• Antidermatophyte effect of zinc nanoparticle on Trichophyton mentagrophytes
  • Sima jalalian,1 Behin Omidi,2,* Arezoo dastpak,3
    1. M.Sc of Microbiology, Islamic Azad University, Central Branch, Tehran, Iran
    2. Assistant professor of Biology Group, Islamic Azad University, Central Branch ,Tehran, Iran.
    3. Assistant professor of Biology Group, Islamic Azad University, Central Branch ,Tehran, Iran.


  • Introduction: Recently Drug resistance is one of the main problems and researchers around the world are looking for the agreeable solution. Antifungal drugs are not far from this rule. With the expansion of nanotechnology, the use of nanoparticles in the treatment of diseases is one of the solutions. In this study, we used zinc nanoparticles. Zinc nanoparticles are one of the most widely used mineral nanoparticles that are considered by researchers due to their suitable physical and chemical properties. Zinc nanoparticles are used in the cosmetics industry, especially sunscreens and the food industry. Their antimicrobial properties have also been proven. One of the most common fungal diseases is Dermatophytosis That caused by Dermatophytes and affects on the skin, hair and nails. Trichophyton mentagrophytes is one of the most common dermatophytes. In this study, the effect of zinc nanoparticles on Trichophyton mentagrophytes was investigated.
  • Methods: T. mentagrophytes (PTCC5143) was prepared from fungal Collection of Tehran University and cultured in SCC and incubated in 28 ºC for 7-14 day. Zinc oxide nanoparticles was prepared from Nano Nasb Pars Company, the size of them was 20-50 nm. Antifungal effect of them was measured by disc diffusion method, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC80) by Macrodilution and Microdilution method, and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC).
  • Results: The results showed that the inhibition zone of the zinc nanoparticles were 24.43±0.5 mm which is not significantly different from that Griseofulvin (p≤0.05) and The concentration of MIC80 has been 6.25±0.5 mg/ml and the concentration of zinc nanoparticles obtained as an MFC has been 12.5±1 mg/ml which is not significantly different from that of Griseofulvin, Nystatin and Terbinafine (p≤0.05).
  • Conclusion: According to the results, the zinc nanoparticles had antifungal effect potential on Trichophyton mentagrophytes. As a result, the zinc nanoparticles are a very suitable and safe substitute for the treatment of fungal diseases such as dermatophytosis.
  • Keywords: Trichophyton mentagrophytes, zinc nanoparticles, dermatophyte