Preparation, characterization and Anti-fungal Activity of Biodegradable Polymer (chitosan) on Some Phytopathogenic Fungi

Z. Abdeen 1, Tahany.G.M. Mohammed2, Hanaa A.E. Attia2
Page no. 60-71

Chitosan, a natural biopolymer is one of the most important derivatives of chitin, which is one of the major structural elements, that forms the exoskeleton of crustacean shrimps. The objective of the present study was to extract the chitosan from shrimp shells waste and then it was characterized by the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction pattern, Scanning electron microscope analysis, the thermal properties, the degree of deacetylation and molecular weight was measured. Antifungal activity of chitosan was tested by the poisoned food technique against some phytopathogenic fungi. The results indicated that the percentage inhibition of mycelial growth increase with increasing concentrations of chitosan for all tested strains. It was clear that Macrophomina phaseolina; Fusarium oxysporum and Phytophthra sp showed strong sensitivity to chitosan and the EC₅₀ values were 430.63, 566.23 and 677.22 ppm, respectively. Meanwhile, it displayed moderate high antifungal activity against the others. Chitosan could be used as a potential antifungal agent for the control of fungal plant diseases.

                                                         Keywords: Chitosan , biodegradable , Antifungal activity,  Phytopathogenic fungi