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Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by Fusarium concolor and inhibition of plant pathogens

Síntese de nanopartículas de prata (AgNPs) por Fusarium concolor e a inibição de fitopatógenos

ABSTRACT

O uso de nanopartículas (NPs) na agricultura, representa uma importante inovação tecnológica, utilizada na produção de nanofertilizantes, nanocidas ou pesticidas encapsulados em nanopartículas para liberação controlada. As NPs de prata são reconhecidas por suas aplicações na agricultura, biotecnologia, medicina. Este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a síntese de nanopartículas de prata por Fusarium concolor endofíticos obtidos de folhas e sementes de guaranazeiro e avaliar a atividade antifúngica das nanopartículas de prata no controle in vitro dos fitopatógenos Colletotrichum guaranicola, Colletotrichum spp. e Corynespora cassiicola. Quatro isolados de Fusarium concolor endofíticos foram utilizados para a produção de nanopartículas de prata. A caracterização das NPs foi realizada por espectroscopia de UV-Vis e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Foram avaliados crescimento mycelial dos fitopatógenos na presença das AgNPs in vitro e foi observado evidenciando atividade antifúngica principalmente contra o fitopatógeno Colletotrichum guaranicola, sugerindo a possibilidade de utilização de nanopartículas de prata biossintetizadas manejo de fitopatógenos como uma alternativa no controle de doenças.

Keywords
nanotechnology; green synthesis; mycelial growth; biological control

RESUMO

The use of nanoparticles (NPs) in agriculture represents an important technological innovation, which can be employed in the production of nanofertilizers, nanocides or pesticides encapsulated in nanoparticles for controlled release. Silver NPs are recognized for their applications in agriculture, biotechnology and medicine. The objective of this paper was to study the synthesis of silver nanoparticles by endophytic Fusarium concolor obtained from guaraná leaves and seeds, as well as to evaluate the antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles on the in vitro control of the phytopathogens Colletotrichum guaranicola, Colletotrichum spp. and Corynespora cassiicola. Four endophytic Fusarium concolor isolates were used to produce silver nanoparticles. Characterization of NPs was performed by UV-Vis spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mycelial growth of phytopathogens in the presence of AgNPs was evaluated in vitro, evidencing antifungal activity, especially against Colletotrichum guaranicola, which suggests that biosynthesized silver nanoparticles can be used in the management of phytopathogens as an alternative to control diseases.

Palavras-chave
nanotecnologia; síntese verde; crescimento mycelial; controle biológico

Nanotechnology is a branch of science that involves the synthesis and processing of nanoscale materials and has attracted attention because of the impact nanostructured products can have on improving the life quality and preserving the environment due to their unique physicochemical properties (11 ABDELRAHIM, K.; MAHMOUD, S.Y; ALI, A.M.; ALMAARY, K.S.; MUSTAFA, A.E.M.A.; HUSSEINY, S.M. Extracellular biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Rhizopus stolonifer. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, Saudi Arabia, v.24, n.1, p.208-216, 2017., 3333 VAHABI, K.; MANSOORI, G.; KARIMI, V. Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles by fungus Trichoderma reesei. Insciences Journal, Switzerland, v.1, n.1, p.65-79, 2011.).

Several studies have demonstrated that metallic nanoparticles, especially silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), have a wide range of applications, e.g., as antimicrobial and antifungal agents, as well as in biomolecular detection, biological labeling and chemical catalysis (1313 FRANCIS, S.; JOSEPH, S.; KOSHY, E.; MATHEW, B. Microwave assisted green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using leaf extract of elephantopus scaber and its environmental and biological applications. Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology, Maryland, v.46, n.4, p.795-804, 2017., 3232 SIDDIQI, K.S.; HUSEN, A.; RAO, R.A.K. A review on biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and their biocidal properties. Journal of Nanobiotechnology, London, v.16, n.14, p.1-28, 2018., 3636 ZHAO, X.; ZHOU, L.; RAJOKA, M.S.R.; YAN, L.; JIANG, C.; SHAO, D.; ZHU, J.; SHI, J.; HUANG, Q.; YANG, H.; JIN, M. Fungal silver nanoparticles: synthesis, application and challenges. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, Boca Raton, v.38, n.6, p.817-835, 2017.).

