Industrial Applications of Nanomaterials Produced from *Aspergillus* Species

*Mahendra Rai, Indarchand Gupta, Shital Bonde, Pramod Ingle, Sudhir Shende, Swapnil Gaikwad, Mehdi Razzaghi-Abyaneh and Aniket Gade*

### **Abstract**

There is a great demand for green methods of synthesis of nanoparticles. Fungi play an important role in the synthesis of nanoparticles, of which *Aspergillus* spp. are known to secrete different enzymes responsible for the synthesis of nanoparticles. The process of biosynthesis of nanoparticles is simple, rapid, cost-effective, eco-friendly, and easy to synthesize at ambient temperature and pressure. Mostly, the metal nanoparticles such as silver, gold, lead and the oxides of titanium, zinc, and copper are synthesized from *Aspergillus* spp. These include mainly *Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger*, *A. terreus*, and *A. clavatus*. The fabrication of different nanoparticles is extracellular. In the present chapter, we have discussed the role of different species of *Aspergillus*, mechanism of biogenic synthesis particularly enzymes involved in the reduction of metal ions into nanoparticles. The biogenically synthesized nanoparticles have demonstrated several biomedicals, agricultural, and engineering applications. The biogenic nanoparticles are mostly used as antimicrobial and cytotoxic agents. Their use as fungicidal agents is important for sustainable agriculture.

**Keywords:** *aspergillus* spp., nanomaterials, biogenic synthesis, industrial, biomedical, agriculture

#### **1. Introduction**

Nanomaterials (NMs) are the structures fabricated in the nanoscale, i.e. 1 to 100 nm and having at least one dimension in the nanoscale. The fabrication, study, and application of nanostructures are known as nanotechnology. The exhibition of novel physicochemical properties by the nanoscale materials has provided a unique opportunity for researchers to design and develop materials with applications in the diverse fields of science and technology. This has attracted attention towards nanoparticles (NPs) and their fabrication as compared to other sectors of NMs. Some of the nanomaterial productions have reached to the industrial scale due to the high demand for NMs in consumer products and their number is increasing at the moment with their developing applications. Ever-increasing demand for different NPs has generated the need for easy, safe, efficient, rapid, and eco-friendly procedures for their large-scale production.

Nanomaterials can be produced by two general approaches, i.e. top-down approach and bottom-up approach. Another classification includes different methods like physical, chemical, biological, and hybrid methods of nanoparticle production. The physical method requires an expensive setup, is high energyconsuming, and hazardous to health and the environment. Whereas chemical methods are highly efficient as compared to physical methods, but involve a toxic reducing agent, solvent, and stabilizing/capping agents. Recently, the biological method of nanoparticle production has attracted attention because of its ease, ecofriendly nature, high efficiency, and high yield. In this method, a biological agent or a biomolecule plays a significant role in the production of NMs [1]. Production of NMs by a biological method is a promising alternative for physical and chemical methods [2].

Among the different biological systems like bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, plants, protozoa, and animals, fungi have shown great potential for the production of NPs on large scale. Bacteria normally produced NPs intracellularly, where large-scale production and purification of NPs is complicated and expensive. Unlike bacteria, fungi produce NPs extracellularly and are easy to use and purify NPs for large-scale production [3]. Fungi are easy to handle, versatile, tolerant, and economical biological systems for industrial production of biotechnology products and have been used extensively in large-scale production of different metabolites. The tremendous ability of fungi in the secretion of proteins up to 100 g/L, metabolic diversity, and high production capacity have made them a unique option for industrial biotechnology for decades. Hence, filamentous fungi are the first choice, since they are capable of secreting a large amount of proteins and other metabolites extracellularly. Moreover, the fabrication of NPs by a fungal system is a green process [4]. Among the fungal sources, *Aspergillus* is a very promising candidate for the production of NPs, this is because there are more than 350 species of this genus with enormous biochemical versatility in addition to the secretion of a large quantity of proteins [5]. Different *Aspergillus* species produce NPs of diverse sizes and shapes with interesting physicochemical properties like enhanced thermostability, stability over a wide pH range, greater solubility, and biocompatibility. Moreover, the compounds produced by *Aspergillus* are classified as generally regarded as safe (GRAS) status, which can be safely used in the industry [6]. NPs fabricated by fungi have been used for different applications such as in medicine, as an anti-cancer drug, antibiotic, antifungal, antimicrobial, and antiviral agents [7], in diagnostic, bioimaging, biosensor, agricultural, and other industrial applications [8]. A new term "Myconanotechnology", was proposed by Rai and co-workers [9] to highlight the research on fungi in the production of NPs and their role in the nanotechnology research.

Industrial biotechnology processes demonstrate a significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions using renewable resources. The process is environment friendly and do not result in the accumulation of toxic compounds in the ecosystem. In industrial biotechnology, biomass input is used under the process of biological agents like metabolites and biomolecules to create a wide spectrum of products. There is a worldwide interest to enable the production of different NPs on biotechnological lines because of their eco-friendly nature, less energy-intensive, ease of execution, and ability to modify biological agents, and products [10].

In the present chapter, we are going to focus on the need for large-scale productions of NPs by biological methods in general and by *Aspergillus* spp. in particular. Different NPs fabricated by the *Aspergillus* spp., their advantages over the other methods, details of the mechanistic aspects of nanoparticle production, and various applications of fabricated NPs. Toxicity concerns of the large-scale production of NPs will also be discussed.

## **2. Diversity of** *aspergillus* **spp. for the synthesis of different nanomaterials**

More than 6400 different biologically active substances have been reported from filamentous fungi which have potential bioactivities and different applications [11]. As these fungi have greater tolerance to high metal ion concentration and have the ability to internalize and bio accumulate metal ions they can be used for metal ion reduction and stabilization in nanomaterial synthesis [12–16]. A huge range of fungi is shown to have the ability to synthesize NPs. Out of which *Aspergillus* is one of the major contributors in the mycosynthesized (fungus mediated synthesis) NMs with various biological activities. A huge range of *Aspergillus* spp. have been reported to synthesize different NMs including metal and metal oxide NPs. The cell-free extracts, as well as supernatant of fermented medium, can also be used for the synthesis of NPs [14, 15, 17]. The following **Table 1**, summarizes the *Aspergillus* spp. and the respective NMs synthesized by them.


#### *The Genus* Aspergillus *- Pathogenicity, Mycotoxin Production and Industrial Applications*


#### **Table 1.**

*Various* aspergillus *spp. and respective nanomaterials synthesized by them.*

The cell-free extracts of *Aspergillus* spp. are challenged against the precursor salt for direct synthesis of NPs. But *Aspergillus* extract fermented lupin was reported by Mosallam et al., [61], for the biological synthesis of selenium NPs in the presence of gamma radiation. Balakumaran et al. [45] reported the various strains of *Aspergillus* isolated from Kolli hills and Yercaud hills, South India, and identified their ability to synthesize extracellular gold and silver NPs. Out of all the screened isolates, *A. terreus* showed the most stable nanoparticle synthesis. Vala [46] reported the synthesis of gold NPs by marine-derived fungus *Aspergillus sydowii* [62]*.* The intracellular synthesis of gold NPs by *Ammophilus fumigatus* has been reported by Bathrinarayan et al., [63, 64]. In one of the studies on the experimental rat model have demonstrated the wound healing ability of *A. niger* mediated silver NPs [65]. Ghareib et al., [60] isolated *Aspergillus* strains from Egyptian soil and reported their biomass and culture supernatant mediated synthesis of copper oxide (CuO) NPs. Biogenic zinc oxide NPs are synthesized from the cell-free fungal filtrate of *A. niger,* which has antimicrobial and dye degradation ability [54].

All these various types of NPs synthesized using different isolates and strains of *Aspergillus* are shown to have distinguishing bioactivities, numerous functions, and applications in various fields [14, 15, 66]. These fungus-mediated metal and metal oxide NPs are synthesized intra or extracellularly and are reported to appear in various shapes and sizes [67].

#### **3. Advantages of nanomaterial production by** *aspergillus* **spp**

The green chemistry approach highlights the usage of microorganisms which offers a cheaper, lighter, reliable, nontoxic, and eco-friendly process [68, 69]. Fungi

#### *Industrial Applications of Nanomaterials Produced from* Aspergillus *Species DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.98780*

secrete a higher amount of proteins owing to significantly higher productivity of NPs [70] which effectively proved a potential source for the extracellular synthesis of different NPs without using harmful toxic chemicals. The advantages made fungi more suitable for large-scale production and easy downstream processing, also economic [70, 71]. Besides, enzyme nitrate reductase is found to be responsible for the synthesis of NPs in fungi [68, 69]. Biofabrication of NPs using fungi (eukaryotic organism) has several advantages over the prokaryotic mediated approach for reproducibility of nanosized materials. Also include ease to multiplication, grow, handling, and rest of downstream process for this top-down approach of nanobiosynthesis through nano factories [72, 73]. Tarafdar et al., [74] observed rapid, low cost, and eco-friendly iron nanoparticle fabrication by using the fungi *Aspergillus oryzae* TFR9. This study evaluated the morphological and elemental characterization of the biosynthesized iron NPs [74].

