1. Antibacterial Action of Zn2+Ions Driven by the In Vivo Formed ZnO Nanoparticles
- Author
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Vitasovic, Toni, Caniglia, Giada, Eghtesadi, Neda, Ceccato, Marcel, Bo̷jesen, Espen Drath, Gosewinkel, Ulrich, Neusser, Gregor, Rupp, Ulrich, Walther, Paul, Kranz, Christine, and Ferapontova, Elena E.
- Abstract
Antibacterial formulations based on zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are widely used for antibiotic replacement in veterinary medicine and animal nutrition. However, the undesired environmental impact of ZnO NPs triggers a search for alternative, environmentally safer solutions. Here, we show that Zn2+in its ionic form is a more eco-friendly antibacterial, and its biocidal action rivals that of ZnO NPs (<100 nm size), with a minimal biocidal concentration being 41(82) μg mL–1vs 5 μg mL–1of ZnO NPs, as determined for 103(106) CFU mL–1E. coli. We demonstrate that the biocidal activity of Zn2+ions is primarily associated with their uptake by E. coliand spontaneous in vivo transformation into insoluble ZnO nanocomposites at an internal bacterial pH of 7.7. Formed in vivo nanocomposite then damages E. colimembrane and intracellular components from the inside, by forming insoluble biocomposites, whose formation can also trigger ZnO characteristic reactions damaging the cells (e.g., by generation of high-potential reactive oxygen species). Our study defines a special route in which Zn2+metal ions induce the death of bacterial cells, which might be common to other metal ions capable of forming semiconductor oxides and insoluble hydroxides at a slightly alkaline intracellular pH of some bacteria.
- Published
- 2024
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