Study of the Antibacterial Activity of ZnO Nanoparticles

This study focuses on the antibacterial activity of the ZnO nanoparticles against organisms causing skin and wound infections. The nanoparticles were synthesized by a wet chemical route. The method was quick and nanoparticles were obtained in 3 days of incubation in dark. Characterization of the nanoparticles was done by X-Ray Diffraction and UV-Visible Spectrophotometry. It was observed that the UV-Visible spectrum peak was obtained at 357 nm corresponding to the Plasmon absorbance of Zinc oxide. X-Ray diffraction exhibited the 2 theta values corresponding to Zinc oxide and the particle size was estimated to be 20 nm. The antibacterial effect of nanoparticles was observed against Staphylococcus spp and Bacillus spp. The significance of the bactericidal activity of the nanoparticles lies in the reduction of using antibiotics against nosocomial infections, especially in prolonged treatments. The bandage material used in wound dressing was coated with ZnO nanoparticles by adsorption method. The textile was found to be efficient in inhibiting the growth of these organisms. The effect of adverse storage conditions on the coated bandage material was also studied. On comparing the results obtained at extreme pH and temperature and those obtained at optimum conditions, it was seen that the nanoparticles were less effective at these extreme conditions.