Abstract Detail

Horticulture

Yang, Jian [1], Li, Xiujie Susie [1], Savchenko, Oleksandra [2], Yang, Xiaoyan [2], Chen, Jie [2].

Evaluation of antimicrobial effects of silver nanoparticle in vitro and on coated activated carbons.

Diseases caused by various pathogenic bacteria and fungi are the important limiting factors of greenhouse vegetable production, especially in hydroponically-grown crops. Pathogens in water can infect plant roots, spread diseases in greenhouses and reduce the quality and quantity of products. The goal of this project is to evaluate silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)-coated substrates in water treatment to control plant pathogens. We collected fungal and bacterial pathogens from greenhouse vegetables in Alberta, prepared silver nanoparticle solutions at different concentrations and evaluated their effect on killing bacteria, yeast and fungi. We selected activated carbon (AC) as the filter substrate, determined the minimum effective concentration of AgNPs in vitro and in AC treatments and characterized the AgNPs-coated AC. The preliminary results showed that AgNPs killed bacterial (Bacillus and Pseudomonas sp.) and fungal (Fusarium sp.) cells/spores at low concentration (1-10 mg L^-1 Ag⁺). AgNPs (20 – 23 g L^-1) killed most of bacterial, yeast and fungal cells/spores using a rotation method. Scanning electron micrographs showed that AgNPs were evenly coated on the surface and inside pores of AC particles. Transmission electron micrographs also proved that AgNPs are present inside the structure of treated AC and the size of the AgNPs is 20-100 nm. No silver ions were found in the effluents. Results of filtration tests showed that bacterial population in water was reduced 100 – 1000 times after filter through AgNP-treated AC. It indicates AgNPs-treated AC is suitable as a water filter substrate for water disinfection. We are currently working on the design and evaluation of a filter device that can be used to kill plant pathogens in contaminated water in hydroponic greenhouses.

1 - Alberta Innovates Technology Futures, Food & Agriculture, HW16A & 75th Street, Vegreville, AB, T9C 1T4, Canada
2 - University of Alberta, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Elec & Comp Eng Research Facility, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2V4, Canada

Keywords:
Silver nanoparticles
Activated carbon
Disease management
greenhouse vegetable production
water treatment
Hydroponics.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Topics
Session: 23
Location: Salon 19/20/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 4:15 PM
Number: 23003
Abstract ID:1214
Candidate for Awards:None