Biotechnological Extraction of Fungal Chitosan: Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of its Nanoparticles

Background Chitosan, a linear polysaccharide, is naturally produced by microbes, and its nano-sized derivatives represent critical biomolecules for various applications. Fungi-derived chitosan, in particular, significant interest has been generated across sectors, including healthcare, environmental remediation, and agriculture. This study was undertaken to evaluate the physicochemical properties and antimicrobial efficacy of chitosan extracted from local fungal sources, comparing it to traditional shrimp-derived chitosan. Results The physicochemical properties of the extracted chitosan were analyzed. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence of characteristic chemical features, including hydroxyl, carbonyl, and glycosidic bonds. Further structural analysis using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) provided essential morphological and crystalline data. The yield of chitosan extracted from Aspergillus niger (13.40%) and mushrooms (15.00%) was noteworthy, demonstrating significant efficacy against a range of microbes, encompassing both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi. Conclusions This study confirms that chitosan derived from Aspergillus niger and its nano-particulate forms derived from both mushrooms and shrimp, hold substantial potential as effective antimicrobial agents against bacterial and yeast pathogens.