Synthesis and Characterization of Kanamycin- and Curcumin-Capped ZnO
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Jerry Harris (Mentor), Northwest Nazarene University
Abstract
Antibiotics have been used to treat bacterial infections for nearly a century. Because of the increasing number of drug resistant bacteria strains, metal oxides are being studied as possible antibiotics. ZnO is used in medicine to treat and prevent skin irritations like burns, cuts, and rashes. This research focuses on attaching molecules with known antimicrobial activity to ZnO nanoparticles to enhance their ability to combat bacteria. ZnO was synthesized with chloramphenicol, kanamycin sulfate, and curcumin. The materials were characterized using Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to verify that the capping molecules are attached to the nanoparticles, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to determine the amount (%) of organic capping molecules attached to the nanoparticles, and diffuse reflectance Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis) to measure the optical band gap of the materials. Kanamycin sulfate and curcumin were successfully bound to the ZnO, while chloramphenicol was not bound. The materials were used to photocatalytically degrade an organic dye under UVA illumination. Rate constants and the percent degradation for each material were determined and used to access the chemical activity of each material. The materials were tested against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative rod), Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive coccus), and Candida albicans (yeast) to assess their antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Synthesis and Characterization of Kanamycin- and Curcumin-Capped ZnO
Antibiotics have been used to treat bacterial infections for nearly a century. Because of the increasing number of drug resistant bacteria strains, metal oxides are being studied as possible antibiotics. ZnO is used in medicine to treat and prevent skin irritations like burns, cuts, and rashes. This research focuses on attaching molecules with known antimicrobial activity to ZnO nanoparticles to enhance their ability to combat bacteria. ZnO was synthesized with chloramphenicol, kanamycin sulfate, and curcumin. The materials were characterized using Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to verify that the capping molecules are attached to the nanoparticles, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to determine the amount (%) of organic capping molecules attached to the nanoparticles, and diffuse reflectance Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis) to measure the optical band gap of the materials. Kanamycin sulfate and curcumin were successfully bound to the ZnO, while chloramphenicol was not bound. The materials were used to photocatalytically degrade an organic dye under UVA illumination. Rate constants and the percent degradation for each material were determined and used to access the chemical activity of each material. The materials were tested against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative rod), Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive coccus), and Candida albicans (yeast) to assess their antibacterial and antifungal properties.