Zielonka et al., [75] demonstrated fungi are almost ideal biocatalysts for NPs biosynthesis. In contrast to bacteria, as they are well-known for producing greater amounts of biologically active substances that make the fungus more appropriate for large-scale production [31, 32]. Moreover, fungal biomass can resist flow pressure, agitation, and harsh conditions in chambers such as bioreactors. Also, they exude extracellular reductive proteins which can be used in subsequent process steps. However, the fungal cell is deprived of unessential cellular components since NPs are accelerated outside the cell and can be immediately used in manifold ways without pre-treatment [76]. There are a large number of fungi, which can efficiently synthesize silver NPs, such as *Aspergillus clavatus,* and have many biomedical applications [77].

Here we highlighted the advantages of NMs produced by using *Aspergillus* spp*.* The high-scale production of NPs from fungi has wide applications in protein engineering, synthetic biology, and downstream processing (**Figure 1**). For largescale production, fungi can be effectively employed. Gade et al., [14, 15] studied extracellular biosynthesis of AgNPs by *Aspergillus niger* isolated from soil. The nitrate-dependent reductase enzyme reduced the silver ions and a shuttle quinone extracellular process. The reduction of silver ions was an extracellular process.

AgNPs released silver ions in the fungal cell, which increased its antifungal function. AgNPs synthesized by using *A. terreus* HA1N sp. There is a large number of fungi, which can efficiently synthesize silver NPs, such as *Aspergillus clavatus* (*A. clavatus*) or ZnO NPs are produced by *Aspergillus terrus* [57]. The effect of prepared zinc oxide NPs on the growth and mycotoxin production by mycotoxigenic molds was evaluated which was concentration-dependent. The levels of produced mycotoxins were decreased when the concentration of ZnONPs increased [78]. Bathrinarayanan et al., [63, 64] produced gold NPs by *Aspergillus fumigatus*. It was found to be stable, spherical, and had irregular morphologies which were confirmed by SEM analysis.

El-Desouky et al., [79] demonstrated the synthesis AgNPs by an eco-friendly and low-cost method using the fungi *Aspergillus terreus* HA1N. It is an alternative to chemical procedures which require drastic experimental conditions emitting toxic chemical byproducts. The AgNPs are widely used as a novel therapeutic agent as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer agents [80, 81]. The AgNPs synthesized by *Aspergillus* ssp. present potential advantages such as fast growth rate, the rapid capacity of metallic ion reduction, nanoparticle stabilization, and facile and economical biomass handling. Moreover, these fungi have significantly higher productivity when used in nanoparticle biosynthesis due to their higher protein secretion [82]. Husain et al., [83] demonstrated the immobilization of *Aspergillus oryzae* β-galactosidase on native ZnO and zinc oxide NPs (ZnO-NP) by using a simple adsorption mechanism. The ZnO has wide

**Figure 1.** *Advantages of nanoparticles produced by* aspergillus *spp.*

applications. In addition to this easy production, improved stability against various denaturants, and excellent reusability, ZnO-NP bound β galactosidase. There are many applications in constructing enzyme-based analytical devices for clinical, environmental, and food technology. *Aspergillus niger* showed effective fabrication of AgNPs [84]. The mycotoxin produced by mycotoxigenic fungi such as *Aspergillus* sp*.* Food toxin can be detected by nano-based biosensors. The functionalized NMs are used as catalytic tools, immobilization platforms, or optical or electroactive labels to improve the biosensing performance to obtain higher sensitivity, stability, and selectivity. Recently, these nano biosystems are also bringing advantages in terms of the design of novel food toxin detection strategies [85].

#### **4. Mechanistic aspect of nanomaterial synthesis by** *aspergillus* **spp**

It is well-identified that biological systems can fabricate the number of metallic and non-metallic nanoparticles. Synthesis of nanoparticles can be achieved at low cost by biological system especially from the fungal system at low pH, temperature, and salt concentration. Various studies have been proved that fungus-like *Fusarium* [7], *Phoma* [4], *Aspergillus* [86], and many more were found to be excellent factory for synthesis different types of nanoparticles. Every fungal species has unique biomolecule contents, which play a crucial role in the synthesis of nanoparticles. Due to this convolution still, an exact mechanism for nanoparticles synthesis from specific fungal species is yet to be revealed.

Even though, various studies have been initiated to understand the mechanism for the synthesis of nanoparticles from *Aspergillus* spp. Jain and co-workers [43] proposed two-step mechanism for silver nanoparticles synthesis from *Aspergillus flavus* NJP08. In the first step, 32 kDa reductase protein secreted by fungus might be responsible for the synthesis, and in the next step 35 kDa protein is responsible to provide stability to silver nanoparticles. In one of the study by Phanjom and Ahemad [86] proposed that the nitrate reductase enzyme secreted by *Aspergillus oryzae* (MTCC No. 1846) is responsible for the conversion of Ag + to Ag0. Selenium *Industrial Applications of Nanomaterials Produced from* Aspergillus *Species DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.98780*

**Figure 2.**

*Possible mechanism for the biosynthesis of Co3O4 nanoparticles in* A. nidulans *[87].*

nanoparticles are also proved to be synthesized by the aqueous extract of fermented Lupin using *Aspergillus oryzae* and nucleation by gamma-ray (30.0 kGy) [61]. The authors confirmed that due to unique characteristics and novel biosynthesis method, selenium nanoparticles could be a good green antimicrobial candidate in biomedicine, cosmetics, and pharmaceutics. Endophytic fungi *Aspergillus nidulans* also produced cobalt oxide nanoparticles through the detoxification mechanism. In the synthesis, nitrate reductase along with electron shuttling compounds and other peptides are responsible for the reduction and synthesis [87]. Pavani et al. [88] reported the possible reductase or cytochrome base synthesis of lead nanoparticles from *Aspergillus* species. In the first step, the mechanism stated the trapping of lead ions on the fungal cell wall through electrostatic attraction. In the next step, these ions get entered into the cell and might get reduced by enzymes existing in the cell wall and inside the cell wall. In one of the study conducted by Li et al., [31, 32] reported the stabilized nanoparticles synthesis through reducing agent nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) present in the *Aspergillus terreus* (**Figure 2**).

#### **5. Applications of nanomaterials synthesized using** *aspergillus* **spp**

The numerous NMs have been synthesized by *Aspergillus* spp. and applied in various fields, for instance, Ag, Cu, Fe, Fe3O4, and ZnO NMs are some of them [55, 56, 72, 89–95]. Nanotechnology platform finds application of NMs in almost in each and every field such as agriculture, environmental science, health sciences, portable water treatment large/small scale plants, industrial separation, catalyst, electronics, energy storage, and energy regeneration [96–99]. The applications of NMs synthesized using *Aspergillus* spp. in various fields are shown in the graphical representation of **Figure 3**.

**Figure 3.**

*Graphical representation of different applications of NMs synthesized using* aspergillus *spp.*

NMs synthesized by *Aspergillus* species have tremendous applications broadly in the areas like agriculture, food security and animal industry, environmental management, and medicine and pharmacy are some of them. The detailed description is given in the sections below.

#### **5.1 Applications in agriculture**

In recent years, the nanotechnological advances in the field of agriculture have been increasing as the application of various NMs in the development of nanobased products like nanofertilizers for increasing crop yield and soil improvement, for plant growth promotion, nanopesticides, nanofungicides, nanoencapsulation for slow release of agrochemicals, and more in which NMs plays a vital role. The application of NPs as agrochemicals has become more common as technological advances make their production more economical for employment in the agriculture sector. For the potential application of NPs in plant disease control primarily included the information about the antimicrobial activity of different nano-size compounds against phytopathogens and the development of better application strategies to enhance the efficacy of disease suppression [100]. The antimicrobial activity of *Aspergillus* spp. synthesized NMs have been reported by many researchers. Silver NPs have been reported as most effective against phytopathogenic fungi, *Magnaporthe grisea* and *Bipolaris sorokiniana*, *in-vitro* [101], *Alternaria solani* and *Erwinia cartovora* pv. *cartovora* [102], and *Alternaria* blight as well as *Phytophthora* blight [103]. Elgorban et al., [24] demonstrated the silver NPs synthesis using fungus *Aspergillus versicolor* and evaluate its antifungal activity against *S. sclerotiorum* and *Botrytis cinerea* in strawberry plants. The silver NPs showed the concentration-dependent activity towards both the tested organisms but showed the greatest effect against *B. cinerea*. In another study, Ismail et al., [104] evaluated the combined effect of silver and selenium NPs against fungus *A. solani* that causing

#### *Industrial Applications of Nanomaterials Produced from* Aspergillus *Species DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.98780*

early blight disease of potato. The fungus isolated from leaf spot was identified by microscopy and treated with NPs suspension, which showed the formation of pits and pores. Therefore, the authors concluded that the myco-synthesized AgNPs were able to penetrate and distribute throughout the fungal cell area and interact with the components, and cause cell death. Silver/chitosan nanoformulations (NFs) were applied against various seed-borne plant pathogens, particularly seed-borne disease-causing fungi, isolated from chickpea seeds [105]. These studies reveal the possibilities of NPs application as an antifungal agent, alternative to the fungicide for controlling plant pathogens.

