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Enhancement of antibacterial activity by a copper(II) and zinc(II) in chelation with ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid and urea complex

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Abstract

Although it is unclear how Zn2+ cooperates with Cu2+ in synergistic antibacterial activity, a 1:10 ratio of Cu2+/Zn2+ atoms and ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid and urea ligands can be used to form a chelation complex containing Cu2+ and Zn2+. This study investigated the effects of the combination of Cu2+ and Zn2+ in chelation with EDTA and urea. The results were compared with the outcomes of either copper or zinc alone against gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria. The antibacterial activity was determined through MICs, disc diffusion method, and bacterial cell growth curves. In addition, bacterial destruction by this chelation complex has been observed through SEM images. The presence of copper ion and zinc ion inside the bacterial cells has been proved through EDS measurements. The obtained results allowed us to draw conclusions that the use of both Cu2+ and Zn2+ in a chelation complex with EDTA and urea enhances the antimicrobial activity against these bacteria. The bacterial inhibition of this complex was stronger than that of Cu2+ alone chelated with EDTA or CuSO4 solution by approximately 100-fold for S. aureus and 20-fold for E. coli.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful for the financial support for this work from project 103.03-2016.72 of the Vietnam National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED). This research is also supported by the International Physics Center with grant number IPC.2020.06. We are grateful to the Institute of Physics for providing all facility support for the research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Physics, VAST, 10 Daotan, Badinh, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Trong Nghia Nguyen, Quang Hoa Do, Thi Thuy Duong Vu, Thi Thuy Nguyen, Duc Toan Nguyen, Thi Bich Ngoc Nguyen, Thi Thu Ha Tran, Thi Kim Oanh Vu & Thi Ha Lien Nghiem

  2. Institute of Biotechnology, VAST, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Thi Minh Tu Hoa & Thi Minh Huyen Nguyen

  3. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Ha Noi, Vietnam

    Phuong Nhung Bui

  4. Department of Physics, Le Quy Don Technical University, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Minh Hue Nguyen

  5. 103 Hospital, Vietnam Military Medical University, 261 Phung Hung, Ha Dong, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Duc Minh Pham

  6. Thuyloi University, 175 Tayson, Dongda, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Thi Chung Thuy Tran

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  1. Trong Nghia Nguyen
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Correspondence to Thi Ha Lien Nghiem or Thi Minh Huyen Nguyen.

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Nguyen, T.N., Do, Q.H., Vu, T.T.D. et al. Enhancement of antibacterial activity by a copper(II) and zinc(II) in chelation with ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid and urea complex. Chem. Pap. 76, 7163–7176 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11696-022-02361-3

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