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Extracellular Biosynthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized by Filamentous Fungi

Summary

Researchers used three types of common fungi to create tiny silver particles in an environmentally friendly way. These silver nanoparticles were found to effectively kill harmful bacteria and fungal infections. The fungus Cladosporium cladosporoides was the most effective at producing these particles, showing promise for use in medical and health applications.

Background

Silver nanoparticles have diverse applications in wastewater treatment, agriculture, food additives, and as antimicrobial agents. Green synthesis using filamentous fungi offers an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional chemical and physical methods. Fungi secrete various biomolecules including proteins, enzymes, and metabolites that can facilitate nanoparticle synthesis.

Objective

To screen filamentous fungal species for efficient biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and characterize their antimicrobial activity. The study aimed to identify which fungal isolate would be most suitable for producing silver nanoparticles with desired properties for medical and pharmaceutical applications.

Results

All three fungi successfully synthesized silver nanoparticles with mean diameters of 124-168 nm and negative zeta potentials indicating good stability. C. cladosporoides produced the most potent nanoparticles, achieving 93.75% inhibition of S. aureus, 67.20% of E. coli, and 69.56% of C. albicans. MIC values for C. cladosporoides-derived AgNPs were 1.0 μg/mL against bacteria and 2.0 μg/mL against C. albicans.

Conclusion

Cladosporium cladosporoides proved to be the most effective fungal source for silver nanoparticle biosynthesis with superior antimicrobial activity and excellent polydispersion index (0.074). These environmentally friendly silver nanoparticles show promising potential as antimicrobial agents for medical and pharmaceutical applications.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi (Basel),
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: PMC11595898, PMID: 39590717, DOI: 10.3390/jof10110798
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