Evaluation of antifungal activity of ferrous oxide (Fe2O3) and ferric oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles on Aspergillus flavus

Ashraf A. Abd El-Tawab1 , Ahmed, M. A. 2 , El- Diasty, E.M.3 , Fatma I El-Hofy1 and Ahmed Youssef M. Metwally4

Abstract

Nanoparticle is a new innovation of using particles in a new size which ranged from1- 100 nanometers that equal 1 X10-6 meter. In this study we evaluated the antifungal effect of Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 nanoparticles on Aspergillus flavus (KP137700) selected for the study isolated from broiler feed by Mycology Department of the Animal Health Research Institute, Giza, Egypt. Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 nanoparticles synthesized by co-precipitate method. The size of synthesized nanoparticles was 45 nanometer for Fe2O3 and 9 nanometer for Fe3O4. The antifungal effect Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 nanoparticles against Aspergillus flavus measured by MIC method and evaluated by scanning electron microscope. The results revealed that Fe2O3 nanoparticles have antifungal effect more than Fe3O4 nanoparticles.

Key words

Nanopaticles, Fe2O3, Fe3O4, Antifungal, Aspergillus flavus.