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Multiscale Metal Oxide Particles to Enhance Photocatalytic Antimicrobial Activity against Escherichia coli and M13
1Research Institute for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Korea.
Abstract:
Antimicrobial activity of multiscale metal oxide (MO) particles against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and M13 bacteriophage (phage) was investigated under dual ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Zinc oxide (ZnO), magnesium oxide (MgO), cuprous oxide (Cu2O), and cupric oxide (CuO) were selected as photocatalytic antimicrobials in MO particles. Physicochemical properties including morphology, particle size/particle size distribution, atomic composition, crystallinity, and porosity were evaluated. Under UV-A and UV-C irradiation with differential UV-C intensities, the antimicrobial activity of MO particles was monitored in E. coli and phage. MO particles had nano-, micro- and nano- to microscale sizes with irregular shapes, composed of atoms as ratios of chemical formulae and presented crystallinity as pure materials. They had wide-range specific surface area levels of 0.40-46.34 m2/g. MO particles themselves showed antibacterial activity against E. coli, which was the highest among the ZnO particles. However, no viral inactivation by MO particles occurred in phage. Under dual UV irradiation, multiscale ZnO and CuO particles had superior antimicrobial activities against E. coli and phage, as mixtures of nano- and microparticles for enhanced photocatalytic antimicrobials. The results showed that the dual UV-multiscale MO particle hybrids exhibit enhanced antibiotic potentials. It can also be applied as a next-generation antibiotic tool in industrial and clinical fields.
Insights
Multiscale metal oxide particles combined with dual UV irradiation show enhanced antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and M13 bacteriophage. This hybrid approach offers potential as a novel antibiotic tool for industrial and clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Antimicrobial Research
Background:
- Investigating novel antimicrobial strategies is crucial due to rising antibiotic resistance.
- Metal oxide (MO) particles possess inherent antimicrobial properties.
- Photocatalytic activity of MO particles can be enhanced by UV irradiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of multiscale MO particles against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and M13 bacteriophage (phage).
- To assess the synergistic effect of dual UV irradiation (UV-A and UV-C) on the antimicrobial activity of MO particles.
- To explore the potential of MO particle-UV hybrids as next-generation antibiotic tools.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of multiscale MO particles (ZnO, MgO, Cu2O, CuO) including morphology, size, composition, crystallinity, and surface area.
- Assessment of antimicrobial activity against E. coli and M13 phage under varying UV-A and UV-C irradiation conditions.
- Evaluation of physicochemical properties influencing photocatalytic antimicrobial performance.
Main Results:
- MO particles exhibited intrinsic antibacterial activity against E. coli, with ZnO showing the highest efficacy.
- No viral inactivation was observed with MO particles alone against M13 phage.
- Dual UV irradiation significantly enhanced the antimicrobial activity of multiscale ZnO and CuO particles against both E. coli and phage, particularly when using mixtures of nano- and microparticles.
Conclusions:
- Hybrid systems combining multiscale MO particles with dual UV irradiation demonstrate superior antimicrobial potential.
- These MO particle-UV hybrids represent a promising next-generation antibiotic technology for diverse applications.
- The study highlights the importance of particle size and UV conditions for optimizing photocatalytic antimicrobial effects.
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