The use of nanoparticles (NPs) in agriculture represents an important technological innovation, which can be employed in the production of nanofertilizers, nanocides or pesticides encapsulated in nanoparticles for controlled release (1515 FURLANETO, F.P.B. Nanotechnology in the agricultural sector. Pesquisa & Tecnologia, Centro-Oeste Paulista, v.8, n.2, p.4, 2011. Available at: <http://www.aptaregional. sp.gov.br/acesse-os-artigos-pesquisa-e-tecnologia/edicao-2011/2011-julho-dezembro /1118-nanotecnologia-no-setor-agropecuario/file.html>. Accessed on: 11 Jan. 2016.
http://www.aptaregional. sp.gov.br/acess...
), with consequent improvement in the productivity and product quality.

NPs can be synthesized by physical, chemical and biological methods. Physical and chemical methods require high energy input, usually involving the use of toxic substances with the generation of hazardous by-products. Synthesis by the biological route can be adopted to obtain NPs without generating toxic waste and with little impact on the environment (2424 MONDAL, N.K.; CHOWDHURY, A.; DEY, U.; MUKHOPADHYA, P.; CHATTERJEE, S.; DAS, K.; DATTA, J.K. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and its application for mosquito control. Asian Pacific Journal Tropical Disease, Hong Kong, v.4, n.1, p.S204-S210, 2014., 3333 VAHABI, K.; MANSOORI, G.; KARIMI, V. Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles by fungus Trichoderma reesei. Insciences Journal, Switzerland, v.1, n.1, p.65-79, 2011.).

Considering other naturally available biological resources, fungi are more efficient and more suitable for the synthesis of metallic particles at a nanometer scale, compared to plants and other microorganisms. The fungal mycelium can withstand harsh environments in bioreactors or chambers and is easier to manipulate and be manufactured in the biosynthesis processing (3434 YADAV, A.; KON, K.; KRATOSOVA, G.; DURÁN, N.; INGLE, A.P.; RAI, M. Fungi as an efficient mycosystem for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles: progress and key aspects of research. Biotechnology Letters, Dordrecht, v.37, n.11, p.2099-2120, 2015., 3636 ZHAO, X.; ZHOU, L.; RAJOKA, M.S.R.; YAN, L.; JIANG, C.; SHAO, D.; ZHU, J.; SHI, J.; HUANG, Q.; YANG, H.; JIN, M. Fungal silver nanoparticles: synthesis, application and challenges. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, Boca Raton, v.38, n.6, p.817-835, 2017.).

Fungi provide a wide variety of bioactive secondary metabolites with unique structures that could be explored for their AgNPs biosynthesis ability to develop an efficient process for the environment. This study aimed to investigate the synthesis of AgNPs by Fusarium concolor Reinking, endophytes obtained from guaraná (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis (Mart.) Ducke ) leaves and seeds, as well as to evaluate the antifungal activity of AgNPs in vitro to control: Colletotrichum guaranicola Albuq., the causal agent of anthracnose, an important disease affecting guaraná plants (88 CRUZ, A.A. Características morfo-culturais e moleculares de isolados deColletotrichum guaranicola Albuq. Procedentes do Estado do Amazonas. 2014. 105f. Thesis. School of Agriculture “Luiz de Queiroz”, Piracicaba.); Colletotrichum sp., which cause anthracnose in Capsichum chinense Jacrd fruits, reaching 100% disease incidence, and Corynespora cassiicola (Berk. & Curt.), an important aerial pathogen of tomato in Amazonas State (AM), Brazil.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Obtaining isolates and cultivation