Nanoformulations of copper-chitosan (Cu/Ch) has been prepared as an antifungal agent against *A. solani* that causing early blight disease of tomato (*Solanum lypersicum* Mill). These NPs caused mycelia growth inhibition and spore germination in *A. solani* and *F. oxysporum*, respectively, *in-vitro* model [106]. Recently, Shende et al., [94] synthesized the CuNPs using *Aspergillus flavus* and tested its activity against selected fungal plant pathogens namely *Aspergillus niger*, *Fusarium oxysporum,* and *Alternaria alternata*, which reveals significant antifungal activity. The study suggested the application of CuNPs as an effective fungicide for sustainable agriculture. ZnO NPs have also been investigated as an effective fungicidal agent against plant pathogens. ZnO NPs have many advantages over silver NPs for fungal pathogen control efforts [107]. He et al., [108] evaluated the antifungal effect of ZnO NPs and their mode of action against two post-harvest pathogenic fungi *viz*. *B. cinerea* and *Penicillium expansum*. Different concentrations of NPs, when applied to fungal hyphae demonstrated cell wall damage and collapse fungal hyphae. Raliya and Tarafdar [55, 56] reported the synthesis of ZnO NPs by *Aspergillus fumigatus* TFR-8, with the size range between 1.2 ~ 6.8 nm and Oblate spherical and hexagonal shape and evaluated its effect on phosphorous-mobilizing enzyme secretion and gum contents in cluster bean (*Cyamopsis tetragonoloba* L.). The antibacterial potential of photocatalytic nanoscale titanium dioxide (TiO2), nanoscale TiO2 doped with zinc (TiO2/Zn; Agri-Titan), and nanoscale TiO2 doped (incorporation of other materials into the structure of TiO2) with a silver (TiO2/Ag) has been evaluated against *Xanthomonas perforans*, bacteria causing bacterial spot disease in tomato [109]. Shenashen et al., [110] synthesized and characterized the mesoporous alumina sphere (MAS) NPs and evaluated their biological activity against *F. oxysporum*, that causing root rot disease in tomatoes, in comparison with the recommended fungicide tolclofomethyl, under laboratory and green house conditions. The authors reported cell death because of the entry of NPs in fungal cells due to disruption of the cell membrane and malformation of hyphae.

#### **5.2 Applications in food security and animal industry**

The application of NMs in the food security and animal industry is attending the great interest of the scientific community in recent years. Food security is usually the preparation, treatment, and storage of food products in which the food-borne pathogens or illness will not going to cause any damage or spoilage to the product [96, 97, 111]. Food insecurity, like illegal additives, pathogens, pesticide residues, allergens, and other unsafe factors, those are not only seriously affects human health, but also limit the rapid development of food industries to a certain extent [112–114]. The identification and quantitative analysis of bacteria is a very important and crucial issue in food safety. Conventional practices require long culture time, highly skilled operators, or specific recognition elements of each type of bacteria [113]. For this purpose, the analytical methods or equipments that meet the requirement of modern detection of various hazardous substances present in the foods for example packaging materials, sensors, and food containers coated with

NPs are develop using NMs. The novel nano-based food packaging materials have the unique characteristics involving oxygen scavengers, antimicrobial potential, and barriers to gas or moisture, and many other. In view of these multiple benefits of nanopackaging, its application in the pathogens detection, antimicrobials, allergens and contaminants, UV-protecting activity, high gas barrier plastics, etc. are some important areas of research [115]. The use of such NMs in food packaging enhances the shelf life of food devoid of undesirable alteration in its quality.

The application of smart packaging systems has increased tremendously in animal industries the muscle-based food products such as meat, chicken, etc. that are prone to contamination. The packaging of meat and muscle products suppress the spoilage, enhance the tenderness by allowing enzymatic activity, avoid contamination, retain the cherry red color in red meats and reduce the loss in its weight [116]. Plastic food packaging is one of the most important areas of research that employ nanotechnology to make stronger and lighter packaging materials and also enhances its performance. Besides this, NMs with strong antimicrobial properties such as Ag and TiO2 NPs could be used in the packaging of foods to prevent spoilage [117]. Additionally, the application of NPs of clay in food packaging helps to control the entry of carbon dioxide, oxygen, and moisture towards food materials, thus preventing food spoilage.

Nowadays, more researchers have been paying attention to the development of nanosensors, which are being added in plastic packaging to spot the gases released from spoiled food. In the food spoilage or contamination condition, the packaging material will alert the consumer by detecting toxins, microbial contamination, and pesticides in food products, based on flavor production and color changing [118]. Moreover, plastic films entrenched with silicate NPs are being developed to maintain food fresh for a longer period. In this case, NPs play a vital role in dropping the oxygen flow and also facilitate to impede the moisture seeping out from the package. In animal industries, *Aspergillus* spp. synthesized NMs such as ZnO NPs are used as antimicrobial agents. For instance, *Aspergillus fumigatus* JCF and *Aspergillus niger* synthesized ZnO NPs with 60 ~ 80 nm and 61 ± 0.65 nm size, respectively and Spherical shape demonstrated the antimicrobial potential [54, 93]. The antifungal activity was observed in the ZnO NPs, which were synthesized by *Aspergillus terreus* [90]. Recently, Mausa et al., [119] reported the mycosynthesis of various NMs *viz.* Co3O4, CuO, Fe3O4, NiO, and ZnO NPs by endophytic fungus *Aspergillus terreus*, and studied its antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, which leads to their application in different fields.

#### **5.3 Applications in healthcare, medicine, and pharmacy**

In medicine and pharmacy, NMs have been successfully applied due to their high surface area that is able to adsorbed or conjugate with an extensive variety of therapeutic and diagnostic agents such as drugs, vaccines, genes, antibodies, and biosensors. In recent years, antibiotic resistance is an emerging major global health problem and novel antimicrobial formulations are essentially needed to fight against these drug-resistant microbes, therefore nano-based medicine as antimicrobial agents have gained considerable attention in the field of microbial drug resistance [119, 120]. Hence, the NPs synthesized by Mousa et al., [119] using the endophytic fungus *Aspergillus terreus* were studied to discover their efficacy against different multi-drug-resistant bacterial strains as well as some human and plant pathogenic fungi. The authors have reported the broad-spectrum antimicrobial action of all the mycosynthesized NPs, where the bacterial and fungal strains were inhibited. Furthermore, Co3O4 NPs among the five types of mycosynthesized NPs exhibited the strongest antimicrobial potential against the tested pathogens. There

#### *Industrial Applications of Nanomaterials Produced from* Aspergillus *Species DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.98780*

are very few reports on the antimicrobial activity of Co3O4 NPs and only very less reported their antibacterial potential only [121]. Meanwhile, previous reports have observed the antimicrobial activity of CuO, Fe3O4, NiO, and ZnO NPs [122–125].

There are several reports on the synthesis and antimicrobial applications of *Aspergillus* spp. synthesized NMs. Netala et al., [22] demonstrated the antibacterial activity of Ag NPs synthesized by *Aspergillus versicolor* against *Staphylococcus aureus*, *Streptococcus pneumonia*, *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, and *Klebsiella pneumoniae* at concentration 1 mg/mL. In another study, *Aspergillus terreus-*mediated synthesis of Ag NPs, showed antibacterial activity against *Salmonella typhi*, *S. aureus*, and *Escherichia coli* [23]. The synergistic effect with Ag NPs synthesized by *Aspergillus flavus* and conventional antibiotics against multi-drug-resistant bacteria such as *Bacillus spp*., *Micrococus luteus*, *S. aureus*, *Enterococcus faecalis*, *E. coli*, *P. aeruginosa*, *Acinetobacter baumanii*, and *K. pneumoniae* at concentration 100 ppm [21]. Rodrigues et al., [18] reported the synthesis of Ag NPs using *Aspergillus tubingiensis* and demonstrated the antimicrobial activity against *Candida* sp. and *P. aeruginosa* at concentrations 0.11-1.75 μg/mL and 0.28 μg/mL respectively. Ag NPs synthesized by *Aspergillus oryzae* revealed the antifungal effect against *Trichophyton rubrum* at concentration > 7.5 μg/mL [20]. Another strain of *Aspergillus oryzae* (MTCC no. 1846) synthesized Ag NPs using 1 mM AgNO3, produced 7-27 nm-sized spherical particles, which showed the antibacterial effects [25, 26]. Ottoni et al., [19] reported the synthesis of Ag NPs by *Aspergillus niger* IPT856 and its antibacterial activity against *E. coli*, *S. aureus*, and *P. aeruginosa*. In another study, *Aspergillus fumigatus* BTCB10 synthesized Ag NPs with a spherical shape, which demonstrated the antibacterial and cytotoxic effects [27, 28]. The ZnO NPs as a dietary supplement in the animals gives health benefits, which improves the quality of egg in poultry, help in wound healing, act as an antioxidant, improve growth performance, hormone production, bone formation, immune system, a cofactor for enzymatic process, and reproduction system [126]. The antibacterial and antifungal potential improves the health of the livestock. In another study, Farrag et al., [92] reported the synthesis of Ag NPs by *Aspergillus niger* isolated from soil by treatment with silver nitrate. AgNPs exhibited significant inhibition of *Allovahlkampfia spelaea* viability and growth of both trophozoites and cysts, with a reduction of amoebic cytotoxic activity in host cells that suggested the Ag NPs possibly will give a promising future for the treatment of *Allovahlkampfia spelaea* infections in humans.

