Hybrid nanomaterials based on gum Arabic and magnetite for hyperthermia treatments

•Versatile methodology to obtain gum Arabic coated magnetic nanoparticles•Feasible mechanisms for gum Arabic-iron oxide interactions•Highly stable aqueous dispersion•Suitable nanosystems for hyperthermia treatments

In this study, one-step co-precipitation method was conveniently adapted to obtain novel nanomaterials based on Gum Arabic and magnetite. Two synthesis procedures were evaluated: one employing the solid biopolymer in the co-precipitation media; a second using an aqueous solution of the polysaccharide. An exhaustive characterization of both formulations was performed using several specific techniques. The obtained data confirmed the successful incorporation of the gum Arabic on the magnetic core. Values of hydrodynamic diameters, measured by dynamic light scattering, in aqueous dispersions were about 70-80 nm, while sizes lower than 20 nm were registered by TEM microscopy. Surface charge of gum Arabic coated magnetic nanoparticles was significantly different from the corresponding to raw materials (magnetite and GA). This fact confirmed the formation of hybrid nanosystems with novel and specific properties.The potential utility of these materials was tested regarding to magnetic hyperthermia therapy under radiofrequency fields. Magnetocalorimetric measurements were performed in a wide range of field amplitude and frequency. Specific absorption rate of 218 W/gFe was determined at field frequency of 260 kHz and amplitude of 52 kA/m. These results demonstrate their viability to be applied in tumor ablation treatments. Using the linear response theory and restricting field parameters to the accepted biomedical window, maximum useful value of 74 w/gFe is predicted at 417 kHz and 12 kA/m.