SYNTHESIS OF MESOPOROUS SILICA NANOPARTICLES AND DRUG LOADING FOR GRAM POSITIVE AND GRAM NEGATIVE BACTERIA

Abstract

Objective: To synthesize mesoporous silica nanoparticles using the sol-gel method and to determine the antibacterial activity of mesoporous silica nanoparticles and tetracycline loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Methods: In the synthetic procedure, the surfactant Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) is initially dissolved in basic aqueous solution, and the mixture is vigorously stirred. Tetra Ethyl Ortho Silicate (TEOS) is added, and the solution is kept stirring for 6 h. After the reaction is complete, the as-synthesized product is filtered and washed with deionized water. The antibacterial was tested using disc diffusion method and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Results: The synthesized mesoporous silica nanoparticles were characterized by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) micrographs showed spherical particles with an average size of 350 nm. The powder X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis of the material further confirmed the crystallinity of the mesopores as evidenced by the diffraction pattern of an intense peak at θ=24o. Fourier Transform Infra Red Spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated the involvement of carboxyl, amine and hydroxyl groups in the synthetic process. The result shows the inhibitory growth zone of 20 mm and 18 mm for tetracycline loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus respectively. Conclusion: To summarize, it has been experimentally demonstrated that mesoporous silica nanoparticle and tetracycline loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles show very good antimicrobial behavior against the gram-positive ( Staphylococcus aureus ) and gram negative ( Escherichia coli ) bacteria. Keywords: Mesoporous silica nanoparticles, Sol-gel method, Drug loading, Antibacterial activity