Home Physical Sciences Magnesium oxide nanoparticles impregnated pyrolyzed coconut coir as an antifungal agent
Article
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

Magnesium oxide nanoparticles impregnated pyrolyzed coconut coir as an antifungal agent

  • , , and EMAIL logo
Published/Copyright: February 12, 2025
Pure and Applied Chemistry
From the journal Pure and Applied Chemistry Volume 97 Issue 12

Abstract

Soil-borne plant pathogens infect plants through soil inoculum, leading to plant diseases that can drastically reduce crop yield and even be associated with illnesses in humans and animals. This research focused on developing an environmentally friendly, affordable, and non-toxic antifungal agent to combat these diseases caused by soil-borne fungi. Magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles, known for their antifungal properties, were incorporated into a pyrolyzed carbon matrix derived from coconut coir dust (Mg-PCC). During the in situ synthesis, clean, dry coconut coir was treated with magnesium nitrate (Mg(NO3)2) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH), followed by pyrolysis at 450 °C for 1 h. The Mg-PCC sample was characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The antifungal efficacy of Mg-PCC was tested at three different concentrations against the soil-borne fungi Ganoderma sp., Mucor fusiformis, and Aspergillus niger using a mycelial growth inhibition assay. At a concentration of 10,000 μg/ml, Mg-PCC demonstrated the highest antifungal activity. Further evaluation in soil medium revealed that an optimal dosage of 20 mg of Mg-PCC per 1 g of soil effectively inhibits fungal growth. These findings suggest that Mg-PCC is a potent antifungal agent against soil-borne fungi.

Keywords: antifungal agent; MgO nanoparticles; pyrolyzed coconut coir; soil-borne fungi; Frontiers in Chemical Technology 2024
Corresponding author: Chandani Perera, Department of Chemistry, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka; and College of Chemical Science, Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, Adamantane House, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka, e-mail:
Article note: A collection of invited papers based on presentations at the Second Conference on Frontiers in Chemical Technology held on 20–22 June 2024 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, for providing chemicals and laboratory facilities in conducting this research.

  1. Research ethics: Not applicable.

  2. Informed consent: Prior to their participation in the study, all subjects provided informed consent. Participants received a comprehensive information sheet explaining the goals, methods, possible dangers, and advantages of the study. Every participant completed a consent form.

  3. Author contributions: Conceptualization, Chandani Perera; methodology, Isuru Ekanayake; data curation, Isuru Ekanayake; writing original draft, Isuru Ekanayake; writing review, editing, and supervision, Sanath Rajapakse, Chamara Jayasundera and Chandani Perera. All authors have read and agreed to the manuscript.

  4. Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.

  5. Conflict of interest: The author states no conflict of interest.

  6. Research funding: None declared.

  7. Data availability: The data used to support the findings of this study are included within the article.

Appendix

Fig. 4: Radial growth inhibition of Ganoderma sp., by different concentrations of synthesized particles.
Fig. 4:

Radial growth inhibition of Ganoderma sp., by different concentrations of synthesized particles.

Fig. 5: Radial growth inhibition of Mucor fusiformis, by different concentrations of synthesized particles.
Fig. 5:

Radial growth inhibition of Mucor fusiformis, by different concentrations of synthesized particles.

Fig. 6: Radial growth inhibition of Aspergillus niger, by different concentrations of synthesized particles.
Fig. 6:

Radial growth inhibition of Aspergillus niger, by different concentrations of synthesized particles.

Fig. 7: Growth of fungi without application of synthesized particles to the soil.
Fig. 7:

Growth of fungi without application of synthesized particles to the soil.

Fig. 8: Growth of fungi after application of 10 mg g−1 of synthesized particles to the soil.
Fig. 8:

Growth of fungi after application of 10 mg g−1 of synthesized particles to the soil.

Fig. 9: Growth of fungi after application of 20 mg g−1 of synthesized particles to the soil.
Fig. 9:

Growth of fungi after application of 20 mg g−1 of synthesized particles to the soil.

