# Exploring Antibacterial Properties of Mechanochemically Synthesized MgAl2O4 Spinel Nanoparticles for Dental and Medical Applications

## TL;DR

This paper explores the antibacterial properties of MgAl2O4 spinel nanoparticles made using a mechanochemical method for use in dental and medical applications.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the antibacterial efficacy of mechanochemically synthesized MgAl2O4 nanoparticles against specific pathogens.

## Key findings

- MgAl2O4 spinel nanoparticles were successfully synthesized with a single-phase cubic structure and nanoscale size.
- The nanoparticles showed both bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects against Helicobacter pylori and Enterococcus faecalis.
- The mechanochemical synthesis method is environmentally friendly and suitable for biomedical applications.

## Abstract

Magnesium aluminate spinel nanoparticles (MgAl2O4-S-NPs) represent a promising class of nanoceramics with potential biomedical applications due to their physicochemical stability and antimicrobial properties. This study aimed to determine the structural characteristics, composition, and biological performance of MgAl2O4 spinel nanoparticles that were synthesized via a mechanochemical method. Structural and compositional characterization was performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). Antibacterial activity was evaluated against Helicobacter pylori and Enterococcus faecalis using bacterial viability assays. Structural and morphological analyses confirmed the successful formation of single-phase cubic MgAl2O4 with a polyhedral morphology and nanoscale size distribution. Bacterial viability was quantified through optical density measurements following exposure to MgAl2O4-S-NPs at different concentrations. The nanoparticles exhibited both bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects, with activity being demonstrated against the tested bacterial strains. Mechanochemically synthesized MgAl2O4-S-NPs are promising candidates for biomedical applications, including dental materials, antimicrobial coatings, and infection-control strategies. Overall, the findings highlight the potential of MgAl2O4-S-NPs as effective antimicrobial agents that can be produced through an environmentally friendly synthesis route.