Effective Control of Molds Using a Combination of Nanoparticles

Abstract

Molds are filamentous fungi able to grow on a variety of surfaces, including constructed surfaces, food, rotten organic matter, and humid places. Mold growth is characterized by having an unpleasant odor in enclosed or non-ventilated places and a non-aesthetic appearance. They represent a health concern because of their ability to produce and release mycotoxins, compounds that are toxic to animals and humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate commercial nanoparticles (NPs) that can be used as an additive in coatings and paints to effectively control the growth of harmful molds. Four different NPs were screened for their antifungal activities against the mycotoxin producing mold strains Aspergillus flavus and A. fumigatus. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of the NPs were determined in broth media, whereas an agar diffusion test was used to assess the antimold activity on acrylic- and water-based paints. The cytotoxic activity and the inflammatory response of the NPs were also evaluated using the established human derived macrophage cell line THP-1. Results showed that a combination of mix metallic- and ZnO-NPs (50:10 μg/mL) effectively inhibited the fungal growth when exposed to fluorescent light. Neither cytotoxic effect nor inflammatory responses were recorded, suggesting that this combination can be safely used in humid or non-ventilated environments without any health concerns.

Noble metal-modified titania with visible-light activity for the decomposition of microorganisms

“…It is well known that yeast are unicellular fungi, and do not produce mycelia and spores, which makes them the most vulnerable object, i.e., a few times more sensitive towards antifungal agents than other fungi. Auyeung et al found that only metallic and ZnO NPs showed a potent antimould activity against A. niger and P. chrysogenum [ 71 ].…”

Zinc-Based Nanomaterials for Diagnosis and Management of Plant Diseases: Ecological Safety and Future Prospects

“…Further, substantially low concentrations of nanomaterials are required to achieve significantly improved antimicrobial efficacy as compared to the standard reference antimicrobial agent (such as antibiotics and pesticides) [ 8 , 49 ]. Interestingly, the combinatorial use of nanomaterials along with the conventional antimicrobial agents [ 50 ] or a combination of metal/metal oxide/nonmetal oxide NPs can enhance the action-spectrum and reduces the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values [ 51 ].…”

“…Among the various inorganic nanomaterials, the antimicrobial activity including the antimycotic potential of the noble metal nanoparticles (Au/Ag NPs) against plant pathogenic microbes was identified initially [ 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ]. Later, nanoparticles/nanomaterials of Group IIa metals including magnesium [ 56 , 57 ]; calcium [ 58 ]; other transition metals such as copper [ 57 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 ], iron [ 61 ], manganese [ 57 ], nickel [ 63 , 64 ], titanium [ 61 , 65 ], zinc [ 56 , 57 , 60 , 62 , 66 , 67 , 68 ], and zirconium [ 21 , 69 ]; and nonmetals such as silicon [ 57 ], selenium [ 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 ], and tellurium [ 74 , 75 ] have been evaluated for their antimicrobial potentials.…”

“…The antimycotic potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles or its composites has been well identified against phytopathogenic fungi belonging to diverse taxonomic groups/classes such as zygomycetous oomycetes genera ( Peronospora tabacina [ 141 ], Pythium ultimum, Pythium aphanidermatum [ 142 ]), ascomyceteous genera ( Alternaria alternata [ 59 , 62 ], Aspergillus flavus / A. fumigatus [ 51 ], Aspergillus niger [ 143 ], Botrytis cinerea [ 61 , 62 , 144 , 145 ], Colletotrichum gloeosporioides [ 56 , 59 ], Fusarium graminearum [ 146 ], Fusarium moniliforme [ 40 ], Fusarium oxysporum [ 66 , 144 , 147 ], Penicillium expansum [ 50 , 66 , 144 , 148 ]), and basidiomycetous genera ( Erythricium salmonicolor [ 68 ]).…”

Kaolin/Gum Arabic Nanocomposite as Antifungal agent against Aspergillus Flavus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

“…A wide range of work on antimicrobial activities of nanomaterialswas performed globally by different authors, but the antimicrobial activities of silver nanoparticles synthesized using different methods were studied extensively [1,[5][6][7][8][9]. The antimicrobial potential of semiconductors-based nanoparticles such as zinc sulphide [10], Zinc oxides [4,11] as well as copper nanoparticles [12] were studied. The antibacterial effect of NiFe 2 O 4 @TiO 2 /Ptnanocomposite on E.Coli bacteria was found to be effective [13].…”