ABSTRACT
In recent years, metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) have received increasing attention as possible alternative to chemical antimicrobial technologies Current study aimed to present research that addressed the physicochemical properties, synthesis, and antimicrobial potential of ZnO NPs against main harmful molds usually present on the surface of germinated seeds. Obtained data indicated that visible light-activated ZnO NPs at nontoxic environment concentration (5 × 10−3 M) inactivated main microfungi (Fusarium graminearum and Botrytis cinerea) in vitro by 40%–80%. It is important to note that ZnO NPs sprayed on the surface of wheat grains after visible light exposure (405 nm, 34,56 J/cm2) reduced the surface-attached mold by 66%. Besides, this treatment did not reduce the germination rate of grains. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy image analysis confirmed that this treatment had no impact on grain surface microstructure.
