Growth rate inhibition of phytopathogenic fungi by characterized chitosans

The inhibitory effects of fifteen chitosans with different degrees of polymerization (DP) and different degrees of acetylation (F(A)) on the growth rates (GR) of four phytopathogenic fungi (Alternaria alternata, Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium expansum, and Rhizopus stolonifer) were examined using a 96-well microtiter plate and a microplate reader. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the chitosans ranged from 100 μg ×mL(-1) to 1,000 μg ×mL(-1) depending on the fungus tested and the DP and F(A) of the chitosan. The antifungal activity of the chitosans increased with decreasing F(A). Chitosans with low F(A) and high DP showed the highest inhibitory activity against all four fungi. P. expansum and B. cinerea were relatively less susceptible while A. alternata and R. stolonifer were relatively more sensitive to the chitosan polymers. Scanning electron microscopy of fungi grown on culture media amended with chitosan revealed morphological changes.