Biological Efficacy of MWCNTs-ZnO Nanocomposites Against Ralstonia solanacearum and Fusarium solani: A Nanobiotechnological Approach for Plant Disease Management

Abstract

In the current study, it is reported that multi-walled carbon nanotube-zinc oxide (MWCNTs-ZnO) nanocomposites were synthesized, their structure characterized, and demonstrated to be useful in antimicrobial applications. We prepared the MWCNTs, which have been cleaned and carboxyl-modified (easy water dispersion), and, later, ZnO nanoparticles were coated on the nanotubes with sol-gel technique. UVVis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD and SEM were used to prove structural integrity and good functionalization. Antimicrobial activity of the nanocomposites was floated against two agricultural important pathogens viz. Ralstonia solanacearum (Gram-negative bacterium) and Fusarium solani (fungal pathogen), using disc diffusion technique of microbial assay. Findings showed that the antimicrobial activity of MWCNTs was dose-dependent thus having a synergistic effect with ZnO. The composite's bioactivity is likely due to ROS generation, membrane disruption, and enhanced cellular uptake. This study supports the potential application of MWCNTs-ZnO nanocomposites in sustainable agriculture