Breakthrough in Nanotechnology: Development of Environmentally Friendly Zinc Oxide Nanoflowers

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from Yeungnam University have successfully developed a bio-nanocomposite composed of karaya gum (KG) biopolymer-based zinc oxide nanoflowers (KG@ZnONFs), which exhibit unique physical and chemical properties. This breakthrough has significant implications for treatment applications, particularly in the areas of antibacterial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, anticancer, and hemocompatibility properties. The research, published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, highlights the potential of these nanoflowers as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for various therapeutic applications.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research team developed a bio-nanocomposite composed of KG biopolymer-based zinc oxide nanoflowers (KG@ZnONFs), which exhibit unique physical and chemical properties.
  • The KG@ZnONFs showed excellent blood compatibility and antioxidant activity, with an IC value of 230 ± 20 mg/mL in the DPPH free radical scavenging assay.
  • The MTT assay conducted on HePG2 (liver cancer cells) revealed reduced cell viability in proportion to the concentration of KG@ZnONFs, with an IC value of 270 ± 18 mg/mL.
  • FACS analyses confirmed that KG@ZnONFs induced apoptosis in HePG2 cells, demonstrating their anticancer properties.
  • The nanoflowers also exhibited strong antibacterial activity against various bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
  • Siva Sankar Sana, the lead researcher, notes that the results suggest the potential of KG@ZnONFs as a therapeutic agent for various diseases.
  • Additional authors for this research include Sudhakarachari Atapakala, Ramakrishna Vadde, Venkatesan Raja, Mohammed Mujahid Alam, and Seong-Cheol Kim.

Statistics:

  • The crystallite size of the KG@ZnONFs was found to be 22.7 nm.
  • The average length of the nanoflowers was 204.65 ± 29 nm, with a diameter of 290 ± 49.04 nm.
  • The antibacterial activity of KG@ZnONFs against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria was observed to be in a descending order.
  • The IC value for antioxidant activity was 230 ± 20 mg/mL in the DPPH free radical scavenging assay.
  • The IC value for anticancer activity was 270 ± 18 mg/mL in the MTT assay.

Sources:

  • An investigation of zinc oxide nanoflowers biofabricated from karaya gum for their antibacterial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, anticancer, and hemocompatibility properties in vitro. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2025;322:146996.
  • NewsRx. Reports Summarize Nanotechnology Findings from Yeungnam University (An investigation of zinc oxide nanoflowers biofabricated from karaya gum for their antibacterial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, anticancer, and hemocompatibility properties in vitro). Nanotechnology Weekly. September 15, 2025; p 3335.
  • International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. Available at: www.journals.elsevier.com/international-journal-of-biological-macromolecules/
  • NewsRx LLC. Available at: www.newsrx.com
  • Yeungnam University. School of Chemical Engineering. Available at: [Yeungnam University website]