Isolation and Characterization of Chitosans from Different Fungi with Special Emphasis on Zygomycetous Dimorphic Fungus Benjaminiella poitrasii: Evaluation of Its Chitosan Nanoparticles for the Inhibition of Human Pathogenic Fungi

Abstract

The cell wall chitosan was extracted from fungi belonging to different taxonomic classes, namely, Benjaminiella poitrasii (Zygomycetes, dimorphic), Hanseniaspora guilliermondii, Issatchenkia orientalis, Pichia membranifaciens, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Ascomycetes, yeasts), and Agaricus bisporus and Pleurotus sajor-caju (Basidiomycetes). The maximum yield of chitosan was 60.89 ± 2.30 mg/g of dry mycelial biomass of B. poitrasii. The degree of deacetylation (DDA) of chitosan extracted from different fungi, as observed with 1 H NMR, was in the range of 70−93%. B. poitrasii chitosan exhibited the highest DDA (92.78%). The characteristic absorption bands were observed at 3450, 1650, 1420, 1320, and 1035 cm −1 by FTIR. Compared to chitosan from marine sources (molecular weight, MW, 585 kDa), fungal chitosans showed lower MW (6.21− 46.33 kDa). Further, to improve the efficacy of B. poitrasii chitosan (Bp), nanoparticles (Np) were synthesized using the ionic gelation method and characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS). For yeast and hyphal chitosan nanoparticles (BpYCNp and BpHCNp), the average particle size was <200 nm with polydispersity index of 0.341 ± 0.03 and 0.388 ± 0.002, respectively, and the zeta potential values were 21.64 ± 0.34 and 24.48 ± 1.58 mV, respectively. The B. poitrasii chitosans and their nanoparticles were further evaluated for antifungal activity against human pathogenic Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Candida glabrata NCYC 388, Candida tropicalis ATCC 750, Cryptococcus neoformans ATCC 34664, and Aspergillus niger ATCC 10578. BpHCNps showed lower MIC 90 values (0.025−0.4 mg/mL) than the chitosan polymer against the tested human pathogens. The study suggested that nanoformulation of fungal chitosan, which has low molecular weight and high % DDA, is desirable for antifungal applications against human pathogens. Moreover, chitosans as well as their nanoparticles were found to be hemocompatible and are therefore safe for healthcare applications.

Preparation of Chitosan from Agaricus bisporus Brown Stems and Studying some Its Physicochemical and Functional Properties

“…Figure (4) shows the physical properties of chitosan extracted from the stems of the A.bisporus brown, as the rate of Degree of deacetylation for chitosan under study was 83%, and this percentage is within the range mentioned by [40], which indicated that the degree of deacetylation of chitosan extracted from yeast and fungi, depending on the results of the FTIR, ranged between (79 -87)%, while the percentage of deacetylation based on the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance method was (89 -70)%. [24] showed when estimating Degree of deacetylation from chitosan extracted from mushrooms, which amounted to 78.1%, while [35] indicated that the percentage of Degree of deacetylation from chitosan produced from A.bisporus reached 66.35%.…”

Combination of Nanodelivery Systems and Constituents Derived from Novel Foods: A Comprehensive Review

“…Astragalus membranaceus root extract Polysaccharide nanoparticles [8,9] Cellobiose Cryoprotectant for liposomes [10] Chia seed oil from Salvia hispanica L. Liposomes and nanoemulsions [11] Chitosan extracted from fungi (Aspergillus niger; Agaricus bisporus) Chitosan nanoparticles [8,12,13] Chondroitin sulphate (synthetic) Polysaccharide nanoparticles [14][15][16] Coagulated potato proteins Protein-based nanoparticles [17,18] Dextran from Leuconostoc mesenteroides Polysaccharide nanoparticles Reviewed by [19] Digitaria exilis Polysaccharide nanoparticles [20] Eggshell membrane protein hydrolysate Protein-based nanoparticles [21][22][23] Fucoidan extracted from the seaweed Fucus vesiculosus and Undaria pinnatifida Polysaccharide nanoparticles [24][25][26] Guar gum Polysaccharide nanoparticles [27] Lucerne leaf extract from Medicago sativa Protein-based nanoparticles [28] Mung bean seed proteins from Vigna radiata Protein-based nanoparticles [29,30] Panax notoginseng root extract Polysaccharide nanoparticles [31] Phytoglycogen Polysaccharide nanoparticles Polyelectrolyte complex [32][33][34][35][36][37] Phytosterols Solid lipid nanoparticles Liposomes [38,39] Phospholipids from egg yolk Liposomes [40][41][42] Phosphatidylserine from soya and fish phospholipids Liposomes [43,44] Rapeseed protein from Brassica nap...…”

“…The use of mushrooms as a source of chitosan is advantageous due to the homogeneity and highly deacetylated nature of the product [56]. Mane and co-workers examined fungal organisms in the waste fungal biomass of the wine and mushroom industries and the fermentation of the zygomycete fungus B. poitrasii [12]. In addition to the production and characterization of the extracted chitosan, the synthesis of fungal chitosan nanoparticles was also conducted to determine their antifungal potential against human pathogenic fungi.…”

“…The preparation methods of polymer nanodeliveries are very different depending on the nature of the starting polymer. In the case of polysaccharides, ionic gelation methods are the most used [10,11,14], while electrospinning is used frequently for the preparation of nanofibers [12,13]. On the other hand, naturally occurring nanoparticles, such as PC nanoparticles, are extracted from vegetable sources [32,34].…”

The Immobilization of Laccase on Mixed Polymeric Microspheres for Methyl Red Decomposition

“…Chitosan is a natural polysaccharide, synthesized by deacetylation of chitin, extracted from marine or plant-based sources (crustaceans, insects, microorganisms, fungus, seaweed) [17][18][19][20]. This type of biopolymer is often used as a material support to immobilize enzymes.…”