against each of Gram-negative & Gram-positive bacteria. The synergistic impact of Cfx@α-HNPs as an anticancer agent against MCF7, HepG2, and HCT116 cell lines was conducted at IC₅₀ 108.5, 117.7, and 156.4 µg/mL respectively revealing a promising efficacy comparing use of the α-HNPs alone. α-HNPs and Cfx@α-HNPs could be suggested as a novel multidrug bacteria-resistant alternative approach in case of treatment for chronic wound infections. As the first investigation of antiviral use of Cfx@α-HNPs against SARS-CoV-2, it was achieved a safety therapeutic index equal to 2.6 revealing a promising antiviral activity.