Antibacterial activity of streptomycin intercalated magnetic zinc–aluminium– carbonate LDH nanocomposite

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs), also known as hydrotalcite-like compounds or anionic clays, have been investigated as potential materials for adsorbents, ion-exchangers, pharmaceutics, mechanical properties, UV photostability, and so on [1]. Indeed, intense research interests have focused on creating novel magnetic LDHs to control drug release at defined target cells of tissues.The intercalation processes are carried out following different routes (direct synthesis, co-precipitation, and anion exchange) [2]. In this study, streptomycin was intercalated into a nanocomposite consisted of cobalt ferrite magnetic core coated with zinc-aluminium layered double hydroxide (LDH). After obtaining and characterization of the resultednanocomposite by various techniques, its antibacterial activity was studied against some gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria using diffusion disc method. The step by step preparation of CoFe2O4@ZnAl-Str-LDH nanocomposite is shown below The as-preparednanocomposite showed an improvement in the antibacterial activity of streptomycin indicating the presence of synergistic effect. This antibacterial agent can be easily removed from disinfected solution by magnetic decantation to avoid any contamination to the environment..