The scientific consensus is now on developing a biocontrol agent that can cause cellular metabolic reprogramming against agricultural pathogens. Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles was performed by using phytopathogenic fungi (Alternaria sp.) isolated from banana cultivated soil. Alternaria sp. can grow very fast and produce high enough bioactive compounds. This study aims to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using fungal Alternaria sp.s metabolites as a safe antifungal agent against plant pathogenic fungi (Fusarium spp. and Alternaria sp.). To visualize the formation of AgNPs, analytical instruments were used, such as ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and elemental mapping. The UV-visible spectra showed a peak at 435nm. Analysis of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) micrographs evidenced that the size of synthesized silver nanoparticles ranged between 3 and 10nm. The resulting AgNPs showed distinct antifungal activity against selected plant pathogenic fungi. Synthesized AgNPs have demonstrated remarkable potential for the use of antifungal compounds to combat plant diseases.
Marine biofouling causes significant economic losses, and conventional antifouling methods are often associated with environmental pollution. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), as a clean energy source, has gained increasing attention in recent years. Meanwhile, electrocatalytic 2e− oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) for H2O2 production has received growing interest. However, the majority of current studies are conducted on acidic or alkaline electrolytes, and research on 2e− ORR in neutral NaCl solutions remains rare. Here, a bimetallic Zn-Cd zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZnCd-ZIF) is rationally designed to achieve chloride-resistant 2e− ORR catalysis under simulated seawater conditions (pH 7.5, 3.5% Cl−). Experimental results demonstrate that the ZnCd-ZIF catalyst exhibits an exceptional H2O2 selectivity of 70% at 0.3 VRHE, surpassing monometallic Zn-ZIF (60%) and Cd-ZIF (50%). Notably, H2O2 production reaches 120 mmol g−1 in a Cl−-containing neutral electrolyte, exhibiting strong resistance to structural corrosion and Cl− poisoning. This work not only pioneers an effective strategy for designing ORR catalysts adapted to marine environments but also advances the practical implementation of seawater-based electrochemical H2O2 synthesis.