Antifungal activities of chitosan nanoparticles against Fusarium pseudensiforme on durian trees

Abstract

Antifungal nano-biomaterials are gaining interest as an effective strategy for controlling fungal pathogens because of their nontoxicity, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and high activity. The study aimed to present an antifungal agent, squid chitosan nanoparticles (SCNs), against the Fusarium pseudensiforme pathogen in durian trees. Besides, the in vitro antifungal activity of SCNs was compared to other agents, including neem oil and squid pen chitosan. All biomaterials showed a decrease in mycelial growth as their treated concentrations increased. However, at the same concentration of 250 ppm after 8 days of incubation at 28 °C, SCNs exhibited the highest in totally inhibiting the growth of Fusarium pseudensiforme, while the lesion diameters were 2.5 cm (neem oil) and 2.1 cm (chitosan). Besides, the lowest dried biomass was obtained after 8 days of incubation in broth culture at 250 ppm of the SCNs. The findings suggested that SCNs could be used as an effective alternative nano-biomaterial for controlling the Fusarium pseudensiforme pathogen in durian trees.