The endophytic isolates of Fusarium concolor CCCT 17.43 and CCCT 17.29 were obtained from guaraná leaves, and the isolates CCCT 17.109 and CCCT 17.111 were obtained from seeds collected from guaraná fields in Manaus and Maués-AM. Isolation was performed according to Alfenas & Mafia (44 ALFENAS, A.C.; MAFIA, R.G. Methods in Phytopathology. Viçosa, MG: UFV, 2016.), monosporic cultures were obtained (1414 FERNANDEZ, M.R. Manual for phytopathology laboratory. Brasília, Embrapa-CNPT, 1993.) and the isolates were preserved based on the method of Castellani (77 CASTELLANI, A.A. Maintenance and cultivation of the common pathogenic fungi of man in sterile distilled water: further researches. Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Arlington, v.70, n.1, p.73-80, 1967.). Reactivation of the isolates was performed in 8cm-diameter Petri plates containing PDA (potato, 200 gL-1, dextrose, 20 gL-1, 17 gL-1 agar), at laboratory temperature (± 26°C), for seven days.

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles

After colony growth, the isolates were cultured in triplicate in a 250mL Erlenmeyer containing 100 mL PD (Potato-Dextrose) liquid medium, to which ten 5mm-diameter culture discs were added and kept on an orbital shaker at 120 rpm, at laboratory temperature (± 26°C), for seven days (1111 DURAN, N.; SEABRA, A.B. Metallic oxide nanoparticles: state of the art in biogenic syntheses and their mechanisms. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Berlin, v.95, n.2, p.275-288, 2012., 2828 SANGUIÑEDO, P.; FRATILA, R.M.; ESTEVEZ, M.B.; FUENTE, J.M.; GRAZÚ, V.; ALBORÉS, S. Extracellular Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Fungi and Their Antibacterial Activity. Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, United States, v.10, n.10, p.165-173, 2018.). The metabolic extract was separated from the mycelial mass by filtration through Whatman no. 1 filter paper, sterilized by 0.22µm porosity membrane filtration. The recovered metabolic extract received 50 µL of a 1 mM solution of silver nitrate (AgNO3). The reaction solution was kept at 120 rpm on the orbital shaker, at laboratory temperature (± 26°C), in the dark, for nine days (99 DEVI, L.S.; JOSHI, S.R.; Ultrastructures of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized using endophytic fungi. Journal of Microscopy and Ultrastructure, India, v.3, n.1, p.29-37, 2015., 2828 SANGUIÑEDO, P.; FRATILA, R.M.; ESTEVEZ, M.B.; FUENTE, J.M.; GRAZÚ, V.; ALBORÉS, S. Extracellular Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Fungi and Their Antibacterial Activity. Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, United States, v.10, n.10, p.165-173, 2018., 3333 VAHABI, K.; MANSOORI, G.; KARIMI, V. Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles by fungus Trichoderma reesei. Insciences Journal, Switzerland, v.1, n.1, p.65-79, 2011.).

The reduction in silver ions was monitored by visual inspection of the solution and the absorption measurement through the UV-Visible spectrum by aliquot sampling (1.5 mL) of the reaction solution. UV-Vis spectroscopy measurements were recorded on a double-beam spectrophotometer (Shimadzu - model UV-1601 PC) operated at the resolution of 1 nm, between 300 and 800 nm, at three different times, after 72h, 144h and 216h incubation.

Shaking was interrupted when there was no increase in the maximum absorption peak of silver nanoparticles and simultaneous color change in the filtrate incubated with the 1mM silver solution, indicating bio-reduction of silver ions to nanoparticles. The filtered metabolite extract without silver nitrate solution was used as control (99 DEVI, L.S.; JOSHI, S.R.; Ultrastructures of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized using endophytic fungi. Journal of Microscopy and Ultrastructure, India, v.3, n.1, p.29-37, 2015., 2828 SANGUIÑEDO, P.; FRATILA, R.M.; ESTEVEZ, M.B.; FUENTE, J.M.; GRAZÚ, V.; ALBORÉS, S. Extracellular Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Fungi and Their Antibacterial Activity. Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, United States, v.10, n.10, p.165-173, 2018., 3333 VAHABI, K.; MANSOORI, G.; KARIMI, V. Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles by fungus Trichoderma reesei. Insciences Journal, Switzerland, v.1, n.1, p.65-79, 2011.).