#### **5.4 Applications in environmental management**

NMs offer a unique platform for the purification of water contaminated with pollutants namely organics, metal ions, biological contaminants, and arsenic from the water because of the high surface area of nanosorbents and their ability of chemical modification as well as easier regeneration [127–130]. Chatterjee et al., [91] reported the synthesis of superparamagnetic iron oxide NPs (IONPs) (Fe3O4) of 20-40 nm size by manglicolous (mangrove) fungus *Aspergillus niger* BSC-1 and employed for the removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution. Therefore, suggested the utilization of mycosynthesized IONPs could be employed for the heavy metal remediation from contaminated wastewater. The enzymatic bioremediation of textile industry wastewater containing direct green or reactive red azo dye by utilization of enzymes immobilized onto magnetic NPs for the improvement of industrial and environmental applications have been reported by Darwesh et al., [131]. Different types of magnetic NPs have been used to remove heavy metal ions from industrial wastewater [132].

In another study, the Au NPs was synthesized by *A. niger* that was found to be very effective against the mosquito larvae. The AuNPs were tested using the larvae of three mosquito species viz*. Anopheles stephensi, Culex quinquefasciatus*, and *Aedes aegypti.* Among them, it has been observed that the effect of Au NPs was found to be significant against *C. quinquefasciatus* larvae than the *A. stephensi* and *A. aegypti* larvae. All larval instars of *C. quinquefasciatus* showed 100% mortality after 48 hours of exposure to the Au NPs synthesized by *A. niger* [50]. In conclusion, the authors suggest that the application of mycosynthesized Au NPs by *A. niger* could be the fast and environmentally friendly approach towards the control of mosquitoes than the currently available approaches. This may possibly lead to a novel potential strategy for vector control [50].

Other than this, nowadays NMs could be applied in antimicrobial surface coatings, environmental sensing, renewable energy, and many other environmental applications.

#### **6. Toxicity aspects of nanomaterials**

Assessment of toxicity of synthesized NPs is the critical step for ensuring their safe and sustainable applications. Hence, toxicity evaluation of all the newly synthesized nanoparticle must be considered before their industrial applications. As far as the comparison of biosynthesized NPs with NMs synthesized by other methods especially the chemical method is concerned, the biosynthesized NPs seems to be biocompatible [133]. For instance, the green synthesized NPs were found to enhance the plant seedling growth, yield and quality, suggesting the biocompatibility of biosynthesized NPs as compared to the chemical synthesis NPs [134]. In contrast, few studies have shown the toxicity of biosynthesized or green synthesized NPs. Sulaiman et al., [135] have synthesized silver NPs (AgNPs) by using *Aspergillus flavus* and investigated its cytotoxic effect on HL-60, a human promyeloid leukemia cells. The study reported the dose-dependent toxicity of AgNPs at concentration of 5 and 10 μg/ml. The study claimed that although AgNPs have a toxic effect on normal cells but they also have the potential to act as a potential anticancer agent. However, the toxicity of AgNPs was found to be higher than silver nitrate solution. The said toxic effect was claimed to be due to the physicochemical interaction of silver atoms of AgNPs with the functional groups of intracellular proteins, nitrogen bases, and phosphate groups of DNA. The AgNPs may induce the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to cellular apoptosis. Such effect will be helpful for the anti-cancer, antiproliferative, and antiangiogenic effects *in vitro*. Othman et al., [136] have synthesized AgNPs by using *A. terreus* and studied its antitumor activity against Human Caucasian breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7). It was found to inhibit the growth in dose-dependent manner with IC50 value of 46.7 μg/ml. Similarly, ZnO NPs synthesized by using the culture filtrate of *A. terreus* have been reported to be cytotoxic to HeLa cells. It was shown to induce apoptosis by inhibiting the production of cellular superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase levels and inducing the accumulation of ROS, and reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential. Moreover, further investigation found it to induce oxidative damage via down-regulating expression of p53, Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and up-regulating Cytochrome-C expression [137]. The nanoparticle when come in contact with the target cell membrane, gets accumulates at the cell surface and induces pore formation causing the leakage of cytoplasmic material outside the cell. The NPs entered in the cell can interact with intracellular protein and DNA and thus disturbing the cell regulation [138]. The discussed mechanism of nanoparticle toxicity, in general, is represented in **Figure 4**. In general, toxicity studies are performed on human and animal cell line and plants. But there is also a need to give attention to the toxicity studies on microbes that are directly

*Industrial Applications of Nanomaterials Produced from* Aspergillus *Species DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.98780*

#### **Figure 4.**

*Mechanism of cytotoxicity of mycosynthesized nanoparticles.*

or indirectly beneficial to humans. Gupta et al., [139] have explored the toxicity of AgNPs synthesized by different fungi. The study found the mycosynthesized AgNPs to show toxicity to soil beneficial bacteria *Pseudomonas putida* KT2440 at the concentration of 0.4 μg/ml. Mycosynthesized Selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) were found to alter Wi-38, a normal lung fibroblast cells. At the IC50 value of 461 ppm, it exerted the loss of typical cell shape, granulation, loss of monolayer, and shrinking or rounding of cells [140].

Considering all of these observations from various studies it is suggested that before the actual application of any biosynthesized nanoparticle there is a need to undertake the toxicity studies and then make their use at biocompatible dose. For example, *A. terreus* strain AF-1 was exploited for the synthesis of CuO NPs which were integrated in cotton fabric. The said nanoparticle was used at a safe dose making it applicable for desired purpose [141]. Although mycosynthesized NPs are quite biocompatible as compared to NPs synthesized by other methods, it is recommended to verify the toxic effects of each type of NPs and choose their safe dose so as to make them safer for any kind of application.

#### **7. Conclusion**

Nanomaterials as the structures fabricated in the nanoscale have gained increasing attention for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes especially for those produced in a green safe approach by using fungi and other microorganisms. Among fungal species successfully used for this purpose, members of the genus Aspergillus are in the first line of investigation because of their huge diversity and capability to grow in abundance in laboratory conditions. Although there are many reports on the synthesis and biological activities of nanomaterials of different origins by fungi, little has been documented about important disciplines such as their mode of action and applications in medicine and industry. This chapter has highlighted the diversity of *Aspergillus* species and their advantages for nanomaterial production, mechanistic aspects of nanomaterial synthesis by selected Aspergilli, applications in healthcare, medicine, and pharmacy, role in environmental management as a unique platform for water decontamination, and finally, the cytotoxicity of introduced nanomaterials as a critical step for ensuring their safety and sustainability. Overall, these

results further substantiate the importance and priority of *Aspergillus* species for nanomaterial production at an industrial scale in a safe and cost-effective manner which enables researchers to use them for diagnostic, detoxifying, and therapeutic purposes in industry, medicine, and agriculture.

## **Author details**

Mahendra Rai1 \*, Indarchand Gupta<sup>2</sup> , Shital Bonde1 , Pramod Ingle1 , Sudhir Shende1 , Swapnil Gaikwad3 , Mehdi Razzaghi-Abyaneh4 and Aniket Gade1

1 Nanobiotechnology Lab., Department of Biotechnology, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati, Maharashtra, India

2 Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Science, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India

3 Microbial Diversity Research Center, Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pune, India

4 Department of Mycology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran

\*Address all correspondence to: mahendrarai7@gmail.com; pmkrai@hotmail.com

© 2022 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

*Industrial Applications of Nanomaterials Produced from* Aspergillus *Species DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.98780*

#### **References**

[1] Duran N, Marcato P, Duran M, Yadav A, Gade A, Rai M. Mechanistic aspects in the biogenic synthesis of extracellular metal nanoparticles by peptides, bacteria, fungi and plants. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 2011;**90**:1609-1624

[2] Gade AK, Ingle AP, Whiteley C, Rai M. Mycogenic metal nanoparticles: Progress and applications. Biotechnology Letters. 2010;**32**(5):593-600

[3] Rai M, Bonde S, Golinska P, Trzcińska-Wencel J, Gade A, Abd-Elsalam K, et al. *Fusarium* as a novel fungus for the synthesis of nanoparticles: Mechanism and applications. Journal of Fungi. 2021;**7**(2):139

