Chitosan and Chitosan Nanoparticles: Parameters Enhancing Antifungal Activity

Abstract

Chitosan (CS), a biopolymer derived from chitin, is known for strong antifungal activity while being biodegradable, biocompatible, and non-toxic. Because of its characteristic it has been widely used in control of fungal pathogens. Antifungal activity of chitosan can be further enhanced by obtaining chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs). However, most of the experiments using CS and CSNPs as antifungal agents were performed under various conditions and using diverse CS batches of different characteristics and obtained from different sources. Therefore, it is essential to systematize the available information. This work contains a current review on how the CS parameters: molecular weight, degree of deacetylation, acetylation pattern and dispersity of these features shape its antifungal activity. It also considers how concentration and protonation (pH) of CS water solutions define final biological effect. Review explains in detail how CS parameters affect characteristics of CSNPs, particle size, zeta potential, and dispersities of both and determine antifungal activity. In addition to the parameters of CS and CSNPs, the review also discusses the possible characteristics of fungal cells that determine their susceptibility to the substances. The response of fungi to CS and CSNPs varies according to different fungal species and their stages of development. The precise knowledge of how CS and CSNP parameters affect specific fungal pathogens will help design and optimize environmentally friendly plant protection strategies against fungi.

Nano-Based Drug Delivery Systems: Potential Developments in the Therapy of Metastatic Osteosarcoma—A Narrative Review

“…Their intrinsic chemistry permits seamless modification, facilitating specificity to target distinct receptors prolifically found in osteosarcoma cells. Following administration, these nanoparticles employ precision targeting of the tumor, systematically releasing their drug payload and curbing tumor progression and metastasis [ 152 , 153 , 154 ]. Adding another layer of specificity, chitosan nanoparticles can be bioengineered to be sensitive to cues in the tumor milieu, such as pH shifts, paving the way for an astute drug release mechanism [ 155 ].…”

Chitosan nanoparticle and its effect on Neoscytalidium novaehollandiae, the causal agent of mulberry canker in Tehran

“…As mentioned in previous studies, CSNPs show stronger antifungal activity compared with bulk chitosan which is probably due to the higher density of surface to charge, more surface area and better absorption of CSNPs by fungal cells [ 40 ].…”

“…The positive zeta potential of CSNPs is due to protonated amino groups of chitosan. Thus, in addition to the size of CSNPs, zeta potential can also affect the antifungal activity of nanoparticles [ 40 ]. By reducing the electrostatic repulsion of CSNPs due to low surface charge, the possibility of nanoparticles accumulation increases [ 33 , 42 ].…”

“…Based on this, considering the surface absorption of CSNPs by fungal cells as one of the antifungal mechanisms of CSNPs and indicating 1500 ppm as the minimum inhibition concentration of CSNPs against N. novaehollandiae in this study, it can be assumed that the existence of high positive charge on the CSNPs surface, not only enables them to interact with the negatively charged components of the fungal membrane, but also increases the chance of this interaction and this can lead to boost CSNPs antifungal properties against N. novaehollandiae and its complete inhibition. In addition to size and zeta potential of CSNPs, different fungal species show different responses to the application of CSNPs and fungal species sensitive to CSNPs have a high proportion of phospholipid in their plasma membrane, and previous studies have shown that the higher fluidity of the fungal cell membrane and the higher content of unsaturated fatty acids, could be result to the higher the sensitivity of the fungal species to CSNPs [ 40 ]. Therefore, probably the high fluidity of the membrane and the high ratio of phospholipid in the cell membrane of N. novaehollandiae could be effective in its sensitivity to CSNPs.…”

Advances in the Optimization of Fe Nanoparticles: Unlocking Antifungal Properties for Biomedical Applications

“…In addition, the surface charge of the material plays a crucial role. To modify the surface potential and introduce functional groups, INPs were coated with a chitosan polymer [134]. Owing to these mechanisms, chitosan has the potential to effectively restrict microbial growth through processes such as chelation of transition metallic ions, enzyme inhibition, and disruption of exchange with the surrounding media [76].…”