Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41686765›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

Analysis of the antimicrobial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles against drug-resistant bacteria and their applications in the disinfection process.

Dalia Alqaffaf, Ali M Atoom, Rana Abu Huwaij, Mai Abdel Haleem A Abusalah, Bayan Tayseer Alzubi, Awatef Al-Kaabneh, Manal Abdel Haleem A Abusalah, Maher A Sughayer

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Green synthesis of ZnO/FeRSC advances · 2026
    Article
  3. Article
  4. Review
  5. Susceptibility of the Oral Commensal BacteriumInternational journal of molecular sciences · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Dalia AlqaffafDepartment of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan.
Ali M AtoomDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman, Jordan.ORCID 0000-0001-9742-4253
Rana Abu HuwaijA College of Pharmacy, Amman Arab University, Amman, Jordan.
Mai Abdel Haleem A AbusalahDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman, Jordan.ORCID 0000-0002-8473-9392
Bayan Tayseer AlzubiDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman, Jordan.
Awatef Al-KaabnehPrincess Iman Center for Research and Laboratory Sciences, Jordanian Royal Medical Services, Amman, Jordan.
Manal Abdel Haleem A AbusalahDepartment of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Maher A SughayerDepartment of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe rise in antimicrobial resistance has necessitated the exploration of novel antimicrobial agents. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have gained prominence due to their biocompatibility, minimal toxicity, and potent antimicrobial properties. This study evaluates the antimicrobial activity of ZnO-NPs synthesized from Phoenix dactylifera root extract and their potential applications in disinfection. METHODOLOGY: ZnO-NPs were synthesized using an eco-friendly method involving Phoenix dactylifera root extract and zinc acetate at varied concentrations and ratios, followed by annealing. The nanoparticles were characterized and assessed for antimicrobial activity against a spectrum of bacterial and fungal isolates using microtiter broth dilution, disc diffusion, and pour plate assays. Disinfection efficacy was evaluated on water samples and surfaces. Additionally, the impact of ZnO-NPs on acid-fast bacilli (AFB) isolates was examined using VersaTrek Mycobottles.

resultsZnO-NPs exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 9.7 to 310 µg/mL. Disc diffusion assays revealed larger inhibition zones in Gram-positive bacteria compared to Gram-negative strains, with MRSA showing the widest zone (24 mm). ZnO-NPs significantly reduced colony-forming units (CFU) on water and surfaces, achieving complete bacterial inhibition on laboratory benches within 20 minutes. The nanoparticles demonstrated bactericidal effects against AFB isolates, highlighting their broad-spectrum efficacy.

conclusionThe study underscores the potential of ZnO-NPs as a versatile antimicrobial agent effective against MDR (multidrug-resistant) pathogens and environmental contaminants. Their rapid action and broad-spectrum activity make them suitable for disinfection in clinical and environmental settings. Future research could explore synergistic combinations with traditional antimicrobials to enhance efficacy against infections that are resistant to treatment.

Indexed as

DisinfectionGram-Negative BacteriaGram-Positive BacteriaNanoparticlesZinc OxideAnti-Bacterial AgentsDrug Resistance, Multiple, BacterialGreen Chemistry TechnologyMicrobial Sensitivity TestsPhoeniceaePlant ExtractsPlant RootsAnti-Bacterial AgentsPlant ExtractsZinc Oxide

Identifiers

PMID41686765
PMCPMC12904420

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.