Development and Characterization of ACV-Zn@PVP Nanoparticles for In Vitro Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Applications
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections necessitates the development of novel, biocompatible antimicrobial nanomaterials. In the present study, Adiantum capillus-veneris-functionalized polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-coated zinc oxide nanoparticles (ACV-Zn@PVP NPs) were successfully synthesized using a simple one-pot green synthesis approach. The aqueous leaf extract of ACV served as a natural reducing and capping agent, while PVP acted as a stabilizing polymer to improve nanoparticle dispersion and colloidal stability. The synthesized NPs were characterized using UV–Visible spectroscopy, FTIR, FESEM–EDX, XRD, DLS, and zeta potential analysis. UV–Vis spectra confirmed ACV-Zn@PVP NP formation with an absorption peak at 370 nm. XRD analysis revealed a highly crystalline hexagonal wurtzite ZnO structure with an average crystallite size of 22–25 nm. DLS analysis showed a Z-average hydrodynamic diameter of 219.7 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.2888, while the zeta potential of −18.61 mV indicated moderately good colloidal stability. FESEM showed predominantly spherical NPs with reduced aggregation. EDX confirmed the presence of Zn and O as the elements, whereas DLS and zeta potential analyses indicated nanoscale particle size and good colloidal stability. The synthesized ACV-Zn@PVP NPs exhibited concentration-dependent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, with the maximum inhibition zone of 35 mm against E. coli at 100 mg/mL. Cytocompatibility studies using V79 fibroblast cells showed 95% cell viability at 10 μg/mL, which gradually decreased to 69% at 160 μg/mL, indicating dose-dependent cytotoxicity while maintaining acceptable cellular compatibility at lower concentrations. Overall, the synthesized ACV-Zn@PVP NPs exhibited excellent characteristics, potent antibacterial activity, and cytocompatibility, highlighting their potential as promising multifunctional nanomaterials for future biomedical applications.