January 2016 Vol. 4 No.1

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Original Research Article

Synergistic Effect of Silver Nanoparticles and Laser Light: A Novel Therapeutic Approach on Aspergillus Fumigatus

Mona E. Morsy¹, Hanaa Y. A. Ahmed² and Amal A.I. Mekawey^2*

¹National Institute of Laser Enhanced Sciences (NILES) – Cairo University
²The Regional Center of Mycology and Biotechnology- Al-Azhar University

*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: amalmekawey@yahoo.com

Accepted January 10, 2016

Abstract

The application of nanoscale materials, ranging from 1 to 100 nm, is an emerging area of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Silver nanoparticles are used in many consumer applications, mostly because of its well documented and safe uses as an antimicrobial agent. This article explores the effect of silver nanoparticle prepared chemically and biologically – enhanced laser therapy against pathogenic Aspergillus fumigatus. Previously, physiochemical (X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible absorption, FTIR, and fluorescence spectroscopy) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) techniques were used to characterize silver nanoparticles were studied. Four different diode lasers with different wavelengths (445, 532, 660 and 808 nm) were used. At fluence rate of 300 mW/cm2 was adjusted for all wavelengths at 10 min of irradiation. 300 mW/cm2 had fluences at 10 min with energy equal 180 J/cm2. Fungicidal and fungistatic effects of various laser light and nano extracts on the growth of A. fumigatus were reported; also the effects of fungal morphological features were examined using Image analyser. The results declared that 445 nm was the best laser wavelength, had fungicidal and/or fungistatic potency followed by 660 nm as well as Ag-NPs extract from P. variotii was the best Ag-NPs used to prevent the growth of A. fumigatus with 445 and 660 nm. More studies on this field were required and application in vivo is recommended.

Keywords: Aspergillus fumigatus, laser therapy, nano particles, nanotechnology