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TL;DR
This laboratory study found that sublethal concentrations of zinc oxide nanoparticles reduced the growth of Bacillus cereus but stimulated the formation of protective spores and biofilms.
Pathogens · 3 authors, 2 centres
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This laboratory study found that sublethal concentrations of zinc oxide nanoparticles reduced the growth of Bacillus cereus but stimulated the formation of protective spores and biofilms.
This in vitro microbiological study investigated the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) on Bacillus cereus. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined to be 1.6 mg/mL. At sublethal concentrations below the MIC, ZnONPs reduced planktonic cell growth but significantly increased spore formation and biofilm production. In combination experiments, sublethal ZnONPs did not enhance the activity of the antibiotic tetracycline but increased the growth inhibition zones of several phenolic compounds compared to nanoparticles alone. The results suggest that the use of ZnONPs as an antibacterial agent may paradoxically promote the survival of B. cereus by inducing defensive responses. The study is limited to a single bacterial strain and laboratory conditions, with implications primarily for understanding nanoparticle-microbe interactions in contexts like food safety.