What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to explore the antimicrobial and anticancer properties of chitosan nanocapsules containing titanium nanoparticles.

February 14, 2026Open Access

Antimicrobial, anticancer activities and molecular docking of eco-friendly chitosan nanocapsule loaded with biosynthesized titanium nanoparticles by Aspergillus flavus

NENashwa El‐GazzarZagazig University MRMarwa RafatZagazig University GRGamal H. RabieZagazig University

Key Points

This research aims to explore the antimicrobial and anticancer properties of chitosan nanocapsules containing titanium nanoparticles.
Biosynthesis of titanium nanoparticles using Aspergillus flavus
Characterization of nanoparticles using DLS, zeta potential, AFM, SEM, TEM, and XRD
Assessment of antimicrobial efficacy against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria
Evaluation of cytotoxicity in human cancer and normal cell lines
Encapsulation efficacy of over 86.7% achieved at 1.5% chitosan concentration
Particle sizes of 40.7 nm for TiO2 NPs, 40.6 nm for CsNPs, and 87.3 nm for CNCs
CNCs showed significantly lower minimum inhibitory concentrations against Salmonella typhimurium and Aspergillus fumigatus
CNCs exhibited non-cytotoxic effects on normal human melanocytes while reducing viability in cancer cell lines

Abstract

Introduction Chitosan have been leveraged to create chitosan nanocapsules within a bio-based nanocarrier system, enhancing efficacy and overcoming widespread microbial resistance. To generate chitosan nanocapsules (CNCs) that act as inhibitory agents against pathogenic microbes, this study combined titanium nanoparticles (TiO 2 NPs) with chitosan nanoparticles (Cs NPs). Methods A.flavus was used for the biosynthesis of TiO 2 NPs. Dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), were utilized to assess the physicochemical properties of TiO 2 NPs and their CNCs. These techniques clarified particle diameter, charge stability, specific surface area, surface morphology, shape, dimensional forms, and structural parameters, respectively. Results The findings showed that TiO 2 NPs and their nanocapsules achieved an encapsulation efficacy of over 86.7 ± 1.8% at 1.5% w/v chitosan concentration, with particle sizes of 40.7, 40.6, and 87.3 nm for TiO 2 NPs, CsNPs, and CNCs, respectively. Nanoparticle stability was confirmed by a zeta potential greater than –30.1 ± 4.5mV for TiO 2 NPs. Furthermore, TiO 2 NPs and their nanocapsules suppressed both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with CNCs exhibiting more potent inhibitory effects than either TiO 2 NPs or CsNPs. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of CNCs against Salmonella typhimurium and Aspergillus fumigatus were remarkably low, at 20 and 10 μg mL −1 , respectively. TEM images of S. typhimurium and A. fumigatus treated with CNCs exhibited asymmetric cell deformations, wrinkled external surfaces, cell depressions, and declined cell counts. Cytotoxicity studies showed that CNCs exhibited non-cytotoxic behavior on normal human melanocytes (HFB4). In contrast, CNCs reduced the viability of human colon carcinoma (HCT-116) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2). Conclusion Nanomaterials, both alone or in nanocapsules, offer a promising alternative for inhibiting harmful microorganisms and represent a potential pathway for the development of anticancer medications. The findings indicate that CNCs are safe and effective against multidrug-resistant bacteria and fungi, making them a viable alternative to current antibiotic therapies.

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