Purification of silver nanoparticles

To obtain purified silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), a 1mL aliquot was withdrawn from the reaction solution and added to the gel filtration chromatography column.

The used column was composed of Sephadex G-75 gel and the adopted buffer was Sodium Citrate buffer, pH 6.0 (Citric Acid + Sodium Citrate) (3535 YAO, Y.; LENHOFF, A.M. Determination of pore size distributions of porous chromatographic adsorbents by inverse size-exclusion chromatography. Journal Chromatography A, New York, v.1037, n.1/2, p.273-282, 2004.).

Transmission electron microscopy

Color changes in the reaction mixtures were adopted as evidence of silver nanoparticle formation. Samples (1.5 mL) were taken from vials containing the already purified reaction solution, and the absorbance spectrum was measured within the 300-800 nm range. (2828 SANGUIÑEDO, P.; FRATILA, R.M.; ESTEVEZ, M.B.; FUENTE, J.M.; GRAZÚ, V.; ALBORÉS, S. Extracellular Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Fungi and Their Antibacterial Activity. Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, United States, v.10, n.10, p.165-173, 2018.).

For observations under a scanning electron microscope (SEM), 10 µL of each reaction solution containing AgNPs were deposited on a carbon tape coated stub and allowed to dry at laboratory temperature (± 26°C) for 72 hours. Images were obtained under a FEG scanning electron microscope with FIB Nanofabrication system with field emission electron gun, model - Quanta FEG 3D FEI.

Antimicrobial activity

The isolates of the phytopathogenic fungi C. guaranicola, Colletotrichum sp. and C. cassiicola were assigned by the Laboratory of Microbiology and Phytopathology of the Federal University of Amazonas - UFAM, where all in vitro tests were performed. The isolates were kept in microtubes containing sterile distilled water, at laboratory temperature (± 26ºC).

Reactivation of the isolates was carried out in PDA culture medium (200 gL-1 potato, 20 gL-1 dextrose, 17 gL-1 agar) in a Petri plate of 70 x 15 mm diameter, and culture medium containing the colony of the isolate was deposited on the center of each plate. For fungal growth, the Petri plates were kept at room temperature during seven days. Pathogenicity test was previously carried out, confirming the pathogenic viability of isolates.

The antifungal activity of AgNPs was evaluated according to the methodologies proposed by Bautista-Banõs et al. (55 BAUTISTA-BANÕS, S.; HERNÁNDEZ-LÓPEZ, M.; BOSQUEZ-MOLINA, E.; WILSON, C.L. Effects of chitosan and plant extracts on growth of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, anthracnose levels and quality of papaya fruit. Crop Protection, Lincoln, v.22, n.9, p.1087-1092, 2003.) and Guo et al. (1717 GUO, Z.; XING, R.; LIU, S.; ZHONG, Z.; JI, X.; WANG, L.; LI, P. The influence of the cationic of quaternized chitosan on antifungal activity. International Journal of Food Microbiology, Turin, v.118, n.2, p.214-217, 2007.).

To verify the effect of AgNPs on the mycelial growth of phytopathogens, 100µL, 500µL and 1000µL aliquots of each reaction solution were distributed on the surface of the PDA culture medium in Petri plates with the aid of a Drigalsky’s handle. After two hours, a 0.5cm-diameter disc of the culture medium containing the pathogen was peeled onto the center of the Petri plates, at laboratory temperature (± 26°C), until the colonial growth of one of the treatments occupied the entire plate. Control constituted of PDA Petri plates with mycelium culture discs and 1000 µL sterile distilled water.