References

1. Niego, G. T.; Lambert, C.; Mortimer, P.; Thongklang, N.; Rapior, S.; Grosse, M.; Schrey, H.; Charria-Girón, E.; Walker, A.; Hyde, K. D.; Stadler, M. The Contribution of Fungi to the Global Economy. Fungal Divers. 2023, 121, 95–137; https://doi.org/10.1007/s13225-023-00520-9.Search in Google Scholar

2. Yao, L.; Ban, F.; Peng, S.; Xu, D.; Li, H.; Mo, H.; Hu, L.; Zhou, X. Exogenous Iron Induces NADPH Oxidases-Dependent Ferroptosis in the Conidia of Aspergillus flavus. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2021, 69, 13608–13617; https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.1c04411.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

3. Mori, T.; Ohta, S.; Ishizuka, S.; Konda, R.; Wicaksono, A.; Heriyanto, J.; Hardjono, A. Effects of Phosphorus Application on Root Respiration and Heterotrophic Microbial Respiration in Acacia mangium Plantation Soil. Tropics 2013, 22, 113–118; https://doi.org/10.3759/tropics.22.113.Search in Google Scholar

4. Eleraky, N. E.; Allam, A.; Hassan, S. B.; Omar, M. M. Nanomedicine Fight against Antibacterial Resistance: An Overview of the Recent Pharmaceutical Innovations. Pharmaceutics 2020, 12, 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics12020142.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

5. Koul; Poonia, A. K.; Yadav, D.; Jin, J.-O. Microbe-mediated Biosynthesis of Nanoparticles: Applications and Future Prospects. Biomolecules 2021, 11, 886; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11060886.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

6. Abdel-Aziz, M. M.; Emam, T. M.; Elsherbiny, E. A. Bioactivity of Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized from Cell Filtrate of Endobacterium Burkholderia rinojensis against Fusarium oxysporum. Mater. Sci. Eng. 2020, 109, 110617; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2019.110617.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

7. Lin, J.; Nguyen, N.-Y. T.; Zhang, C.; Ha, A.; Liu, H. H. Antimicrobial Properties of MgO Nanostructures on Magnesium Substrates. ACS Omega 2020, 5, 24613–24627; https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.0c03151.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

8. Bhattacharya, P.; Dey, A.; Neogi, S. An Insight Into the Mechanism of Antibacterial Activity by Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles. J. Mater. Chem. B 2021, 9, 5329–5339; https://doi.org/10.1039/d1tb00875g.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

9. Bathi, J. R.; Moazeni, F.; Upadhyayula, V. K. K.; Chowdhury, I.; Palchoudhury, S.; Potts, G. E.; Gadhamshetty, V. Behavior of Engineered Nanoparticles in Aquatic Environmental Samples: Current Status and Challenges. Sci. Total Environ. 2021, 793, 148560; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148560.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

10. Hettiarachchi, E.; Perera, R.; Chandani Perera, A. D. L.; Kottegoda, N. Activated Coconut Coir for Removal of Sodium and Magnesium Ions from Saline Water. Desalination Water Treat. 2015, 57, 22341–22352; https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2015.1129649.Search in Google Scholar

11. Khezerlou; Alizadeh-Sani, M.; Azizi-Lalabadi, M.; Ehsani, A. Nanoparticles and Their Antimicrobial Properties against Pathogens Including Bacteria, Fungi, Parasites and Viruses. Microb. Pathog. 2018, 123, 505–526; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micpath.2018.08.008.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

12. Kirkegaard, M. L.; Kines, P.; Jeschke, K. C.; Jensen, K. A. Risk Perceptions and Safety Cultures in the Handling of Nanomaterials in Academia and Industry. Ann. Work Expo. Health 2020, 64, 479–489; https://doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxaa022.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

13. Wigger, H.; Kägi, R.; Wiesner, M.; Nowack, B. Exposure and Possible Risks of Engineered Nanomaterials in the Environment—Current Knowledge and Directions for the Future. Rev. Geophys. 2020, 58; https://doi.org/10.1029/2020rg000710.Search in Google Scholar

14. Pereira, F. S.; Silva Neto, O. C. d.; Dias, T. G.; Reis, A. S.; Pedrochi, F.; Steimacher, A.; Barboza, M. J. The Role of MgO on Physical and Bioactive Properties of Borophosphate Glasses for Biomedical Applications. Ceram. Int. 2024, 50, 17532–17543; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2024.02.241.Search in Google Scholar

15. Wojnarowicz, J.; Chudoba, T.; Lojkowski, W. A Review of Microwave Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanomaterials: Reactants, Process Parameters and Morphologies. Nanomaterials 2020, 10, 1086; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10061086.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

