Copper and zinc have a high binding affinity with a Staphylococcus aureus bacterial community. This causes a change in the biomolecular composition of S. aureus. Our study aims at understanding the resistance mechanism of Cu and Zn either or in various combinations using FTIR and chemometric techniques. Zn toxicity resulted in a significant change in lipid content (3100-2800 cm-1) compared to Cu. A significant decrease in protein content is observed for Cu treatment in the amide region. The bio-concentration factor shows a higher value for Cu compared to Zn. The increase in band area of carbohydrates moieties 1059 cm-1 shows the secretion of EPS due to Cu toxicity. A significant change in nucleic acid compositions was noted in the region1200-900 cm-1 due to Zn treatment. Secondary structural change in protein shows β sheet formation. The result of the finding shows Cu has greater toxicity than Zn. Further toxicity effects were greatly enhanced for metal mixtures ratio (Cu:2Zn). This shows Zn exhibits synergism effect with Cu. The obtained ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve area gives good reliability of the experiments. The study attempts to understand the mechanism of toxicity removal of Cu and Zn metal mixtures by bacterial population using FTIR coupled with chemometric techniques. Graphical abstract.
Keywords: BCF; Cu-Zn interaction; FTIR; PCA; ROC; Synergism.