Antimicrobial activity of biosynthesized Mg-doped ZnO using R.pusillus thermophilic fungi
Inorganic Chemistry Communications, cilt.187, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 187
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.inoche.2026.116403
- Dergi Adı: Inorganic Chemistry Communications
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, DIALNET
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Antimicrobial activity, Mg-ZnO nanoparticles, R.pusillus
- Kütahya Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Antimicrobial resistance is a major global health concern, particularly with the rise of multidrug-resistant pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCoNS). Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have attracted increasing attention as alternative antimicrobial agents due to their photocatalytic activity, biocompatibility, and ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, magnesium-doped ZnO nanoparticles (Mg–ZnO NPs) were synthesized via a sustainable fungal-mediated route using extracellular metabolites of the thermophilic fungus Rhizomucor pusillus isolated from thermal baths in Kütahya, Turkey. The nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, SEM/EDS, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, zeta potential, and UV–Vis spectroscopy, and their antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including resistant strains, as well as fungi. All samples retained the wurtzite ZnO structure, with Mg incorporation affecting crystallinity, surface defects, and band gap. Optical analysis showed band gap widening from 3.36 eV (undoped) to 3.50 eV (10% Mg-ZnO), with the highest defect-related band tail states observed at 5% doping. Notably, 5% Mg-ZnO exhibited the strongest antimicrobial effect, with MIC values as low as 5 μg/mL against MRSA and MRCoNS, while maintaining moderate bactericidal activity. These results highlight 5% Mg-ZnO nanoparticles as a promising candidate for combating multidrug-resistant Gram-positive pathogens.