Jul 2026· Journal of Mathematical and Fundamental Sciences· Vol 58, pp. 1-18· 0 citations
Abstract
Using a plant-assisted sol–gel strategy, a hydroxyapatite–zinc oxide (HAp/ZnO) composite was produced from Padalarang calcite and lemon (Citrus limon L.) extract. The calcite supplied the calcium component, while constituents of the lemon extract promoted metal-ion complexation and helped control precursor stabilization. This environmentally friendly approach reduces the use of hazardous chemicals while facilitating the formation and stabilization of the composite precursor during the sol–gel process. The synthesized HAp/ZnO nanocomposite exhibited crystalline HAp and ZnO phases and the mean crystallite dimension calculated from the diffraction data was 45.52 nm. XRF analysis confirmed the elemental composition and Ca/P ratio, while FTIR spectroscopy identified the characteristic functional groups of HAp and ZnO. Further, SEM observations revealed the particle morphology of the nanocomposite. In disk-diffusion testing against Escherichia coli, the inhibition diameter increased from 5 mm at 5 mg/mL to 15 mm at 20 mg/mL. The antibacterial response was interpreted mainly in terms of ZnO-derived reactive oxygen species and the action of released Zn2+ ions. The findings of this study indicate that the synthesized HAp/ZnO nanocomposite is a promising candidate material for further investigation in the development of sustainable antibacterial biomaterials.
The development of bio-based antibacterial materials using natural additives is a crucial strategy for reducing reliance on hazardous synthetic chemicals. This study investigated the effect of incorporating ginger nanoparticles (GNPs) at varying concentrations (1, 2, 3, and 4 mL) into a chitosan/polyethylene oxide (PEO) blend to enhance its antibacterial properties. XRD analysis revealed that hydrogen bonding between chitosan and PEO produced a broad peak at 23.60°. The addition of the GNPs intensified this peak and introduced a sharper feature at 19.00°, confirming the successful interaction between the nanoparticles and the polymer matrix. FTIR spectroscopy showed new C–O–C vibrational bands at 1107 cm−1 upon blending, with further spectral changes observed after GNP addition, indicating the formation or disappearance of specific functional groups. The incorporation of the GNPs was demonstrated by a new absorption peak at 235 nm, and the semi-crystalline nature of the nanocomposite was confirmed by optical analysis. TEM revealed that the GNPs had diameters of 36.6 ± 13.8 nm, while zeta potential analysis at 25 °C recorded count rates of 106.8, 71.90, and 83.50 kcps for three distinct particle bands, and the mean was −19.33 mV, with a zeta potential deviation of 14.0 mV. The value of the zeta potential indicated the moderate stability of the GNPs. SEM demonstrated that increasing the GNP concentration led to larger, aggregated particle morphologies, with complete coalescence at the highest concentration. The chitosan/PEO blend exhibited higher thermal stability than pure chitosan, while the final polymer nanocomposite showed reduced residue levels at elevated temperatures. Antibacterial testing against Gram-positive (Enterococcus and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella) bacteria demonstrated that the GNP-loaded nanocomposite exhibited enhanced antimicrobial activity compared with the pure polymer blend. For Gram-negative bacteria, the activity was small or negligible. These results position the chitosan/PEO/GNP nanocomposite as a promising bio-based material for antibacterial applications.
Ghada A Mostafa, D. M. Ayad, A. A. Menazea et al.· RSC Advances· 0 citations
A novel nanocomposite comprising pectin, zeolite, and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) was hypothesised to enhance antibacterial activity through synergistic effects. Consequently, the material was investigated as a green antibacterial agent for biomedical applications. Pectin was extracted from green apples using ethanol precipitation and dried at 50°C. The nanocomposite was prepared by mixing 1% (w/v) pectin, 2% (w/v) zeolite, and 0.5% (w/v) ZnO nanoparticles in water, followed by stirring for 2 hours at room temperature. For antibacterial testing, 100 µL of a 10^6 CFU/mL bacterial suspension was spread on Mueller-Hinton agar. Composite discs (6 mm diameter, 20 mg) were placed on the plates. After 24 hours of incubation at 37°C, inhibition zones were measured. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined by broth microdilution (10–200 µg/mL) in 96-well plates. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of functional group interactions within the materials. The pectin-zeolite-ZnO nanocomposite had strong antibacterial activity against both bacteria. For Staphylococcus aureus, the nanocomposite produced an inhibition zone of 18 ± 0.5 mm and for Escherichia coli, 16 ± 0.6 mm. These values were significantly greater than those observed for the pectin (9.3 ± 0.3 mm), zeolite (10.1 ± 0.4 mm), or ZnO nanoparticles alone (13 ± 0.5 mm). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the nanocomposite was 40 µg/mL against S. aureus and 50 µg/mL against E. coli. This increase in antibacterial efficacy results from the synergy among zeolite, pectin, and ZnO nanoparticles, which enhances bacterial cell disruption and inhibition. The developed nanocomposite is a promising antibacterial agent. Its strong antibacterial activity suggests potential use in biomedical applications such as wound dressings, implant coatings, or antibacterial surfaces, where effective inhibition of bacterial growth is essential. These results highlight the nanocomposite's translational potential for preventing infections and supporting the development of safe biomedical devices.
