Green Synthesis of pleurotus Eryngii-derived Nanomaterials for Phytopathogen Control

Abstract

Growing concerns over the human health and environmental impacts of conventional fungicides, coupled with the escalating challenge of microbial resistance, have fueled the search for sustainable biocontrol strategies against plant pathogens. This study reports, for the first time, the green synthesis and characterization of a novel, eco-friendly nanomaterial, designated Pleurotus eryngii-Lecithin-Chitosan Nanomaterial (PEELCN), derived from P. eryngii extract (PEE), lecithin (L), and chitosan (C). The structural attributes of PEELCN were elucidated using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and zeta potential measurements, confirming the successful formation of a stable and uniform nanostructure. The antifungal activity of PEELCN, and PEE, was assessed against five economically important phytopathogenic fungi: Neoscytalidium dimidiatum, Alternaria alternata, Verticillium dahliae, Bipolaris sorokiniana, and Fusarium oxysporum. Both PEE and PEELCN exhibited significant inhibitory effects on the mycelial growth of V. dahliae, B. sorokiniana, and N. dimidiatum, with varying degrees of efficacy. The differential antifungal activity suggests a species-specific mode of action. The findings highlight the promising potential of PEELCN as a sustainable, biocompatible, and cost-effective nanofungicide for the management of plant diseases, with the potential for development into a commercially viable biofungicide for sustainable agriculture.