Silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles affect the morphology, sporulation, mycotoxin production, and pathogenicity of Fusarium brachygibbosum infecting olive trees

IntroductionThis study investigates the In Vitro antifungal activity of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) against mycotoxigenic Fusarium brachygibbosum species, a fungus posing a significant threat to olive trees in Tunisia.MethodsTwo different doses of SiO2 NPs (100 and 200 mg kg -1 ) were u...

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Main Authors: Meryam Belhedi, Besma Sghaier-Hammami, Mario Masiello, Haythem Nafati, Stefania Somma, Lucia Gambacorta, Rached Salhi, Mouna Messaoud, Sonia Labidi, Antonio Moretti, Sofiene B. M. Hammami
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Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Nanotechnology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnano.2025.1569453/full
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author Meryam Belhedi
Meryam Belhedi
Besma Sghaier-Hammami
Mario Masiello
Haythem Nafati
Stefania Somma
Lucia Gambacorta
Rached Salhi
Rached Salhi
Mouna Messaoud
Sonia Labidi
Antonio Moretti
Sofiene B. M. Hammami
author_facet Meryam Belhedi
Meryam Belhedi
Besma Sghaier-Hammami
Mario Masiello
Haythem Nafati
Stefania Somma
Lucia Gambacorta
Rached Salhi
Rached Salhi
Mouna Messaoud
Sonia Labidi
Antonio Moretti
Sofiene B. M. Hammami
author_sort Meryam Belhedi
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThis study investigates the In Vitro antifungal activity of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) against mycotoxigenic Fusarium brachygibbosum species, a fungus posing a significant threat to olive trees in Tunisia.MethodsTwo different doses of SiO2 NPs (100 and 200 mg kg -1 ) were used to evaluate its effect on fungal growth, mycotoxin production, and virulence capability of tested F. brachygibbosum strain.Results and DiscussionWhile mycelial growth was not influenced by SiO2 NPs, a notable increase in macroconidia sporulation was observed at the highest dose tested. Scanning electron microscopy revealed structural alterations in fungal hyphae treated with SiO2 NPs, including hyphal disorganization after the adherence of nanoparticles. Furthermore, SiO2 NPs influenced oxidative stress in Fusarium, with varying effects on hydrogen peroxide levels, total antioxidant activity, and total phenolic compounds, modulating the capability of the fungus to produce mycotoxins. Indeed, fusaric acid and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol amounts decreased in presence of SiO2, while an increasing level of neosolaniol and diacetoxyscirpenol was observed. Pathogenicity tests on olive and sorghum leaves revealed a reduction of disease severity in SiO2 treated samples compared to untreated controls, showcasing the potential of SiO2 NPs as a sustainable alternative for managing Fusarium infections. These findings underline the potential use of SiO2 NPs as environmentally friendly and effective tool in integrated pest management strategies against F. brachygibbosum as well as other Fusarium species occurring on olive trees. Further research is warranted to optimize their application and understand their interactions with both the pathogen and the host plant.
