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Journal of Nanomycology | Vol. 1, No. 1 (2026), Pages: 1-18

Copper-Based Nanoparticles as Antifungal Agents: Green Synthesis, Mechanisms of Action, and Agricultural Applications

Ahmed Farhan SHALLAL
College of Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Raparin, Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Rasim Farraj MUSLIM
Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Applied Science-Hit, University Of Anbar, Heet, 31007 Anbar, Iraq

Tahseen Ali ZAIDAN
Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Applied Science-Hit, University Of Anbar, Heet, 31007 Anbar, Iraq

Muhammad AKRAM
Department of Eastern Medicine, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Shahlaa Mohammed ABDULLAH
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Science, University of Raparin, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Syamand Ahmed AHMED
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Soran University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Department of Nursing, Rwandz Private Technical Institute, Rwandz, Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq

Shwan Shorsh ABDALRAHMAN
Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Raparin, Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Received: 2025-10-14 Revised: 2026-07-04 Accepted: 2026-07-07 Published: 2026-08-29

https://doi.org/10.65999/nanomycol.2026.24

ABSTRACT

Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) exhibit exceptional antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, thereby at-tracting significant scientific interest in nanotechnology and applied microbiology. This article offers a comprehen-sive analysis of the synthesis of CuNPs, with particular emphasis on environmentally sustainable approaches, in-cluding biosynthesis utilising plant and fungal extracts. The antifungal efficacy of CuNPs is due to their ability to compromise the fungal cell membrane and induce oxidative stress through the release of copper ions (Cu 2+ and Cu +). CuNPs interact with fungal cells, causing membrane instability, electrolyte efflux, DNA damage, and cell death, all of which prevent the fungus from growing. The environmentally friendly green synthesis of CuNPs, particularly when using fungi such as Penicillium olsonii, is effective against a variety of phytopathogenic fungi, including Phy-tophthora capsici and Fusarium oxysporum. Copper salts are reduced using biological agents, including chitosan, polyphenolic compounds, and secondary metabolites from plants, to create stable and useful nanoparticles. The present study investigates how CuNPs' antifungal activity is affected by various nanoparticle properties, including size, shape, and concentration. The main benefit of CuNPs as biocidal agents is that they are cheaper and less harmful to the environment than regular fungicides. More studies are needed to understand the exact molecular pathways of CuNPs, to improve synthesis processes, and to evaluate their overall ability to fight multi-drug-resistant fungal infections in agricultural and clinical settings.

Keywords: Anti-fungal Agents, CuNPs, Nanoparticles, Phytopathogenic Fungi

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SHALLAL, Ahmed Farhan , MUSLIM, Rasim Farraj , ZAIDAN, Tahseen Ali , AKRAM, Muhammad , ABDULLAH, Shahlaa Mohammed , AHMED, Syamand Ahmed , & ABDALRAHMAN, Shwan Shorsh (2026). Copper-Based Nanoparticles as Antifungal Agents: Green Synthesis, Mechanisms of Action, and Agricultural Applications. Journal of Nanomycology, 1(1): 1-18. https://doi.org/10.65999/nanomycol.2026.24

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