Inhibitory Effects of Silver Nanoparticles on Growth and Aflatoxin B1 Production by Aspergillus Parasiticus
Seyyed Amin Ayatollahi Mousavi1, Somayyeh Pourtalebi2
1Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Science, Kerman, Iran.
Background:
Aflatoxins (AFs) are secondary hazardous fungal metabolites that are produced by strains of some Aspergillus species on food and feedstuffs. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is one of the most important AF with high toxicity. Prevention of AF production and their elimination from food products is a matter of importance for many researchers in the last decades. Nanomaterials applications in medical science have been widely studied in the recent years. Most of existing researches seek the effect of nanoparticles on bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on growth and AFB1 production of AF-producing Aspergillus parasiticus.
Methods:
A parasiticus was inoculated (10(6) conidia per ml of medium) to potato dextrose broth (PDB) medium and then AgNPs was added and incubated with shaking at 130 rpm and 28°C for 7 days. AF was assayed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Microbiological assay (MBA) on microplates contained potato dextrose broth (PDB) medium (4 days at 28°C) at different concentrations of AgNPs (60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180 and 200 μg/ml) was measured.
Results:
The results demonstrated that a minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) equal to 180 μg/ml was determined for AgNPs against A. parasiticus. The AgNPs effectively inhibited AFB1 production at a concentration of 90 μg/ml.
Conclusion:
The results obtained in this study show AgNPs at concentrations lower than the MIC drastically inhibited production of AFB1 by A. parasiticus in culture medium. The AgNPs may be useful to control AF contamination of susceptible crops in the field.
Insights
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) significantly inhibited aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) production by Aspergillus parasiticus at concentrations below the minimum inhibitory concentration. These findings suggest AgNPs could be a viable strategy for controlling aflatoxin contamination in crops.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Nanotechnology
- Food Safety
Background:
- Aflatoxins (AFs) are toxic fungal metabolites produced by Aspergillus species, posing risks to food and feed.
- Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a particularly potent and hazardous aflatoxin.
- Controlling AF production and contamination is a significant research challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the growth and AFB1 production of Aspergillus parasiticus.
- To evaluate the efficacy of AgNPs as a potential agent for mitigating aflatoxin contamination.
Main Methods:
- Aspergillus parasiticus was cultured in potato dextrose broth with varying concentrations of AgNPs.
- Aflatoxin levels were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
- Microbiological assays were performed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of AgNPs.
Main Results:
- The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of AgNPs against A. parasiticus was determined to be 180 μg/ml.
- AgNPs demonstrated significant inhibition of AFB1 production at concentrations as low as 90 μg/ml.
- AFB1 production was drastically reduced at AgNP concentrations below the MIC.
Conclusions:
- Silver nanoparticles effectively inhibit AFB1 production by A. parasiticus at sub-inhibitory concentrations.
- AgNPs show promise as a tool for managing aflatoxin contamination in agricultural settings.
- Further research may explore the application of AgNPs for crop protection against aflatoxin-producing fungi.
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