Mercy Adusei Boatemaa· International journal of re...· 0 citations
The bamboo shell-derived HAp/Alg composite produced at pH 10 was a potential candidate for localized antibacterial drug delivery systems in biomedical applications and carried clindamycin efficiently carried on the composite matrix and released in a sustained manner.
Wulandari Wulandari, N. Jamarun, D. V. Wellia et al.· Baghdad Science Journal· 0 citations
Zinc ferrite nanoparticles have been synthesized via green gelation route employing a natural surfactant as a sustainable stabilizing additive. The usage of natural surfactants minimized the toxicity thereby offering an eco-friendly approach to synthesis of nanomaterials. The synthesized nanomaterials were systematically characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), FT-IR, SEM-EDAX, UV-visible, and VSM techniques. PXRD peaks reveal the formation of cubic spinel structure with no impurities. FT-IR spectrum confirmed the characteristic functional groups present in spinel ferrite. The prepared nanomaterials showed agglomeration with wider flaky grains from SEM analysis. The EDAX confirmed the elemental compositions present in zinc ferrite nanomaterials. VSM studies showed low saturation magnetization, coercivity and remnant magnetization. The absorption maxima for zinc ferrite nanomaterial around 318 nm corresponds to the charge transfer from ligand to metal center. Besides, antibacterial and antifungal studies were evaluated using agar-disk diffusion method against pathogenic strains.
B. Avila Josephine, G. Kaladevi, A. Ashwini et al.· Preparative Biochemistry & B...· 0 citations
To overcome the limitations of conventional biopolymer films and reduce reliance on petroleum-based plastics, a nacre-inspired film was developed via 3D printing. During printing process, shear-induced alignment of mica flakes was achieved within a sodium alginate/xanthan gum matrix. Additionally, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were incorporated to achieve a synergistic reinforcement effect. Structural analysis revealed that the mica flakes within the film exhibited an oriented distribution, with ZnO NPs uniformly embedded in the interlayer voids, and hydrogen bonding assisted in forming a dense network of the components. Performance testing showed that the tensile strength rose from 13.8 MPa to 62.9 MPa. Improvements in water resistance and thermal stability were also observed. Furthermore, the material exhibited outstanding comprehensive protective properties, including a low water vapor permeability value of 7.587 × 10−11 g·m/m2·Pa·s, an ultraviolet blocking rate of 99.37% at a wavelength of 280 nm, and the ability to completely inhibit target bacterial strains, while also possessing good biodegradability and recyclability. Shelf-life tests indicated that the film fabricated in this work could notably prolong the shelf life of strawberries. Biocompatibility test results indicated that the film was safe and non-toxic, and showed no significant cytotoxicity.
Shengsi Hu, Chenfeng Yu, Mei Xu et al.· Foods· 0 citations
Zinc oxide-functionalized carbon (ZnO-C) nanocomposites have gained interest due to their superior antibacterial activity, biocompatibility, and potential for biomedical applications. In the current work, ZnO-C nanocomposites were produced utilizing a simple green solvothermal process with Daucus carota extract as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent and citric acid as a carbon precursor. The nanocomposites were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDAX) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. The characterisation results proved the effective synthesis of nanocrystalline ZnO-C nanocomposites with distinct structural and functional properties. The antibacterial activity was tested against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Klebsiella pneumoniae using the agar well diffusion technique. The ZnO-C nanocomposites indicated selective antibacterial action, with enhanced inhibition observed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (24 mm) and moderate activity against MRSA (11-14 mm). Enterococcus faecalis and Klebsiella pneumoniae showed low susceptibility. Comparative testing with carbon nanoparticles demonstrated that ZnO functionalization improved antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, revealing the synergistic impact of ZnO nanoparticles with the carbon matrix.
C. Sherina P, Francis Tisha N, Nirmala Jothi N S· International Journal for Sc...· 0 citations
