Increased antibacterial activity of ZnO nanoparticles: Influence of size and surface modification.

In the current study, the size and surface of ZnO nanoparticle (ZnO NP) suspensions and powders were finely controlled to evaluate their influence on the ZnO antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The ZnO NP were prepared by the sol-gel method with different reaction times for NP size control and followed by the addition of (3-glycidyloxypropyl) trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) as a surface modifier. The ZnO NP were characterized by different techniques and the antibacterial activity was assessed through the minimum inhibitory concentration assay (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration assay (MBC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The ZnO NP exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The NP size highly influenced the antibacterial activity, which increased with decreasing particle size. The small ZnO NP presented bactericidal activity whereas the largest showed bacteriostatic activity. The use of GPTMS, in general, led to increase of MIC and MBC. The formation of holes in the cell wall of Staphylococcus aureus was evidenced by SEM after contact between the bacteria and ZnO NP. The cytotoxicity assay showed that ZnO NP did not cause a loss of cell viability in the human keratinocyte cell line (HaCat) at the maximum concentration assessed. Thus, this study indicated that 5 nm ZnO NP modified by GPTMS has great potential for use as an inorganic antibacterial material.

Alginate-Based Delivery Systems for Bevacizumab Local Therapy: In Vitro Structural Features and Release Properties.

Alginate-based polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) and hydrogel were engineered as platforms for local bevacizumab (BVZ) therapy. This study provides deep comprehension on the microstructures of such systems, and their correlation with drug-release patterns. PECs and hydrogel were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and porosimetry. Structural investigations indicated that PECs are formed by supramolecular interactions, resulting in physically cross-linked polymer networks, whereas the BVZ-loaded hydrogel has a more compact and rigid structure, promoting better entrapment of BVZ. PECs and hydrogel were able to control the BVZ release for 4 and 8 days, respectively. Their release profiles correlated best with the Higuchi and Korsmeyer-Peppas models, respectively, indicating drug diffusion as the limiting step for drug release. Furthermore, BVZ remained biologically active in vitro after its incorporation into the hydrogel system. Together, these studies confirm that PECs and hydrogel exhibit different porous structures and physicochemical properties, making them promising platforms that allow the modulation of BVZ release meeting different requirements.

The Critical Role of Thioacetamide Concentration in the Formation of ZnO/ZnS Heterostructures by Sol-Gel Process.

ZnO/ZnS heterostructures have emerged as an attractive approach for tailoring the properties of particles comprising these semiconductors. They can be synthesized using low temperature sol-gel routes. The present work yields insight into the mechanisms involved in the formation of ZnO/ZnS nanostructures. ZnO colloidal suspensions, prepared by hydrolysis and condensation of a Zn acetate precursor solution, were allowed to react with an ethanolic thioacetamide solution (TAA) as sulfur source. The reactions were monitored in situ by Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) and UV-vis spectroscopy, and the final colloidal suspensions were characterized by High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM). The powders extracted at the end of the reactions were analyzed by X-ray Absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Depending on TAA concentration, different nanostructures were revealed. ZnO and ZnS phases were mainly obtained at low and high TAA concentrations, respectively. At intermediate TAA concentrations, we evidenced the formation of ZnO/ZnS heterostructures. ZnS formation could take place via direct crystal growth involving Zn ions remaining in solution and S ions provided by TAA and/or chemical conversion of ZnO to ZnS. The combination of all the characterization techniques was crucial to elucidate the reaction steps and the nature of the final products.