Eco-friendly fabrication of vanadium nanoparticles via Fusarium solani with dual antifungal and anticancer bioactivities

Abstract

Nanotechnology is driving significant advancements across medicine, environmental science, and materials engineering. However, conventional nanoparticle synthesis often uses toxic reagents and energy-intensive protocols, raising environmental sustainability concerns. We developed a green, mycosynthesis approach for vanadium nanoparticles (VNPs), employing Fusarium solani as a biological reducing and stabilizing agent. The tolerance index of F. solani was determined using different precursor concentrations. Synthesis was optimized using pH (5.0, 7.0, and 9.0) and temperature (25 °C, 30 °C, and 35 °C). The optimized VNPs were characterized and evaluated as antifungal and antibiofilm agents against clinical Candida albicans strains and as anticancer agents against pancreatic cell lines. Optimization revealed that nanoparticle synthesis was most efficient with antifungal activity at pH 7.0 and 30 °C, as indicated by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peaks around 370 nm. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy identified key functional groups including hydroxyl, amide, and carboxylate derived from fungal biomolecules, suggesting their role as natural capping and stabilizing agents. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed highly pure, crystalline vanadium oxide nanoparticles exhibiting a rhombohedral V₂O₃ phase. VNPs displayed significant antimicrobial and biofilm disruption activity against C. albicans and strong anticancer potential against T3M-4 and CD18/HPAF pancreatic cancer cell lines, with IC₅₀ ∼ 4 µg mL⁻¹. These results underscore fungal-mediated synthesis as a viable approach for generating multifunctional, biocompatible nanomaterials for antifungal and anticancer therapy.