Synthesis and Bio-physical Characterization of Crustin Capped Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles, and Their Photocatalytic, Antibacterial, Antifungal and Antibiofilm Activity

Abstract

Bio-molecule assisted synthesis of nanoparticles using protein templates and the self-assembly of the bio-molecules together with small peptides, denatured protein, and DNA is a new advancement. Specific interactions with nanoparticles ultimately dictate the size and crystallinity of the nanomaterials and the formation of nanoparticles using protein for structural integrity. Here, we are using protein-based synthesis method for preparing highly crystalline ZnONPs. Crustin(Cr)-capped ZnONPs were synthesized and confirmed by Ultraviolet-vis spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman, X-ray diffraction (XRD), High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and Zeta potential analysis. UV–Vis spectrum revealed the preliminary confirmation of the Cr-ZnONPs. By using XRD patterns, confirmed the crystalline structure of Cr-ZnONPs. In addition, TEM analysis revealed that the particle size measurements are within the 50 nm range. Further, Cr-ZnONPs tested against different Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria at 50 µg/mL. The great potential of the antibacterial and biofilm control ability of Cr-ZnONPs at 50 µg/mL was observed. Moreover, the control of thrush infective fungal Candida albicans cells and eco-toxicological analysis of Cr-ZnONPs showed that no increase in toxicity up to 100 µg/L was observed in Ceriodaphnia cornuta. Overall, Cr-ZnONPs can be used for potential photocatalytic, antibacterial, antifungal and antibiofilm applications.