The synthesis of calcium doped zinc oxide ceramic nanoparticles via sol–gel effective against the emerging multidrug-resistant Candida auris

Abstract

AbstractThis work aimed to prepare calcium-doped zinc oxide (ZC) ceramic nanoparticles in this formula (1-x)ZnO–xCaO with (x = 0, 0.10 and 0.90 mol.%) which are effective against the emerging multidrug-resistant Candida auris for the first time to our knowledge using the sol–gel method. Three different calcination temperatures (Tc) (500, 550 and 600 °C) were employed here. The prepared samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, and Zeta sizer. Also, their antimicrobial activity was assessed. All the prepared samples that were calcined at 600 °C showed particle size at nanometer range. All ZC ceramic samples showed negative zeta potential with higher magnitude indicating the stability of the produced nanoparticles. On increasing, calcium oxide doped in ZC10 and ZC90 ceramic samples, the particle size was decreased with regular hexagonal shape in SEM images. Finally, the prepared ZC ceramic nanoparticles exhibited excellent inhibitory activity against the emerging multidrug-resistant C. auris. Additionally, the prepared nanoparticles were active against both gram-positive Staphylococcus auris (ATCC 25923) and gram-negative E. coli (ATCC 25922). Collectively, ZC ceramic nanoparticles can be used to combat the emerged drug-resistant C. auris instead of applying the current antifungal drugs that exhibited minimum activity.