The effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles against ceiling mold isolate

In the current study, the antifungal activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) against the ceiling mold isolates Penicillum sp. A1P and Cladosporium sp. A2C was examined. Antifungal activity was tested using Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) plates supplemented with 0.1 %, 0.25 %, 0.5 % or 1.0 % (w/v) ZnO, and the growth of mold isolates on the supplemented media was observed using the slide culture method. Minimum Fungal Concentration (MFC) was determined by tube dilution method using Potato Dextrose Broth (PDB) supplemented with 0.5 %, 1.0 %, 1.5 % or 2.0 % (w/v) ZnO NP concentration. MFC was determined on the basis of Total Plate Count (TPC) obtained from tube dilution. Results from plate agar and slide cultures showed that ZnO NPs have fungistatic effects that increased with increasing ZnO NP concentration. Penicillum sp. A1P and Cladosporium sp. A2C remained biologically active; however, the spores germinated relatively slow and the diameters of resulting colonies decreased. The growth of mold isolates in supplemented broth media was notably slower than in the control, supporting the data from the plate agar and slide culture experiments. In conclusion, ZnO NPs have fungistatic against the ceiling mold isolates.