Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Novel Zinc/Silver Ions-Loaded Alginate Microparticles: Synthesis, Physicochemical Properties, and Antifungal Activity Against Botrytis cinerea

Marko Vinceković
ORCID logo ,
Slaven Jurić
,
Kristina Vlahoviček-Kahlina
,
Katarina Martinko
ORCID logo ,
Suzana Šegota
ORCID logo ,
Marijan Marijan
,
Ana Krčelić
,
Lidija Svečnjak
ORCID logo ,
Mislav Majdak
,
Ivan Nemet
ORCID logo ,
Sanda Rončević
ORCID logo ,
Iva Rezić
*
Version 1 : Received: 11 October 2023 / Approved: 12 October 2023 / Online: 13 October 2023 (02:54:27 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Vinceković, M.; Jurić, S.; Vlahoviček-Kahlina, K.; Martinko, K.; Šegota, S.; Marijan, M.; Krčelić, A.; Svečnjak, L.; Majdak, M.; Nemet, I.; Rončević, S.; Rezić, I. Novel Zinc/Silver Ions-Loaded Alginate/Chitosan Microparticles Antifungal Activity against Botrytis cinerea. Polymers 2023, 15, 4359. Vinceković, M.; Jurić, S.; Vlahoviček-Kahlina, K.; Martinko, K.; Šegota, S.; Marijan, M.; Krčelić, A.; Svečnjak, L.; Majdak, M.; Nemet, I.; Rončević, S.; Rezić, I. Novel Zinc/Silver Ions-Loaded Alginate/Chitosan Microparticles Antifungal Activity against Botrytis cinerea. Polymers 2023, 15, 4359.

Abstract

Addressing the growing need for effective and environmentally friendly fungicides in agricul-ture, this study explored the potential of alginate microparticles loaded with metal ions as a novel approach to combat fungal pathogens. Novel alginate microparticles (microspheres and microcapsules) loaded with zinc or simultaneously with zinc and silver ions were prepared and physicochemically characterized (microparticle size, morphology, topography, encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, and swelling behavior). Investigation of molecular interactions in microparticles using FTIR-ATR spectroscopy exhibited complex interactions between all con-stituents. Fitting to the simple Korsmeyer-Peppas empirical model revealed the rate-controlling mechanism of zinc and silver ions release from microparticles is Fickian diffusion. Lower values of the release constant k imply a slower release rate of Zn or Ag ions from microcapsules com-pared to that of microspheres. The antimicrobial potential of the new formulations against the fungus Botrytis cinerea was evaluated. When subjected to tests against the fungus, microspheres and microparticles loaded with both zinc and silver ions effectively reduced its growth and al-tered the fungal hyphal structures well as exhibited superior antifungal activity. The results showed the potential of these novel microparticles as potent fungicides in agriculture.

Keywords

zinc alginate; zinc ions; silver ions; encapsulation; agriculture; Botrytis cinerea

Subject

Chemistry and Materials Science, Applied Chemistry

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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