In the present work, magnetite (Fe3O4, avg. similar to 70 nm) synthesis employing Azadirachta indica (neem) leaf extract is reported originally using hydrothermal conditions and the results obtained were compared with that of D-glucose. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirms the presence of polysaccharides and proteins in the extract which act as both surfactants and reducing agents, aided the formation of magnetite nanostructures. Authors also reported the selective doping of Zn, Cu and Co on nickel ferrite for the enhancement of adsorptive dye removal property, adopting and investigating the use of eloquent one-step green hydrothermal approach (T=180 degrees C, t=4 h, pH=12) with sodium dodecyl sulfate as surfactant. X-ray diffraction studies reveal that all the materials synthesized are isometric spinel structures and furthermore, morphological evidences using scanning electron microscopy are accounted. Adsorptive dye removal ability of synthesized materials was investigated using trypan blue as a probe. It was evident from the results that magnetite using neem extract showed enhanced adsorption ability (75%) than that of D-glucose (62%). Also, exponential increase in dye removal efficiency from 55% to 81% due to the presence of copper in nickel ferrite was duly noted. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.