Experiments were conducted separately for each phytopathogen, in a completely randomized design, with three doses of NPs (100, 500 and 1000 µL), and five replicates.

Mycelial growth was daily evaluated by measuring the longitudinal and transverse diameter of the fungal colony with a digital caliper. The radial growth (RG) and the daily radial growth of the fungus was calculated according to Fortí (1212 FORTÍ, J.A. Pathological, epidemiological and cultural aspects of Acremonium cucurbitacearum. 1997. 183f. Thesis. Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Valencia.). The percentage of mycelial growth inhibition (PIC) was calculated according to Hillen et al. (1818 HILLEN, T.; SCHWAN-ESTRADA, K.R.F.; MESQUINI, R.M.; CRUZ, M.E.S.; STANGARLIN, J.R.; NOZAKI, M. Antimicrobial activity of essential oils in the control of some fungal phytopathogens in vitro and in the treatment of seeds. Revista Brasileira de Plantas Medicinais, Paulinia, v.14, n.3, p.439-445, 2012.)

The obtained results were previously subjected to normality and homogeneity tests of variances. In accordance with the principles of normality and homoscedasticity, data were subjected to analysis of variance and, when F was significant (P <0.05), means of the dependent variables were tested and adjusted to mathematical models of first and second polynomial regression. The criteria for choosing the regression models were the highest determination coefficient and the model’s significance. Analyzes were performed in SPSS 26.0 and the graphs in SigmaPlot 12.0.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Characterization of silver nanoparticles

F. concolor isolates (CCCT 17.43, CCCT 17.29, CCCT17.109 and CCCT 17.111) were cultivated in triplicate in PD medium to obtain the fungal filtrates that were used to evaluate the conversion capacity of AgNPs. After exposure of the PD medium to silver nitrate, the color of the solution changed, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1
Color change in the culture medium and presence of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) over time. (a) time zero; (b) 72h; (c) 144h; (d) 216h.

The color of the synthesized AgNPs changed to reddish brown within 216h incubation at room temperature. According to Link & El-Sayed (2222 LINK, S.; EL-SAYED, M.A. Optical properties and ultrafast dynamics of metallic nanocrystals. Annual Review of Physical Chemistry, Atlanta, v.54, n.1, p.331-366, 2003.), this color is manifested in the dispersion of nanoparticles due to absorption of photons associated with surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The physical origin of strong light absorption by noble metal nanoparticles is the electron oscillation induced by interaction with the electromagnetic field. The electric field of a wave induces the polarization of electrons in relation to the ionic nucleus of the spherical nanoparticle, creating a difference in the charge on the NP surface. Thus, a dipole oscillation is produced for all electrons with the same phase. When the frequency of the electromagnetic field becomes resonant with the movement of electrons, there is strong absorption of electrons, which originates the observed color.

Birla et al. (66 Birla, S.S.; Tiwari, V.V.; Gade, A.K.; Ingle, A.P.; Yadav, A.P.; Rai, M.K.; Fabrication of silver nanoparticles by Phoma glomerata and its combined effect against Escherichia coli, Pseidomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Letters in Applied Microbiology, Oxford, v.48, n.2, p.173-179, 2009.), using PD medium to produce AgNPs with the fungus Phoma glomerata (Corda) Wollenw. & Hochapfel., visualized a color change from transparent yellow to brown; similarly, Vahabi et al. (3333 VAHABI, K.; MANSOORI, G.; KARIMI, V. Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles by fungus Trichoderma reesei. Insciences Journal, Switzerland, v.1, n.1, p.65-79, 2011.) used GC medium (glucose and casein hydrolysate) to produce AgNPs with the fungus Trichoderma reesei E.G. Simmons and reported a color change from transparent yellow to yellowish-brown after 72h incubation, indicating the formation of AgNPs in the mixture.