16. Ho, N.; Tang, K.; Ngo, V.; Livits, I.; Morrel, A.; Noor, B.; Tseng, K.; Chung, E. J. Nanoparticles-Based Technologies for Cholera Detection and Therapy. SLAS Technol. 2023, 28, 384–392; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.slast.2023.10.006.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

17. Li, M.; Guo, W.; Li, H.; Dai, W.; Yang, B. Electrochemical Biosensor Based on One-Dimensional MgO Nanostructures for the Simultaneous Determination of Ascorbic Acid, Dopamine, and Uric Acid. Sens. Actuators B 2014, 204, 629–636; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2014.08.022.Search in Google Scholar

18. Mazaheri, N.; Naghsh, N.; Karimi, A.; Salavati, H. In vivo Toxicity Investigation of Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles in Rat for Environmental and Biomedical Applications. Iran. J. Biotechnol. 2019, 17, 1–9; https://doi.org/10.21859/ijb.1543.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

19. Verma, S. K.; Nisha, K.; Panda, P. K.; Patel, P.; Kumari, P.; Mallick, M. A.; Sarkar, B.; Das, B. Green Synthesized MgO Nanoparticles Infer Biocompatibility by Reducing In Vivo Molecular Nanotoxicity in Embryonic Zebrafish through Arginine Interaction Elicited Apoptosis. Sci. Total Environ. 2020, 713, 136521; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136521.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

20. Rempel, S.; Ogliari, A. J.; Bonfim, E.; Duarte, G. W.; Riella, H. G.; Silva, L. L.; Mello, J. M. M.; Baretta, C. R. D. M.; Fiori, M. A. Toxicity Effects of Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles: A Brief Report. Mater. (Rio Jan.) 2020, 25.10.1590/s1517-707620200004.1170Search in Google Scholar

21. Pathania, P.; Rajta, A.; Singh, P. C.; Bhatia, R. Role of Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria in Sustainable Agriculture. Biocatal. Agric. Biotechnol. 2020, 30, 101842; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcab.2020.101842.Search in Google Scholar

22. Huber, M.; Jones, J. B. The Role of Magnesium in Plant Disease. Plant Soil 2012, 368, 73–85; https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1476-0.Search in Google Scholar

23. Li, S.; Liu, Y.; Wang, J.; Yang, L.; Zhang, S.; Xu, C.; Ding, W. Soil Acidification Aggravates the Occurrence of Bacterial Wilt in South China. Front. Microbiol. 2017, 8, 703; https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.00703.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

24. Shen, G.; Zhang, S.; Liu, X.; Jiang, Q.; Ding, W. Soil Acidification Amendments Change the Rhizosphere Bacterial Community of Tobacco in a Bacterial Wilt Affected Field. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 2018, 102, 9781–9791; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-018-9347-0.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

25. Xue; Liu, Z.; Dai, L.; Bu, J.; Liu, M.; Zhao, Z.; Jiang, Z.; Gao, W.; Zhao, J. Changing Host Photosynthetic, Carbohydrate, and Energy Metabolisms Play Important Roles in Phytoplasma Infection. Phytopathology® 2018, 108, 1067–1077; https://doi.org/10.1094/phyto-02-18-0058-r.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

26. Velintine, V. A.; Wee, B.; Droepenu, E.; Chin, S.; Kuan, Y. Biointerface Res. Appl. Chem. 2020, 11, 11256–11271.10.33263/BRIAC114.1125611271Search in Google Scholar

27. Cai, L.; Liu, M.; Liu, Z.; Yang, H.; Sun, X.; Chen, J.; Xiang, S.; Ding, W. MgONPs Can Boost Plant Growth: Evidence from Increased Seedling Growth, Morpho-Physiological Activities, and Mg Uptake in Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.). Molecules 2018, 23, 3375; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23123375.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

28. Jogaiah, S.; Paidi, M. K.; Venugopal, K.; Geetha, N.; Mujtaba, M.; Udikeri, S. S.; Govarthanan, M. Phytotoxicological Effects of Engineered Nanoparticles: An Emerging Nanotoxicology. Sci. Total Environ. 2021, 801, 149809; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149809.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

