Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles against staphylococcus aureus and escherichia coli

The present study was aimed to investigate the antibacterial potential of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles dispersed in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation method while the stable dispersions of ZnO nanoparticles in DMSO were prepared with the aid of sonication. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). ZnO nanoparticles were evaluated for antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli. The mean maximum zone of inhibition of ZnO NPs against E. coli and S. aureus at 125 μg/ml is 21.50 mm and 23.50 mm, respectively. The ZnO nanoparticles seemed more effective than gentamicin against E. coli and S. aureus. It might be concluded that ZnO nanoparticles have potent antibacterial potential so, they might be highly suitable for applications to reduce antibacterial resistance.