Antibacterial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles and gentamicin on <i>Xanthomonas campesiris</i> on infested tomato from Bodija market, Ibadan Nigeria - a quantitative comparative study

Abstract

Zinc oxide nanoparticles have appeared as a novel tool in agronomy and crop protection sequel to its efficacy to combat bacterial plant pathogens that are resistant to conventional antibacterial agents. Zinc oxide nanoparticles and gentamicin were quantitatively tested against Xanthomonas campesiris vesicatoria, the pathogens that causes infective pre-harvest and post- harvest spot in tomato. Exactly 0.1mL of the suspension from grounded tomato was aseptically plated on sucrose agar medium and was incubated at optimum temperature for 24 – 48 hours. Pathogenicity tests of the isolates was carried on uninfected tomato to authenticate the infectious isolates obtained. Aqueous and ethanol extract of zinc oxide nanoparticles, and gentamicin antibiotics were tested on the isolates of Xanthomonas campesiris vesicatoria confirmed, by agar cup diffusion technique. Aqueous and ethanol extract of zinc oxide nanoparticles, and gentamicin antibiotics prepared in varied concentrations; 5 μg/mL, 2.5 μg/mL, 1.25 μg/mL in varying doubling dilutions were tested on Xanthomonas campesiris vesicatoria obtained, exhibited significant competitive antibacterial activity. The ethanol extract showed stronger antibacterial activity than the aqueous extract. Gentamicin, a broad-spectrum antibiotics exerted competitive anti bacterial activity at every dilutions. Growth of Xanthomonas campestris pv.vesicatoria, the etiologic agent of infective spot in tomato, was remarkably suppressed by zinc oxide nanoparticles as equally observed in gentamicin.