The light absorption profile was obtained from scanning at 300 to 800 nm since, at the nanoscale, silver is known to have its maximum absorption ranging from 400 to 670 nm (2525 OLIVEIRA, M.M. Silver nanoparticles and their nanocomposites with polyaniline: synthesis, characterization and properties. 2005. 174f. Thesis (PhD in Chemistry) – Graduate Program in Chemistry, University of Paraná, Curitiba.). The isolates that presented color change had plasmon band characteristic of AgNPs, which was the first evidence that the silver formed in all samples was in the nanoparticulate form.

The absorption spectrum in the UV-Vis region of AgNPs of the reaction mixtures indicates that the surface plasmon resonance peak (SPR) and absorbance are maximal for CCCT 17.109 (405.82 nm, 1.83) (Figure 2a), CCCT 17.111 (404.91 nm, 1.01) (Figure 2b), CCCT 17.29 (406.74 nm, 1.33) (Figure 2c), and CCCT 17.43 (407.82 nm, 1.84) (Figure 2d).

Figure 2
Absorption spectrum for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (SPR) by fungi. (a) CCCT 17.109; (b) CCCT 17.111; (c) CCCT 17.43; (d) CCCT 17.29.
Figure 3
Scanning electron microscopy images of silver nanoparticles synthetized by fungi. (a) CCCT 17.109; (b) CCCT 17.111; (c) CCCT 17.43; (d) CCCT 17.29.

The AgNP spectra show UV-Visible absorption between 350 and 500 nm, as recorded in Figure 2. The maximum absorbance value is an indication of the number of NPs present in the colloidal solution. The increased absorbance in the UV-Vis as a function of the synthesis time demonstrates a gradual increase in the concentration of AgNPs in the reaction solution (2929 SANTANA, S.V. Nanoparticles of silver and Ag / ZnO nanostructured as antimicrobial agents obtained by hydrothermal microwave process. 2012. 87f. Dissertation (Master in Chemistry) – Graduate Program in Chemistry, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa.).

The reaction solution of the fungal isolate from seeds CCCT 17.109 has the maximum absorption wavelength greater than that of CCCT 17.111 (427.68>410.06) and the highest half-width (174.55>128.76). These values suggest that as the particle size increases, the surface plasmon band becomes wider and shifts to larger wavelengths (2323 MELO JR, M.A.; SANTOS, L.S.S.; GONÇALVES, M.C.; NOGUEIRA, A.F. Preparation of silver and gold nanoparticles: a simple method to introduce nanotechnology into teaching laboratories. Química Nova, São Paulo, v.35, n.9, p.1872-1878, 2012.). In the reaction solution of the isolate CCCT 17.109 there are possibly larger particles than in the reaction solution of CCCT 17.111, i.e., there was greater aggregation and growth of NPs.

According to Sharma et al. (3131 SHARMA, V.K.; YNGARD, R.A.; LIN, Y. Silver nanoparticles: Green synthesis and their antimicrobial activities. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, Amsterdan, v.145, n.2, p.83-96, 2009.), peaks ranging from 380 to 400 nm show yellow gold coloration and characteristic smaller particles, while Albernaz (33 ALBERNAZ, V.L. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles with aqueous extract of Brosimum gaudichaudii leaves, physicochemical, morphological characterization and its applications in the development of an electrochemical nanobiosensor. 2014. 122f. Dissertation (Master in Nanoscience and Nanobiotechnology) – Institute of Biological Sciences – University of Brasília, Brasília.) commented that color ranging from reddish-brown to dark-brown varies with the size of AgNPs.

The maximum absorbance and the half-height width of the plasmon band are known to depend on different factors, including average size, size distribution, shape and nature of the medium in which NPs meet.

