Chapter 11 - Metal nanoparticles for management of mycotoxigenic fungi and mycotoxicosis diseases of animals and poultry

Abstract

In the recent times, nanotechnologies have huge potential in increasing the treatment efficiency and diagnosis of various diseases. The metal nanoparticles of iron, zinc, silver, and selenium have significant antimicrobial activities which cause inhibition of the growth of mycotoxigenic molds and prevention of the production of their respective mycotoxins. The antifungal effects of metal nanoparticles are due to the damage of the cell wall of the microbial cells and adhesion of the cell contents leading to cell death. On the other hand, the authors used metal nanoparticles as zinc and selenium to ameliorate the toxic effects of aflatoxins in rabbits and rats and the results showed that metal nanoparticles possess hepato-protective effect through scavenging of free radicals and elevation the activity of antioxidants in liver against adverse effects of mycotoxins. In addition, the low doses of metal nanoparticles were more effective than low or high doses of bulk metal materials in amelioration of the carcinogenic effects of mycotoxins in animals. Recently, the synergistic and combination therapy of metal nanoparticles, chemical antibiotics, herbs, and ozone fumigation was used successfully for the treatment of animal diseases. These therapies decreased the nanoparticle doses that help to avoid the use of toxic doses of nanomaterial in animals feed. In addition, the synergistic treatments help to overcome the microbial resistance to traditional antibiotics and revealed more efficient antimicrobial and antimycotoxin activity of nanoparticles for the treatment of human and animal diseases.