Synergistic Antimicrobial Activities of Chitosan Mixtures and Chitosan–Copper Combinations
Several recent studies revealed the significant contribution of intensive agriculture to global climate change and biodiversity decline. However, synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which are among the main reasons for these negative effects, are required to achieve the high performance of elite c...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-03-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/6/3345 |
| _version_ | 1797470795478335488 |
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| author | Philipp Lemke Lena Jünemann Bruno M. Moerschbacher |
| author_facet | Philipp Lemke Lena Jünemann Bruno M. Moerschbacher |
| author_sort | Philipp Lemke |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Several recent studies revealed the significant contribution of intensive agriculture to global climate change and biodiversity decline. However, synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which are among the main reasons for these negative effects, are required to achieve the high performance of elite crops needed to feed the growing world population. Modern agro-biologics, such as biopesticides, biostimulants, and biofertilizers are intended to replace or reduce the current agro-chemicals, but the former are often difficult to combine with the latter. Chitosans, produced from the fisheries’ byproduct chitin, are among the most promising agro-biologics, and copper fungicides are among the most widely used plant protectants in organic farming. However, the two active ingredients tend to form precipitates, hindering product development. Here, we show that partial hydrolysis of a chitosan polymer can yield a mixture of smaller polymers and oligomers that act synergistically in their antifungal activity. The low molecular weight (Mw) of this hydrolysate allows its combination with copper acetate, again leading to a synergistic effect. Combined, these synergies allow a 50% reduction in copper concentration, while maintaining the antifungal activity. This is potentially a significant step towards a more sustainable agriculture. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:41:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f77d01837d2f4c788049e8cd9367e0b7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:41:57Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-f77d01837d2f4c788049e8cd9367e0b72023-11-24T01:37:48ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672022-03-01236334510.3390/ijms23063345Synergistic Antimicrobial Activities of Chitosan Mixtures and Chitosan–Copper CombinationsPhilipp Lemke0Lena Jünemann1Bruno M. Moerschbacher2Institute for Biology and Biotechnology of Plants, University of Muenster, 48149 Muenster, GermanyInstitute for Biology and Biotechnology of Plants, University of Muenster, 48149 Muenster, GermanyInstitute for Biology and Biotechnology of Plants, University of Muenster, 48149 Muenster, GermanySeveral recent studies revealed the significant contribution of intensive agriculture to global climate change and biodiversity decline. However, synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which are among the main reasons for these negative effects, are required to achieve the high performance of elite crops needed to feed the growing world population. Modern agro-biologics, such as biopesticides, biostimulants, and biofertilizers are intended to replace or reduce the current agro-chemicals, but the former are often difficult to combine with the latter. Chitosans, produced from the fisheries’ byproduct chitin, are among the most promising agro-biologics, and copper fungicides are among the most widely used plant protectants in organic farming. However, the two active ingredients tend to form precipitates, hindering product development. Here, we show that partial hydrolysis of a chitosan polymer can yield a mixture of smaller polymers and oligomers that act synergistically in their antifungal activity. The low molecular weight (Mw) of this hydrolysate allows its combination with copper acetate, again leading to a synergistic effect. Combined, these synergies allow a 50% reduction in copper concentration, while maintaining the antifungal activity. This is potentially a significant step towards a more sustainable agriculture.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/6/3345chitosanbioactivityantifungalcopper fungicidessynergistic activity |
| spellingShingle | Philipp Lemke Lena Jünemann Bruno M. Moerschbacher Synergistic Antimicrobial Activities of Chitosan Mixtures and Chitosan–Copper Combinations International Journal of Molecular Sciences chitosan bioactivity antifungal copper fungicides synergistic activity |
| title | Synergistic Antimicrobial Activities of Chitosan Mixtures and Chitosan–Copper Combinations |
| title_full | Synergistic Antimicrobial Activities of Chitosan Mixtures and Chitosan–Copper Combinations |
| title_fullStr | Synergistic Antimicrobial Activities of Chitosan Mixtures and Chitosan–Copper Combinations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Synergistic Antimicrobial Activities of Chitosan Mixtures and Chitosan–Copper Combinations |
| title_short | Synergistic Antimicrobial Activities of Chitosan Mixtures and Chitosan–Copper Combinations |
| title_sort | synergistic antimicrobial activities of chitosan mixtures and chitosan copper combinations |
| topic | chitosan bioactivity antifungal copper fungicides synergistic activity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/6/3345 |
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