Antibacterial activity of Na2O/CuO nanocomposite for potential biomedical applications

Recently due to the presence of antibiotic resistance microorganisms, researches are attempting to develop new and effective antibacterial agents [1]. Inorganic metal oxide nanoparticles have recently received great attention, because these particles are widely used as industrial catalysts, chemical sensing devices, in medical applications, disinfection, as antimicrobials, fillers, opacifiers, catalysts, semiconductors and they are also useful in the development of cosmetics and microelectronics [2]. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the toxicity of Na2O/CuO NPs to microorganisms. In the present investigation, the Na2O/CuO nanocomposite have been prepared by sol-gel method using copper acetate, sodium nitrate and citric acid as capping agent. The prepared material was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The peak broadening in the XRD pattern of the Na2O/CuO nanocomposites indicates that the particles are nanosized with the size about 17 nm, as confirmed by Debye-Scherrer formula. SEM micrograph of the Na2O/CuO nanocomposite indicates the formation of uniformly spherical nanograins. Antimicrobial activity of Na2O/CuO nanocomposite was tested against gram negative Shigelladysenteriae (PTCC 1188), pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Salmonella paratyphi-A serotype (ATCC 5702), and Gram-positive bacteria: Bacillus subtilis (ATCC633), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC12228), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29737) by Agar well diffusion method. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) results reveal that the Na2O/CuO nanocomposite has maximum sensitivity at a concentration of 250 µg/ml against Staphylococcus epidermidis. Potentially, it could be good antibacterial product through its appropriate properties such as eco-friendly, gentle and not dangerous

Keywords:

Antibacterial activity , Nanocomposite , MIC , Sol-gel