An impact of antibacterial efficacy of metal oxide nanoparticles: A promise for future
Cytotoxic; Degradable; Metal oxide nanoparticles; Microbial resistance
Since its advent, nanotechnology has seen applications in diverse fields including the biomedical domain. Many metal oxide nanoparticles (NP) have shown good antimicrobial properties. Their small size and ability to inhibit a broad spectrum of bacterial species have made them promising candidates in our search of antimicrobial agents. Since, they don't target a specific protein in a microbial species, the chances of the microbe gaining resistance is also less. This is indeed a great advantage over antibiotics, most of which target specific proteins of bacteria. Most of the pathogenic bacteria have gained resistance against commonly used antibiotics. In this context there is a dire need of antimicrobials with a broader spectrum of action. Metal oxide nanoparticles like: ZnO NPs and CuO NPs easily fit into this category. They can suppress microbial growth by reactive oxygen species production, thereby causing damage to biomolecules, cation release, interactions with membrane and ATP depletion. One of the challenges with metal oxide NP is their cytotoxicity. Scientists are in search of degradable and less toxic metal oxide NP. The current review focuses on the relative advantages and limitations of various metal oxides NPs in inhibiting microbial growth. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021. All rights reserved.
Bio-manufactured Nanomaterials: Perspectives and Promotion, pp. 393-406.
Sarojini S., Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India; Jayaram S., Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India