Chitosan-Ag nanoparticle antifungal activity against Fusarium sp., causal agent of wilt disease on chili

Abstract

Chitosan is a polysaccharides compound derived from nature and has an amine group and a hydroxyl group that gives it unique physicochemical properties, which are polychationic and chelating agent. This shows that chitosan can be used as a stabilizer and reducer of Ag nanoparticles. Unlike other studies, chitosan that was used in this study was derived from Black Soldier Fly exuviae which has been through demineralization, deproteination, depigmentation, and deacetylation processes. This study aims to obtain an alternative environmentally friendly fungicide with Ag-chitosan nanoparticle formulation which has antifungal activity against Fusarium sp. that causes wilt disease in chili plants. We analysed particle size, functional group by FTIR, and antifungal test against Fusarium sp. on 1000, 750, 500, 250, and 100 ppm of chitosan-Ag nanoparticle. The chitosan-Ag nanoparticles have a particle size of 188.4 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.344. FTIR analysis showed that Ag+ ions are successfully grafted into the chitosan matrix. All the chitosan-Ag nanoparticle concentration tested showed significant results with negative and positive control, except the concentration of 100 ppm which is not significantly differ from negative control. The antifungal test showed a concentration of 750 ppm chitosan-Ag nanoparticles had a growth inhibition of 72.17%.