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Hierarchical nanostructures of Au@ZnO: antibacterial and antibiofilm agent

  • Applied genetics and molecular biotechnology
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Abstract

The perpetual use of antibiotics against pathogens inadvertently altered their genes that have translated into an unprecedented resistance in microorganisms in the twenty-first century. Many researchers have formulated bactericidal and bacteriostatic inorganic nanoparticle-based antiseptics that may be linked to broad-spectrum activity and far lower propensity to induce microbial resistance than organic-based antibiotics. Based on this line, herein, we present observations on microbial abatement using gold-based zinc oxide nanostructures (Au@ZnO) which are synthesized using hydrothermal route. Inhibition of microbial growth and biofilm using Au@ZnO is a unique feature of our study. Furthermore, this study evinces antimicrobial and antibiofilm mechanisms of photo-eradiated Au@ZnO by disruption of cellular functions and biofilms via reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent generation of superoxide anion radical. The present study is significant as it introduces novel functionalities to Au@ZnO in the biomedical field which can be extended to other species of microbial pathogens.

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Acknowledgments

Haribhau Gholap acknowledges research funding from the Board of College and University Development (BCUD), Savitribai Phule Pune University, and Fergusson College, Pune, India, for the research facility. Rajendra Patil acknowledges UPE-II phase grant and Departmental Research and Development Grant, Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, for the financial support. We are thankful to Dr. Satishchandra Ogale (Scientist G), National Chemical Laboratory and Dr. Kale Bharat (Scientist F), C-MET, Pune, for the help and support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Fergusson College, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411004, India

    Haribhau Gholap

  2. Department of Physics, Nowrosjee Wadia College, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411001, India

    Sambhaji Warule

  3. Y. B. Chavan College of Pharmacy, Dr. Rafiq Zakaria Campus, Aurangabad, 431001, India

    Jaiprakash Sangshetti

  4. Department of Physics, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411007, India

    Gauri Kulkarni, Arun Banpurkar & Surekha Satpute

  5. Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411007, India

    Rajendra Patil

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  1. Haribhau Gholap
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Correspondence to Haribhau Gholap or Rajendra Patil.

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Gholap, H., Warule, S., Sangshetti, J. et al. Hierarchical nanostructures of Au@ZnO: antibacterial and antibiofilm agent. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 100, 5849–5858 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-016-7391-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-016-7391-1

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