UV-A irradiated ZnO produced reactive oxygen species and caused damage to cell membranes.
The synergistic process of 1 mM ZnO and 9.53 J/cm2 UV-A dose caused 6-log reductions in log-phase E.coli BL21.
Stationary phase bacteria were more resistant with 3.5 log reductions against 1 mM ZnO and 9.53 J/cm2 UV-A dose.
UV-A (9.53 J/cm2) irradiated 1 mM ZnO caused 6 PFU/mL reductions in T7 bacteriophage.
Presence of organic load lowered bacterial and bacteriophage inactivation rate