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Effective Inhibition of Phytopathogenic Microbes by Eco-Friendly Leaf Extract Mediated Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs)

Indian Journal of Microbiology volume 59, pages 273–287 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

This study was aimed at producing the eco-friendly, safe, and inexpensive silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) and assessing its antimicrobial activity. Fungal pathogens isolated from diseased leaves and fruits of brinjal and bacterial pathogen obtained from a culture collection were used in this study. Green synthesis of AgNPs was performed and optimized using Azadirachta indica leaf extract. The newly synthesized AgNPs (λmax = 437 nm) showed isotropism in size (crystal size/diameter: 21/29 ± 5 nm) and morphology under transmission and scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data suggested the role of various aliphatic/aromatic moieties and proteins in AgNPs stabilization. The AgNPs reduced the growth of Penicillium sp. maximally by 92% after 6 days. The sensitivity of test fungi towards AgNPs followed the order: Penicillium sp. (92%) > Fusarium sp. (89%) > Aspergillus sp. (69%). Exposure of Ralstonia solanacearum to AgNPs (MIC/MBC 200/400 µg ml−1) displayed damaged cellular envelopes, bulging of cells, and pit formation. The nucleic acid discharge showed a progressive increase from 8 to 34% (r2 = 0.97). The cellular metabolic activity and surface adhering ability of R. solanacearum were completely lost at 400 µgAgNPs ml−1. Results suggested that the AgNPs synthesized in this study had enough anti-pathogenic potential and could inexpensively and safely be used as a promising alternative to agrochemicals. Moreover, the findings observed in this study is likely to serve as an important indicator for the development of effective nano-control agents which in effect would help to manage some deadly phyto-pathogens capable of causing heavy losses to agricultural production systems.

Graphical Abstract

Effective inhibition of phytopathogenic microbes by eco-friendly neem leaf extract mediated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)

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Acknowledgments

Mohammad Saghir Khan, Bilal Ahmed, and Javed Musarrat acknowledge the Council of Science and Technology, U.P., India for the financial support through the Research Grant #372. Mr. Pramod Kumar Sahu, Scientist, NBAIM, Mau, India is greatly acknowledged for providing the strain of R. solanacearum (NAIMCC-B-01626). The authors are also thankful for the support extended by University Sophisticated Instruments Facility (USIF), Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India.

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  1. Javed Musarrat

    Present address: School of Biosciences and Biodiversity, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, India

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  1. Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India

    Mahvash Haroon, Almas Zaidi, Bilal Ahmed, Asfa Rizvi, Mohammad Saghir Khan & Javed Musarrat

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Correspondence to Bilal Ahmed.

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Haroon, M., Zaidi, A., Ahmed, B. et al. Effective Inhibition of Phytopathogenic Microbes by Eco-Friendly Leaf Extract Mediated Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs). Indian J Microbiol 59, 273–287 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12088-019-00801-5

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Keywords

  • Green synthesis
  • A. indica leaf extract
  • Antifungal
  • Antibacterial
  • Silver nanoparticles
  • Plant pathogens