Antibacterial Effects of Synthesized ZnO: Ag Nanoparticles against Listeria monocytogenes

Background and objective: Listeriosis is considered as one of the most significant food-borne diseases. Nanotechnology is perceived as a promising solution to produce and develop such new antibacterial substances. Method: The present study synthesized ZnO and Ag-doped ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO:Ag NPs). The products of this study were under the effect of characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). This study tried to examine the antibacterial activities attributed to ZnO and ZnO:Ag NPs against Listeria monocytogenes by agar well diffusion method at six concentrations of 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.12 mu g/ml. Results: A polyhedral form of the abovementioned unified nanoparticles was shown by SEM micrographs. Among the mentioned concentrations, treatment of 100, 50 and 25 mu g/ml of ZnO:Ag NPs was completely inhibited the growth of L. monocytogenes in 24 h. Conclusion: The results indicated that the appearance of Ag NPs in their hybrids (ZnO:Ag NPs) although in low content (<25 mu g/ml) had effective antibacterial activities and it can be used as a drug candidate.