Agricultural Biotechnology Journal

Agricultural Biotechnology Journal

Antibacterial activity of laser-ablated ZnO-chitosan nanocomposite against multidrug-resistant oral Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its larvicidal effect on culex pipiens

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
1 Department of Biology, College of Science for Women, University of Babylon, Iraq.
2 Department of Laser, College of Science for Women, University of Babylon, Iraq.
3 Department of Medical Biotechnology, College of Science, Al-Mustaqbal University, 51001, Babylon, Iraq
10.22103/jab.2026.27253.1917
Abstract
Abstract
Objective
Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and bacteria that are resistant to multiple drugs are serious health threats. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of a laser-synthesized ZnO-chitosan nanocomposite against oral isolates of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its larvicidal activity against Culex pipiens.
Materials and methods
Thirty Pseudomonas isolates were obtained from the oral cavities of patients at Hilla Hospital. We utilized the VITEK system to separate the bacteria and disc diffusion tests to find out how well they respond to antibiotics. The MIC values were determined using the broth microdilution method according to CLSI guidelines.
Results
Pseudomonas was positive for 20 of the 30 isolates. Antibiotic resistance was 50% for Ticarcillin-Clavulanic Acid (TCC), 85% for Meropenem (MRP), and 75% for Ceftazidime (CAZ). All of the 20 isolates showed positive for the GyrA1 gene; the ZnO-chitosan nanocomposite had an inhibition zone diameter of 20 mm with a 12.5 μg/mL minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The insecticidal effect of ZnO-Cs nanocomposite on egg mortality rates at two different exposure times (24 and 48 hours). Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant effect of exposure time on egg mortality rates. While larval mortality rates increased with increasing exposure time, reaching 90%, 80.5%, 78.4%, and 20.34% after 48 hours of treatment from the first to the fourth larval stage, respectively, compared to 80.4%, 61.09%, 52.04%, and 10% after only 24 hours from the first to the fourth larval stage.
Conclusion
The ZnO-chitosan nanocomposite exhibited significant antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa and strong larvicidal effects against C. pipiens, suggesting its potential as an eco-friendly antimicrobial and vector-control agent.
The ZnO-chitosan nanocomposite exhibited significant antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa and strong larvicidal effects against C. pipiens, suggesting its potential as an eco-friendly antimicrobial and vector-control agent.
Keywords: P. aeruginosa, ZnO-Cs nanocomposite, laser ablation, AST test, Dental plaque
Keywords

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Available Online from 22 August 2026