Zinc‐based metal–organic frameworks for encapsulation and sustained release of ciprofloxacin for excellent antibacterial activities

BACKGROUND In terms of crystalline nanoporous materials, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are relatively new. They are self‐assembling structures made of organic ligands that serve as linkers between metal centers and metal ions that function as coordination centers. Due to MOFs' high porosity, absence of nonaccessible bulk volume, vast surface areas and variety of pore sizes and topologies, drug delivery via them is becoming more and more common. RESULTS Zn‐MOF and Zn‐MOF@drug were produced using a solvothermal approach in this study and characterized using a variety of methods, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Utilizing the zone of inhibition and minimum inhibitory concentration approaches, Zn‐MOF and Zn‐MOF@drug were evaluated for their antibacterial capability against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, two types of bacteria. CONCLUSION The antibacterial potential of Zn‐MOF@drug was greater than that of the metal salt, commercially available ZnO, Zn‐MOF and ligand alone. The mechanism of antibacterial activity of Zn‐MOF@drug was also discussed. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).