Investigations on Microbial Growth Inhibition by Carbon Based Nanomaterials

Pushpa Singh; Smita Shukla

Abstract

We have studied the antimicrobial activity of carbon-based nanomaterials e.g. graphene oxide with their mechanism of action. We have synthesized the graphene oxide using modified Hummer’s method from high purity graphite precursors. The microstructures and morphology of graphene-based materials have been studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The specific surface area and porosity analysis of graphene oxide are analyzed using Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) and Barrett, Joyner, and Halenda (BJH) methods to ensure the large surface area access to medicine. We have investigated its antibacterial effect on pathogenic micro-organism by using standard zone of inhibition. A clear inhibition zone was observed with graphene nanoparticles. The standard antibiotics Erythromycin, Streptomycin, and Tetracycline show a smaller zone of inhibition as compared to the nanoparticle-treated disc. The results indicate better inhibition behavior of antibiotics delivered with the graphene nanoparticles. The effect of different concentration would be presented on the basis of obtained results.Keywords: Antimicrobial activity, graphene oxide, pathogenic micro-organism, zone of inhibition