Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-7cvxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-30T23:15:58.672Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Antibacterial zinc oxide nanoparticles in polymer biomaterial composites

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 March 2011

Justin T. Seil
Affiliation:
Laboratory for Nanomedicine Research, School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
Thomas J. Webster
Affiliation:
Laboratory for Nanomedicine Research, School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
Get access

Abstract

Particulate zinc oxide (ZnO) is a known antibacterial agent. Studies have shown that reducing the size of ZnO particles to nanoscale dimensions further enhances their antibacterial properties. Polymers, like all biomaterials, run the risk of harboring bacteria which may produce an antibiotic-resistant biofilm. The addition of ZnO nanoparticles, to form a composite material, may reduce undesirable bacteria activity. The purpose of the present in vitro study was to investigate the antibacterial properties of ZnO nanoparticles when incorporated into a polymer biomaterial. Staphylococcus aureus were seeded at a known cell density onto coverslips coated in a film of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with varying concentrations of ZnO nanoparticles. Samples were cultured for 24 or 72 h. Methods of analysis, including optical density readings and crystal violet staining, indicated a reduced presence of biofilm on ZnO nanoparticle and polymer composites compared to polymer control. Live/dead assays provided images to confirm reduced presence of active bacteria on samples with zinc oxide nanoparticles. Development of this technology may improve biomaterial effectiveness for applications, such as endotracheal tubes and implanted biomaterials, which are prone to bacterial infection.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

[1] Teterycz, D, Ferry, T, Lew, D, Stern, R, Assal, M, Hoffmeyer, P, Bernard, L, Uckay, I. Outcome of orthopedic implant infections due to different staphylococci. Int J of Infect Dis 2010;14:e913e918.Google Scholar
[2] Chastre, J, Fagon, JY. Ventilator-associated pneumonia. Am J Resp Crit Care 2002;165:867903.Google Scholar
[3] Fagon, JY, Chastre, J, Domart, Y, Trouillet, JL, Gibert, C. Mortality due to ventilator-associated pneumonia or colonization with Pseudomonas or Acinetobacter species: Assessment by quantitative culture of samples obtained by a protected specimen brush. Clin Infect Dis 1996;23:538542.Google Scholar
[4] Rello, J, Ollendorf, DA, Oster, G, Vera-Llonch, M, Bellm, L, Redman, R, Kollef, MH. Epidemiology and outcomes of ventilator-associated pneumonia in a large US database. CHEST 2002;122:21152121.Google Scholar
[5] Yamamoto, O. Influence of particle size on the antibacterial activity of zinc oxide. Int J Inorg Mater 2001;3:643646.Google Scholar
[6] Dodd, AC, McKinley, AJ, Saunders, M, Tsuzuki, T. Effect of particle size on the photocatalytic activity of nanoparticulate zinc oxide. J Nanopart Res 2006;8:4351.Google Scholar
[7] Zhang, L, Jiang, Y, Ding, Y, Povey, M, York, D. Investigation into the antibacterial behaviour of suspensions of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO nanofluids). J Nanopart Res 2007;9:479489.Google Scholar
[8] Sawai, J, Kawada, E, Kanou, F, Igarashi, H, Hashimoto, A, Kokugan, T, Shimizu, M. Detection of Active Oxygen Generated from Ceramic Powders Having Antibacterial Activity. J Chem Eng Jpn 1996;29:627633.Google Scholar
[9] Phan, TN, Buckner, T, Sheng, J, Baldeck, JD, Marquis, RE. Physiologic actions of zinc related to inhibition of acid and alkali production by oral streptococci in suspensions and biofilms. Oral Microb Immun 2004;19:3138.Google Scholar
[10] Ghule, K, Ghule, AV, Chen, B, Ling, Y. Preparation and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles coated paper and its antibacterial activity study. Green Chem 2006;8:10341041.Google Scholar
[11] Colon, G, Ward, BC, Webster, TJ. Increased osteoblast and decreased Staphylococcus epidermidis functions on nanophase ZnO and TiO2 . J Biomed Mater Res A 2006;78A:595604.Google Scholar
[12] Seil, JT, Webster, TJ. Decreased astroglial cell adhesion and proliferation on zinc oxide nanoparticle polyurethane composites. Int J Nanomed 2008;3:523531.Google Scholar