BIOFABRICATION OF ZINC OXIDE NANOPARTICLES USING MEDICINAL PLANT EXTRACTS FOR ENHANCED ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTI-BIOFILM ACTIVITY

Abstract

Background: Antimicrobial resistance in bacterial pathogens is increasingly becoming a concerning issue and alternative therapeutic agents that are environmentally friendly have to be developed. Green nanotechnology is also a sustainable solution since it employs extracts of medicinal plant in the biofabrication of metal oxide nanoparticles. Background: This paper aimed to work with the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using medicinal plant extracts, the physicochemical characteristics of these nanoparticles, and their antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects on pathogenic bacteria. Methods: Zinc oxide nanoparticles were produced through plant-mediated reduction using precursors of zinc acetate. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering were used to characterize the synthesized nanoparticles. To evaluate the antibacterial efficacy, diffusion assays and broth microdilution were performed to determine the minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentration and anti-bacterial efficacy was evaluated using crystal violet assays. Hemocompatibility and production of reactive oxygen species were also checked. Findings: Physicochemical characterization revealed the appearance of stable, hexagonal wurtzite zinc oxide nanoparticles, capped by biomolecules of plant origin, and with the homogeneous nanoscale morphology. The biofabricated nanoparticles exhibited high antibacterial activity towards Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, low inhibitory and bactericidal levels, and high inhibitory and eradication of microbial biofilms. In addition, there was a positive hemocompatibility test, and a process that was propelled by elevated production of reactive oxygen species intra-cellularly. Conclusion: Medicinal-plant-derived biofabricated zinc oxide nanoparticles are a sustainable, highly effective antimicrobial and anti-biofilm solution with high potential in overcoming microbial resistance without adverse effects on the safety of mammalian cells. Keywords, Nanoparticles, Zinc, Biofabrication, Biofilm, Antibacterial, Resistance