en نانوتکنولوژی Nanotechnology پژوهشي Original Research <strong>Background</strong>: The search for environmentally friendly nanomaterials with strong antimicrobial activity has generated growing interest in using plants to produce nanoparticles.<br> <strong>Objectives</strong>: This study aimed to biosynthesize and characterize iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles stabilized by Luffa cylindrica extract and assess their antimicrobial properties.&nbsp;<br> <strong>Methods</strong>: The biosynthesized Fe2O3 nanoparticles were characterized using ultraviolet&ndash;visible (UV&ndash;Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to elucidate their optical, structural, morphological, and elemental properties.<br> <strong>Results</strong>: The formation of Fe2O3 nanoparticles was confirmed by standard absorbance at 370 nm and functional groups attributed to the capping and stabilization observed via FTIR. XRD patterns showed a crystalline rhombohedral phase, and SEM images indicated that the nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed with diameters of 20-50 nm. Nanoparticle efficacy was tested using the agar well diffusion method against a panel of gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains and fungal pathogens. The results revealed substantial dose-dependent antimicrobial activity, with greater inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans, indicating potential broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.&nbsp;<br> <strong>Conclusion</strong>: This study highlights the potential of L. cylindrica-mediated Fe2O3 nanoparticles as sustainable and effective antimicrobial agents with potential application in the biomedical, pharmaceutical, and environmental fields.&nbsp; Iron oxides, Nanoparticles, Plant extracts, Antibacterial agents, Biological products 49 60 http://pbr.mazums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1422-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Azaki Gideon Philip azakigideon@gmail.com 100319475328460012030 0009-0002-2532-9323 Yes Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria. Adamu Makanta Salihu a.salihu@futminna.edu.ng 100319475328460012031 100319475328460012031 No Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria. Fadipe Labake Ajoke labake.fadipe@futminna.edu.ng 100319475328460012032 100319475328460012032 No Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria. Shaba Elijah Yanda elijah.shaba@futminna.edu.ng 100319475328460012033 100319475328460012033 No Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria. Agbai Uche Timothy ekoyanuche111@gmail.com 100319475328460012034 100319475328460012034 No Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, United States. James Daniel jamesonykachi084@gmail.com 100319475328460012035 100319475328460012035 No Wuhan Institute of Virology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China. Suleiman Rahmat suleimanrahmat67@futminna.edu.ng 100319475328460012036 100319475328460012036 No Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria.