Comparing the impact of chemically produced and biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles on Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from the inflammatory middle ear

Introduction: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a sustained infection of the middle ear marked by ongoing otorrhea and inflammation, frequently linked to microbiological agents such as Klebsiella pneumoniae. The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance requires alternate antimicrobial approaches, including nanoparticle-based therapies. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have emerged as attractive options due to their extensive antibacterial characteristics. This study sought to evaluate the antibacterial effectiveness of chemically produced and biosynthesized ZnO nanoparticles (utilizing Aloe vera extract) against K. pneumoniae isolated from individuals with chronic suppurative otitis media. Material and methods: An in vitro experimental research was performed on isolates of K. pneumoniae derived from middle ear discharge samples of individuals with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM). ZnO nanoparticles were produced with both chemical techniques and green biosynthesis utilizing Aloe vera extract. Nanoparticles were analyzed utilizing UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The antimicrobial effectiveness was evaluated by the agar well diffusion method at different doses (25–200 µg/mL). Data analysis was conducted utilizing SPSS version 25.0. Results: K. pneumoniae was isolated in 18% of 50 clinical samples. Both varieties of ZnO nanoparticles exhibited typical peaks about 370 nm and exhibited nanometric crystallite sizes of 28 nm for chemically manufactured and 35 nm for biosynthesized variants. SEM and TEM demonstrated a spherical shape for chemically produced ZnO nanoparticles and a heterogeneous composition (spherical and rod-like) for biosynthesized nanoparticles. FTIR and EDX verified the existence of functional groups and organic residues in biosynthesized particles. Antimicrobial tests demonstrated that chemically produced ZnO-NPs displayed markedly larger zones of inhibition at all doses in comparison to biosynthesized variants (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Both chemically manufactured and biosynthesized ZnO nanoparticles have antibacterial properties against K. pneumoniae, with the chemically synthesized variants showing superior inhibitory effects. Biosynthesized ZnO nanoparticles offer advantages in terms of environmental sustainability and potential biocompatibility. These findings support the ongoing exploration of nanoparticle-based therapies as adjunctive or alternative solutions to conventional antibiotics in the management of CSOM.