Preparation and antifungal activities of microcapsules of neem extract used in Populus tomentosa deteriorated by three mold fungi

Abstract

Microcapsules of neem extract (MNE) were observed using an optical microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The antifungal activity of the extract was evaluated by an agar diffusion assay. The MNE were induced into the wood material by a full-cell process. The diameters of the microcapsules were measured by OM, and the distribution of microcapsules in wood was observed by SEM. Wood blocks of Populus tomentosa were treated with the MNE, neem extract (NE), and an acid mixture of melamine formaldehyde resin (MF) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (AMS); their antifungal properties against Penicillium citrinum, Trichoderma virens, and Aspergillus niger were visually assessed. The microcapsules prepared by MF, 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and 10% NH4Cl showed regular shape and good dispersion. The agar diffusion assay showed that the neem extract had significant inhibition against all tested fungi, and the optimum concentration of NE was 10%. The diameters of the microcapsules were normally distributed in a range of 0.4 μm to 4 μm, and the microcapsules were unevenly distributed in the vessels and surface of Populus tomentosa. Wood specimens treated with MNE observed complete inhibition to all studied fungi, and the mark grades of specimens treated with MNE against three fungi all reached 5 (no growth of fungi).

Full Article

Preparation and Antifungal Activities of Microcapsules of Neem Extract Used in Populus tomentosa Deteriorated by Three Mold Fungi

Lulu Chang, Guoqi Xu,* and Lihai Wang *

Microcapsules of neem extract (MNE) were observed using an optical microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The antifungal activity of the extract was evaluated by an agar diffusion assay. The MNE were induced into the wood material by a full-cell process. The diameters of the microcapsules were measured by OM, and the distribution of microcapsules in wood was observed by SEM. Wood blocks of Populus tomentosa were treated with the MNE, neem extract (NE), and an acid mixture of melamine formaldehyde resin (MF) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (AMS); their antifungal properties against Penicillium citrinum, Trichoderma virens, and Aspergillus niger were visually assessed. The microcapsules prepared by MF, 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and 10% NH₄Cl showed regular shape and good dispersion. The agar diffusion assay showed that the neem extract had significant inhibition against all tested fungi, and the optimum concentration of NE was 10%. The diameters of the microcapsules were normally distributed in a range of 0.4 μm to 4 μm, and the microcapsules were unevenly distributed in the vessels and surface of Populus tomentosa. Wood specimens treated with MNE observed complete inhibition to all studied fungi, and the mark grades of specimens treated with MNE against three fungi all reached 5 (no growth of fungi).

Keywords: Antifungal activities; Microcapsules; Neem; Extract; Populus tomentosa

Contact information: College of Engineering and Technology, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040 China;

* Corresponding authors: xuguoqi_2004@126.com; lihaiwang@yahoo.com

INTRODUCTION

Poplar is widely distributed in the central plains of China. Populus tomentosa is one of the most widespread species in this family and has the potential to be a source of fuel ethanol (Jin et al. 1988; Wang et al. 2012). However, P. tomentosa has poor decay resistance, and that limits its service life (Ge et al. 2017).

Molds use wood carbohydrates to sustain mycelia or spore growth and form flocculent or speckled stains on wood surfaces, causing discoloration, and they can grow more easily on wood with a high content of moisture (Zabel and Morrell 1992; Nasser et al. 2017). Some typical molds such as Penicillium citrinum, Trichoderma virens, and Aspergillus niger can cause economic loss (Kositchaiyong et al. 2014b). Mildew usually occurs on wood surfaces and does not destroy the wood structure. However, molds can affect the appearance of wood. Cellulose and lignin are degraded when wood is exposed to mold for a long time, which increases the permeability of liquid and promotes wood staining (Zu and Huang 1987; Duan 2005).Many conventional preservatives such as chromated copper arsenate (CCA) are harmful to people and the environment (Gao et al. 2005). Therefore, the development of an eco-friendly and sustainable anti-mildew agent for wood is urgent.

