Optimization of silver nanoparticle synthesis parameters using fungal biomass immobilized in alginate

• Grant number: 24/03109-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Cristiane Angélica Ottoni
• Grantee: Ana Vitória Strilicherk
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB-CLP). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus Experimental do Litoral Paulista. São Vicente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Bionanotechnology emerged as an integration between biotechnology and nanotechnology for the development of biological synthesis and environmentally beneficial technology for the synthesis of nanomaterials. Due to their recognized antimicrobial activity, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of biological origin are considered promising bionanotechnological materials for various industrial and environmental applications. Among the different organisms capable of biosynthesizing AgNPs, filamentous fungi (Ff) stand out for their economic viability, ease of handling, rapid obtaining of biomass for processing, and large-scale secretion of extracellular enzymes. However, the production of biological AgNPs requires implementations that include a better understanding of the influence of abiotic parameters on the biosynthesis process. The optimization of these parameters is essential for better control over the size, shape, and monodispersity of the aforementioned nanomaterials and, consequently, for the development of a production process on a commercial scale. In this sense, the present study aims to optimize the AgNP synthesis process using Ff Aspergillus niger IBCLP20 biomass immobilized in alginate. In general terms, the Rotational Central Composite Design experiment planning technique will be used to evaluate the effects of the parameters concentration of the precursor metal AgNO3 (mM), agitation (rpm), and temperature (ºC) on the formation of AgNPs. The AgNPs obtained will be continuously characterized by different techniques, as well as their antimicrobial action against the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. The results generated will contemplate the sustainable development objective 9 set out in the 2030 Agenda proposed by the UN.