Design and synthesis of vancomycin-functionalized ZnFe₂ O₄ nanoparticles as an effective antibacterial agent against...

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections is a principal threat to global health. Functionalization of nanomaterial with antibiotics is known as a useful method for increasing the effectiveness of existing antibiotics. In this study, vancomycin-functionalized ZnFe₂ O₄ nanocomposite (ZnFe₂ O₄ @Cell@APTES@Van) was synthesized, and its functional groups and particle size were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscopy. The antibacteria activity of the synthesized nanocomposite was evaluated using minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Cytotoxicity assay was done by 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide method. Characterization analyses of synthesized nanocomposite confirmed the binding of vancomysin on the surface of ZnFe₂ O₄ @Cell@APTES. Nanocomposite exhibited an aggregated semi-spherical structure with hydrodynamic radii of ∼382 nm. In vitro antibacterial activity test showed that vancomycin and vancomycin functionalized ZnFe₂ O₄ have no antibacterial effect against E. coli. S. aureus was sensitive to vancomycin and ZnFe₂ O₄ @Cell@APTES@Van NPs and ZnFe₂ O₄ NPs did not improve vancomycin antibacterial activity against these bacteria. MRSA is resistant to vancomycin while ZnFe₂ O₄ @Cell@APTES@Van NPs was efficient in inhibiting MRSA growth. In summary, this study showed that attachment of vancomycin to ZnFe₂ O₄ NPs was increased its antibacterial activity against MRSA.