Fungus-derived nanoparticles combat infections and cancer effectively

Scientists have developed silver nanoparticles using the fungus Fusarium oxysporum, which can fight bacteria and some cancer cells. This method produces nanoparticles with an average diameter of 5 nanometers, enhancing their effectiveness. The nanoparticles showed strong antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, requiring only a small concentration to inhibit growth. They also demonstrated the ability to kill various cancer cells, including those from breast, liver, and lung cancers. While the potential for commercial use exists, challenges remain in scaling up production and identifying the proteins involved in nanoparticle biosynthesis. Further research is needed to advance these findings into practical treatments.