Effects of Green-Synthesised Copper Oxide–Zinc Oxide Hybrid Nanoparticles on Antifungal Activity and Phytotoxicity of Aflatoxin B1 in Maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) Seed Germination

Maize contamination with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is of significance on a global scale due to its major contribution to food security. It is very probable that substantial amounts of AFB1 may be absorbed by germinating seeds grown in contaminated soil and cause deleterious effects on the growth and devel...

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Main Authors: Simangele C. Ngwenya, Nkanyiso J. Sithole, Doctor M. N. Mthiyane, Martha C. Jobe, Olubukola O. Babalola, Ayansina S. Ayangbenro, Mulunda Mwanza, Damian C. Onwudiwe, Khosi Ramachela
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Agronomy
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/2/313
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author Simangele C. Ngwenya
Nkanyiso J. Sithole
Doctor M. N. Mthiyane
Martha C. Jobe
Olubukola O. Babalola
Ayansina S. Ayangbenro
Mulunda Mwanza
Damian C. Onwudiwe
Khosi Ramachela
author_facet Simangele C. Ngwenya
Nkanyiso J. Sithole
Doctor M. N. Mthiyane
Martha C. Jobe
Olubukola O. Babalola
Ayansina S. Ayangbenro
Mulunda Mwanza
Damian C. Onwudiwe
Khosi Ramachela
author_sort Simangele C. Ngwenya
collection DOAJ
description Maize contamination with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is of significance on a global scale due to its major contribution to food security. It is very probable that substantial amounts of AFB1 may be absorbed by germinating seeds grown in contaminated soil and cause deleterious effects on the growth and development of maize. In this study, the effect of green-synthesised ZnO-CuO hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) on antifungal activity and reducing the toxic effects of AFB1 on seed germination was examined. A notable inhibitory effect of green-synthesised ZnO-CuO nanoparticles (NPs) on <i>A. flavus</i> was observed at a concentration of 0.5 ppm, resulting in 13.1% inhibition, which was more effective than the higher concentration of 1.0 ppm and the control. The results showed that the final germination percentage of the seeds that were inoculated with 320 ppb was significantly increased by the treatment with 125 mg/mL of green ZnO-CuO hybrid NPs. This study indicated the potential of green-synthesised ZnO-CuO hybrid NPs as alternative antifungal agents to control aflatoxin production in maize to improve food security and safety by supressing the threat posed by AFB1.
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spelling doaj-art-da09846fa0a148cea5b6f568bef709012025-08-20T02:01:20ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952025-01-0115231310.3390/agronomy15020313Effects of Green-Synthesised Copper Oxide–Zinc Oxide Hybrid Nanoparticles on Antifungal Activity and Phytotoxicity of Aflatoxin B1 in Maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) Seed GerminationSimangele C. Ngwenya0Nkanyiso J. Sithole1Doctor M. N. Mthiyane2Martha C. Jobe3Olubukola O. Babalola4Ayansina S. Ayangbenro5Mulunda Mwanza6Damian C. Onwudiwe7Khosi Ramachela8Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, Crop Science Department, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2035, South AfricaFaculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, Crop Science Department, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2035, South AfricaFood Security and Safety Niche Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Mmabatho 2735, South AfricaFood Security and Safety Niche Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Mmabatho 2735, South AfricaFood Security and Safety Niche Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Mmabatho 2735, South AfricaFood Security and Safety Niche Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Mmabatho 2735, South AfricaFood Security and Safety Niche Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Mmabatho 2735, South AfricaMaterial Science Innovation and Modelling (MaSIM) Research Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South AfricaFood Security and Safety Niche Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Mmabatho 2735, South AfricaMaize contamination with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is of significance on a global scale due to its major contribution to food security. It is very probable that substantial amounts of AFB1 may be absorbed by germinating seeds grown in contaminated soil and cause deleterious effects on the growth and development of maize. In this study, the effect of green-synthesised ZnO-CuO hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) on antifungal activity and reducing the toxic effects of AFB1 on seed germination was examined. A notable inhibitory effect of green-synthesised ZnO-CuO nanoparticles (NPs) on <i>A. flavus</i> was observed at a concentration of 0.5 ppm, resulting in 13.1% inhibition, which was more effective than the higher concentration of 1.0 ppm and the control. The results showed that the final germination percentage of the seeds that were inoculated with 320 ppb was significantly increased by the treatment with 125 mg/mL of green ZnO-CuO hybrid NPs. This study indicated the potential of green-synthesised ZnO-CuO hybrid NPs as alternative antifungal agents to control aflatoxin production in maize to improve food security and safety by supressing the threat posed by AFB1.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/2/313aflatoxigenicinhibitoryradicleseedling vigour and substrate extract
spellingShingle Simangele C. Ngwenya
Nkanyiso J. Sithole
Doctor M. N. Mthiyane
Martha C. Jobe
Olubukola O. Babalola
Ayansina S. Ayangbenro
Mulunda Mwanza
Damian C. Onwudiwe
Khosi Ramachela
Effects of Green-Synthesised Copper Oxide–Zinc Oxide Hybrid Nanoparticles on Antifungal Activity and Phytotoxicity of Aflatoxin B1 in Maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) Seed Germination
Agronomy
aflatoxigenic
inhibitory
radicle
seedling vigour and substrate extract
title Effects of Green-Synthesised Copper Oxide–Zinc Oxide Hybrid Nanoparticles on Antifungal Activity and Phytotoxicity of Aflatoxin B1 in Maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) Seed Germination
title_full Effects of Green-Synthesised Copper Oxide–Zinc Oxide Hybrid Nanoparticles on Antifungal Activity and Phytotoxicity of Aflatoxin B1 in Maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) Seed Germination
title_fullStr Effects of Green-Synthesised Copper Oxide–Zinc Oxide Hybrid Nanoparticles on Antifungal Activity and Phytotoxicity of Aflatoxin B1 in Maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) Seed Germination
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Green-Synthesised Copper Oxide–Zinc Oxide Hybrid Nanoparticles on Antifungal Activity and Phytotoxicity of Aflatoxin B1 in Maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) Seed Germination
title_short Effects of Green-Synthesised Copper Oxide–Zinc Oxide Hybrid Nanoparticles on Antifungal Activity and Phytotoxicity of Aflatoxin B1 in Maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) Seed Germination
title_sort effects of green synthesised copper oxide zinc oxide hybrid nanoparticles on antifungal activity and phytotoxicity of aflatoxin b1 in maize i zea mays i l seed germination
topic aflatoxigenic
inhibitory
radicle
seedling vigour and substrate extract
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/2/313
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