Synthesis, antibacterial activity, antibacterial mechanism and food applications of ZnO nanoparticles: a review

Abstract

Bacterial contamination reduces the shelf-life of foods and presents serious risks to human health. Nanotechnology provides the opportunity for the development of new antibacterial agents. Nano-inorganic metal oxides have shown the potential to reduce bacterial contamination of foods. When the particle size of materials decreases from the micrometre to the nanometre range, nano-functional properties such as diffusivity, mechanical strength, chemical reactivity and biological properties are improved. Significantly, ZnO has been used in many applications with particular success. Many studies have shown that ZnO nanoparticles have enhanced antibacterial activity. This review discusses the main synthetic methods, antibacterial activity, antibacterial mechanisms and food applications of ZnO nanoparticles.

Aminolysis of polyethylene terephthalate surface along with in situ synthesis and stabilizing ZnO nanoparticles using triethanolamine optimized with response surface methodology

“…7, a fabric treated with ZnO nanoparticles and inoculated with S. aureus and E. coli bacteria showed no growth of bacteria and reduced bacterial count of more than 4 log units, indicating antibacterial activity of greater than 99.99%. Different mechanisms have been proposed for antibacterial activity of ZnO nanoparticles including formation of reactive oxygen species, interaction of nanoparticles with bacteria and subsequent damage of the bacteria cell, and also release of Zn 2+ ions [39].…”

A model study into the migration potential of nanoparticles from plastics nanocomposites for food contact

“…Nanotechnology is considered to have the potential to overcome some of these disadvantages of neat polymers leading to a rapid growth of potential nanotechnology applications in the packaging sector (Arora & Padua, 2010;Azeredo, 2009;Sozer & Kokini, 2009). By incorporation of nanomaterials (NMs) such as nanoclays and others into a polymer matrix nanocomposites can be produced with improved properties and enhanced functionalities (Bradley, Castle, & Chaudhry, 2011;Chaudhry et al, 2008;Cushen, Kerry, Morris, Cruz-Romero, & Cummins, 2012;Dallas, Sharma, & Zboril, 2011;Duncan, 2011;Emamifar, Kadivar, Shahedi, & Soleimanian-Zad, 2010;Espitia et al, 2012;Lok et al, 2007;Shi et al, 2014;Silvestre, Duraccio, & Cimmino, 2011;Weiss, Takhistov, & McClements, 2006). As a result an enhanced shelf life of the packed food is expected.…”

An alternative approach to studying the effects of ZnO nanoparticles in cultured human lymphocytes: combining electrochemistry and genotoxicity tests

“…They are widely used as drug delivery vehicles, anticancer agents, components of the restorative dental and food packaging materials, and as cosmetic, antiseptic, and ultraviolet protection products (3,4). Exposure to ZnO NPs has come into focus with recent reports that their use may result in safety issues.…”