Fittonia albivenis-Mediated ZnO–Cu Nanoparticles against MDR E. coli
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli has reduced the reliability of conventional antibacterial therapy and has increased the need for agents capable of acting through several cellular pathways. In the present present-data study, ZnO-Cu bimetallic nanoparticles were prepared through a plant-mediated route using methanolic leaf extract of Fittonia albivenis as a reducing, chelating and capping matrix. Sequential Soxhlet extraction was performed, and the methanol fraction was standardized for total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Zn:Cu precursor ratios of 1:1, 2:1 and 1:2 were evaluated. Nanoparticle formation was characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, FTIR, DLS, zeta potential, XRD, SEM and TEM. Antibacterial performance was assessed against E. coli ATCC 25922 and three multidrug-resistant isolates by agar well diffusion, broth microdilution and minimum bactericidal concentration testing. The Zn:Cu 2:1 formulation was selected because a hydrodynamic diameter of 28.9 ± 3.1 nm, a PDI of 0.19 ± 0.02 and a zeta potential of -38.4 ± 2.0 mV were obtained. XRD reflections were assigned primarily to hexagonal wurtzite ZnO with minor monoclinic CuO contributions, and a crystallite size of 26.8 nm was calculated. TEM showed particles mainly within 22-34 nm. The optimized ZnO–Cu 2:1 formulation showed greater antibacterial activity than monometallic ZnO and CuO, producing inhibition zones of 23.2–26.4 mm and bactericidal MIC/MBC values of 32–64/64–128 µg/mL against E. coli MTCC 723 and MTCC 40. Activity was significantly greater than that of monometallic ZnO and CuO controls. The combined action was interpreted in relation to reactive oxygen species generation, Zn2+/Cu2+/release, membrane injury and interference with bacterial proteins.
How to Cite
Preet Bansal, Neeraj Sethi, "Fittonia albivenis-Mediated ZnO–Cu Nanoparticles against MDR E. coli", Vol. 4, Issue 3, 26-06-2026, pp. 1-13. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.21821590
