Breakthrough in Nanotechnology: Ecofriendly Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Show Promising Antimicrobial and Anticancer Properties

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted by scientists at Zarqa University in Jordan has led to the discovery of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) with potential antimicrobial, antibiofilm, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. The team, led by Bahaa Mohammed Badr, used the fungus Mucor racemosus to biosynthesize ZnO NPs, resulting in a more ecofriendly approach compared to traditional synthesis methods. The study revealed that the biosynthesized ZnO NPs exhibited excellent inhibitory activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). The particles also showed promising suppressive activity on Hep-G2 cancerous cells, with an inhibitory concentration (IC) of 51.4 μg/mL.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study demonstrated the efficacy of Mucor racemosus in biosynthesizing ZnO NPs through a fungi-based ecofriendly approach.
  • The biosynthesized ZnO NPs showed distinct maximum absorption peaks at 320 nm in UV-vis spectroscopy and TEM revealed predominantly spherical nanoparticles with particle size distribution ranging from 15 to 55 nm.
  • The ZnO NPs exhibited excellent inhibitory activity against MRSA and MSSA, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 32 to 512 μg/mL.
  • The particles also showed promising suppressive activity on Hep-G2 cancerous cells, with an inhibitory concentration (IC) of 51.4 μg/mL.
  • The antioxidant activity of ZnO NPs was also evaluated, with an IC of 69.2 μg/mL.
  • The study highlighted the potential of ZnO NPs as a novel approach for controlling biofilm formation and inhibiting the growth of MRSA and MSSA.
  • The team suggested enhancing the synthesis process to make ZnO NPs more uniform and scalable, as well as investigating their action mechanisms at the molecular level.

Statistics:

  • The particle size distribution of ZnO NPs ranged from 15 to 55 nm, with a mean size of 40 nm.
  • The IC of ZnO NPs against Wi-38 normal cell line was 197.2 μg/mL.
  • The IC of ZnO NPs against Hep-G2 cancerous cell was 51.4 μg/mL.
  • The antioxidant activity of ZnO NPs had an IC of 69.2 μg/mL.
  • The MIC of ZnO NPs against MRSA ranged from 32 to 512 μg/mL.
  • The MIC of ZnO NPs against MSSA ranged from 32 to 1024 μg/mL.

Sources:

  • Mycosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Mucor racemosus with their antimicrobial, antibiofilm, anticancer and antioxidant activities. Scientific Reports, 2025;15(1):18772.
  • Nature Portfolio, Heidelberger Platz 3, Berlin, 14197, Germany.
  • Bahaa Mohammed Badr, Dept. of Basic and Clinical Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Zarqa University, Zarqa, Jordan.