NPs of smaller diameter tend to have the wavelength of absorption maximum shifted to the ultraviolet light spectrum region, while an increase in the mean size of the NPs is followed by a shift towards the region of the light spectrum of red (1616 GENG, Z.; CUI, Z.; LI, Z.; ZHU, S.; LIANG, Y.; LIU, Y.; LI, X.; HE, X.; YU, X.; WANG, R.; YANG, X. Strontium incorporation to optimize the antibacterial and biological characteristics of silver-substituted hydroxyapatite coating. Materials Science and Engineering C, Lausanne, v.58, n.1, p.467-477, 2016.).

The presence of AgNPs in the medium was confirmed by SEM (Figure 3).

Antifungal activity

Reduced mycelial growth was observed for all phytopathogens in the presence of AgNPs solution (Table 1), especially the isolate CCCT 17.111 for C. guaranicola; CCCT 17.29 for Colletotrichum sp., and CCCT 17.109 for C. cassiicola (Figure 4).

Table 1
Colony diameter (CD) and percentage of mycelial growth inhibition (PIC) for Colletotrichum guaranicola, Colletotrichum sp., and Corynespora cassiicola, exposed to different doses of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized by Fusarium conolor.
Figure 4
Colony diameter (CD) and percentage of mycelial growth inhibition (PIC) for (a) Colletotrichum guaranicola, (b) Colletotrichum sp. and (c) Corynespora cassiicola exposed to different doses of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized by Fusarium concolor.

Mycelial growth inhibition was proportional to the increase in AgNPs in the culture media for C. guaranicola and Colletotrichum sp.; there was no statistical difference between the applied doses in the evaluation of C. cassiicola mycelial growth.

The AgNPs of CCCT 17.109 isolate at the dose of 100 µL presented a lower PIC, corresponding to 5.93% mycelial growth inhibition for C. guaranicola, followed by CCCT 17.43 isolate, showing 6.90% inhibition.

The AgNPs of CCCT 17.111 showed 41.12% mycelial growth inhibition for C. guaranicola.

The PIC for Colletotrichum sp. and C. cassiicola had no differences when AgNPs at 500 µL of CCCT17.109 were used, corresponding to 19.81% and 19.19%, respectively.

For C. guaranicolla, the percentage of mycelial growth inhibition was best fit to the linear model, depending on the doses, while for the remaining pathogens there was no adjustment to a model.

Although there is no report in the literature about the antifungal effect of AgNPs on the mycelial growth of C. guaranicola, Colletotrichum sp. and C. cassiicola, some studies have presented satisfactory results for the effect of other AgNPs on different fungi. According to Rai (2727 RAI, M. Nanobiotechnology green: biosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles and their applications as nanoantimicrobianos. Ciência e Cultura, São Paulo, v.65, n.3, p.44-48, 2013.), AgNPs present a broad-spectrum action against fungi, especially those of the genus Candida, which was confirmed by Segala et al. (3030 SEGALA, K.; NISTA, S.V.G.; CORDI, L.; BIZARRIA, M.T.; JÚNIOR, J.Á.; KLEINUBING, A.S.; CRUZ, D.C.; BROCCHI, M.; LONA, L.M.F.; CABALLERO, N.E.D.; MEI, L.H.I. Silver nanoparticles incorporated into nanostructured biopolymer membranes produced by electrospinning: a study of antimicrobial activity. Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo, v.51, n.4, p.911-921, 2015.), who evaluated the effect of AgNPs on the growth of Candida albicans (C.P. Robin) Berkhout and observed that they provided total inhibition of the growth of this phytopathogen.

Petica et al. (2626 PETICA, A.; GAVRILIU, S.; LUNGU, M.; BURUNTEA, N.; PANZARU, C. Colloidal silver solutions with antimicrobial properties. Materials Science and Engineering: B, California, v.152, n.1/3, p.22-27, 2008.) also reported antifungal activity of AgNPs on species like Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp. and Trichoderma sp. Kim et al. (2020 KIM, K.J.; SUNG, W.S.; SUH, B.K.; MOON, S.K.; CHOI, J.S.; KIM, J.G.; LEE, D.G. Antifungal activity and mode of action of silver nano-particles on Candida albicans. Biometals, Oxford, v.22, n.1, p.235-242, 2009.), studying the in vitro control of Raffaelea sp., observed that the antifungal effect of AgNPs significantly inhibited the fungi depending on the applied dose (0, 5, 10 and 25 ppm), so that the higher the dose, the lower the growth of fungal hyphae, while harmful effects of AgNPs were observed on conidial germination.

