Effective Control of Molds Using a Combination of Nanoparticles

Molds are filamentous fungi able to grow on a variety of surfaces, including constructed surfaces, food, rotten organic matter, and humid places. Mold growth is characterized by having an unpleasant odor in enclosed or non-ventilated places and a non-aesthetic appearance. They represent a health con...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one 2017-01, Vol.12 (1), p.e0169940
Main Authors: Auyeung, Ariana, Casillas-Santana, Miguel Ángel, Martínez-Castañón, Gabriel Alejandro, Slavin, Yael N, Zhao, Wayne, Asnis, Jason, Häfeli, Urs O, Bach, Horacio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acrylates
Agar
Agar diffusion test
Antifungal activity
Antifungal agents
Aspergillus flavus
Aspergillus flavus - drug effects
Aspergillus flavus - growth & development
Aspergillus flavus - radiation effects
Aspergillus fumigatus - drug effects
Aspergillus fumigatus - growth & development
Aspergillus fumigatus - radiation effects
Biology and Life Sciences
Cancer
Cell Line
Coating effects
Control
Culture Media
Cytokines
Cytokines - metabolism
Cytotoxicity
Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests
Emulsion paint
Engineering and Technology
Fluorescence
Fungi
Fungicides
Fungicides, Industrial - pharmacology
Fungicides, Industrial - toxicity
Gene expression
Gold - pharmacology
Gold - toxicity
Gram-positive bacteria
Health aspects
Humans
Infectious diseases
Inflammation
Inflammation - chemically induced
Inflammatory response
Light effects
Macrophage Activation
Macrophages
Macrophages - drug effects
Macrophages - immunology
Macrophages - metabolism
Medicine
Medicine and Health Sciences
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Mold
Molds (Fungi)
Mycotoxins
Nanomaterials
Nanoparticles
Odor
Odors
Organic matter
Oxidative stress
Paint - analysis
Paint - microbiology
Paints
Particle Size
Pharmaceutical sciences
Physical Sciences
Protective coatings
Silver - pharmacology
Silver - toxicity
Ventilation
Water
Zinc oxide
Zinc Oxide - pharmacology
Zinc Oxide - toxicity
Zinc oxides
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Description
Summary:Molds are filamentous fungi able to grow on a variety of surfaces, including constructed surfaces, food, rotten organic matter, and humid places. Mold growth is characterized by having an unpleasant odor in enclosed or non-ventilated places and a non-aesthetic appearance. They represent a health concern because of their ability to produce and release mycotoxins, compounds that are toxic to animals and humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate commercial nanoparticles (NPs) that can be used as an additive in coatings and paints to effectively control the growth of harmful molds. Four different NPs were screened for their antifungal activities against the mycotoxin producing mold strains Aspergillus flavus and A. fumigatus. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of the NPs were determined in broth media, whereas an agar diffusion test was used to assess the antimold activity on acrylic- and water-based paints. The cytotoxic activity and the inflammatory response of the NPs were also evaluated using the established human derived macrophage cell line THP-1. Results showed that a combination of mix metallic- and ZnO-NPs (50:10 μg/mL) effectively inhibited the fungal growth when exposed to fluorescent light. Neither cytotoxic effect nor inflammatory responses were recorded, suggesting that this combination can be safely used in humid or non-ventilated environments without any health concerns.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0169940