Molecular Characterization of Endophytic Fungal Strains for Green Synthesis of ZnO and Au Nanoparticles

Abstract Introduction/Objective Introduction: Traditional methods for nanoparticle synthesis often involve hazardous compounds, posing environmental risks and limiting their biomedical applications due to instability. The exploration of green synthesis approaches using natural products and eco-friendly solvents presents a challenging yet imperative pursuit in nanoparticle research. Methods/Case Report Methods: Endophytic fungi were isolated from healthy Eucalyptus sideroxylon plants collected from the Desert Research Center. Cultivation of fungi in malt extract broth was conducted at 28°C with agitation for 96 hours. Subsequently, fungal DNA was extracted, and ITS-rDNA regions were PCR-amplified for identification. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were performed to characterize the fungal isolates. Fungal filtrates were utilized for the biosynthesis of ZnO and Au nanoparticles (NPs) from ZnSO4 and HAuCl4 solutions, respectively. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) Results: Among the 13 fungal isolates, Fusarium chlamydosporum (FI-03) exhibited the most efficient synthesis of ZnO and Au NPs. Sequencing confirmed the identity of the fungal strain. The synthesized NPs displayed uniform spherical shapes, with ZnO NPs averaging 19.3 nm and Au NPs averaging 22.1 nm in size. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis further elucidated the morphology of the NPs. Conclusion Conclusion: Fusarium chlamydosporum emerged as a promising candidate for the green synthesis of ZnO and Au NPs. This environmentally friendly approach offers a cost-effective and biocompatible alternative to conventional nanoparticle synthesis methods.