SYNTHESIS AND IN VITRO ASSESSMENT OF ZINC OXIDE NANOPARTICLES FOR THEIR ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIBACTERIAL POTENTIALS

Nanoparticles have emerged as wonders of medicine. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles have received much attention and are in the forefront of research. In present study, ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical method and they were in vitro evaluated for antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials. The suspension of different concentrations of ZnO nanoparticles were evaluated for different parameters on day 1, 30 and 60 after its preparations. The average size of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized in this study was in the range of 73-87 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.578. ZnO nanoparticles scavenge different in vitro free radicals (ABTS, DPPH, superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide) in concentration dependent manner. The percent inhibitions and IC50 values of ZnO nanoparticles against free radicals were more and less, respectively on day 1 as compared to day 30 and 60. The antioxidant and antibacterial actions of ZnO nanoparticles suspensions was lower on day 60 as compared to day 1. MIC and MBC values of ZnO nanoparticles on day 1 against S. aureus were 8.0 and 64.0 µg/ml, respectively. MIC and MBC values of ZnO nanoparticles on day 1 against E. coli were 32.0 and 256.0 µg/ml, respectively. MIC and MBC values against both bacterial strains were increased on storage of ZnO nanoparticles for 60 days. In conclusions, the use of ZnO nanoparticles can be extended in the field of Veterinary sciences, Medical sciences, agriculture, food sciences, tap water and wastewater disinfection etc. to counter the diseases/disorders/problems associated with free radicals and bacteria.