# Antibacterial action and target mechanisms of zinc oxide nanoparticles against bacterial pathogens

“Antibacterial action and target mechanisms of zinc oxide nanoparticles against bacterial pathogens” (2022), by Carolina Rosai Mendes et al. Materials Science research paper. Original abstract below, unchanged. A free PDF is available.

- Authors: Carolina Rosai Mendes, Guilherme Dilarri, Carolina Froes Forsan, Vinícius de Moraes Ruy Sapata, Paulo Renato Matos Lopes, Peterson Bueno de Moraes, Renato Nallin Montagnolli, Henrique Ferreira, Edério Dino Bidóia
- Published: February 16, 2022
- Field: Materials Science
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-06657-y
- Free PDF: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-06657-y.pdf

## Abstract

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are one of the most widely used nanoparticulate materials due to their antimicrobial properties, but their main mechanism of action (MOA) has not been fully elucidated. The study characterized ZnO NPs using X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Antimicrobial activity of clinically bacteria Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was evaluated by REMA after exposure to the ZnO NP at concentrations from 0.2 to 1.4 mM. Sensitivity was achieved at 0.6 mM for the Gram-negatives and 1.0 mM for Gram-positives cells. The effect of ZnO NPs on the membrane integrity and in the interference of cell division was investigated by its effect on the divisional ring, through fluorescence microscopy assays using B. subtilis (amy::pspac-ftsZ-gfpmut1) expressing FtsZ-GFP. Results showed that ZnO NPs did not interfere with the assembly of the divisional Z-ring. However, 70% of the cells showed damage in the cytoplasmic membrane after 15 min of exposure to the ZnO NPs. Electrostatic forces, production of Zn2+ ions, generation of reactive oxygen species were described as pathways of bactericidal action by ZnO. Thus, understanding bactericidal MOA can produce predictive models to prevent bacterial resistance and lead to further research.

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