Filters
Copper oxide nanoparticles-mediated Heliotropium bacciferum leaf extract: Antifungal activity and molecular docking assays against strawberry pathogens
Abstract In the current study, Heliotropium bacciferum leaf extract was used to biosynthesize copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs). Various analytical techniques were used to characterize the produced CuO-NPs. Transmission electron microscope investigation indicated well-distributed spherical particles in various development phases. The particles’ diameters ranged from 22.15 to 37.01 nm, with an average of 24.8 ± 6.1 nm. Energy dispersive X-ray examination confirmed the presence of nanoscale Cu ions at a high concentration, as seen by the strong signal peak at 1 keV. Fourier transform infrared spectrum revealed various functional groups on the green-produced CuO-NPs, as evidenced by multiple absorption beaks. The bands found at 3,195 and 2,916 cm−1 revealed that phenolic and flavonoid compounds’ alcohols and alkanes were stretching C–H. Also, a band at 1,034 cm−1 is typically attributed to CuO production. CuO-NPs exhibited significant bioactivity against isolated and molecularly identified fungal strains, including Rhizoctonia solani (OR116528), Fusarium oxysporum (OR116508), and Botrytis cinerea (OR116491). Remarkably, the highest inhibition percentages were recorded at 100 µg/mL, with values 81.48, 71.11, and 50.74% for R. solani, F. oxysporum, and B. cinerea, respectively. Molecular docking interactions revealed that the highest binding affinity of CuO-NPs was −5.1 for the oxidoreductase of B. cinerea and −5.2 and −5.4 for the chitin synthase of R. solani and F. oxysporum, respectively. Consequentially, the biosynthesized CuO-NPs could be employed as antifungal biocontrol agents, as well as using H. bacciferum leaf extract for the synthesis of nanoparticles for various sustainable agricultural applications.
Phytochemical composition and antifungal effectiveness of Phoenix dactylifera L. rachis extracts
Abstract The present study appraised the inhibitory role of ethanol (PDEE) and ethyl acetate (PDEAE) extracts of Phoenix dactylifera L. against three molecularly identified fungi: Fusarium oxysporum, Botrytis cinerea, and Rhizoctonia solani. HPLC analysis revealed that gallic acid was the major phenolic compound in both extracts: (PDEE: 1721.90 μg/g) and (PDEAE: 101.53 μg/g). The major flavonoids in PDEE are rutin, kaempferol, and quercetin, whereas PDEAE contains kaempferol, naringenin, and quercetin. The GC-MS showed 11-octadecenoic acid methyl ester (26.25%) is the highest compound in PDEE, while diisooctyl phthalate (18.82%) is the most important compound in PDEAE. At 50 μg/mL, the inhibition percentage of PDEAE initiated the highest growth inhibition of F. oxysporum (49.63%) and R. solani (71.43%). Meanwhile, PDEE at 200 μg/mL initiated an inhibition value of 77.78% for B. cinerea. As a result, PDEAE is considered more effective than PDEE in controlling the growth of selected isolates.
Porous silicon nanostructures: Synthesis, characterization, and their antifungal activity
Abstract The use of synthetic pesticides has come under scrutiny, and there has been a subsequent shift toward the investigation of alternative methods for the treatment of plant diseases. One notable advancement in this field is the utilization of porous silicon (PS) powder as a sustainable antifungal agent. The synthesis of PS nanoparticle (PS-NP) powder was carried out using the environmentally friendly ultrasonication process. X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, UV-VIS absorbance, and photoluminescence were some of the methods used to characterize PS-NPs. The different characterization methods revealed the formation of a nanocrystalline structure possessing a cubic Si crystalline quality. The crystal size of PS-NPs, as determined from X-ray diffractometer data, ranges from 36.67 to 52.33 nm. The obtained PS has a high band gap of 3.85 eV and presents a photoluminescence peak at 703 nm. The antifungal activity of the synthesized PS-NPs was assessed against three molecularly characterized fungi, namely Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum, and Botrytis cinerea, which were obtained from tomato plants. The concentration of PS-NPs at 75 µg/mL exhibited the highest enhancement in growth inhibition percentages as compared to the control group. R. solani had the highest inhibition percentage of 82.96%. In conclusion, the encouraging structural properties and antimicrobial capabilities of PS-NPs pave the way for their application across diverse technological industries. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first in vitro study of PS-NPs to evaluate their fungal control efficiency.
Antibacterial, antifungal, and phytochemical properties of Salsola kali ethanolic extract
Abstract The research into the use of plants as plentiful reservoirs of bioactive chemicals shows significant potential for agricultural uses. This study focused on analyzing the chemical composition and potency of an ethanolic extract obtained from the aerial parts (leaves and stems) of Salsola kali against potato pathogenic fungal and bacterial pathogens. The isolated fungal isolates were unequivocally identified as Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani based on morphological characteristics and internal transcribed spacer genetic sequencing data. The antifungal activity of the extract revealed good inhibition efficacy against R. solani (60.4%) and weak activity against F. oxysporum (11.1%) at a concentration of 5,000 µg/mL. The S. kali extract exhibited strong antibacterial activity, as evidenced by the significant inhibition zone diameter (mm) observed in all three strains of bacteria that were tested: Pectobacterium carotovorum (13.33), Pectobacterium atrosepticum (9.00), and Ralstonia solanacearum (9.33), at a concentration of 10,000 µg/mL. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed the presence of several polyphenolic compounds (μg/g), with gallic acid (2942.8), caffeic acid (2110.2), cinnamic acid (1943.1), and chlorogenic acid (858.4) being the predominant ones. Quercetin and hesperetin were the predominant flavonoid components, with concentrations of 1110.3 and 1059.3 μg/g, respectively. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of many bioactive compounds, such as saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, diterpenes, and phytosterols. The most abundant compound detected was n-hexadecanoic acid, which accounted for 28.1%. The results emphasize the potential of S. kali extract as a valuable source of bioactive substances that possess good antifungal and antibacterial effects, which highlights its potential for many agricultural uses.