Antifungal Properties of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Candida albicans

Abstract

This paper reports the antifungal properties of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on Candida albicans ATCC 1023 through the study of growth inhibitory effects of ZnO NPs on C. albicans and the effect of the nanoparticles on the surface of C. albicans. The growth inhibitory effects of ZnO NPs (5, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 µg/mL) on C. albicans at 24 h were determined through the reduction in suspension turbidity and colony count. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis was carried out to establish the functional groups associated with the interaction of ZnO NPs on the yeast cell wall, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) analysis was utilised to determine the surface accumulation of ZnO NPs on the yeast cells and the consequential morphological alterations on C. albicans. The results exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) growth inhibition for all tested concentrations except for 5 µg/mL of ZnO NPs at 24 h as compared to negative control. FTIR analysis revealed the possible involvement of alcohol, amide A, methyl, alkynes, amide I and II, and phosphate groups from the yeast cell wall of C. albicans in the surface interaction with the ZnO NPs. Finally, SEM-EDX revealed a considerable accumulation of ZnO NPs on the yeast cells and consequential morphological alterations on C. albicans, including the damage of hyphae, pitting of the cell wall, invagination, and rupture of the cell membrane. The current study demonstrated that ZnO NPs possess antifungal properties against C. albicans in a dose-dependent manner, and the surface interaction of ZnO NPs on fungal cells caused alterations in cell membrane integrity that might have resulted in cell death.

Impact of C- and N-terminal protection on the stability, metal chelation and antimicrobial properties of calcitermin

“…On the other hand, no activity was shown by CuCl 2 alone and its presence did not significantly affect the WT activity, although Cu 2+ can form stable complexes with calcitermin even at pH 5.4. Of note, previous studies showed that both Zn 2+ and Cu 2+ ions possess antifungal activity per se at concentrations consistent with those used in our study, showing similar minimal inhibitory concentrations, although Zn 2+ was generally proven to be more effective compared to Cu 2+ 29 – 31 . Our results confirmed the Zn 2+ anti- C. albicans activity, whereas a marked antifungal activity by Cu 2+ ion was not evidenced.…”

Fabrication, Characterization and In Vitro Cell Cytotoxicity of ZnO Nanoparticles on MDA‐MB 231 Breast Cancer Cell Line

“…The tests were conducted in triplicate. The zone of inhibition of different doses of ZnO‐NPs was measured and recorded [27,28] …”

Biogenic Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Mediated by the Extract of Terminalia catappa Fruit Pericarp and Its Multifaceted Applications

“…The prime possibility is due to the surface interaction of the zinc oxide nanoparticle with the fungal cell wall. FTIR analysis was used to point out the functional groups that were responsible for these interactions, which indicates the possible interaction of alcohol, amide, methyl, alkynes, and phosphate groups, present on the surface of the nanoparticle, with the yeast cell wall . The above listed interactions lead to the accumulation of the nanoparticle on the cell membrane that further leads to membrane disruption .…”

“…FTIR analysis was used to point out the functional groups that were responsible for these interactions, which indicates the possible interaction of alcohol, amide, methyl, alkynes, and phosphate groups, present on the surface of the nanoparticle, with the yeast cell wall. 45 The above listed interactions lead to the accumulation of the nanoparticle on the cell membrane that further leads to membrane disruption. 46 It is also suggested that the exposure to zinc oxide nanoparticles alters the cell structure like—breakage of hyphae, pitting of the cell wall, invagination of the surface, and cell membrane rupture.…”