Chitosan-hybridized biogenic silver
nanoparticles (Ch@BSNP) were
synthesized with the extracellular metabolites of Trichoderma
viride. Chitosan hybridization- and T. viride-derived compounds associated with the particles
were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy
(TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-energy dispersive X-ray
analysis (EDX), and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS)
analysis. The particles had a ζ-potential 19.2 mV and a hydrodynamic
size of 97.74 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.198. TEM analysis
revealed particles of spherical shape and actual size range between
30 and 35 nm. The antimicrobial activity of these particles was compared
to chitosan alone and nonhybridized particles against three bacterial
phytopathogens, viz, Pseudomonas syringae, Erwinia chrysanthemi, and Xanthomonas campestris. The zone size was 50.0, 29.75,
and 34.00 mm with Ch@BSNP, respectively, while the corresponding values
for BSNP were 29.75, 23.5, and 18.00 mm. In a liquid culture assay,
exposure to Ch@BSNP significantly decreased the size of bacterial
cells from 3905.00 to 2711.00 nm for P. syringae, from 3484.00 to 3386.00 nm for E. chrysanthemi, and from 7823.33 to 5956.33 nm for X. campestris. Similar increased activity of Ch@BSNP was also observed against
four fungal plant pathogens, viz, Sclerotium rolfsii, Rhizoctonia solani, Alternaria alternata, and Alternaria brassicicola. The Ch@BSNP also demonstrated
lower toxicity on noncancerous human cell lines than antimicrobial
efficacy. In a greenhouse study, Ch@BSNP reduced the leaf spot disease
incidence in tomato by up to 60% and also enhanced several physical
and physiological attributes, viz, root and shoot
lengths, fresh and dry weights, and chlorophyll and carotenoid contents
compared to the diseased plant. These observed beneficial effects
and overall biocompatibility of Ch@BSNP suggest that this material
may be a safe and effective antimicrobial bioagent for sustainable
nano-enabled agriculture.