Tag: zinc nanoparticles

Just released in Frontiers in Veterinary Science

Importance of Zinc Nanoparticles for the Intestinal Microbiome of Weaned Piglets

by Daria Baholet, Sylvie Skalickova, Andrej Batik, Svetlana Malyugina, Jiri Skladanka and Pavel Horky

Abstract

The scientific community is closely monitoring the replacement of antibiotics with doses of ZnO in weaned piglets. Since 2022, the use of zinc in medical doses has been banned in the European Union. Therefore, pig farmers are looking for other solutions. Some studies have suggested that zinc nanoparticles might replace ZnO for the prevention of diarrhea in weaning piglets. Like ZnO, zinc nanoparticles are effective against pathogenic microorganisms, e.g., Enterobacteriaceae family in vitro and in vivo. However, the effect on probiotic Lactobacillaceae appears to differ for ZnO and zinc nanoparticles. While ZnO increases their numbers, zinc nanoparticles act in the opposite way. These phenomena have been also confirmed by in vitro studies that reported a strong antimicrobial effect of zinc nanoparticles against Lactobacillales order. Contradictory evidence makes this topic still controversial, however. In addition, zinc nanoparticles vary in their morphology and properties based on the method of their synthesis. This makes it difficult to understand the effect of zinc nanoparticles on the intestinal microbiome. This review is aimed at clarifying many circumstances that may affect the action of nanoparticles on the weaning piglets’ microbiome, including a comprehensive overview of the zinc nanoparticles in vitro effects on bacterial species occurring in the digestive tract of weaned piglets.

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Just released in Livestock Science

Short-term supplementation of zinc nanoparticles in weaned piglets affects zinc bioaccumulation and carcass classification

by Daria Baholet, Sylvie Skalickova, Eva Weisbauerova, Andrej Batik, Ivana Kolackova, Pavel Nevrkla, Pavel Horky

Abstract

High doses of zinc have been used as a prevention against weaned piglets’ diarrhea for many years. Nevertheless, since 2022 high doses of zinc oxide have been banned in EU. Currently, there are several studies about the potential of zinc nanoparticles in lower doses which could maintain a preventive effect. Several concerns about nanoparticles’ toxicity and bioaccumulation have been raised in many other fields of research. The aim of this short follow-up study is focused on the impact of zinc nanoparticles used as a prevention of diarrhea for weaned piglets, on the classification of slaughtered pigs’ carcasses and on zinc retention in muscle tissue. Seventy piglets (10 groups of 7 piglets) were fed a standard diet. The treated groups’ diets were supplemented with zinc oxide (ZnO), and phosphate-based nanoparticles: spherical- shaped type A (ZnA) and irregular-shaped: type C (ZnC), at the doses of 500, 1000 and 2000 mg Zn equivalent per kilogram of diet. The control group´s diet was not treated with zinc in any form. The feed experiment started when the piglets were 28 days old and lasted for 10 days. Experimental animals were grown to the final weight 120 ± 10 kg and slaughtered in a slaughterhouse. The pig carcasses were evaluated according to S/EUROP standards: the pigs’ weight, back fat thickness and lean meat content were monitored. Moreover, zinc concentrations in M. longissimus dorsi et thoracis were analyzed. The results have not proved significant changes in S/EUROP standard classification and zinc bioaccumulation in muscle tissue. This follow-up experiment was carried out as part of maintaining a precautionary approach to the use the nanoparticles in piglet fattening. In our study we did not confirm their effect on the assessment of carcass classification and their bioaccumulation in muscle tissue.

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Just Released in Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology

Zinc phosphate-based nanoparticles as a novel antibacterial agent: in vivo study on rats after dietary exposure

by Pavel Horky, Sylvie Skalickova, Lenka Urbankova, Daria Baholet, Silvia Kociova, Zuzana Bytesnikova, Eliska Kabourkova, Zuzana Lackova, Natalia Cernei, Milica Gagic, Vedran Milosavljevic, Vendula Smolikova, Eva Vaclavkova, Pavel Nevrkla, Pavel Knot, Olga Krystofova, David Hynek, Pavel Kopel, Jiri Skladanka, Vojtech Adam, Krystyna Smerkova

Abstract

Background: Development of new nanomaterials that inhibit or kill bacteria is an important and timely research topic. For example, financial losses due to infectious diseases, such as diarrhea, are a major concern in livestock productions around the world. Antimicrobial nanoparticles (NPs) represent a promising alternative to antibiotics and may lower antibiotic use and consequently spread of antibiotic resistance traits among bacteria, including pathogens.

Results: Four formulations of zinc nanoparticles (ZnA, ZnB, ZnC, and ZnD) based on phosphates with spherical (ZnA, ZnB) or irregular (ZnC, ZnD) morphology were prepared. The highest in vitro inhibitory effect of our NPs was observed against Staphylococcus aureus (inhibitory concentration values, IC50, ranged from 0.5 to 1.6 mmol/L), followed by Escherichia coli (IC50 0.8-1.5 mmol/L). In contrast, methicillin resistant S. aureus (IC50 1.2-4.7 mmol/L) was least affected and this was similar to inhibitory patterns of commercial ZnO-based NPs and ZnO. After the successful in vitro testing, the in vivo study with rats based on dietary supplementation with zinc NPs was conducted. Four groups of rats were treated by 2,000 mg Zn/kg diet of ZnA, ZnB, ZnC, and ZnD, for comparison two groups were supplemented by 2,000 mg Zn/kg diet of ZnO-N and ZnO, and one group (control) was fed only by basal diet. The significantly higher (P < 0.05) Zn level in liver and kidney of all treated groups was found, nevertheless Zn NPs did not greatly influence antioxidant status of rats. However, the total aerobic and coliform bacterial population in rat feces significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in all zinc groups after 30 d of the treatment. Furthermore, when compared to the ZnO group, ZnA and ZnC nanoparticles reduced coliforms significantly more (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that phosphate-based zinc nanoparticles have the potential to act as antibiotic agents.

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