Synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial and antibiofilm potential of green copper silicate and zinc silicate nanoparticles: kinetic study and reaction mechanism determination

Abstract

The study explored an eco-friendly method to synthesize Cu silicate and zinc silicate nanoparticles (NPs) and characterize them using analytical instruments like transmission electron microscopy, DLS analysis, Zeta potential, EDX elemental analysis, and scanning electron microscopy with mapping. We tested how well Cu silicate and Zn silicate NPs can fight bacteria that cause wound infections and unicellular pathogenic fungi by checking their antimicrobial properties, the smallest amount needed to stop growth (minimum inhibitory concentration), and their ability to prevent biofilm formation. To investigate a potential mechanism of antimicrobial behavior, we applied the membrane leakage experiment. The generated Cu silicate and Zn silicate NPs have shown promising antimicrobial activity against all investigated bacteria and unicellular fungi. The MIC was calculated at a concentration of 39.062 μg mL⁻¹, and Cu silicate NPs created ZOI at a 27.0 mm where S. aureus could not grow, additionally Cu silicate NPs produced a 25.0 mm ZOI against C. albicans and MIC was 19.53 μg mL⁻¹, and a 19.0 mm ZOI against E. agglomerans and MIC was 19.53 μg mL⁻¹. S. aureus is more affected by Zn silicate NPs, showing a 41.0 mm ZOI and MIC was calculated at 19.53 μg mL⁻¹, followed by C. albicans with a 30.0 mm ZOI at 9.765 μg mL⁻¹, E. agglomerans with a 29.0 mm ZOI and MIC at 39.062 μg mL⁻¹, and S. epidermidis with a 28.0 mm ZOI at 19.53 μg/mL MIC. However, the promising results were obtained for K. pneumoniae (26.0 mm ZOI, 9.765 μg/mL MIC), P. aeruginosa (25.0 mm ZOI, 9.765 μg/mL MIC), and E. coli (21.0 mm ZOI, 19.53 μg/mL MIC). As a new era for combating some diseases' resistance in the biomedical areas, the encouraging results indicated that the generated nano-formula should be used against the harmful bacteria.