ABSTRACT
AIMS: The aim of this study was to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by an eco-friendly and low-cost method using the fungi Aspergillus terreus HA1N and Penicillium expansum HA2N as an alternative to chemical procedures mostly requiring drastic experimental conditions emitting toxic chemical byproducts. Also, this study has been extended to evaluate the effect of AgNPs on the growth of some mycotoxigenic fungi and ochratoxin A (OTA) produced by Aspergillus ochraceus. METHODS AND RESULTS: The AgNPs have been characterized by UV-Visible Spectrophotometer, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). The TEM analysis has revealed that the size of AgNPs ranged between 14 and 25 nm in the case of P. expansum and 10-18 nm in the case of A. terreus. The antifungal activity of AgNP colloids has indicated that the highest inhibition zone was detected with AgNPs synthesized by A. terreus HA1N against all tested fungi. The highest inhibition zone was detected with Aspergillus niger at concentrations 3 and 6 µg of AgNP solution (7·56 ± 0·38 and 11·3 ± 1·8 mm, respectively) while, A. ochraceus showed the maximum inhibition zone (16·33 ± 0·96 mm) at the concentration 9 µg of AgNPs synthesized by A. terreus. The results have also indicated that the AgNPs synthesized by A. terreus and P. expansum at the concentration 220 µg/100 ml media gave the highest reduction of OTA, where the percentages of reduction were 58·87 and 52·18% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The smallest size AgNPs synthesized by A. terreus HA1N are better in their antifungal activity against all tested mycotoxigenic fungi than the largest one synthesized by P. expansum HA2N. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first study focused on using AgNPs in control of OTA production.
Subject(s)
Aspergillus/metabolism , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Penicillium/metabolism , Antifungal Agents/chemistry , Antifungal Agents/metabolism , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Aspergillus ochraceus/drug effects , Aspergillus ochraceus/metabolism , Fungi/drug effects , Ochratoxins/biosynthesis , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Silver/chemistry , Silver/metabolism , Silver/pharmacologyABSTRACT
The aim of the present study is to assess the current level of atmospheric heavy metal pollution of aerosols in different cities of North Egypt using the neutron activation analysis and optical emission inductively coupled plasma techniques. The results revealed that the highest concentrations of particulate matter PM10 and total suspended particulate matter were close to industrial areas. From the results of the enrichment factor calculations, the most significant elements of anthropogenic origin are Ba, Sb, Ce and Zn.
Subject(s)
Aerosols/analysis , Air Pollutants/analysis , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Environmental Pollution/analysis , Cities , Egypt , Metals, Heavy/analysis , Neutron Activation Analysis , Particulate MatterABSTRACT
This study evaluated peripheral eosinophil and serum eosinophilic cationic protein (s-ECP) levels as markers of asthma control. A total of 38 children with asthma (16 controlled and 22 partially controlled) were compared with 16 age- and sex-matched healthy children. Total asthma cases had higher eosinophil counts and s-ECP levels than healthy children and partially controlled asthmatics had significantly higher levels of both markers than controlled asthmatics. Controlled asthma cases showed non-significant changes in both parameters versus healthy children. A negative correlation was noted between degree of asthma control and both eosinophil counts and s-ECP levels (r = -0.60 and -0.75 respectively). s-ECP as well as peripheral eosinophil count may be helpful in the assessment of asthma control.
Subject(s)
Asthma/blood , Eosinophil Cationic Protein/blood , Eosinophils , Leukocyte Count , Albuterol/therapeutic use , Androstadienes/therapeutic use , Asthma/diagnosis , Asthma/drug therapy , Asthma/immunology , Biomarkers/blood , Bronchodilator Agents/therapeutic use , Case-Control Studies , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Drug Monitoring/methods , Drug Therapy, Combination , Egypt , Female , Fluticasone , Forced Expiratory Volume , Humans , Leukocyte Count/methods , Male , Severity of Illness Index , Statistics, NonparametricABSTRACT
This study evaluated peripheral eosinophil and serum eosinophilic cationic protein [s-ECP] levels as markers of asthma control. A total of 38 children with asthma [16 controlled and 22 partially controlled] were compared with 16 age- and sex-matched healthy children. Total asthma cases had higher eosinophil counts and s-ECP levels than healthy children and partially controlled asthmatics had significantly higher levels of both markers than controlled asthmatics. Controlled asthma cases showed non-significant changes in both parameters versus healthy children. A negative correlation was noted between degree of asthma control and both eosinophil counts and s-ECP levels [r = -0.60 and -0.75 respectively]. s-ECP as well as peripheral eosinophil count may be helpful in the assessment of asthma control