Phyto-fabricated ZnO nanoparticles for anticancer, photo-antimicrobial effect on carbapenem-resistant/sensitive Pseudomonas aeruginosa and removal of tetracycline

Alternanthera sessilis (AS) leaf extract was used to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). Bioanalytical characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) confirmed the formation of crystalline ZnO NPs with average sizes of 40 nm. The AS-ZnO NPs antimicrobial activity was analyzed under dark (D) and white light (WL) conditions. The improved antimicrobial activity was observed against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis at the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 125 and 62.5 µg/mL under WL than the D at 125 and 250 µg/mL for E. coli, B. subtilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. In contrast, the growth of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus was not completely inhibited until 1 mg/mL AS-ZnO NPs under WL and D. Similarly, AS-ZnO NPs displayed a weaker inhibitory effect against carbapenem-sensitive P. aeruginosa (CSPA) and carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa (CRPA) strains of PAC023, PAC041 and PAC032, PAC045 under D. Interestingly, the distinct inhibitory effect was recorded against CSPA PAC041 and CRPA PAC032 in which the bacteria growth was inhibited 99.9% at 250, 500 µg/mL under WL. The cytotoxicity results suggested AS-ZnO NPs demonstrated higher toxicity to MCF-7 breast cancer cells than the RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Further, AS-ZnO NPs exhibited higher catalytic potential against tetracycline hydrochloride (TC-H) degradation at 65.6% and 60.8% under WL than the dark at 59.35% and 48.6% within 120 min. Therefore, AS-ZnO NPs can be used to design a photo-improved antimicrobial formulation and environmental catalyst for removing TC-H from wastewater.