Evaluation of the myco-toxicities of silver sulfide nanoparticles against phytopathogenic fungi

Silver sulfide nanoparticles (Ag₂S NPs) are less explored under in vitro or in vivo conditions or as bio-compatible material in comparison to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The present study involved the synthesis of silver sulfide nanoforms by sonochemical approach using various sulfide ion sources and their characterization using UV-Vis, FTIR, TEM, DLS, Zeta potential, SEM and EDS techniques. All the synthesized samples were evaluated for their preliminary antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi viz. Fusarium verticillioides, Bipolaris oryzae, Ustilago hordei and Uromyces viciafabia. The Ag₂S-4 NPs obtained from sodium sulfide as sulfur source exhibited maximum bio potential with ED₅₀ ≤13 μg/mL which was twofold less than ED₅₀ value of Ag NPs (under similar size range) revealing better stability and bio potential of Ag₂S-4 NPs in comparison to AgNPs.