Eco-friendly synthesis of ZnO-PVA nanoparticles using Diospyros kaki fruit extract and its antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against Streptococcus mutans.
Abstract
Dental caries is a major global oral health concern primarily associated with Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation, which exhibits considerable resistance to conventional antimicrobial therapies. This study aimed to synthesize and evaluate green-fabricated zinc oxide-polyvinyl alcohol nanoparticles (ZnO-PVA NPs) mediated by Diospyros kaki fruit extract for antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against S. mutans. ZnO-PVA NPs were synthesized using an aqueous fruit extract of D. kaki. Phytochemicals, including polyphenols and flavonoids, have been reported in D. kaki extracts and may contribute to the reduction and stabilization processes during nanoparticle synthesis. The synthesized NPs were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential analysis. Antibacterial efficacy was evaluated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), while antibiofilm potential was assessed using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Characterization analyses confirmed the successful synthesis of crystalline ZnO NPs dispersed within an amorphous PVA matrix. The NPs exhibited an average hydrodynamic size of 169.41 nm and a zeta potential of - 31.03 mV, indicating high colloidal stability. Antibacterial evaluation demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of S. mutans, with an MIC value of 31.25 µg/mL. CLSM analysis further revealed substantial disruption of mature biofilms, confirming both antibacterial and antibiofilm properties. D. kaki-mediated ZnO-PVA NPs exhibited antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against S. mutans in vitro. Further mechanistic investigations and cytotoxicity and biocompatibility assessments are required to establish their suitability for potential dental applications.
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