Aloe vera extract functionalized zinc oxide nanoparticles as nanoantibiotics against multi drug resistant clinical bacterial isolates.
ZnO nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were synthesised through a simple and efficient biogenic synthesis approach, exploiting the reducing and capping potential of Aloe barbadensis Miller (A. vera) leaf extract (ALE) ALE capped ZnO nanoparticles (ALE ZnONPs) were characterized using UV Vis spectroscopy, X ray diffraction (XRD) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) energy dispersive X ray spectroscopy (EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses. XRD analysis provided the average size of ZnONPs as 15 nm. FTIR spectral analysis suggested the role of phenolic compounds, terpenoids and proteins present in ALE, in nucleation and stability of ZnONPs. Flow cytometry and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) data analyses revealed the surface binding and internalization of ZnONPs in Gram +ve (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram ve (Escherichia coli) cells, respectively. Significant antibacterial activity of ALE ZnONPs was observed against extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL) positive E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) clinical isolates exhibiting the MIC and MBC values of 2200, 2400 mg/ml and 2300, 2700 mg/ml, respectively. Substantial inhibitory effects of ALE ZnONPs on bacterial growth kinetics, exopolysaccharides and biofilm formation, unequivocally suggested the antibiotic and anti biofilm potential. Overall, the results elucidated a rapid, environmentally benign, cost effective, and convenient method for ALE ZnONPs synthesis, for possible applications as nanoantibiotics or drug carriers.
Journal of colloid and interface science