title: Effective Control of Molds Using a Combination of Nanoparticles.
abstract: Molds are filamentous fungi able to grow on a variety of surfaces, including constructed surfaces, food, rotten organic matter, and humid places. Mold growth is characterized by having an unpleasant odor in enclosed or non-ventilated places and a non-aesthetic appearance. They represent a health concern because of their ability to produce and release mycotoxins, compounds that are toxic to animals and humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate commercial nanoparticles (NPs) that can be used as an additive in coatings and paints to effectively control the growth of harmful molds. Four different NPs were screened for their antifungal activities against the mycotoxin producing mold strains Aspergillus flavus and A. fumigatus. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of the NPs were determined in broth media, whereas an agar diffusion test was used to assess the antimold activity on acrylic- and water-based paints. The cytotoxic activity and the inflammatory response of the NPs were also evaluated using the established human derived macrophage cell line THP-1. Results showed that a combination of mix metallic- and ZnO-NPs (50:10 μg/mL) effectively inhibited the fungal growth when exposed to fluorescent light. Neither cytotoxic effect nor inflammatory responses were recorded, suggesting that this combination can be safely used in humid or non-ventilated environments without any health concerns.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.|York House School, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Ariana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Auyeung
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Estomatología, UASLP, San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico.
authors.forename: Miguel Ángel
authors.initials: MÁ
authors.lastname: Casillas-Santana
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Estomatología, UASLP, San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico.
authors.forename: Gabriel Alejandro
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Martínez-Castañón
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Yael N
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Slavin
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Wayne
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Asnis
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Urs O
authors.initials: UO
authors.lastname: Häfeli
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Horacio
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7740-9299
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bach
mesh_terms: D000179:Acrylates; D001231:Aspergillus flavus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects; D002460:Cell Line; D003470:Culture Media; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D052978:Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests; D005453:Fluorescence; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D006046:Gold / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced; D008262:Macrophage Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D053758:Nanoparticles; D010150:Paint / Q000032:analysis / Q000382:microbiology*; D010316:Particle Size; D012834:Silver / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D014867:Water; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000179:Acrylates; D003470:Culture Media; D016207:Cytokines; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial; D014867:Water; D012834:Silver; D006046:Gold; C036658:acrylic acid; D015034:Zinc Oxide