Biofabrication of ZnO nanoparticles using Acacia arabica leaf extract and their antibiofilm and antioxidant potential against foodborne pathogens

Emergence of multidrug resistant pathogens is increasing globally at an alarming rate with a need to discover novel and effective methods to cope infections due to these pathogens. Green nanoparticles have gained attention to be used as efficient therapeutic agents because of their safety and reliability. In the present study, we prepared zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) from aqueous leaf extract of Acacia arabica. The nanoparticles produced were characterized through UV-Visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. In vitro antibacterial susceptibility testing against foodborne pathogens was done by agar well diffusion, growth kinetics and broth microdilution assays. Effect of ZnO NPs on biofilm formation (both qualitatively and quantitatively) and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production was also determined. Antioxidant potential of green synthesized nanoparticles was detected by DPPH radical scavenging assay. The cytotoxicity studies of nanoparticles were also performed against HeLa cell lines. The results revealed that diameter of zones of inhibition against foodborne pathogens was found to be 16-30 nm, whereas the values of MIC and MBC ranged between 31.25-62.5 mu g/ml. Growth kinetics revealed nanoparticles bactericidal potential after 3 hours incubation at 2 x MIC for E. coli while for S. aureus and S. enterica reached after 2 hours of incubation at 2 x MIC, 4 x MIC, and 8 x MIC. 32.5-71.0% inhibition was observed for biofilm formation. Almost 50.6-65.1% (wet weight) and 44.6-57.8% (dry weight) of EPS production was decreased after treatment with sub-inhibitory concentrations of nanoparticles. Radical scavenging potential of nanoparticles increased in a dose dependent manner and value ranged from 19.25 to 73.15%. Whereas cytotoxicity studies revealed non-toxic nature of nanoparticles at the concentrations tested. The present study suggests that green synthesized ZnO NPs can substitute chemical drugs against antibiotic resistant foodborne pathogens.

Automated summary

In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesized from aqueous leaf extract of Acacia arabica and characterized. The results revealed that the green synthesized ZnO NPs exhibited strong antibacterial activity against foodborne pathogens, inhibiting both biofilm formation and exopolysaccharide production. The nanoparticles also showed significant antioxidant potential and were non-toxic to HeLa cell lines at the tested concentrations. These findings suggest that green synthesized ZnO NPs can be used as alternative therapeutic agents against antibiotic resistant foodborne pathogens.