Natural extracts contain compounds that protect wood materials against mold and destructive fungi (Damjan et al. 2006; Bento et al. 2014). The secondary metabolites of plants have antimicrobial potential and insect resistance (Xu et al. 2011). Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) is one of the most respected trees in India. Different parts of neem extract, including flowers, leaves, seeds, and bark, have shown great antibacterial property and biological activity (Gupta et al. 2017). Neem produces a variety of chemicals that protect against wood-decay fungi; azadirchtin-A, nimbin, and salannin are the major triterpenoids that have bactericidal capacity (Dhyani et al. 2004; Ali et al. 2017). However, botanical extracts are sensitive to rain, hyperthermia, and UV radiation so that the biocides are easily leached from wood. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new formulation techniques that reduce biocide leaching yet are still eco-friendly.

Microencapsulation is the technology of coating solid and liquid into the form of tiny particles using film-forming materials. Microcapsules have many advantages over conventional plant extracts, and encapsulation can reduce the release of agents and protect agents against leaching and UV-induced degradation (Jämsä et al. 2013). In addition, wood biocides with poor water-solubility are easier to introduce into wood by encapsulation (Liu et al. 2002). Microencapsulation has been widely used in medical science (Kumar et al. 2011), food technology (Silva et al. 2014), and agriculture (Jiang et al. 2008). However, microencapsulation used in wood preservation has been less reported. In the present study, a method was developed for the encapsulation of neem seed extract. The microcapsules were characterized in terms of appearance, particle size distribution, and antifungal effects against Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma virens, and Penicillium citrinum. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of a plant-based microencapsulation applied to wood preservation.

EXPERIMENTAL

Materials

Neem seeds were purchased from Kunming, Yunnan province in China in July, 2017. Ethanol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), NH₄Cl, and acetic acid were bought from Fusite Technology Co., Haerbin, China. The chemicals were of analytical grade. Melamine formaldehyde (MF) resin and urea formaldehyde resin (UF) were bought from Hongming Chemical Co., Jinan, China. Sapwood samples of P. tomentosa were obtained from a woodworking factory in Haerbin, China. The wood samples (20 mm × 20 mm × 5 mm) were dried at 105 °C to a constant weight and then autoclaved at 121 °C for 20 min. Three common mold fungi—P. citrinum, T. virens, andA. niger—were provided by the College of Engineering and Technology at Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China. All abbreviations for materials used in this paper are shown in Table 1.

Preparation of Neem Extract

Neem seeds were washed and ground to 20 mesh after being air-dried at room temperature. Approximately 20 g of neem powder was soaked in 280 mL of ethanol (60%). The container was shaken in a 50 °C water bath for 90 min. The solvent was evaporated by a rotary evaporator (Yarong Instrument Co., Shanghai, China).

Preparation of Microcapsules of Neem Extract

The surfactants (polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate and SDS) were diluted to 0.5%, 1%, and 2% in distilled water, and 20 g of neem extract was added. The emulsion was prepared using a stirrer (Xinrui Instrument Co., Jiangsu, China) at 1500 rpm at room temperature. The encapsulation of neem extract was carried out in a 1-L beaker via in-situ polymerization. First, 60 g of pre-polymers (MF and UF) were added into the emulsion, respectively. And the pH of the emulsion was adjusted to 5.5 using 10% acidifying agents (NH₄Cl and acetic acid) for 3 h at 50 °C, respectively.

Table 1. Abbreviations for Materials Used

Evaluation of Microcapsules

The distribution and size of the microcapsules were observed using an optical microscope (OM, BX53, Laishi Electronic Technology Co. LTD, Shanghai, China). Sizes of microcapsules were measured by 0.01-mm micrometer of OM, and the amount of microcapsules was more than 500. The morphology of microcapsules and their distribution in wood material were examined by SEM (Quanta 200, FEI Co., Hillsboro, OR, USA). The condition of SEM was 2^nd electron detection mode, under 5 kV of accelerating voltage, gold sputter coating.

