Interaction Of ZnO Nanoparticles With Food Borne Pathogens Escherichia coli DH5α and Staphylococcus aureus 5021 Their Bactericidal Efficacy

摘要

Bactericidal activity of ZnO nanoparticles (np) against the food borne pathogens E. coli DH5α (Gram-ve) and & S. aureus 5021 (Gram+ve), and the mechanism of their interaction with target microbes was studied. Bactericidal activity of ZnO np was attributed to disruption of cell membrane causing cytoplasmic leakage, which was measured by quantifying the leakage of nucleic acids, proteins and K~+ ions from the cells using UV‐VIS Spectrophotometry and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry, respectively. Cell membrane disruption was observed through TEM. It is proposed that both the abrasiveness and the surface oxygen species of ZnO np are responsible for their biocidal properties.