[4] Gade AK, Gaikwad SC, Duran N, Rai MK. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles by *Phoma glomerata*. Micron. 2014;**59**:52-59

[5] Ward OP, Qin WM, Dhanjoon J, Ye J, Singh A. Physiology and biotechnology of *Aspergillus*. Advances in Applied Microbiology. 2005;**58**:1-75

[6] Gouka RJ, Punt PJ, van den Hondel CAMJJ. Efficient production of secreted proteins by *Aspergillus*: Progress, limitations and prospects. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 1997;**47**:1-11

[7] Gaikwad S, Ingle A, Gade A, Rai M, Falanaga A, Incoronato N, et al. Antiviral activity of mycosynthesized silver nanoparticles against herpes simplex virus and human parainfluenza virus type 3. International Journal of Nanomedicine. 2013;**8**:4303-4314

[8] Moghaddam A, Namvar F, Moniri M, Tahir P, Azizi S, Mohamad R. Nanoparticles biosynthesized by fungi and yeast: a review of their preparation, properties, and medical applications. Molecules. 2015;**20**:16540-16565

[9] Rai M, Yadav A, Bridge P, Gade A. Myconanotechnology: A new and emerging science. In: Rai M, Bridge P, editors. Applied Mycology. 14th ed. NY: CAB international; 2009. pp. 258-267

[10] Birla SS, Gaikwad SC, Gade AK, Rai MK. Rapid synthesis of silver nanoparticles from *Fusarium oxysporum* by optimizing physicocultural conditions. The Scientific World Journal. 2013:796018. DOI: 10.1155/ 2013/796018

[11] Bérdy J. Bioactive microbial metabolites. The Journal of Antibiotics. 2005;**58**:1-26. DOI: 10.1038/ja.2005.1

[12] Ahluwalia V, Kumar J, Sisodia R, Shakil NA, Walia S. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles by *Trichoderma harzianum* and their bioefficacy evaluation against *Staphylococcus aureus* and *Klebsiella pneumonia*. Industrial Crops and Products. 2014;**55**:202-206. DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2014.01.026

[13] Azmath P, Baker S, Rakshith D, Satish S. Mycosynthesis of silver nanoparticles bearing antibacterial activity. The Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal. 2016;**24**:140-146. DOI: 10.1016/ j.jsps.2015.01.008

[14] Gade AK, Bonde P, Ingle AP, Marcato PD, Duran N, Rai MK. Exploitation of *Aspergillus niger* for synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Journal of Biobased Materials and Bioenergy. 2008a;**2**:243-247

[15] Gade AK, Bonde P, Ingle AP, Marcato PD, Durán N, Rai MK. Exploitation of *Aspergillus niger* for synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Journal of Biobased Materials and Bioenergy. 2008b;**2**:243-247. DOI: 10.1166/ jbmb.20 08.401

[16] Khan NT, Khan MJ, Jameel J, Jameel N, Rheman SUA. An overview: Biological organisms that serves as nanofactories for metallic nanoparticles synthesis and fungi being the most appropriate. Bioceramics Development and Applications. 2017;**7**:101. DOI: 10.4172/2090-5025.1000101

[17] Gaikwad S, Bhosale A. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using *Aspergillus niger* and its efficacy against human pathogens. European Journal of Experimental Biology. 2012;**2**(5):1654-1658

[18] Rodrigues AG, Ping LY, Marcato PD, Alves OL, Silva MCP, Ruiz RC, et al. Biogenic antimicrobial silver nanoparticles produced by fungi. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 2013a;**97**:775-782. DOI: 10.1007/s00253-012- 4209-7

[19] Ottoni CA, Simões MF, Fernandes S, Santos JG, Silva ES, Souza RFB, et al. Screening of filamentous fungi for antimicrobial silver nanoparticles synthesis. AMB Express. 2017a;**7**:31. DOI: 10.1186/s13568-017-0332-2

[20] Pereira L, Dias N, Carvalho J, Fernandes S, Santos C, Lima N. Synthesis, characterization and antifungal activity of chemically and fungal produced silver nanoparticles against *Trichophyton rubrum*. Journal of Applied Microbiology. 2014a;**117**: 1601-1613. DOI: 10.1111/jam.12652

[21] Naqvi SZH, Kiran U, Ali MI, Jamal A, Hameed A, Ahmed S, et al. Combined efficacy of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles and different antibiotics against multidrugresistant bacteria. International Journal of Nanomedicine. 2013a;**8**:3187-3195. DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S49284

[22] Netala VR, Bethu MS, Pushpalatah B, Baki VB, Aishwarya S, Rao JV, et al. Biogenesis of silver nanoparticles using endophytic fungus *Pestalotiopsis microspora* and evaluation of their antioxidant and anticancer

activities. International Journal of Nanomedicine. 2016a;**11**:5683-5696. DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S112857

[23] Rani R, Sharma D, Chaturvedi M, Yadav JP. Green synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles of endophytic fungi *Aspergillus terreus*. The Journal of Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology. 2017a;**8**:4. DOI: 10.4172/2157-7439.1000457

[24] Elgorban AM, Aref SM, Seham SM, Elhindi KM, Bahkali AH, Sayed SR, et al. Extracellular synthesis of silver nanoparticles using *Aspergillus versicolor* and evaluation of their activity on plant pathogenic fungi. Mycosphere. 2016a;**7**:844-852. DOI: 10.5943/ mycosphere/7/6/15

[25] Phanjom P, Ahmed G. Effect of different physicochemical conditions on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using fungal cell filtrate of *Aspergillus oryzae* (MTCC No. 1846) and their antibacterial effects. Advances in Natural Sciences: Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. 2017a;**8**:1-13. DOI: 10.1088/2043-6254/aa92b

[26] Phanjom P, Ahmed G. Effect of different physicochemical conditions on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using fungal cell filtrate of *Aspergillus oryzae* (MTCC No. 1846) and their antibacterial effects. Advances in Natural Sciences: Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. 2017b;**8**:1-13. DOI: 10.1088/2043-6254/aa92bc

[27] Shahzad A, Saeed H, Iqtedar M, Hussain SZ, Kaleem A, Abdullah R. Size-controlled production of silver nanoparticles by *Aspergillus fumigatus* BTCB10: likely antibacterial and cytotoxic effects. Journal of Nanomaterials. 2019a;**5168698**. DOI: 10.1155/2019/5168698

[28] Shahzad A, Saeed H, Iqtedar M, Hussain SZ, Kaleem A, Abdullah R.

*Industrial Applications of Nanomaterials Produced from* Aspergillus *Species DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.98780*

Size-controlled production of silver anoparticles by *Aspergillus fumigatus* BTCB10: likely antibacterial and cytotoxic effects. Journal of Nanomaterials. 2019b;**5168698**. DOI: 10.1155/2019/5168698

[29] Devi LS, Joshi SR. Ultrastructures of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized using endophytic fungi. Journal of Microscopic Ultrastructures. 2015;**3**(1):29-37. DOI: 10.1016/j. jmau.2014.10.004

[30] Fatima F, Verma SR, Pathak N, Bajpai P. Extracellular mycosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and their microbicidal activity. Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance. 2016;**7**:88-92. DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2016.07.013

[31] Li G, He D, Qian Y, Guan B, Gao S, Cui Y, et al. Fungus-mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using *Aspergillus terreus*. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2012a;**13**:466-476

[32] Li G, He D, Qian Y, Guan B, Gao S, Cui Y, et al. Fungus-mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using *Aspergillus terreus*. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2012b;**13**(1):466- 476. DOI: 10.3390/ijms13010466. Epub 2011 Dec 29

[33] Wilson A, Prabukumar S, Sathishkumar G, Sivaramakrishnan S. *Aspergillus flavus* mediated silver nanoparticles synthesis and evaluation of ITS antimicrobial activity against different human pathogens. International Journal of Applied Pharmaceutics. 2016;**8**(4):43-46

[34] Bhainsa KC, D'Souza SF. Extracellular biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using the fungus *Aspergillus fumigates*. Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces. 2006;**47**(2):160-164

[35] Binupriya AR, Sathishkumar M, Yun S. Myco-crystallization of silver ions to nanosized particles by live and dead cell filtrates of *Aspergillus oryzae* var. Wiridis and its bactericidal activity toward *Staphylococcus aureus* KCCM 12256. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research. 2010;**49**:852-858

[36] Vidya P, Subramani G. Fungus mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles using *Aspergillus flavus* and its antibacterial activity against selective food borne pathogens. Indo American Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2017;**4**(12):4627-4634. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1069710

[37] Othman AM, Elsayed MA, Al-Balakocy NG, Hassan MM, Elshafei AM. Biosynthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles induced by fungal proteins and its application in different biological activities. Journal of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. 2019;**17**(1). DOI: 10.1186/ s43141-019-0008-1

[38] Kathiresan K, Alikunhi NM, Pathmanaban S, Nabikhan A, Kandasamy S. Analysis of antimicrobial silver nanoparticles synthesized by coastal strains of *Escherichia coli* and *Aspergillusniger*. Canadian Journal of Microbiology. 2010;**56**:1050-1059

[39] Jaidev LR, Narasimha G. Fungal mediated biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles, characterization and antimicrobial activity. Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces. 2010;**81**:430-433

[40] Alani F, Moo-Young M, Anderson W. Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles by a new strain of *Streptomyces* sp. compared with *Aspergillus fumigatus*. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. 2012;**28**:1081-1086

[41] Vigneshwaran N, Ashtaputre NM, Varadarajan PV, Nachane RP, Paralikar KM, Balasubramanya RH.

Biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles using the fungus *Aspergillus flavus*. Materials Letters. 2007;**61**:1413-1418

[42] Saravanan M, Nanda A. Extracellular synthesis of silver bionanoparticles from *Aspergillus clavatus* and its antimicrobial activity against MRSA and MRSE. Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces. 2010;**77**:214-218

[43] Jain N, Bhargava A, Majumdar S, Tarafdar JC, Panwar J. Extracellular biosynthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles using *Aspergillus flavus* NJP08: A mechanism perspective. Nanoscale. 2011a;**3**:635-641

[44] Raliya R, Tarafdar JC. Novel approach for silver nanoparticle synthesis using *Aspergillus terreus* CZR-1: mechanism perspective. Journal of Bionanoscience. 2012;**6**:12-16

[45] Balakumaran MD, Ramachandran R, Balashanmugam P, Mukeshkumar DJ, Kalaichelvan PT. Mycosynthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles: Optimization, characterization and antimicrobial activity against human pathogens. Microbiological Research. 2016;**182**:8- 20. ISSN 0944-5013. DOI: 10.1016/j. micres.2015.09.009

[46] Vala AK. Exploration on green synthesis of gold nanoparticles by a marine-derived fungus *Aspergillus sydowii*. Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy. 2014. DOI: 10.1002/ ep.11949

[47] Xie J, Lee JY, Wang DIC, Ting YP. High-yield synthesis of complex gold nanostructures in a fungal system. Journal of Physical Chemistry C. 2007;**111**:16858-16865

[48] Zhang X, He X, Wang K, Yang X. Different active biomolecules involved in biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles by three fungus species. Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology. 2011;**7**:245- 254. DOI: 10.1166/jbn.2011.1285

[49] Priyadarshini E, Pradhan N, Sukla LB, Panda PK. Controlled synthesis of gold nanoparticles using *Aspergillus terreus* IF0 and its antibacterial potential against gram negative pathogenic bacteria. Journal of Nanotechnology. 2014;**653198**. DOI: 10.1155/2014/653198

[50] Soni N, Prakash S. Synthesis of gold nanoparticles by the fungus *Aspergillus niger* and its efficacy against mosquito larvae. Reports in Parasitology. 2012;**2**:1-7

[51] Verma VC, Kharwar RN, Singh SK, Solanki R, Prakash S. Correction to biofabrication of anisotropic gold nanotriangles using extract of endophytic *Aspergillus clavatus* as a dual functional reductant and stabilizer. Nanoscale Research Letters. 2011;**6**. article 261

[52] Rajakumar G, Rahuman A, Roopan SM, Khanna VG, Elango G, Kamaraj C, et al. Fungus-mediated biosynthesis and characterization of TiO2 nanoparticles and their activity against pathogenic bacteria. Spectrochimica Acta. Part A, Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy. 2012;**91**:23-29

[53] Raliya R, Biswas P, Tarafdar JC. TiO2 nanoparticle biosynthesis and its physiological effect on mung bean (*Vigna radiata* L.). Biotechnology Reports. 2015;**5**:22-26

[54] Kalpana VN, Kataru BAS, Sravani N, Vigneshwari T, Panneerselvam A, Devi RV. Biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using culture filtrates of *Aspergillus niger*: Antimicrobial textiles and dye degradation studies. OpenNano. 2018a;**3**:48-55. DOI: 10.1016/j. onano.2018.06.001

*Industrial Applications of Nanomaterials Produced from* Aspergillus *Species DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.98780*

[55] Raliya R, Tarafdar JC. ZnO nanoparticle biosynthesis and its effect on phosphorous mobilizing enzyme secretion and gum contents in Clusterbean (*Cyamopsis tetragonoloba* L.). Agricultural Research. 2013a;**2**:48-57

[56] Raliya R, Tarafdar JC. ZnO nanoparticle biosynthesis and its effect on phosphorous-mobilizing enzyme secretion and gum contents in cluster bean (*Cyamopsis tetragonoloba* L.). Agricultural Research. 2013c;**2**: 48-57. DOI: 10.1007/s40003-012- 0049-z

[57] Raliya R. Rapid, low-cost, and ecofriendly approach her for iron nanoparticle synthesis using *Aspergillus oryzae* TFR9. Journal of Nanoparticles. 2013. DOI: 10.1155/2013/141274

[58] Tarafdar JC, Raliya R, Rathore I. Microbial synthesis of phosphorous nanoparticle from tri-calcium phosphate using *Aspergillus tubingensis* TFR-5. Journal of Bionanoscience. 2012;**6**:84-89

[59] Das S, Das A, Guha A. Adsorption behavior of mercury on functionalized *Aspergillus versicolor* mycelia: Atomic force microscopic study. Langmuir. 2008;**25**:360-366

[60] Ghareib M, Tahon MA, Abdallah WE, Tallima A. Green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using some fungi isolated from the Egyptian soil. International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical and Nano Sciences. 2018;**7**(4):119-128

[61] Mosallam FM, El-Sayyad GS, Fathy RM, El-Batal AI. Biomoleculesmediated synthesis of selenium nanoparticles using *Aspergillus oryzae* fermented Lupin extract and gamma radiation for hindering the growth of some multidrug-resistant bacteria and pathogenic fungi. Microbial Pathogenesis. 2018;**122**:108-116. ISSN 0882-4010. DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2018.06.013

[62] Kitching M, Ramani M, Marsili E. Fungal biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles: Mechanism and scale up. Microbial Biotechnology. 2015;**8**(6):904- 917. DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.12151

[63] Bathrinarayanan PV, Thangavelu T, Muthukumarasamy V, et al. Biological synthesis and characterization of intracellular gold nanoparticles using biomass of *Aspergillus fumigatus*. Bulletin of Materials Science. 2013a;**36**(7):1201-1205

[64] Bathrinarayanan VP, Thangavelu D, Muthukumarasamy VK, Munusamy C, Gurunathan B. Biological synthesis and characterization of intracellular gold nanoparticles using biomass of *Aspergillus fumigatus*. Bulletin of Materials Science. 2013b;**36**(7):1201- 1205. DOI: 10.1007/s12034-013-0599-0

[65] Sundaramoorthi C, Kalaivani M, Mathews DM, Palanisamy S, Kalaiselvan V, Rajasekaran A. Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from *Aspergillus niger* and evaluation of its wound healing activity in experimental rat model. International Journal of PharmTech Research. 2009;**1**:1523-1529

[66] Sarsar V, Selwal MK, Selwal KK. Biogenic synthesis, optimisation and antibacterial efficacy of extracellular silver nanoparticles using novel fungal isolate *Aspergillus fumigatus* MA. IET Nanobiotechnology. 2016;**10**(4):215-221

[67] Siddiqi KS, Husen A. Fabrication of metal nanoparticles from fungi and metal salts: Scope and Application. Nanoscale Research Letters. 2016;**11**(1). DOI: 10.1186/s11671-016-1311-2

[68] Honary S, Barabadi H, Gharaei-Fathabad E, Naghibi F. Green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using *Penicillium aurantiogriseum*, *Penicillium citrinum* and *Penicillium waksmanii*. Digest Journal of Nanomaterials and Biostructures. 2012a;**7**:999-1005

[69] Honary S, Gharaei-Fathabad E, Khorshidi Paji Z, Eslamifar M. A novel biological synthesis of gold nanoparticle by Enterobacteriaceae family. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2012b;**11**:887-891

[70] Ahmad A, Mukherjee P, Senapati S, Mandal D, et al. Extracellular biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using the fungus *Fusarium oxysporum*. Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces. 2003;**28**:313-318

[71] Sagar G, Ashok B. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using *Aspergillus niger* and its efficacy against human pathogens. European Journal of Experimental Biology. 2012;**2**:1654-1658

[72] Jain N, Bhargava A, Tarafdar J, Singh S, Panwar J. A biomimetic approach towards synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 2013a;**97**(2):859-869

[73] Jain N, Bhargava A, Tarafdar JC, Singh SK, Panwar J. A biomimetic approach towards synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 2013b;**97**:859-869. DOI: 10.1007/ s00253-012-3934-2

[74] Tarafdar C, Raliya R. Rapid, Low-Cost, and Ecofriendly Approach for Iron Nanoparticle Synthesis Using *Aspergillus oryzae* TFR9. Journal of Nanoparticles. 2013;**1-4**:141274

[75] Zielonka A, Klimek-Ochab M. Fungal synthesis of size-defined nanoparticles. Advances in Natural Sciences: Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. Advances in Natural Sciences: Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. 2017;**8**:043001

