Investigation of genomic effect of zirconium oxide nanoparticles in Escherichia coli bacteria

Amid growing concerns regarding antibiotic-resistant infections, nanoparticles have attracted significant interest as alternative antimicrobial agents in nanobiotechnology. Zirconium oxide nanoparticles ( ZrO 2 NPs), also known as zirconia, have emerged as promising candidates owing to their unique physicochemical properties. This study evaluated the antibacterial and genotoxic effects of ZrO 2 NPs on Escherichia coli . For this purpose, bacterial cultures were exposed to ZrO 2 NPs at concentrations of 100, 250, and 350 μ g /mL, and growth was monitored 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24 h post-exposure. Significant growth inhibition was observed at 250 μ g /mL and 350 μ g /mL, particularly after 8 h of exposure. However, genomic analysis using RAPD markers revealed no significant DNA alterations at any of the concentrations tested. These findings suggest that ZrO 2 NPs, particularly at higher concentrations, exhibit effective antibacterial activity without inducing detectable genotoxic effects, underscoring their potential as safe and efficient antimicrobial agents.