Development and Characterization of Metalloantibiotics for Pathogen Removal from Water: Insights from Antibacterial and Antiviral Activities

Abstract Background In recent efforts to address the critical need for clean and portable water, we have focused on innovative methods to eliminate pathogenic microorganisms. To this aim, the Glycyl-L-leucine peptide ligand was complexed with different transition metal ions [Cu(II), Ni(II), and Cd(II)]. The compounds were characterized and examined using various analytical methods, including elemental analysis (CHN), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and assessments of magnetic properties, molar conductivity, and thermogravimetric analysis. An N2O2 arrangement of ligand atoms coordinated all metals. The coordination sites were completed with a carbonyl oxygen atom and a water molecule. The complexes showed polymeric structures using bridging carboxylate groups. Results Their antibacterial properties were screened using disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentrations techniques against the identified bacterial organisms from the water samples collected along the Nile River. Cu(II)-chelate showed the best results for our investigation. The docking results supported and displayed that Cu(II)-chelate exhibited the minimum binding energy as compared to Ni(II), Cd(II), and free peptide which is in agreement with antibacterial results. Conclusions our study successfully demonstrated the potential of Glycyl-L-leucine peptide ligands complexed with transition metal ions, particularly Cu(II), in eliminating pathogenic microorganisms from water. Cu(II)-chelate exhibited superior antibacterial properties, as confirmed by both experimental and molecular docking results. This compound not only showed the lowest binding energy but also proved to be the most effective against bacterial and viral targets. These findings highlight the promising application of Cu(II)-chelate in developing advanced water purification systems.