[76] Narayanan KB, Sakthivel N. Biological synthesis of metal nanoparticles by microbes. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science. 2010;**22: 156**(1-2):1-13

[77] Verma VC, Kharwar RN, Gange AC. Biosynthesis of antimicrobial silver nanoparticles by the endophytic fungus *Aspergillus clavatus*. Nanomedicine. 2010;**5**(1):33-40

[78] Hassan AA, Howayda ME, Mahmoud HH. Effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the growth of mycotoxigenic mould. Study Chemical Process Technology. 2013:1-25

[79] El-Desouky TA, May MA, Naguib K. Effect of fenugreek seeds extracts on growth of aflatoxigenic fungus and aflatoxin B1 production. Journal of Applied Sciences Research. 2013;**9**:4418-4425

[80] Ammar HA, El-Desouky TA. Green synthesis of nanosilver particles by *Aspergillus terreus* HA1N and *Penicillium expansum* HA2N and its antifungal activity against mycotoxigenic fungi H.A.M. Journal of Applied Microbiology. 2016;**121**:89-100

[81] Otari SV, Patil RM, Ghosh SJ, Thorat ND, Pawar SH. Intracellular synthesis of silver nanoparticle by actinobacteria and its antimicrobial activity. Spectrochimica Acta. Part A, Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy. 2015;**136**:1175-1180

[82] Mukherjee P, Ahmad A, Mandal D, Senapati S, et al. Fungus-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their immobilization in the mycelia matrix: A novel biological approach to nanoparticle synthesis. Nano Letters. 2001;**1**:515-519

[83] Husain Q, Ansari SA, Alam F, Azam A. Immobilization of *Aspergillus oryzae* β galactosidase on zinc oxide nanoparticles via simple adsorption mechanism. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 2011;**49**(1):37-43

[84] Hassan SA, Hanif E, Khan UH, Tanoli AK. Antifungal activity of silver *Industrial Applications of Nanomaterials Produced from* Aspergillus *Species DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.98780*

nanoparticles from *Aspergillus niger*. Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2019;**1163-1166**

[85] Malhotra BD, Srivastava S, Ali MA, et al. Nanomaterial-Based Biosensors for Food Toxin Detection. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology. 2014;**174**:880-896

[86] Phanjom P, Ahmed G. Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles by *Aspergillus oryzae* (MTCC No. 1846) and Its Characterizations. Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. 2015;**5**(1):14-21. DOI: 10.5923/j.nn.20150501.03

[87] Vijayanandan AS, Balakrishnan RM. Photostability and electrical and magnetic properties of cobalt oxide nanoparticles through biological mechanism of endophytic fungus *Aspergillus nidulans*. Applied Physics A. 2020;**126**:234

[88] Pavani KV, Sunil Kumar N, Sangameswaran BB. Synthesis of Lead Nanoparticles by *Aspergillus* species. Polish Journal of Microbiology. 2012;**61**(1):61-63

[89] Abdeen M, Sabry S, Ghozlan H, El-Gendy AA, Carpenter EE. Microbialphysical synthesis of Fe and Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles using *Aspergillus niger* YESM1 and supercritical condition of ethanol. Journal of Nanomaterials. 2016;**9174891**. DOI: 10.1155/2016/ 9174891

[90] Baskar G, Chandhuru J, Fahad KS, Praveen AS. Mycological synthesis, characterization and antifungal activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Asian Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2013;**3**:142-146

[91] Chatterjee S, Mahanty S, Das P, Chaudhuri P, Das S. Biofabrication of iron oxide nanoparticles using manglicolous fungus *Aspergillus niger* BSC-1 and removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. Chemical Engineering Journal. 2019a. DOI: 10.1016/j. cej.2019.123790

[92] Farrag MHM, Mostafa AMFA, Mohamed ME, Huseein MEA. Green biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles by *Aspergillus niger* and its antiamoebic effect against *Allovahlkampfia spelaea* trophozoite and cyst. Experimental Parasitology. 2020. DOI: 10.1016/j. exppara.2020.108031

[93] Rajan A, Cherian E, Baskar G. Biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using *Aspergillus fumigatus* JCF and its antibacterial activity. International Journal of Modern Science and Technology. 2016;**1**:52-57

[94] Shende S, Bhagat R, Raut R, Rai M, Gade A. Myco-fabrication of copper nanoparticles and its effect on crop pathogenic fungi. IEEE Transactions on Nanobioscience. 2021. DOI: 10.1109/ TNB.2021.3056100

[95] Yusof MH, Mohamad R, Zaidan UH, Rahman NAA. Microbial synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles and their potential application as an antimicrobial agent and a feed supplement in animal industry: A review. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology. 2019;**10**:57. DOI: 10.1186/ s40104-019-0368-z

[96] Liu JM, Hu Y, Yang YK, Liu HL, Fang GZ, Lu XN, et al. Emerging functional nanomaterials for the detection of food contaminants. Trends in Food Science and Technology. 2018a;**71**:94-106

[97] Liu Y, Huang H, Gan D, Guo L, Liu M, Chen J, et al. A facile strategy for preparation of magnetic graphene oxide composites and their potential for environmental adsorption. Ceramics International. 2018b;**44**(15):18571-18518

[98] Zeng G, Chen T, Huang L, Liu M, Jiang R, Wan Q, et al. Surface modification and drug delivery

applications of MoS2 nanosheets with polymers through the combination of mussel inspired chemistry and SET-LRP. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. 2018;**82**:205-213

[99] Zeng G, Liu X, Liu M, Huang Q, Xu D, Wan Q, et al. Facile preparation of carbon nanotubes based carboxymethyl chitosan nanocomposites through combination of mussel inspired chemistry and Michael addition reaction: characterization and improved Cu2+ removal capability. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. 2016;**68**:446-454

[100] Nayantara KP. Biosynthesis of nanoparticles using eco-friendly factories and their role in plant pathogenicity: a review. Biotechnology Research and Innovation. 2018;**2**:63-73

[101] Jo YK, Kim BH, Jung G. Antifungal activity of silver ions and nanoparticles on phytopathogenic fungi. Plant Disease. 2009;**93**:1037-1043

[102] Abbas A, Naz SS, Syed SA. Antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against *Erwinia carotovora* pv. carotovora and *Alternaria solani*. International Journal of Biosciences. 2015;**6**(10):9-14

[103] Zakharova OV, Gusev AA, Zherebin PM, Skripnikova EV, Skripnikova MK, Ryzhikh VE,…, Krutyakov YA. Sodium tallow amphopolycarboxyglycinate-stabilized silver nanoparticles suppress early and late blight of *Solanum lycopersicum* and stimulate the growth of tomato plants. Bio- NanoScience. 2017. DOI: 10.1007/ s12668-017-0406-2

[104] Ismail AWA, Sidkey NM, Arafa RA, Rasha MF, El-Bata AI. Evaluation of in vitro antifungal activity of silver and selenium nanoparticles against *Alternaria solani* caused early blight disease on potato. British Biotechnology Journal. 2016;**12**:1-11

[105] Kaur P, Thakur P, Chaudhury A. An in vitro study of the antifungal activity of silver/chitosan nanoformulations against important seed borne pathogens. International Journal of Science Technology and Research. 2012;**1**(6):83-86

[106] Saharan V, Sharma G, Yadav M, Choudhary MK, Sharma SS, Pal A.,…, Biswas P. Synthesis and in vitro antifungal efficacy of Cu-chitosan nanoparticles against pathogenic fungi of tomato. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 2015;**75**:346-353

[107] Dimkpa CO, McLean JE, Britt DW, Anderson AJ. Antifungal activity of ZnO nanoparticles and their interactive effect with a biocontrol bacterium on growth antagonism of the plant pathogen *Fusarium graminearum*. Biometals. 2013;**26**(6):913-924

[108] He S, Feng Y, Ren H, Zhang Y, Gu N, Lin X. The impact of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles on the soil bacterial community. Soils Sediments. 2011;**11**:1408-1417

[109] Paret ML, Vallad GE, Averett DR, Jones JB, Olson SM. Photocatalysis: Effect of light-activated nanoscale formulations of TiO2 on *Xanthomonas perforans* and control of bacterial spot of tomato. Phytopathology. 2013;**103**:228-236

[110] Shenashen M, Derbalah A, Hamza A, Mohamed A, Safty SE. Antifungal activity of fabricated mesoporous alumina nanoparticles against root rot disease of tomato caused by *Fusarium oxysporium*. Pest Management Science. 2017;**73**(6):1121-1126

[111] Borchers A, Teuber SS, Keen CL, Gershwin ME. Food safety. Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology. 2010;**39**:95-141

[112] Hoffmann S, Harder W. Food safety and risk governance in globalized markets. Health Matrix. 2010;**20**:5-54

*Industrial Applications of Nanomaterials Produced from* Aspergillus *Species DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.98780*

