Provided are iron oxide nanocapsules for an MRI contrast agent having high contrast, in which a plurality of iron oxide nanoparticles having a hydrophobic ligand attached thereto are encapsulated in an encapsulation material including a biodegradable polymer and a surfactant, and which satisfy Relations 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 below. Also a method of manufacturing the iron oxide nanocapsules is provided.
5≦100*Dμ(IO)/C <o ostyle="single">ω</o>(IO) [Relation 1]
2.5≦100*Dμ(Cap)/C <o ostyle="single">ω</o>(Cap) [Relation 2]
0.5 wt %≦F(IO)≦50 wt % [Relation 3]
1 nm≦Dμ(IO)≦25 nm [Relation 4]
50 nm≦Dμ(Cap)≦200 nm [Relation 5]