Enhanced antimicrobial efficacy of hydroxyapatite-based composites for healthcare applications

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) and hydroxyapatite-based materials show promising potential in the healthcare sector due to their distinctive properties such as biocompatibility, antimicrobial efficacy, non-toxicity, and robust mechanical characteristics. This makes HAp materials play an important role in hindering infection spreading in healthcare provider institutions. This study assesses the antimicrobial efficacy of the developed hydroxyapatite-based composites incorporating copper, zinc, and silver nanoparticles. The synthesized HAp and its modified composite variants (Cu/HAp, Zn/HAp, and Ag/HAp) with varying ratios ranging from 0 to 15% (wt) were characterized using XRD, XPS, SEM, and TEM analyses. Furthermore, the antibacterial and antifungal properties of the synthesized HAp and HAp-based composites were evaluated. The antibacterial effectiveness of the HAp and its composites was evaluated using a modified disc diffusion test, where the resulting inhibition zones on the agar surface were observed. All the HAp and HAp-based composites (HAp, Cu/HAp, Zn/HAp, and Ag/HAp materials) elicited in the formation of inhibitory zones. The most substantial inhibition values were observed for the 5% Ag/HAp formulation, with values of 19.7 and 13.8, against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. The 5% Ag/HAp concentration may strike an ideal balance, providing high antimicrobial activity without adverse effects on biocompatibility or material stability. These findings underscore the recommendation of the proposed HAp-based composites for infection control measures through their application on medical instruments, textiles, healthcare personnel attire, and patient garments.