Efficient handy DNA extraction from fungal spores using modified ZnO nano-rices for rapid pathogen detection

Abstract

Pathogen infections present a significant threat to human health due to their widespread presence and high transmissibility. Historical evidence underscores the importance of timely pathogen identification and appropriate treatment, not only for individual health recovery but also for the broader impact on human development. In this study, we introduced the homobifunctional imidoester-modified ZnO Nano-Rices (HINRs) method, which enables handy lysis and DNA extraction from target fungal spores. This approach streamlines fungal nucleic acid extraction, allowing for the rapid acquisition of pure nucleic acids within 12 minutes. The HINRs display a uniform, rice grain-like morphology, with consistent dimethyl suberimidate (DMS) modification on the ZnO nano-rice surface, enhancing dispersion in solution through increased zeta potential and surface area to capture fungal spores and nucleic acids. The HINRs method simplifies nucleic acid extraction, making it suitable for clinical sputum collection and fungal infection detection. It retains over 95 % stability at room temperature for up to two years, outperforming commercial kits by 2–3 orders of magnitude in Aspergillus extraction and detection. Additionally, we emphasized practical applications by testing various clinical samples (blood, lung tissue, and sputum) as well as fruit and vegetable drinks for extraction and contamination monitoring. This advancement supports the development of portable, streamlined, and precise diagnostic technologies.