Facile Green Synthesis of New Chitosan-Metal Nanoparticles as Nano-Agrofungicide For The Preservation of Postharvest Cherry Fruits

Abstract

In this work, chitosan in citric acid and ascorbic acid along with glucose solutions served as stabilizing and reducing agents of Bi and Zr nanometallic particles, respectively, to produce chitosan-ascorbic acid-bismuth/zirconium (CTS-AA-Bi)/(CTS-AA-Zi), and chitosan-citric acid-bismuth/zirconium (CTS-CA-Bi)/(CTS-CA-Zr) materials. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed an irregular sheet-like and round-shaped morphologies attributed to CTS-AA-Bi and CTS-AA-Zr, respectively, with slight agglomeration. Moreover, the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) image confirmed the monoclinic polynanocrystalline phase of the materials as revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) with an average particle size of 76 nm. The as-prepared materials displayed significant antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea, plausibly due to the sustainable release and attachment of Zr ions to the fungal cells, thereby generating pores on the cell, damaging the cell wall/membranes, and leading to cell death. A substantial antifungal effect was also observed with postharvested cherry fruits sprayed up to 10 d. This new nanoagrofungicide can be used to preserve postharvested fruits and vegetables against fungi attack.

Compressed Hydrogen-Induced Synthesis of Quaternary Trimethyl Chitosan-Silver Nanoparticles with Dual Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities

“…Al Abboud studied the antifungal action of biologically produced silver nanoparticles and found that at 80 g/mL, growth inhibition against F. oxysporum was 100%. Nanoparticles possess the ability to break cell membranes and cell walls of fungi, resulting in intracellular component leakage and possible fungi death . Production of reactive oxygen species and hydroxyl radicals could also kill fungal cells.…”

“…Nanoparticles possess the ability to break cell membranes and cell walls of fungi, resulting in intracellular component leakage and possible fungi death. 79 Production of reactive oxygen species and hydroxyl radicals could also kill fungal cells. QTMC, however, has no discernible antifungal activity against the two plant infections studied.…”

Potential Agricultural Uses of Micro/Nano Encapsulated Chitosan: A Review

“…While metallic nanoparticles formulated based on chitosan-citric acid-bismuth/zirconium showed significant antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea in cherry fruits sprayed with these nanoparticles. The treatment with nanoparticles extended the shelf life of the fruits up to 10 days under normal environmental conditions [110].…”