Antifungal Activity against Human and Plant Mycopathogens, and Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Exhibiting Such Activity

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles have long been known for their antibacterial properties. Recently, increasing numbers of studies confirm that they have antifungal properties as well. Due to the increasing number of these studies, this review was performed, summarizing most of the research conducted so far in this field and presenting the results of the activity of silver nanoparticles against fungal pathogens of humans and plants, green synthesis of silver nanoparticles, and the mechanism of action. The combined activity with antifungal drugs and toxicity assessment is also presented. The review describes the antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles against pathogens such as F. oxysporum, F. graminearum, T. asahii, B. cinerea, P. concavum, and Pestalotia sp. as well as many species of the genus Candida. The green synthesis of these nanoparticles has been carried out from many species of plants and microorganisms. The research cited in this review confirms the fact that silver nanoparticles obtained using green synthesis exhibit antifungal activity and can therefore be an excellent alternative to the chemical synthesis of these particles. All this proves that silver nanoparticles have a great potential to be used as a potential antifungal agent in the future.