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Journal of Integrative Agriculture  2026, Vol. 25 Issue (4): 1544-1555    DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2024.07.010
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Elucidating the mechanisms of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. tuberosi inhibition using functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes: A comprehensive analysis of biophysical and molecular interactions

Sadia Manzoor1#, Asma Irshad2, Saira Azam3, Ijaz Ali7, Ayesha Latif3, Abdul Qayyum Rao3, Samina Hassan4, Ahmad Ali Shahid3, Muhammad Danish Ali5, 6#, Ameni Brahmia8

1 Centre for Applied Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Thokar Niaz Baig Lahore 53700, Pakistan

2 School of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of the Punjab, Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore 54590, Pakistan

3 Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Thokar Niaz Baig Lahore 53700, Pakistan

4 Department of Botany, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore 54000, Pakistan

5 Institute of Physics Center for Science and Education, Silesian University of Technology, Krasińskiego 8A, Katowice 40-019, Poland

6 PhD School, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland

7 Centre for Applied Mathematics and Bioinformatics, Gulf University for Science and Technology, Hawally 32093, Kuwait

8 Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia

 Highlights 
These findings identify carboxyl and hydroxyl groups on f-MWCNTs as key contributors to boosting antifungal activity.
Mycelial deformation and altered antioxidative activity demonstrated the multi-mechanistic antifungal action of f-MWCNTs.
A notable drop in fungal bioactive metabolites showed that key fungal biochemical processes were disrupted, highlighting the novelty of this study.
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Abstract  

The study explores the antifungal properties of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. tuberosi, revealing a concentration-dependent impact, with the lowest concentration suppressing mycelial development.  The peaks at 2θ°=7.92° and 25.85° reveal the presence of MWCNTs.  Furthermore, the bonding extremes at 3,194 and 2,441 cm–1 and the peak at 3,573 cm–1 are hydrogen-bonded.  The peak at 3,756 cm–1 demonstrates the vibration of OH stretching to confirm the functionalization of MWCNTs.  MWCNTs at 308 nm show a peak with much higher UV energy.  This is because of the different plasmonic vibrations that the free electrons of multi-wall carbon nanotubes exhibit at about 308 nm.  Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed mycelial structure distortions, revealing inhibitory mechanisms of f-MWCNTs and their interaction with Foxysporum f. sp. tuberosi, providing insights into their complex behavior.  Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) showed anti-oxidative properties, indicating potential multifaceted modes of action, as evidenced by 2´,7´-dichlorofluorescein diacetate dye testing.  The current study analyzed bioactive molecules in Foxysporum f. sp. tuberosi extracts by gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, showing six metabolites having antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and antioxidant properties.  However, exposure to f-MWCNTs reduced these potent molecule concentrations, highlighting the significant impact of f-MWCNTs on Foxysporum f. sp. tuberosi biochemical arsenal.  This is the first report that checked the antifungal, and antioxidant activity and of a lesser concentration of metabolites produced after the action of f-MWCNTs in Foxysporum f. sp. tuberosi.  This research highlights the potential of f-MWCNTs as antifungal agents, paving the way for innovative strategies in combating fungal pathogens and developing effective treatments.

Keywords:  carbon nanotubes       antimicrobial Activity        Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. tuberosi        Zeta Potential        XRD        cell membrane  
Received: 06 February 2024   Accepted: 28 April 2024 Online: 09 July 2024  
Fund: The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia, for funding this work through a research group under grant number R.G.P-2/102/45.  
About author:  Sadia Manzoor, E-mail: smnsnny@gmail.com; #Correspondence Muhammad Danish Ali, E-mail: muali@polsl.pl, Danishmsc15@gmail.com

Cite this article: 

Sadia Manzoor, Asma Irshad, Saira Azam, Ijaz Ali, Ayesha Latif, Abdul Qayyum Rao, Samina Hassan, Ahmad Ali Shahid, Muhammad Danish Ali, Ameni Brahmia. 2026. Elucidating the mechanisms of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. tuberosi inhibition using functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes: A comprehensive analysis of biophysical and molecular interactions. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 25(4): 1544-1555.

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