Abstract
The integration of copper nanoparticles as antifungal agents in polymeric matrices to produce copper polymer nanocomposites has shown excellent results in preventing the growth of a wide variety of toxigenic fungi. Copper-chitosan nanocomposite-based chitosan hydrogels (Cu-Chit/NCs hydrogel) were prepared using a metal vapor synthesis (MVS) and the resulting samples were described by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Aflatoxin-producing medium and VICAM aflatoxins tests were applied to evaluate their ability to produce aflatoxins through various strains of Aspergillus flavus associated with peanut meal and cotton seeds. Aflatoxin production capacity in four fungal media outlets revealed that 13 tested isolates were capable of producing both aflatoxin B1 and B2. Only 2 A. flavus isolates (Af11 and Af 20) fluoresced under UV light in the A. flavus and parasiticus Agar (AFPA) medium. PCR was completed using two specific primers targeting aflP and aflA genes involved in the synthetic track of aflatoxin. Nevertheless, the existence of aflP and aflA genes indicated some correlation with the development of aflatoxin. A unique DNA fragment of the expected 236 bp and 412 bp bands for aflP and aflA genes in A. flavus isolates, although non-PCR fragments have been observed in many other Aspergillus species. This study shows the antifungal activity of Cu-Chit/NCs hydrogels against aflatoxigenic strains of A. flavus. Our results reveal that the antifungal activity of nanocomposites in vitro can be effective depending on the type of fungal strain and nanocomposite concentration. SDS-PAGE and native proteins explain the apparent response of cellular proteins in the presence of Cu-Chit/NCs hydrogels. A. flavus treated with a high concentration of Cu-Chit/NCs hydrogels that can decrease or produce certain types of proteins. Cu-Chit/NCs hydrogel decreases the effect of G6DP isozyme while not affecting the activity of peroxidase isozymes in tested isolates. Additionally, microscopic measurements of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed damage to the fungal cell membranes. Cu-Chit/NCS hydrogel is an innovative nano-biopesticide produced by MVS is employed in food and feed to induce plant defense against toxigenic fungi.
Highlights
The contamination of agricultural and dairy products with aflatoxins is a major problem for economic and public health
The data indicate that the aflatoxins distinguished producer media such as AFPA is not completely persistent in differentiating between aflatoxin-producing and nontoxigenic strains of A. flavus, it is important that the fungal medium did not yield false-positives [46]
Dairy cattle feed is prone to fungal infections and major fungus infecting peanut meals, and cotton seeds are A. flavus with aflatoxins producing nature
Summary
The contamination of agricultural and dairy products with aflatoxins is a major problem for economic and public health. Aflatoxins (AFs) are fungal subsidiary products mainly developed by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus strains on cereals, nuts, dried fruits, dairy, and animal feed under warm and humid conditions [1,2]. The nanotechnology approach seems to be an encouraging, effective, and affordable way to reduce the health problems of mycotoxins in humans and animals. Chitosan and self-assembled benzoic acid polymers were synthesized, and it was found that the encapsulation of CS-BA nanogels significantly enhanced the half-life and antifungal activity properties of thyme oil against A. flavus strains [10]. The antifungal efficacy of mycogenic silver nanoparticles hybridizing with simvastatin against three species of the Aspergillus Flavi group was measured. Some nano-formulations regulated the development of the toxigenic Aspergillus species [11]
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