Pistachio and plant-based Health Journal

Pistachio and plant-based Health Journal

An evaluation of antifungal and antitoxigenicity effects of Ag/Zn and Ag nanoparticles on Aspergillus parasiticus growth and aflatoxin production

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Ebrahim Sedaghati 1
Saeed Molaei 1
Mehdi Molaei 2
Nader Doraki 3
1 Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Vali-e-Asr University, Rafsanjan, Iran
2 Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Vali-e-Asr University, Rafsanjan., Iran
3 Rafsanjan Food Control Laboratory, Rafsanjan, Kerman, Iran
10.22123/phj.2018.138140.1008
Abstract
Background: Aspergillus parasiticus is one of the primary sources of aflatoxin contamination in agricultural crops,
especially nuts. Aflatoxin contamination is one of the most challenging problems in the production and exportation of
pistachios.
Materials and Methods: In this study, the antifungal effects of the silver-zinc mixture and silver nanoparticles on the
mycelia growth, spore germination and aflatoxin production of Aspergillus parasiticus have been evaluated.
Results: The findings of the current study showed that the concentrations of 1250 ppm of Ag/Zn and 100-200 ppm of Ag
nanoparticles inhibit mycelia growth and the spore germination of Aspergillus parasiticus in liquid and solid media
significantly, but the concentration of 25 ppm of both nanoparticles has no inhibitory effects on the A. pararsiticus growth
parameter. The results showed that the rate of inhibitory effects depends on the type of the medium and nanoparticles, but the
fungal isolate had no significant effects on nanoparticles’ inhibitory features.
Conclusions: Ag/Zn nanoparticles had no regular effect on the reduction of aflatoxin production, yet Ag nanoparticles
reduced the production of aflatoxins, especially aflatoxins B2 and G2.
Keywords
Antifungal
Inhibitory
Nanoparticle
Silver
zinc
Pistachio and plant-based Health Journal
Volume 1, Issue 2
Spring 2018
Pages 34-43