[113] Pan M, Yin Z, Liu K, Du X, Liu H, Wang S. Carbon-based nanomaterials in sensors for food safety. Nanomaterials. 2019;**9**:1330. DOI: 10.3390/nano9091330

[114] Wu YN, Liu P, Chen JS. Food safety risk assessment in China: past, present and future. Food Control. 2018;**90**:212-221

[115] Duncan TV. Applications of nanotechnology in food packaging and food safety: Barrier materials, antimicrobials and sensors. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. 2011;**363**:1-24

[116] Kerry JP, O'Grady MN, Hogan SA. Past, current and potential utilisation of active and intelligent packaging systems for meat and muscle-based products: a review. Meat Science. 2006;**74**:113-130

[117] Chaudhry Q, Scotter M, Blackburn J, Ross B, Boxall A, Castle L, et al. Applications and implications of nanotechnologies in food sector. Food Additives & Contaminants. Part A, Chemistry, Analysis, Control, Exposure & Risk Assessment. 2008;**25**(3):241-258. DOI: 10.1080/02652 03070 17445 38

[118] He X, Deng H, Hwang H. The current application of nanotechnology in food and agriculture. Journal of Food and Drug Analysis. 2019;**27**:1-21. DOI: 10.1016/J.JFDA.2018.12.002

[119] Mousa SA, El-Sayed SR, Mohamed SS, Abo El-Seoud MA, Elmehlawy AA, Abdou DAM. Novel mycosynthesis of CoO4, CuO, Fe3O4, NiO, and ZnO nanoparticles by the endophytic *Aspergillus terreus* and evaluation of their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 2021;**105**:741-753. DOI: 10.1007/ s00253-020-11046-4

[120] Komal R, Uzair B, Sajjad S, Butt S, Kanwal A, Ahmed I, Riaz N,

Leghari SAK, Abbas S. Skirmishing MDR strain of *Candida albicans* by effective antifungal CeO2 nanostructures using *Aspergillus terreus* and *Talaromyces purpurogenus*. Materials Research Express 2020;**7**:055004. DOI: 10.1088/2053-1591/ab8ba2

[121] Omran BA, Nassar HN, Younis SA, El-Salamony RA, Fatthallah NA, Hamdy A, El-Shatoury EH, El-Gendy NS. Novel mycosynthesis of cobalt oxide nanoparticles using *Aspergillus brasiliensis* ATCC 16404 optimization, characterization and antimicrobial activity. Journal of Applied Microbiology 2020;**128**:438- 457. DOI: 10.1111/jam.14498

[122] Abdelhakim HK, El-Sayed ER, Rashidi FB. Biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles with antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant and photocatalytic activities by the endophytic *Alternaria tenuissima*. Journal of Applied Microbiology 2020;**128**:1634-1646. DOI: 10.1111/ jam.14581

[123] Atalay FE, Asma D, Kaya H, Bingol A, Yaya P. Synthesis of NiO nanostructures using *Cladosporium cladosporioides* fungi for energy storage applications. Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology 2016;**6**:28. DOI: 10.5772/63569

[124] El-Batal AI, El-Sayyad GS, Mosallam FM, Fathy RM. *Penicillium chrysogenum*-mediated mycogenic synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using gamma rays for in vitro antimicrobial activity against some plant pathogens. Journal of Cluster Science. 2020;**31**:79-90. DOI: 10.1007/ s10876-019-01619-3

[125] Mahanty S, Bakshi M, Ghosh S, Chatterjee S, Bhattacharyya S, Das P, et al. Green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles mediated by filamentous fungi isolated from sundarban mangrove ecosystem, India.

BioNanoScience. 2019;**9**:637-651. DOI: 10.1007/s12668-019-00644-w

[126] Yusof MH, Rahman AN, Mohamad R, Zaidan UH, Samsudin AA. Biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles by cell-biomass and supernatant of *Lactobacillus plantarum* TA4 and its antibacterial and biocompatibility properties. Scientific Reports. 2021;**10**:19996. DOI: 10.1038/ s41598-020-76402-w

[127] Al-Senani GM, Al-Fawzan FF. Adsorption study of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution by nanoparticle of wild herbs. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Research. 2018;**44**(3):187-194

[128] Bozbaş SK, Boz Y. Low-cost biosorbent: *Anadara inaequivalvis* shells for removal of Pb (II) and Cu (II) from aqueous solution. Process Safety and Environment Protection. 2016;**103**:144-152

[129] Bradder P, Ling SK, Wang S, Liu S. Dye adsorption on layered graphite oxide. Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data. 2011;**56**(1):138-141

[130] Brunet L, Lyon DY, Hotze EM, Alvarez PJJ, Wiesner MR. Comparative photoactivity and antibacterial properties of C60 fullerenes and titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Environmental Science & Technology. 2009;**43**(12):4355-4360

[131] Darwesh OM, Ali SS, Matter IA, Elsamahy T, Mahmoud YA. Enzymes immobilization onto magnetic nanoparticles to improve industrial and environmental applications. Methods in Enzymology. 2019;**1-22**. DOI: 10.1016/ bs.mie.2019.11.006.

[132] Almomani F, Bhosale R, Khraisheh M, Kumar A, Almomani T. Heavy metal ions removal from industrial wastewater using magnetic nanoparticles (MNP). Applied Surface Science. 2019. DOI: 10.1016/j. apsusc.2019.144924

[133] Zhang H, Chen S, Jia X, Huang Y, Ji R, Zhao L. Comparison of the phytotoxicity between chemically and green synthesized silver nanoparticles. The Science of the Total Environment. 2021;**752**:142264. DOI: 10.1016/j. scitotenv.2020.142264

[134] Acharya P, Jayaprakasha GK, Crosby KM, Jifon JL, Patil BS. Greensynthesized nanoparticles enhanced seedling growth, yield, and quality of onion (*Allium cepa* L.). ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 2019;**7**: 14580-14590

[135] Sulaiman GM, Hussien HT, Saleem MNM. Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles synthesized by *Aspergillus flavus* and their antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxicity properties. Bulletin in Matererial Science. 2015;**38**(3):639-644

[136] Othman AM, Elsayeda MA, Al-Balakocy NG, Hassan MM, Elshafei AM. Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles by *Aspergillus terreus* NRRL265 for imparting durable antimicrobial finishing to polyester cotton blended fabrics: Statistical optimization, characterization, and antitumor activity evaluation. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology. 2021;**31**:101908. DOI: 10.1016/j.bcab.2021.101908

[137] Chen H, Luo L, Fan S, Xiong Y, Ling Y, Peng S. Zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized from *Aspergillus terreus* induces oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis through modulating apoptotic proteins in human cervical cancer HeLa cells. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2021;**73**(2):221-232

[138] Gupta I, Duran N, Rai M. Nanosilver toxicity: Emerging concerns and consequencesin human health. In: Rai M, Cioffi N, editors. Nano-Antimicrobials: Progress and Prospects. Verlag Germany: Springer; 2012. pp. 525-548

*Industrial Applications of Nanomaterials Produced from* Aspergillus *Species DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.98780*

[139] Gupta IR, Anderson AJ, Rai M. Toxicity of fungal-generated silver nanoparticles to soil-inhabiting *Pseudomonas putida* KT2440, a rhizospheric bacterium responsible for plant protection and bioremediation. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2015;**286**:48-54

[140] Abu-Elghait M, Hasanin M, Hashem AH, Salem SS. Ecofriendly novel synthesis of tertiary composite based on cellulose and mycosynthesized selenium nanoparticles: Characterization, antibiofilm and biocompatibility. International Journal of Biology and Macromolecules. 2021;**175**:294-303

[141] Shaheen TI, Fouda A, Salem SS. Integration of cotton fabrics with biosynthesized CuO nanoparticles for bactericidal activity in the terms of their cytotoxicity assessment. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research. 2021;**60**(4):1553-1563

## *Edited by Mehdi Razzaghi-Abyaneh and Mahendra Rai*

This book highlights recent advances in the pathogenicity, mycotoxin-producing ability, and industrial application of members belonging to the genus *Aspergillus*. It is divided into two sections and six chapters that address different aspects and the importance of Aspergilli in relation to *Aspergillus–*human interactions, immunopathogenesis of invasive aspergillosis, the role of aflatoxin in *Aspergillus flavus* resilience to stress, mycovirus-containing *A. flavus* and carcinogenesis beyond mycotoxin production, and industrial application of *Aspergillus* species in conjunction to nanoparticle synthesis. This book brings readers several cutting-edge aspects of *Aspergillus* research with useful information for mycologists, microbiologists, toxicologists, plant pathologists, and pharmacologists, who may be interested in understanding the impact, significance, and recent advances within the genus *Aspergillus* that have not been critically noticed elsewhere.

Published in London, UK © 2022 IntechOpen © Jannicke Wiik-Nielsen / iStock

The Genus *Aspergillus*


The Genus *Aspergillus*

Pathogenicity, Mycotoxin Production

and Industrial Applications

*Edited by Mehdi Razzaghi-Abyaneh* 

*and Mahendra Rai*