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Evaluation of silver nanoparticle antifungal activity biosynthesized from Nigella sativa extract, against Aspergillus species

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  • Abdulrahman S. BAZAID,
  • Husam QANASH ,
  • Ghaida ALSAIF ,
  • Ali Saud ALMALAQ ,
  • Sghair AL-KASEB,
  • Ahmed M. ABDULFATTAH,
  • Mohammed F. ABUZINADAH,
  • Faisal AL-SARRAJ,
  • Majid AL-ZAHRANI
Abdulrahman S. BAZAID
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, 
Hail 55476, Saudi Arabia
Husam QANASH
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, 
Hail 55476, Saudi Arabia
Ghaida ALSAIF
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, 
Hail 55476, Saudi Arabia
Ali Saud ALMALAQ
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, 
Hail 55476, Saudi Arabia
Sghair AL-KASEB
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, 
Hail 55476, Saudi Arabia
Ahmed M. ABDULFATTAH
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Mohammed F. ABUZINADAH
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Faisal AL-SARRAJ
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah,21589, Saudi Arabia
Majid AL-ZAHRANI
Biological Science Department, College of Science and Art, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, Saudi Arabia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/phyto-16620
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Published 2025-12-11

Keywords

  • Aflatoxin,
  • ergosterol,
  • RT-PCR

How to Cite

[1]
A. S. BAZAID, “Evaluation of silver nanoparticle antifungal activity biosynthesized from Nigella sativa extract, against Aspergillus species”, Phytopathol. Mediterr., pp. 567–577, Dec. 2025.

Copyright (c) 2025 Abdulrahman S. BAZAID, Husam QANASH , Ghaida ALSAIF , Ali Saud ALMALAQ , Sghair AL-KASEB, Ahmed M. ABDULFATTAH, Mohammed F. ABUZINADAH, Faisal AL-SARRAJ, Majid AL-ZAHRANI

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Abstract

Addressing emergent antifungal resistance associated with Aspergillus species and public health concerns posed by aflatoxin contamination requires new antifungal strategies. Nigella sativa (black seed) has shown promise when integrated with nanotechnology, making it a candidate for reducing aflatoxin risks. Antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized using N. sativa was assessed against pathogenic Aspergillus species, and AgNP effects were assessed on expression of fungal genes related to toxin biosynthesis, membrane integrity, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using aqueous extracts from N. sativa, and were spectroscopically characterized, confirming the functional groups involved in nanoparticle stabilization. Antifungal activity and gene expression were demonstrated in vitro and in vivo against Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, and A. niger. The Ag-NPs biosynthesized by N. sativa had antifungal activity (MICs = 40–60 µg mL-1; MFCs = 90–120 µg mL-1), and A. fumigatus was the most sensitive strain. Downregulation of aflR was reduced by 68% in A. flavus, erg11 by 42–55% in the three fungi, and catA was upregulated by 85–110%. These results indicate that Ag-NPs derived from N. sativa exert antifungal activity against Aspergillus species by at least two actions, suppression of aflatoxin biosynthesis and antifungal activity. This nanotechnology approach offers promise as a safe and effective alternative to traditional fungicide medications, which requires further in vivo evaluation.

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