ZnO Nanoporous Spheres with Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Activity by Physicochemical Interactions

The extensive range of applications where synthetic nanomaterials are nowadays used is causing a huge commercial market. An incipient use of these nanomaterials arises from the need to generate alternative antimicrobial agents, anticipating the development of resistant micro- organisms. Here, we sho...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Lucas-Gil, Eva de, Leret, Pilar, Monte-Serrano, Mercedes, Jiménez Reinosa, Julián, Enríquez Pérez, Esther, Campo, Ángel Adolfo del, Cañete, Magdalena, Menéndez, Javier, Fernández Lozano, José Francisco, Rubio Marcos, Fernando
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2018
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/191990
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/191990
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Physicochemical action
Antimicrobial properties
Nanoporous spheres
ZnO
Cluster
Descripción
Sumario:The extensive range of applications where synthetic nanomaterials are nowadays used is causing a huge commercial market. An incipient use of these nanomaterials arises from the need to generate alternative antimicrobial agents, anticipating the development of resistant micro- organisms. Here, we show a nanostructured ZnO with antimicrobial properties and low cytotoxicity based on a nanoparticle¿s arrangement by controlling the formation of sintering neck into nanoporous spheres. The antimicrobial effectiveness of ZnO spheres is tested in a broad spectrum of microorganisms such as fungi as well as Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The hierarchical structures show highly effective antimicrobial activity at low concentrations and in relatively short action times (24¿72 h). We demonstrate that the enhanced antimicrobial properties against microorganisms are ascribed to a combining of both physical and chemical interactions between microorganism and ZnO. The approximation mechanism between microorganism and ZnO is provided through electrostatic forces (physical interaction) which, thanks to the ZnO¿microorganism proximity, promote a rapid release of zinc cations and the reactive oxygen species penetration into microorganisms (chemical interaction). We believe that this work provides insights into the mechanisms underlying the interactions ZnO¿microorganism and possesses a combined action mechanism for which nanostructured ZnO is so effective to combat microorganisms.