Biogenic silver nanoparticles from fungal sources: Synthesis, characterization, and antifungal potential.

Nano-biotechnology is quickly developing as an important field of modern research, generating the most promising applications in medicine and agriculture. Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using biogenic or green approach provide ecofriendly, clean and effective way out for the synthesis of nanoparticles. The main aim of the study was to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Pencillium chrysogenum using a green approach and to test the antifungal activity of these synthesized AgNPs against a variety of pathogenic fungi. The characterization of samples was done by using UV-visible spectroscopy, SEM (scanning electron microscopy), FTIR (Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy), and XRD (X-ray diffractometry). The investigation confirmed the creation of AgNPs by the fungi Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Pencillium chrysogenum, as evidenced by prominent plasmon absorbance bands at 420 and 450 nm.The biosynthesized AgNPs were 80-100 nm in size, asymmetrical in shape and became spherical to sub-spherical when aggregated. Agar well diffusion method was performed to evaluate the antifungal activity of AgNPs against various plant pathogenic fungi. An efficient and strong antifungal activity was shown by these biosynthesized nanoparticles against serious plant pathogenic fungi, viz. Aspergillus terreus, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium citrinum, Rhizopus stolonifer and Mucor mucedo. The biosynthesized AgNPs at various concentrations caused significant zone of inhibition in the test fungal pathogens. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) biosynthesized from Aspergillus niger at highest concentrations showed maximum zone of inhibition against Penicillium citrinum (19.33 ± 0.57 mm) followed by Rhizopus stolonifer (17.66 ± 0.57), Aspergillus terreus (16.33 ± 1.54 mm), Fusarium oxysporum (14.00 ± 1.00 mm) and Mucor mucedo (13.33 ± 1.15 mm) respectively. Therefore, the findings clearly indicate that silver nanoparticles could play a significant role in managing diverse plant diseases caused by fungi.

Diversity and Ethno-Mycopharmacological Insights of Medicinal Mushrooms of the Bangus Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India.

The present study was carried out in various regions of Jammu and Kashmir, India, for the diversity and pharmacology of wild mushrooms. The valley is bestowed with alpine meadows and dense coniferous forest. Because of its isolation, security concerns, and line of control, most of these locations either have been little investigated or are entirely undiscovered. During the intensive survey of various locations, 20 mushroom species were collected from the surveyed areas. The ethno-mycological information was gathered from tribal communities and local herbalists (hakims). It was observed that 16 species were used against cold, constipation, liver and skin disorders, digestion problems, wound healing, and the like. However, these medicinal mushrooms are losing their relevance, so there is an urgent need to explore and preserve this knowledge for future use as medicine.

Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Properties of Morchella crassipes (Ascomycota) from Kashmir Valley (India).

In the current era, wild macrofungi are being focused for developing and overing novel bioactive compounds for the management of agricultural, horticultural, and other infectious diseases. In that view, current research work was designed to evaluate the biochemical composition and medicinal properties of Morchella crassipes mushroom. The mycochemical screening of aqueous extract exposed the incidence of glycosides, free amino acids and proteins, alkaloids, carbs, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds and tannins, except volatile oils, resins, steroids, and anthraquinones. However, hexane extract exhibited the occurrence of glycosides, alkaloids, volatile oils, steroids and terpenoids while as all other phytochemicals were not detected. The gas chromatography mass spectrometry profiling has disclosed the identification of three predominant naturally occurring bioactive volatile monoterpenoids, namely neral, citral, and epoxy-linalool oxide with well-known biological activities. The methanolic extract resulted in strong antifungal efficacy against the tested fungal strains such as Penicillium chrysogenum (20.33 ± 0.57 mm) followed by Pythium ultimum (15.33 ± 0.76 mm) and Aspergillus niger (12.50 ± 0.50 mm) at highest concentrations. Likewise, marked antibacterial effects were reported in case of Staphylococcus aureus (15.16 ± 0.76 mm), followed by Salmonella gallinarum (14.33 ± 0.57 mm) and Escherichia coli (13.66 ± 0.57 mm), respectively. This data may offer baseline information regarding the bioactive metabolites and opening new ways for conducting trails to find natural management strategies to combat multi drug resistant pathogens in horticulture, agriculture, and aquaculture.

Fungal-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles: a novel strategy for plant disease management.

Various traditional management techniques are employed to control plant diseases caused by bacteria and fungi. However, due to their drawbacks and adverse environmental effects, there is a shift toward employing more eco-friendly methods that are less harmful to the environment and human health. The main aim of the study was to biosynthesize silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Rhizoctonia solani and Cladosporium cladosporioides using a green approach and to test the antimycotic activity of these biosynthesized AgNPs against a variety of pathogenic fungi. The characterization of samples was done by using UV-visible spectroscopy, SEM (scanning electron microscopy), FTIR (fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy), and XRD (X-ray diffractometry). During the study, the presence of strong plasmon absorbance bands at 420 and 450 nm confirmed the AgNPs biosynthesis by the fungi Rhizoctonia solani and Cladosporium cladosporioides. The biosynthesized AgNPs were 80-100 nm in size, asymmetrical in shape and became spherical to sub-spherical when aggregated. Assessment of the antifungal activity of the silver nanoparticles against various plant pathogenic fungi was carried out by agar well diffusion assay. Different concentration of AgNPs, 5 mg/mL 10 mg/mL and 15 mg/mL were tested to know the inhibitory effect of fungal plant pathogens viz. Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium citrinum, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium metavorans, and Aspergillus aflatoxiformans. However, 15 mg/mL concentration of the AgNPs showed excellent inhibitory activity against all tested fungal pathogens. Thus, the obtained results clearly suggest that silver nanoparticles may have important applications in controlling various plant diseases caused by fungi.