India, Oct. 15 -- Researchers at theNational Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkelahave used extracts from medicinal plants to produce potent antibacterial agents that are environmentally safe and effective.

The research addresses the problem of antimicrobial resistance. The overuse of traditional antibiotics has resulted in the rise of "superbugs" that have become resistant to these treatments. All around the world, scientists are seeking alternative methods to fight these superbugs.

One promising class of materials that has been studied is Zinc oxide nanoparticles, materials so tiny that tens of thousands of them could fit across the width of a human hair. These tiny particles damage the bacterial cells and disrupt their normal functi...