Synthesis, characterization, and antifungal activity of chitosan-copper nanocomposites against crop pathogens.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
In vitro bench study
PubMed 41924564 · doi:10.3389/ffunb.2026.1764049
What was done
Chitosan-copper nanoparticles were synthesized via ionic gelation and characterized using dynamic light scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Antifungal efficacy was evaluated in vitro against Colletotrichum ciceri, Fusarium ciceri, Rhizoctonia bataticola, Sclerotium rolfsii, and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, with comparisons to chitosan alone and copper sulfate.
What was found
Nanoparticles measured approximately 150 nm with a surface charge of +22.2 mV. Concentration-dependent inhibition of mycelial growth was observed across all tested pathogens. Fusarium ciceri showed complete inhibition at all tested concentrations (at or above 100 µg/mL). Complete inhibition occurred at 200 µg/mL for Sclerotium rolfsii, 300 µg/mL for Colletotrichum ciceri and Rhizoctonia bataticola, and at or above 400 µg/mL for Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Chitosan alone and copper sulfate showed only moderate antifungal activity.
Why it matters
The synthesized nanocomposites demonstrate broad-spectrum in vitro antifungal activity that exceeds that of bulk chitosan or copper sulfate, highlighting their potential as nanobiopesticides for crop disease management.
Limits
The study was conducted strictly in vitro with no greenhouse or field testing on living plants. The abstract does not report sample replicate numbers, statistical variance, phytotoxicity, or non-target ecological safety assessments.
Cited by
- supports Zinc helps reduce yeast and fungus, and copper is an antifungal agent also used in agriculture.