Carbohydrate-modified magnetic nanoparticles for radical scavenging.

Maghemite (gamma-Fe2O3) nanoparticles, 12 nm in size, were prepared by co-precipitation of Fe(II) and Fe(III) chlorides with ammonium hydroxide and oxidation with hydrogen peroxide. To achieve stability and biocompatibility, obtained particles were coated with silica, to which glucose and ascorbic acid were bound by different mechanisms. The composite particles were thoroughly characterized by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, elemental analysis, and FT-Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy to determine composition, morphology, size and its distribution, zeta-potential, and scavenging of peroxyl and hydroxyl radicals. As the particles showed promising antioxidative properties, they may have a possible application as a stable magnetically controlled scavenger of reactive oxygen species.