Disinfection of Multidrug Resistant Escherichia coli by Solar-Photocatalysis using Fe-doped ZnO Nanoparticles.

ABSTRACT: Spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria through water, is a threat to global public health. Here, we report Fe-doped ZnO nanoparticles (Fe/ZnO NPs) based solar-photocatalytic disinfection (PCD) of multidrug resistant Escherichia coli (MDR E. coli). Fe/ZnO NPs were synthesized by chemical precipitation technique, and when used as photocatalyst for disinfection, proved to be more effective (time for complete disinfection = 90 min) than ZnO (150 min) and TiO₂ (180 min). Lipid peroxidation and potassium (K⁺) ion leakage studies indicated compromisation of bacterial cell membrane and electron microscopy and live-dead staining confirmed the detrimental effects on membrane integrity. Investigations indicated that H₂O₂ was the key species involved in solar-PCD of MDR E. coli by Fe/ZnO NPs. X-ray diffraction and atomic absorption spectroscopy studies showed that the Fe/ZnO NPs system remained stable during the photocatalytic process. The Fe/ZnO NPs based solar-PCD process proved successful in the disinfection of MDR E. coli in real water samples collected from river, pond and municipal tap. The Fe/ZnO NPs catalyst made from low cost materials and with high efficacy under solar light may have potential for real world applications, to help reduce the spread of resistant bacteria.

SUBMITTER: Das S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5427922 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature