Synthesis and characterization of TiO₂ nanoparticles combined with geraniol and their synergistic antibacterial...

The emergence of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria has become a global threat, encouraging the adoption of efficient and effective alternatives to conventional antibiotics and promoting their use as replacements. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) have been reported to exhibit antibacterial properties. In this study, we synthesized and characterized TiO₂ NPs in anatase and rutile forms with surface modification by geraniol (GER).

The crystallinity and morphology of modified TiO₂ NPs were analyzed by UV/Vis spectrophotometry, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with elemental mapping (EDS). The antimicrobial activity of TiO₂ NPs with geraniol was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Escherichia coli. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of modified NPs ranged from 0.25 to 1.0 mg/ml against all bacterial strains, and the live dead assay and fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) supported the antibacterial properties of TiO₂ NPs with GER. Moreover, TiO₂ NPs with GER also showed a significant decrease in the biofilm thickness of MRSA.

Our results suggest that TiO₂ NPs with GER offer a promising alternative to antibiotics, particularly for controlling antibiotic-resistant strains. The surface modification of TiO₂ NPs by geraniol resulted in enhanced antibacterial properties against multiple bacterial strains, including antibiotic-resistant MRSA. The potential applications of modified TiO₂ NPs in the biomedical and environmental fields warrant further investigation.