Aguilar-Méndez et al. (22 AGUILAR-MÉNDEZ, M.A.; MARTÍN-MARTÍNEZ, E.S.; ORTEGA-ARROYO, L.; COBIÁNPORTILLO, G.; SÁNCHEZ-ESPÍNDOLA, E. Synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles: effect on phytopathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, Legaria, v.13, n.6, p.2525-2532, 2011.) evaluated the antifungal effect of AgNPs on the in vitro control of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. Sacc., a fungus causing anthracnose in several fruits, and observed that the mycelial growth decreased in a dose-dependent manner, while inhibition of the fungus reached almost 90%.

Kim et al. (2121 KIM, S.W.; JUNG, J.H.; LAMSAL, K.; KIM, Y.S.; MIN, J.S.; LEE, Y.S. Antifungal Effects of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) against Various Plant Pathogenic Fungi. Mycobiology, South Korea, v.40, n.1, p.53-58, 2012.), assessing the in vitro control of eighteen species of the phytopathogenic fungi Eucalyptus spp., observed that total inhibition of the growth of most pathogens was obtained at the concentration of 100 ppm NPs, as is the case for Fusarium sp., to which AgNPs presented higher inhibition potential. In addition, the concentration of 10 ppm can result in the lowest inhibition rate, which was 12.7% for the fungus Glomerella cingulata Stoneman, indicating that the antifungal activity of these AgNPs depends on their concentration.

A number of studies have suggested that silver ions react with groups of proteins and play an essential role in bacterial and fungal inactivation, inhibiting respiratory chain enzymes or interfering with membrane permeability (1010 DURAN, N.; MARCATO, P.D.; CONTI, R.D.; ALVES, O.L.; COSTA, F.T.M.; BROCCHI, M. Potential Use of Silver Nanoparticles on Pathogenic Bacteria, their Toxicity and Possible Mechanisms of Action. Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society, Campinas, v.21, n.6, p.949-959, 2010.).

Studies by Jung et al. (1919 JUNG, W.K.; KOO, H.C.; KIM, K.W.; SHIN, S.; KIM, S.H.; PARK, Y.H. Antibacterial Activity and Mechanism of Action of the Silver Ion in Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Washington, v.74, n.7, p.2171-2178, 2008.) showed the activity of AgNPs on Escherichia coli (Migula) Castellani and Chalmers, and Staphylococcus aureus Rosenbach. AgNPs rupture the membranes of bacteria, causing a massive loss of intracellular potassium and decreasing ATP levels. Both effects may culminate in cell viability loss.

These studies must be carried out separately for each pathogen, since the fungicidal action of AgNPs, as shown by several researchers (2020 KIM, K.J.; SUNG, W.S.; SUH, B.K.; MOON, S.K.; CHOI, J.S.; KIM, J.G.; LEE, D.G. Antifungal activity and mode of action of silver nano-particles on Candida albicans. Biometals, Oxford, v.22, n.1, p.235-242, 2009.), is associated with the applied concentration of this nanoparticle, as well as with the analyzed pathogen.

The present results suggest the possibility of using biosynthesized AgNPs in the control of phytopathogens as an alternative to collaborate to reducing the use of agrochemicals of high toxicity.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are grateful for the support offered by the Mycology Laboratory of Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG).

  • Funding information

    This study was supported by “Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior” [Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel] (CAPES), Project no. 3287/13.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    17 May 2021
  • Date of issue
    Jan-Mar 2021

History

  • Received
    13 Mar 2020
  • Accepted
    19 Jan 2021
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