Synthesis and characterization of Drymaria cordata mediated encapsulation of Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework‑8 and their antibacterial action against drugs resistant bacteria

Abstract

The encapsulation of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with bioactive compounds present in plant crude extract is extremely coveted. Novel DC@ZIF-8 nanocomposites are successfully synthesized using a green technique. DC@ZIF-8 nanocomposites are characterized by diverse techniques such as UV, FT-IR, XRD, SEM, TEM, TGA and BET analysis. GCMS analysis of extract confirms the presence of 14 antimicrobial compounds such as Hecanol, Hexadecene, Hexadecanol, Neophytadiene, and Pentadecanone. DC@ZIF-8 nanocomposites revealed outstanding antibacterial efficacy against the cephalosporin-carbapenem resistant Escherichia coli (CCREC), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), chloramphenicol-resistant Bacillus subtilis (MTCC-441) and β-lactams-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC-1688) strains. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) has been evaluated for DC@ZIF-8 nanocomposites against four bacterial strains using 96 well microtiter plate dilution methods. DC@ZIF-8 has better electrostatic interaction with the bacterial membrane in comparison to bare ZIF-8 framework and plant extract that results into greater zone of inhibition. Our major findings showed the novel synthesis and encapsulation of antibacterial compounds present in Drymaria cordata extract and enhanced bioefficacy of DC@ZIF-8 nanomaterials against pathogenic bacteria. In conclusion, the DC@ZIF-8 nanocomposite has endless therapeutic potential to act as a targeted drug delivery agent against bacterial disorders.