29. Faizan, M.; Bhat, J. A.; El-Serehy, H. A.; Moustakas, M.; Ahmad, P. MgO nanoparticles reduce arsenic toxicity in soybean by improving photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and antioxidant potential. Metals 2022, 12, 2030; https://doi.org/10.3390/met12122030.Search in Google Scholar
Received: 2024-09-16
Accepted: 2025-01-22
Published Online: 2025-02-12
Published in Print: 2025-12-17

© 2025 IUPAC & De Gruyter

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Special Issue Articles
  3. Magnesium oxide nanoparticles impregnated pyrolyzed coconut coir as an antifungal agent
  4. Comparative analysis of physicochemical, nutritional, functional, and sensory properties of rice bran oil from white (Bg 300) and brown rice (At 362)
  5. Electrochemical synthesis of porous polyaniline for supercapacitor application
  6. Modelling an amorphous biochar structure using classical molecular dynamics simulations
  7. Photocatalytic activity of C, N and S doped SnO2: effective band gap engineering to increase the quantum efficiency and exploration of the change in the position of Fermi energy with dopant concentration and its influence on photoreactivity
  8. Temporal variation of heavy metals in groundwater of North Central Province of Sri Lanka
  9. Regular Articles
  10. Synthesis and characterization of thermally stable quinoxaline-based polyamides
  11. Density-based solvent separation method for recycling mixed low-value plastic waste
  12. Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic behavior against HeLa of iridium (III) complexes, half sandwich type
  13. Assess the sensitivity of gas and liquid chromatography for detecting trace substances in the environment
  14. Novel hybrid indazole-based 2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione derivatives: design, synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, SAR, molecular docking, pharmacokinetics and toxicological activities
  15. Metal ions complexes with an azo compound derived from 2-amino-5-nitrothiazole: spectrophotometric determination and antioxidant activity in spiked samples
  16. Synthesis of N-formyl dihydropyrazoles as urease inhibitors
  17. Moisture resistant K-loaded ZIF-8 catalyst for glycerol carbonate production
  18. Synthesis, properties and application prospects in biomedical areas of unsaturated polyester resin modified with iron(II) clathrochelate
https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2024-0272
Keywords for this article
antifungal agent; MgO nanoparticles; pyrolyzed coconut coir; soil-borne fungi; Frontiers in Chemical Technology 2024

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Special Issue Articles
  3. Magnesium oxide nanoparticles impregnated pyrolyzed coconut coir as an antifungal agent
  4. Comparative analysis of physicochemical, nutritional, functional, and sensory properties of rice bran oil from white (Bg 300) and brown rice (At 362)
  5. Electrochemical synthesis of porous polyaniline for supercapacitor application
  6. Modelling an amorphous biochar structure using classical molecular dynamics simulations
  7. Photocatalytic activity of C, N and S doped SnO2: effective band gap engineering to increase the quantum efficiency and exploration of the change in the position of Fermi energy with dopant concentration and its influence on photoreactivity
  8. Temporal variation of heavy metals in groundwater of North Central Province of Sri Lanka
  9. Regular Articles
  10. Synthesis and characterization of thermally stable quinoxaline-based polyamides
  11. Density-based solvent separation method for recycling mixed low-value plastic waste
  12. Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic behavior against HeLa of iridium (III) complexes, half sandwich type
  13. Assess the sensitivity of gas and liquid chromatography for detecting trace substances in the environment
  14. Novel hybrid indazole-based 2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione derivatives: design, synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, SAR, molecular docking, pharmacokinetics and toxicological activities
  15. Metal ions complexes with an azo compound derived from 2-amino-5-nitrothiazole: spectrophotometric determination and antioxidant activity in spiked samples
  16. Synthesis of N-formyl dihydropyrazoles as urease inhibitors
  17. Moisture resistant K-loaded ZIF-8 catalyst for glycerol carbonate production
  18. Synthesis, properties and application prospects in biomedical areas of unsaturated polyester resin modified with iron(II) clathrochelate
Sign up now to receive a 20% welcome discount
Institutional Access
How does access work?
Winner of the OpenAthens UX Award 2026
Winner of the OpenAthens UX Award 2026
Have an idea on how to improve our website?
Please write us.
© 2026 De Gruyter Brill
Downloaded on 22.3.2026 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/pac-2024-0272/html
Scroll to top button