Agar Diffusion Assay

Approximately 15 mL of potato dextrose agar (PDA) was poured into each Petri dish, and the fungal spore suspension was spread evenly on the agar with sterilized cotton swabs. Five holes were punched in each dish with a 5-mm hole punch. Different concentrations of extract solution were added into the holes with a pipette. Neem extract was prepared at different concentrations of 15%, 12.5%, 10%, 7.5%, 5%, and 2.5% by diluting the respective amount of extract in 40% ethanol and 0.5% DMSO. A solution of 40% ethanol and 0.5% DMSO was used for the control group. The inhibitory zone diameters were measured with vernier caliper via intersection method.

Wood Treated by Tested Reagents

Wood blocks were autoclaved at 121 °C for 20 min to be sterilized. Samples were treated under 0.1 MPa, full-cell pressure vacuum for 60 min (Xu et al. 2013). Different solutions (MNE, NE, and AMS) were induced into wood samples for 10 h, and then samples were air-dried for 24 h (Salem et al. 2016).

Biodeterioration of Wood by Mold Fungi

Mold fungi 15 day-old PDA cultures were prepared. The wood specimens were inoculated with a 5-mm disc of each fungus in a petri dish after treatment by MNE, NE, and AMS. Each dish contained 15 mL of PDA and was incubated for five days at 26 ± 1 °C (Kositchaiyong et al. 2014a). Three replicates were used for each solution, and untreated wood specimens were used for control samples. Antifungal properties were evaluated by fungal growth retardation after 14-days observation, using the visually determined marks recommended by Humar and Pohleven (2005), as shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Fungal Growth Retardation Marks

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Effects of Wall Materials on Preparation of Microcapsules

Microcapsules with different wall materials have different permeability and compactness; appropriate wall materials can improve the appearance and coating effect of microcapsules (Wang et al. 2006). The microcapsules prepared by MF and UF are shown in Fig. 1. The surfactant and acidifying agent were 1% polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate and 10% NH₄Cl, respectively.

The microcapsules prepared with MF had a regular morphology and were densely distributed (Fig. 1a). The size of microcapsules prepared by UF was not uniform (Fig. 1b). UF contains carbonamide group, which is easy to hydrolyze, and the molecule contains hydroxymethyl groups, carboxyl groups, amino groups, ether bonds, and other hydrophilic groups so that UF has poor water resistance (Zhang et al. 2009). Melamine in MF can react with hydroxymethyl groups and amino groups, which reduces the number of hydrophilic groups and increases the hydrophobicity of MF, so MF has good water resistance (Lee et al. 2002; Shi and Cai 2006). Besides, MF has both heat resistance and chemical resistance. Therefore, it would be a better choice as the wall material.

Fig. 1. Microcapsules prepared with (a) MF and (b) UF

Effects of Surfactants on Preparation of Microcapsules

The formation of surfactant/prepolymer complexes can change the adsorption layer around the oil phase, which improves the stability of emulsion and promotes the formation of an outer membrane (Petrovic et al. 2010). However, the type and dosage of surfactants can have a significant influence on the particle size and wall thickness of microcapsules. Therefore, an appropriate surfactant is important for the formation of microcapsules (Chao 1993). Using MF and 10% NH₄Cl as wall material and acidifying agent, respectively, the microcapsules prepared by polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate and SDS are shown in Table 3 and Fig. 2. Compared with the microcapsules prepared by polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate, microcapsules prepared with SDS had better dispersion as a whole. As the concentration of surfactants was increased, the microcapsules became denser. The morphology of microcapsules was irregular, and the dispersion was not uniform using 0.5% concentration of both surfactants (Fig. 2a, d). When the concentration reached 2%, the microcapsules all became aggregated seriously (Fig. 2c, f). In addition, the dispersion of microcapsules with 1% SDS was uniform compared with microcapsules with 1% polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate (Fig. 2b, e). The micelles were less when using surfactants at low concentration, so the microcapsules were less and irregular. Besides, the microcapsules were overabundant and easily aggregated when using excessive concentration of surfactants. The microcapsules with 1% SDS had a better appearance and narrower particle size distribution, while microcapsules with polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate tended to agglomerate and break. Because SDS is more hydrophilic than polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate, SDS can promote the formation of smooth outer wall on microcapsules.

Table 3. Effects of Surfactants on the Distribution of Microcapsules

* polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate