Biosynthesis and Anti-Mycotoxigenic Activity of Zingiber officinale Roscoe-Derived Metal Nanoparticles

Abstract

Mycotoxigenic fungi have attracted special attention due to their threat to food security and toxicity to human health. Aqueous extract of <i>Zingiber officinale</i> Roscoe was used as reducing and capping agent for the synthesis of silver (AgNPs), copper (CuNPs), and zinc oxide (ZnONPs) nanoparticles. UV-Visible spectra of the AgNPs, CuNPs, and ZnONPs showed absorption peaks at λ_max 416 nm, 472 nm, and 372 nm, respectively. Zeta potential of AgNPs, CuNPs, and ZnONPs were -30.9, -30.4 and -18.4 mV, respectively. ZnONPs showed the highest activity against <i>Aspergillus awamori</i> ZUJQ 965830.1 (ZOI 20.9 mm and MIC 24.7 µg/mL). TEM micrographs of ZnONPs-treated <i>A. awamori</i> showed cracks and pits in the cell wall, liquefaction of the cytoplasmic content, making it less electron-dense. The sporulation and ochratoxin A production of <i>A. awamori</i> was inhibited by ZnONPs in a concentration-dependent pattern. The inhibition percentage of OTA were 45.6, 84.78 and 95.65% for 10, 15, 20 of ZnONPs/mL, respectively.