The Antibacterial Activity of SnO2 Nanoparticles against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Background: An increasing amount of populations all over the world are reported to have no access to clean and fresh water. Some traditional chemical disinfectants (free chlorine, chloramines, and ozone) are already widely used in the water industry; alarmingly, many of these are carcinogens. Furthermore, the resistance of microorganisms to these common chemical disinfectants is increasing; superior alternatives are therefore necessary. The development of nanoscience and nanotechnology within the last decades provides opportunities to deal with this problem. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, tin dioxide (SnO 2) nanoparticles have been synthesized via a simple solvothermal method in the absence of templates or structure-directing agents under mild conditions. The prepared SnO 2 sample was employed for the inactivation of Gram-negative Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus(ATCC 29213) in MilliQ water under dark and UV illumination. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized SnO 2 nanoparticles was evaluated using bacterium as per colony count method. Results: SnO 2 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via solvothermal method under mild condition. SEM image showed SnO 2 nanoparticles were spherical when a mixture of water and ethanol used as solvent. The prepared SnO 2 nanoparticles were employed for the inactivation of gram-negative Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and gram-positive S.aureus (ATCC 29213) in MilliQ water. It was found that SnO 2 nanoparticles show much higher activity against E. coli than S.aureus Conclusion: According to the result of this study, SnO 2 nanoparticles are an excellent antibacterial agent for bactericidal applications.