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spelling doaj-art-0717266088c94e47b6ac2df0521ed03a2025-08-20T01:52:18ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nanotechnology2673-30132025-05-01710.3389/fnano.2025.15694531569453Silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles affect the morphology, sporulation, mycotoxin production, and pathogenicity of Fusarium brachygibbosum infecting olive treesMeryam Belhedi0Meryam Belhedi1Besma Sghaier-Hammami2Mario Masiello3Haythem Nafati4Stefania Somma5Lucia Gambacorta6Rached Salhi7Rached Salhi8Mouna Messaoud9Sonia Labidi10Antonio Moretti11Sofiene B. M. Hammami12Horticultural Sciences Laboratory, LR13AGR01, National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, University of Carthage, Tunis, TunisiaLaboratory of Bioggressors and Integrated Pest Management in Agriculture, LR14AGR02, National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, University of Carthage Tunis, Tunis, TunisiaLaboratory of Bioggressors and Integrated Pest Management in Agriculture, LR14AGR02, National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, University of Carthage Tunis, Tunis, TunisiaInstitute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council, Bari, ItalyFaculté des Sciences de Tunis, Département Physique, Tunis, TunisiaInstitute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council, Bari, ItalyInstitute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council, Bari, ItalyGMP, IUT 1, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, FranceLaboratory of Advanced Materials, National School of Engineers of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, TunisiaLaboratory of Advanced Materials, National School of Engineers of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, TunisiaHorticultural Sciences Laboratory, LR13AGR01, National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, University of Carthage, Tunis, TunisiaInstitute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council, Bari, ItalyHorticultural Sciences Laboratory, LR13AGR01, National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, University of Carthage, Tunis, TunisiaIntroductionThis study investigates the In Vitro antifungal activity of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) against mycotoxigenic Fusarium brachygibbosum species, a fungus posing a significant threat to olive trees in Tunisia.MethodsTwo different doses of SiO2 NPs (100 and 200 mg kg -1 ) were used to evaluate its effect on fungal growth, mycotoxin production, and virulence capability of tested F. brachygibbosum strain.Results and DiscussionWhile mycelial growth was not influenced by SiO2 NPs, a notable increase in macroconidia sporulation was observed at the highest dose tested. Scanning electron microscopy revealed structural alterations in fungal hyphae treated with SiO2 NPs, including hyphal disorganization after the adherence of nanoparticles. Furthermore, SiO2 NPs influenced oxidative stress in Fusarium, with varying effects on hydrogen peroxide levels, total antioxidant activity, and total phenolic compounds, modulating the capability of the fungus to produce mycotoxins. Indeed, fusaric acid and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol amounts decreased in presence of SiO2, while an increasing level of neosolaniol and diacetoxyscirpenol was observed. Pathogenicity tests on olive and sorghum leaves revealed a reduction of disease severity in SiO2 treated samples compared to untreated controls, showcasing the potential of SiO2 NPs as a sustainable alternative for managing Fusarium infections. These findings underline the potential use of SiO2 NPs as environmentally friendly and effective tool in integrated pest management strategies against F. brachygibbosum as well as other Fusarium species occurring on olive trees. Further research is warranted to optimize their application and understand their interactions with both the pathogen and the host plant.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnano.2025.1569453/fullFusarium spp.Olea europaeasilicon dioxide nanoparticlessporulationmycotoxinspathogenicity test
spellingShingle Meryam Belhedi
Meryam Belhedi
Besma Sghaier-Hammami
Mario Masiello
Haythem Nafati
Stefania Somma
Lucia Gambacorta
Rached Salhi
Rached Salhi
Mouna Messaoud
Sonia Labidi
Antonio Moretti
Sofiene B. M. Hammami
Silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles affect the morphology, sporulation, mycotoxin production, and pathogenicity of Fusarium brachygibbosum infecting olive trees
Frontiers in Nanotechnology
Fusarium spp.
Olea europaea
silicon dioxide nanoparticles
sporulation
mycotoxins
pathogenicity test
title Silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles affect the morphology, sporulation, mycotoxin production, and pathogenicity of Fusarium brachygibbosum infecting olive trees
title_full Silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles affect the morphology, sporulation, mycotoxin production, and pathogenicity of Fusarium brachygibbosum infecting olive trees
title_fullStr Silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles affect the morphology, sporulation, mycotoxin production, and pathogenicity of Fusarium brachygibbosum infecting olive trees
title_full_unstemmed Silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles affect the morphology, sporulation, mycotoxin production, and pathogenicity of Fusarium brachygibbosum infecting olive trees
title_short Silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles affect the morphology, sporulation, mycotoxin production, and pathogenicity of Fusarium brachygibbosum infecting olive trees
title_sort silicon dioxide sio2 nanoparticles affect the morphology sporulation mycotoxin production and pathogenicity of fusarium brachygibbosum infecting olive trees
topic Fusarium spp.
Olea europaea
silicon dioxide nanoparticles
sporulation
mycotoxins
pathogenicity test
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnano.2025.1569453/full
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