Preparation and characterization of CuO NPs via laser ablation under electric field and study their antibacterial activity

Antibiotic activity of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) produced via pulse laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) process with the electric field was investigated. The optical and structural properties for CuO NPs were characterized using FTIR, UV-VIS, and AFM. In case of CuO only, it was found to have an effect on all bacterial species with some variation. However, when NPs are mixed with antibiotics, there is an obvious many difference in the antibacterial activity towards bacteria. This is evidence of a synergistic effect between the two NPs and antibiotics. We found that the percentage of increased inhibitory effect has increased against the Gram-negative bacteria, as in the combination of (Ampicillin and Gentamicin) with NPs (47% and 46%, respectively) against E. coli (60%, 67%, 60%, and 150%, respectively) against the intestinal bacteria. In addition, there is a significant increase in the ratio of antibacterial activity against pathogens by the combination of antibiotics (Cefotaxime, Gentamicin, and Ampicillin) with NPs on the growth of E. coli bacteria.