Cefixime-Infused Green ZnO Nanoplatelets With Enhanced Biological Potential

The escalating resistance to traditional antibiotics causes a significant hazard to public health, demanding innovative antimicrobial strategies. This study introduces cefixime-infused green-synthesized zinc oxide nanoplatelets (ZnO NPts) highlighting their enhanced biological potential. The successful formation of ZnO NPts and their subsequent infusion with cefixime were confirmed using various characterization techniques: UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering. Comparing cefixime-functionalized ZnO NPts with pure ZnO and cefixime alone, biological assessments revealed that the former exhibited stronger antifungal activity against the tested strains. Moreover, these NPts demonstrated the highest cytotoxicity in tests with Artemia salina larvae and pronounced antioxidant activity in TAC, TRP, and DPPH assays. These findings emphasize the significant potential of cefixime-infused ZnO NPts for various biomedical applications, offering enhanced antifungal, cytotoxic, and antioxidant properties.