Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of ZnO Containing Glasses.

Leticia Esteban-Tejeda,Ramón Torrecillas,Belén Cabal,Catuxa Prado,Jesús Sanz,José Serafín Moya,Wei-Chun Chin

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0132709

Abstract

A new family of non-toxic biocides based on low melting point (1250°C) transparent glasses with high content of ZnO (15–40wt%) belonging to the miscibility region of the B2O3-SiO2-Na2O-ZnO system has been developed. These glasses have shown an excellent biocide activity (logarithmic reduction >3) against Gram- (E. coli), Gram+ (S. aureus) and yeast (C. krusei); they are chemically stable in different media (distilled water, sea-like water, LB and DMEN media) as well as biocompatible. The cytotoxicity was evaluated by the Neutral Red Uptake using NIH-3T3 (mouse embryonic fibroblast cells) and the cell viability was >80%. These new glasses can be considered in several and important applications in the field of inorganic non-toxic biocide agents such as medical implants, surgical equipment, protective apparels in hospitals, water purifications systems, food packaging, food storages or textiles.

Highlights

There is great concern regarding diseases, infections, corrosion and biocontamination caused by microorganisms [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
There is an urgent global need to develop new antimicrobial agents to prevent the adverse effects of microorganisms due to the fact that traditional antimicrobial compounds are contaminant, toxic or have effects on human health
A new family of non-toxic biocides based on low melting point (1250°C) transparent glasses with high content of ZnO (15–40wt%) belonging to the miscibility region of the B2O3-SiO2Na2O-ZnO system (Fig 1) has been developed

Summary

Introduction

There is great concern regarding diseases, infections, corrosion and biocontamination caused by microorganisms [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. There is an urgent global need to develop new antimicrobial agents to prevent the adverse effects of microorganisms due to the fact that traditional antimicrobial compounds are contaminant, toxic or have effects on human health. The World Health Organization has asserted the need to study the effects of the chemicals and traditional biocides on living organisms and humans. One of the most important effects is antimicrobial resistance. This is a major global public health concern and because of that the European Commission is committed focusing on this issue [9]. The antimicrobial agents are usually organic compounds that have limited applications due to their low heat resistance, high decomposability and short life [10].In this regard, the inorganic biocides have acquired

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion