1
|
Swiontek Brzezinska M, Shinde AH, Kaczmarek-Szczepańska B, Jankiewicz U, Urbaniak J, Boczkowski S, Zasada L, Ciesielska M, Dembińska K, Pałubicka K, Michalska-Sionkowska M. Biodegradability Study of Modified Chitosan Films with Cinnamic Acid and Ellagic Acid in Soil. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:574. [PMID: 38475259 DOI: 10.3390/polym16050574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Currently, natural polymer materials with bactericidal properties are extremely popular. Unfortunately, although the biopolymer material itself is biodegradable, its enrichment with bactericidal compounds may affect the efficiency of biodegradation by natural soil microflora. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of fungi belonging to the genus Trichoderma in facilitating the degradation of chitosan film modified with cinnamic acid and ellagic acid in the soil environment. Only two strains (T.07 and T.14) used chitosan films as a source of carbon and nitrogen. However, their respiratory activity decreased with the addition of tested phenolic acids, especially cinnamic acid. Addition of Trichoderma isolates to the soil increased oxygen consumption during the biodegradation process compared with native microorganisms, especially after application of the T.07 and T.14 consortium. Isolates T.07 and T.14 showed high lipolytic (55.78 U/h and 62.21 U/h) and chitinase (43.03 U/h and 41.27 U/h) activities. Chitinase activity after incorporation of the materials into the soil was higher for samples enriched with T.07, T.14 and the consortium. The isolates were classified as Trichoderma sp. and Trichoderma koningii. Considering the outcomes derived from our findings, it is our contention that the application of Trichoderma isolates holds promise for expediting the degradation process of chitosan materials containing bactericidal compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Swiontek Brzezinska
- Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Ambika H Shinde
- Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Beata Kaczmarek-Szczepańska
- Department of Biomaterials and Cosmetics Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Gagarina 7, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Urszula Jankiewicz
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Institute of Biology, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Urbaniak
- Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Sławomir Boczkowski
- Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Lidia Zasada
- Department of Biomaterials and Cosmetics Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Gagarina 7, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Magdalena Ciesielska
- Department of Biomaterials and Cosmetics Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Gagarina 7, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Dembińska
- Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Krystyna Pałubicka
- Department of Conservation and Restoration of Paper and Leather, Nicolaus Copernicus University, ul. Sienkiewicza 30/32, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Marta Michalska-Sionkowska
- Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Toffolatti SL, Davillerd Y, D’Isita I, Facchinelli C, Germinara GS, Ippolito A, Khamis Y, Kowalska J, Maddalena G, Marchand P, Marcianò D, Mihály K, Mincuzzi A, Mori N, Piancatelli S, Sándor E, Romanazzi G. Are Basic Substances a Key to Sustainable Pest and Disease Management in Agriculture? An Open Field Perspective. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3152. [PMID: 37687399 PMCID: PMC10490370 DOI: 10.3390/plants12173152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Pathogens and pests constantly challenge food security and safety worldwide. The use of plant protection products to manage them raises concerns related to human health, the environment, and economic costs. Basic substances are active, non-toxic compounds that are not predominantly used as plant protection products but hold potential in crop protection. Basic substances' attention is rising due to their safety and cost-effectiveness. However, data on their protection levels in crop protection strategies are lacking. In this review, we critically analyzed the literature concerning the field application of known and potential basic substances for managing diseases and pests, investigating their efficacy and potential integration into plant protection programs. Case studies related to grapevine, potato, and fruit protection from pre- and post-harvest diseases and pests were considered. In specific cases, basic substances and chitosan in particular, could complement or even substitute plant protection products, either chemicals or biologicals, but their efficacy varied greatly according to various factors, including the origin of the substance, the crop, the pathogen or pest, and the timing and method of application. Therefore, a careful evaluation of the field application is needed to promote the successful use of basic substances in sustainable pest management strategies in specific contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Laura Toffolatti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali (DiSAA), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy; (G.M.); (D.M.)
| | - Yann Davillerd
- Institut de l’Agriculture et de l’Alimentation Biologiques (ITAB), 149 rue de BERCY, F-75012 Paris, France; (Y.D.); (P.M.)
| | - Ilaria D’Isita
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimenti, Risorse Naturali e Ingegneria (DAFNE), University of Foggia, Via Napoli 25, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (I.D.); (G.S.G.)
| | - Chiara Facchinelli
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy; (C.F.); (A.M.); (N.M.)
| | - Giacinto Salvatore Germinara
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimenti, Risorse Naturali e Ingegneria (DAFNE), University of Foggia, Via Napoli 25, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (I.D.); (G.S.G.)
| | - Antonio Ippolito
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy;
| | - Youssef Khamis
- Agricultural Research Center, Plant Pathology Research Institute, 9 Gamaa St., Giza 12619, Egypt;
| | - Jolanta Kowalska
- Department of Organic Agriculture and Environmental Protection, Institute of Plant Protection–National Research Institute, Władysława Wêgorka 20, 60-318 Poznañ, Poland;
| | - Giuliana Maddalena
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali (DiSAA), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy; (G.M.); (D.M.)
| | - Patrice Marchand
- Institut de l’Agriculture et de l’Alimentation Biologiques (ITAB), 149 rue de BERCY, F-75012 Paris, France; (Y.D.); (P.M.)
| | - Demetrio Marcianò
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali (DiSAA), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy; (G.M.); (D.M.)
| | - Kata Mihály
- Faculty of Agricultural and Food Science and Environmental Management, Institute of Food Science, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi út 138, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (K.M.); (E.S.)
| | - Annamaria Mincuzzi
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy; (C.F.); (A.M.); (N.M.)
| | - Nicola Mori
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy; (C.F.); (A.M.); (N.M.)
| | - Simone Piancatelli
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Brecce Bianche 10, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (S.P.); (G.R.)
| | - Erzsébet Sándor
- Faculty of Agricultural and Food Science and Environmental Management, Institute of Food Science, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi út 138, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (K.M.); (E.S.)
| | - Gianfranco Romanazzi
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Brecce Bianche 10, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (S.P.); (G.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Guzmán-Guzmán P, Kumar A, de los Santos-Villalobos S, Parra-Cota FI, Orozco-Mosqueda MDC, Fadiji AE, Hyder S, Babalola OO, Santoyo G. Trichoderma Species: Our Best Fungal Allies in the Biocontrol of Plant Diseases-A Review. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:plants12030432. [PMID: 36771517 PMCID: PMC9921048 DOI: 10.3390/plants12030432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Biocontrol agents (BCA) have been an important tool in agriculture to prevent crop losses due to plant pathogens infections and to increase plant food production globally, diminishing the necessity for chemical pesticides and fertilizers and offering a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option. Fungi from the genus Trichoderma are among the most used and studied microorganisms as BCA due to the variety of biocontrol traits, such as parasitism, antibiosis, secondary metabolites (SM) production, and plant defense system induction. Several Trichoderma species are well-known mycoparasites. However, some of those species can antagonize other organisms such as nematodes and plant pests, making this fungus a very versatile BCA. Trichoderma has been used in agriculture as part of innovative bioformulations, either just Trichoderma species or in combination with other plant-beneficial microbes, such as plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB). Here, we review the most recent literature regarding the biocontrol studies about six of the most used Trichoderma species, T. atroviride, T. harzianum, T. asperellum, T. virens, T. longibrachiatum, and T. viride, highlighting their biocontrol traits and the use of these fungal genera in Trichoderma-based formulations to control or prevent plant diseases, and their importance as a substitute for chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Guzmán-Guzmán
- Instituto de Investigaciones Químico-Biológicas, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia 58030, Mexico
| | - Ajay Kumar
- Department of Postharvest Science, ARO, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
| | | | - Fannie I. Parra-Cota
- Campo Experimental Norman E. Borlaug, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP), Ciudad Obregón 85000, Mexico
| | | | - Ayomide Emmanuel Fadiji
- Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
| | - Sajjad Hyder
- Department of Botany, Government College Women University Sialkot, Sialkot 51310, Pakistan
| | - Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
- Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
| | - Gustavo Santoyo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Químico-Biológicas, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia 58030, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rodrigues AO, May De Mio LL, Soccol CR. Trichoderma as a powerful fungal disease control agent for a more sustainable and healthy agriculture: recent studies and molecular insights. PLANTA 2023; 257:31. [PMID: 36602606 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-022-04053-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Molecular studies have elucidated Trichoderma's biocontrol mechanisms. Since fungicides have limited use, Trichoderma could control disease by new metabolic routes and epigenetic alterations. Due to environmental and health hazards, agrochemicals have been a concern since they were introduced in agriculture. Trichoderma, a well-known fungal genus with different mechanisms of action, is an alternative to pesticides and a great tool to help minimize disease incidence. Trichoderma-treated plants mainly benefit from disease control and growth promotion through priming, and these fungi can modulate plants' gene expression by boosting their immune system, accelerating their response to threats, and building stress tolerance. The latest studies suggest that epigenetics is required for plant priming and could be essential for growth promotion, expanding the possibilities for producing new resistant plant varieties. Trichoderma's propagules can be mass produced and formulated depending on the delivery method. Microsclerotia-based bioproducts could be a promising way of increasing the reliability and durability of marketed products in the field, as well as help guarantee longer shelf life. Developing novel formulations and selecting efficient Trichoderma strains can be tiresome, but patent search indicates an increase in the industrialization and commercialization of technologies and an expansion of companies' involvement in research and development in this field. Although Trichoderma is considered a well-known fungal genus, it still attracts the attention of large companies, universities, and research institutes around the world.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda O Rodrigues
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, 81531-908, Brazil
| | - Louise L May De Mio
- Department of Crop Science and Protection, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, 80035-050, Brazil
| | - Carlos R Soccol
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, 81531-908, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cortés-Rojas D, Santos-Diaz A, Torres-Torres L, Zapata-Narváez Y, Beltrán-Acosta C, Cruz-Barrera M. Trichoderma koningiopsis Survival on Coated Seeds and Effect on Plant Growth Promotion in Rice (Oryza sativa). Curr Microbiol 2022; 80:22. [PMID: 36460904 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-022-03076-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Seed coating is an alternative delivery system for beneficial plant microorganisms into the soil. Although seed coats are widely used for the application of agrochemicals, the incorporation of beneficial microorganisms has not been explored deeply and their survival on seeds while in storage is unknown. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of the coating process on microbial survival and on plant growth promotion. Two coating formulations were designed, and assessed by two coating processes: rotating drum and fluidized bed. The rotating drum process resulted in more uniform coatings than in the fluidized bed process. In addition, with this coating technique, lower viability losses over time were observed. The rotatory drum prototype containing a biopolymer and a clay mineral derivate (P90) showed the best behavior at the three temperatures evaluated, with superior viabilities compared to the other prototypes and the lowest loss of viability after 12 months. The formulation of this coating prototype may preserve the viability of Trichoderma koningiopsis Th003 up to 15 months at 8 °C, 9 months at 18 °C, and 3 months at 28 °C, which are very promising shelf-life results. Regarding the effect of seed coating on plant growth, prototypes showed higher yields > 16% than the control, comparable to the conventional use of Tricotec® WG, which may reduce the number of applications and water consumption for dissolution of the inoculant. The results demonstrated that the formulation composition, as well as the coating process may impact the microbial survival on seeds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diego Cortés-Rojas
- Bioproducts Department, Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria (AGROSAVIA), Colombia. Km 14 via Mosquera-Bogotá, Mosquera, Colombia
| | - Adriana Santos-Diaz
- Tibaitatá Research Center, Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria (AGROSAVIA), Colombia. Km 14 via Mosquera-Bogotá, Mosquera, Colombia
| | - Lissette Torres-Torres
- Tibaitatá Research Center, Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria (AGROSAVIA), Colombia. Km 14 via Mosquera-Bogotá, Mosquera, Colombia
| | - Yimmy Zapata-Narváez
- Tibaitatá Research Center, Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria (AGROSAVIA), Colombia. Km 14 via Mosquera-Bogotá, Mosquera, Colombia
| | - Camilo Beltrán-Acosta
- Tibaitatá Research Center, Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria (AGROSAVIA), Colombia. Km 14 via Mosquera-Bogotá, Mosquera, Colombia
| | - Mauricio Cruz-Barrera
- Bioproducts Department, Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria (AGROSAVIA), Colombia. Km 14 via Mosquera-Bogotá, Mosquera, Colombia.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Debnath D, Samal I, Mohapatra C, Routray S, Kesawat MS, Labanya R. Chitosan: An Autocidal Molecule of Plant Pathogenic Fungus. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12111908. [PMID: 36431043 PMCID: PMC9694207 DOI: 10.3390/life12111908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The rise in the world's food demand with the increasing population threatens the existence of civilization with two equally valuable concerns: increase in global food production and sustainability in the ecosystem. Furthermore, biotic and abiotic stresses are adversely affecting agricultural production. Among them, losses caused by insect pests and pathogens have been shown to be more destructive to agricultural production. However, for winning the battle against the abundance of insect pests and pathogens and their nature of resistance development, the team of researchers is searching for an alternative way to minimize losses caused by them. Chitosan, a natural biopolymer, coupled with a proper application method and effective dose could be an integral part of sustainable alternatives in the safer agricultural sector. In this review, we have integrated the insight knowledge of chitin-chitosan interaction, successful and efficient use of chitosan, recommended and practical methods of use with well-defined doses, and last but not least the dual but contrast mode of action of the chitosan in hosts and as well as in pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Debanjana Debnath
- Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Sri Sri University, Cuttack 754006, Odisha, India
| | - Ipsita Samal
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Sri Sri University, Cuttack 754006, Odisha, India
| | - Chinmayee Mohapatra
- Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Sri Sri University, Cuttack 754006, Odisha, India
| | - Snehasish Routray
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Sri Sri University, Cuttack 754006, Odisha, India
| | - Mahipal Singh Kesawat
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Sri Sri University, Cuttack 754006, Odisha, India
| | - Rini Labanya
- Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Sri Sri University, Cuttack 754006, Odisha, India
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kappel L, Kosa N, Gruber S. The Multilateral Efficacy of Chitosan and Trichoderma on Sugar Beet. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8020137. [PMID: 35205892 PMCID: PMC8879458 DOI: 10.3390/jof8020137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The majority of all fungal formulations contain Trichoderma spp., making them effective biological control agents for agriculture. Chitosan, one of the most effective natural biopolymers, was also reported as a plant resistance enhancer and as a biocide against a variety of plant pathogens. An in vitro three-way interaction assay of T. atroviride, chitosan, and important plant pathogens (such as Cercospora beticola and Fusarium oxysporum) revealed a synergistic effect on fungistasis. Furthermore, chitosan coating on Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris seeds positively affected the onset and efficiency of germination. We show that priming with T. atroviride spores or chitosan leads to the induced expression of a pathogenesis-related gene (PR-3), but only supplementation of chitosan led to significant upregulation of phytoalexin synthesis (PAL) and oxidative stress-related genes (GST) as a defense response. Repeated foliar application of either agent promoted growth, triggered defense reactions, and reduced incidence of Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) disease in B. vulgaris. Our data suggest that both agents are excellent candidates to replace or assist common fungicides in use. Chitosan triggered the systemic resistance and had a biocidal effect, while T. atroviride mainly induced stress-related defense genes in B. vulgaris. We assume that both agents act synergistically across different signaling pathways, which could be of high relevance for their combinatorial and thus beneficial application on field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Kappel
- Department of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
- Department of Bioengineering, FH Campus Wien, University of Applied Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Nicole Kosa
- Department of Bioengineering, FH Campus Wien, University of Applied Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Sabine Gruber
- Department of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
- Department of Bioengineering, FH Campus Wien, University of Applied Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria;
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Development, Production, and Storage of Trichoderma Formulations for Agricultural Applications. Fungal Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-91650-3_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
9
|
Impact of Chitosan on Water Stability and Wettability of Soils. MATERIALS 2021; 14:ma14247724. [PMID: 34947320 PMCID: PMC8706192 DOI: 10.3390/ma14247724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Chitosan has become increasingly applied in agriculture worldwide, thus entering the soil environment. We hypothesized that chitosan should affect the water stability of soil. Since this problem has not been studied to date, we examined, for the first time, the influence of chitosan on the water stability and wettability of soil aggregates. The aggregates were prepared from four soils with various properties amended with different amounts of two kinds of powdered chitosan, and subjected to 1 and/or 10 wetting–drying cycles. The water stability was measured by monitoring air bubbling after aggregate immersion in water, and the wettability was measured by a water drop penetration test. The biopolymer with a lower molecular mass, lower viscosity, and higher degree of deacetylation was more effective in increasing the water stability of the soil than the biopolymer with a higher molecular mass, higher viscosity, and lower deacetylation degree. After a single wetting-drying cycle, the water stability of the soil aggregates containing chitosan with a higher molecular mass was generally lower than that of the soil; after ten wetting–drying cycles, the water stability increased 1.5 to 20 times depending on the soil. The addition of low-molecular-mass chitosan after a single wetting-drying cycle caused the water stability to become one to two hundred times higher than that of the soil. A trial to find out which soil properties (pH, C and N content, bulk density, porosity, and particle size distribution) are responsible for the effectiveness of chitosan action was not successful, and this will be the objective of further studies.
Collapse
|
10
|
Ho FKH, Bolhuis A, Delgado-Charro MB. Prevention and Treatment of Fungal Skin Infections Using Cationic Polymeric Films. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13081161. [PMID: 34452122 PMCID: PMC8398677 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13081161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Dermatophytosis is a fungal infection of skin, nails and hair. Treatments can be long and infections are often recurrent, and novel treatments are desirable. Here we tested the use of polymeric films that can be sprayed on the skin for the prevention and treatment of dermatophytosis. The two polymers selected were ABIL T Quat 60 and Eudragit E100, which were tested ex vivo using a porcine skin model, and in vitro using microbiological and microscopy techniques. Acceptability of the polymeric films was tested on the skin of healthy volunteers. The results showed that ABIL and Eudragit films prevented and treated fungal skin infections. Whilst polymer films may provide a physical barrier that prevents fungal colonization, it was shown that both polymers are active antifungals ex vivo and in vitro and have intrinsic antifungal activity. For ABIL, we also established that this polymer binds essential nutrients such as metal ions and sugars, thereby restricting the growth of fungi. When applied to healthy subjects’ skin, the polymeric films neither modified the skin color nor increased trans-epidermal water loss, suggesting a low potential for skin irritation, and the approach was generally found to be acceptable for use by the volunteers. In conclusion, we developed a novel strategy for the potential prevention and treatment of dermatophytosis.
Collapse
|