Incorporation of lipid-coated MnFe2O4@Fe3O4 core-shell supermagnetic nanoparticles into LDE nanoemulsion for medical application

• Grant number: 25/13333-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Antonio Martins Figueiredo Neto
• Grantee: Aline Sanches Perez
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/10843-7 - Synthesis and characterisation of multi-functional lipid-based nano particles, with potential biomedical application in Cancer and Atherosclerosis: a multidisciplinary approach, AP.TEM

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), particularly manganese ferrite (MnFe¿O¿), small in size <10 nm, have emerged as promising candidates for biomedical and environmental applications due to their tunable magnetic properties, biocompatibility, and functionalization potential. Despite their increasing use, comprehensive evaluations such as drug delivery and toxicity of lipid-functionalized MNPs remain limited. In this study, we synthesized small core-shell MnFe2O4@Fe3O4 nanoparticles via a hydrothermal coprecipitation method and functionalized them with oleic acid (OA) or lecithin (Lec) to enhance the biocompatibility and incorporation capability into cholesterol-rich lipid nanoemulsion (LDE). The nanocomposites were characterized structurally, magnetically, thermally, and chemically to confirm the successful synthesis and functionalization. To evaluate in vivo toxicity, we conducted a series of behavioral and phenotypic assays using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism. These results indicate that these nanocomposites are nontoxic in D. melanogaster and may be suitable for biomedical applications such as drug delivery systems.