ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Acarous calamus L. based nano-bio formulation as an alternative to synthetic fungicides against Aspergillus flavus link

Vaishnavi Kanagasabai, Kandiah Pakeerathan, and Ganeshalingam Sashikesh

Department of Agricultural Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka

E-mail: vaishuk1661@gmail.com

Received: 10 December 2024  Accepted: 26 April 2026

Abstract:

Carcinogenic Aflatoxins producing Aspergillus flavus contaminate food crops and pose health risks to humans and livestock. Synthetic fungicides are commonly used to control A. flavus, but they can have negative environmental and health impacts. Acarous calamus L., also known as sweet flag, is a plant with potential antifungal properties. Nanotechnology can enhance the effectiveness of plant extracts by increasing their surface area and allowing for better penetration. Current study focused to explore nano-bio formulation of A.calamus silver nanoparticle and comparative study of its efficacy on growth inhibition and reproduction of A. flavus. All the experiments were conducted in Complete Randomized Design (CRD), and data were subjected ANOVA using SAS 9.1 and Tukey’s HSD multiple comparison test was used to determine the best treatment combination at P < 0.05. The UV spectrophotometer results confirmed that the silver nanoparticle was synthesized at the optimum condition of optimum volume was found to as 25 mL of 0.01 mol L⁽⁻¹⁾ of silver nitrate, optimum time was found as 210 min with the absorption peak range of 400 –500 nm. SEM characterization captured the AgNPs size varies from 0.11 μm to 2.23 μm. AgNPs concentration of 0.02 g inhibit the growth by 50% compared to A. calamus water extracts and > 90% reduction in spore production reduction at \(\:P<\:0.05\). Moreover, growth inhibition percentage and rate spore production of A. flavus in Ag-Nano particle inoculated treatments were perfectly corelated with the R² value of 0.96 at P < 0.01& 0.05. This study concludes Nano-bio formulations show enhanced the efficiency and promise of plant-based solution as a natural fungicide against A. flavus. Field research is underway to fully understand the potential of this Nano-bio formulations.

Graphical abstract

Keywords: Aflatoxin; Aspergillus flavus; Green synthesis of nanoparticles; Silver nanoparticles

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-026-04970-8

Chemical Papers 80 (8) 9583–9593 (2026)