Zinc oxide nanoparticle suspensions and layer-by-layer coatings inhibit staphylococcal growth

Abstract

Despite a decade of engineering and process improvements, bacterial infection remains the primary threat to implanted medical devices. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have demonstrated antimicrobial properties. Their microbial selectivity, stability, ease of production, and low cost make them attractive alternatives to silver NPs or antimicrobial peptides. Here we sought to (1) determine the relative efficacy of ZnO-NPs on planktonic growth of medically relevant pathogens; (2) establish the role of bacterial surface chemistry on ZnO-NP effectiveness; (3) evaluate NP shape as a factor in the dose-response; and (4) evaluate layer-by-layer (LBL) ZnO-NP surface coatings on biofilm growth. ZnO-NPs inhibited bacterial growth in a shape-dependent manner not previously seen or predicted. Pyramid shape particles were the most effective and contrary to previous work, larger particles were more effective than smaller particles. Differential susceptibility of pathogens may be related to their surface hydrophobicity. LBL coatings of ZnO-NP reduced staphylococcal biofilm burden by >95%.

Antimicrobial activity of metal oxide microspheres: an innovative process for homogeneous incorporation into materials

“…; McGuffie et al . ). In comparison, our assays with incorporated microspheres of metal oxides into plastic materials led to the demonstration of a lethal effect on bacteria and viruses observed in the same range of concentrations (since 0·5% (w/w)).…”

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