Abstract
Several fungal endophytes were isolated and screened for their ability to biosynthesize a variety of nanoparticles (NPs), as a potentially simple and eco-friendly method with low cost. Among these fungi, a promising isolate named ORG-1 was found able to synthesize five different NPs types: Co3O4NPs, CuONPs, Fe3O4NPs, NiONPs, and ZnONPs. The ORG-1 strain was identified as Aspergillus terreus according to the morphological and molecular studies. Synthesis of these NPs was initially monitored by UV–Vis spectroscopy and further characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed their crystalline structure. Dynamic light scattering analysis was applied to study the particle size distribution and stability. Transmission electron microscope studies indicated the morphology of the synthesized NPs. Additionally, the biological activities of the in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials were evaluated. Co3O4NPs, CuONPs, Fe3O4NPs, NiONPs, and ZnONPs showed promising antioxidant activity with 50% inhibitory concentrations of 85.44, 96.74, 102.41, 87.41, and 108.67 μg mL−1, respectively. The synthesized NPs exhibited potent antimicrobial activities against several plant and human pathogens. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of one microbial strain for the synthesis of a variety of NPs. This study suggests endophytic fungi as new and alternate platforms with an exceptional potentiality for the synthesis of NPs with promising activities.
Key points
• Discovery of a promising endophytic fungus for synthesis of five different types of NPs.
• Mycosynthesis and characterization of all the synthesized NPs were investigated.
• The synthesized NPs showed promising antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.
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Acknowledgments
The first author would like to express her appreciation to Dr. El-Sayed Abdelkhalek Mousa (QC Manager) and Dr. Amina Mansour Amer (Assistant Manager), MEPACO Company, Inshas, Egypt for their continuous help.
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SAM conducted experiments, analyzed the obtained data, wrote the original draft, and participated in manuscript revision and editing. ERE suggested the research point, designed the experimental methodology, conducted experiments, analyzed the obtained data, wrote the original draft of the manuscript, and participated in revision and editing. SSM designed the experimental methodology, conducted experiments, analyzed the obtained data, and participated in manuscript revision and editing. MAA and AAE designed the experimental methodology, analyzed the obtained data, and participated in revising and editing the manuscript. DAM designed the experimental methodology, conducted experiments, analyzed the obtained data, and participated in manuscript revision and editing.
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Mousa, S.A., El-Sayed, ES.R., Mohamed, S.S. et al. Novel mycosynthesis of Co3O4, CuO, Fe3O4, NiO, and ZnO nanoparticles by the endophytic Aspergillus terreus and evaluation of their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 105, 741–753 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-020-11046-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-020-11046-4