Quantum Dot and Superparamagnetic Nanoparticle Interaction with Pathogenic Fungi: Internalization and Toxicity Profile

Abstract

For several years now, nanoscaled materials have been implemented in biotechnological applications related to animal (in particular human) cells and related pathologies. However, the use of nanomaterials in plant biology is far less widespread, although their application in this field could lead to the future development of plant biotechnology applications. For any practical use, it is crucial to elucidate the relationship between the nanomaterials and the target cells. In this work we have evaluated the behavior of two types of nanomaterials, quantum dots and superparamagnetic nanoparticles, on Fusarium oxysporum, a fungal species that infects an enormous range of crops causing important economic losses and is also an opportunistic human pathogen. Our results indicated that both nanomaterials rapidly interacted with the fungal hypha labeling the presence of the pathogenic fungus, although they showed differential behavior with respect to internalization. Thus, whereas magnetic nanoparticles appeared to be on the cell surface, quantum dots were significantly taken up by the fungal hyphae showing their potential for the development of novel control approaches of F. oxysporum and related pathogenic fungi following appropriate functionalization. In addition, the fungal germination and growth, accumulation of ROS, indicative of cell stress, and fungal viability have been evaluated at different nanomaterial concentrations showing the low toxicity of both types of nanomaterials to the fungus. This work represents the first study on the behavior of quantum dots and superparamagnetic particles on fungal cells, and constitutes the first and essential step to address the feasibility of new nanotechnology-based systems for early detection and eventual control of pathogenic fungi.

Interaction of Nanomaterials with Plants: What Do We Need for Real Applications in Agriculture?

“…On the contrary, for delivery in the cytosol, pore formation should be the most direct way for it. Additionally, we could be interested in nanomaterials that do not penetrate inside the plant cell but in other organisms, such as bacteria or fungi, in order to treat crop systemic diseases and infections (Rispail et al, 2014).…”

Lessons learned: Are engineered nanomaterials toxic to terrestrial plants?

“…For instance, Rispail et al (2014) reported that quantum dots and super paramagnetic nanoparticles have proven to exhibit little or no toxic effects on Fusarium oxysporum. Among the various bacteria that persist in the soil, it must be noted that nitrifying bacteria are more susceptible to ENMs toxicity than nitrogen fixing and denitrifying bacteria.…”

The intrinsic antimicrobial activity of citric acid-coated manganese ferrite nanoparticles is enhanced after conjugation with the antifungal peptide Cm-p5

“…In this case, no antifungal action was detected. 52 Taking into account the intrinsic antifungal activity found for the citric acid-functionalized manganese ferrites, we explored the antimicrobial activity of these nanoparticles conjugated with the antifungal peptide Cm-p5. The efficiency of the carbodiimide-based conjugation was above 80%.…”