Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Development and Assessment of Intracellular Infection Models for Staphylococcus aureus
Published on: January 17, 2025
Zinc oxide-coated zeolite adsorbs and inactivates waterborne Staphylococcus aureus
Lingling Wang1, Dionysios D Dionysiou2, Wenlin Wu3
1College of Materials Science and Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, China; College of Chemical Engineering and Materials, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, 362000, China.
Abstract:
Zinc oxide-coated zeolite (ZOCZ) and zinc oxide (ZnO) were compared in terms of their effectiveness in removing Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) from nutrient broth and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution. ZOCZ was found to be extremely efficient in removing S. aureus. ZnO initially was much less effective. Photographs of removal S. aureus from PBS solution with ZOCZ confirmed that a multilayer of S. aureus cells forms on the surface of ZOCZ particles. The comparison of the images of confocal laser scanning microscope and inverted contrast fluorescence microscope further proved that a multilayer of S. aureus cells formed on the surface of ZnO-30N-zeolite. The FESEM images showed that the cell membranes of S. aureus attached to the surface of ZnO-30N-zeolite collapsed. Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrum and the atomic absorption spectroscopic analysis confirmed that zinc ions penetrate into S. aureus cells, causing their death. The dead cells were easily removed, allowing ZOCZ to be reused.
Related Concept Videos
X-Inactivation
Oxidation Numbers
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins
Pyruvate Oxidation
First, the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase removes the carboxyl group from pyruvate and releases it as carbon dioxide. The stripped molecule is then oxidized and releases electrons, which are then picked up by NAD+...
Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Adsorbents as Antidiarrheal Agents
Adsorbents...

