Veterinary Research Forum
Vet Res Forum

Trichoderma harzianum as fungicide and symbiont: is it safe for human and animals?

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Amir Ali Shahbazfar 1
Marzieh Heidarieh 2
Samira Shahbazi 3
Hamed Askari 3

1 Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

2 Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Plant Protection, Nuclear Agriculture School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI), Karaj, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2023.561862.3618
Abstract
Trichoderma species are considered as biological control agents against numerous phytopathogenic fungi. They are also helpful for plants as plant symbiont. This study aimed to identify harmful effects of Trichoderma in laboratory animals. In the first step, inhalation toxicity was studied. Six rats as control received a spray of bio-formulation without spores. Ten rats as treatment A received    1.00 × 106 colony-forming unit (CFU) of Trichoderma spores and ten rats as treatment B received 1.00 × 107 CFU per test of Trichoderma spores. The harmful effects of Trichoderma were obvious especially in the lungs, liver and kidney, and some blood parameters were abnormal. In the second step, we studied acute oral toxicity by gavage. Four rats as control received bio-formulation without spores. Six rats as treatment A received 1.00 × 106 CFU per test of Trichoderma spores. Six rats as treatment B received 1.00 × 107 CFU per test of Trichoderma spores. The harmful effects of Trichoderma were noticeable more in the liver and kidney tissues. For dermal toxicity study, two rabbits as control received bio-formulation without spores by rubbing on the surface of the skin. Treatment groups A and B received 1.00 × 106 and 1.00 × 107 CFU per test of Trichoderma spores, respectively (four rabbits for each group). The liver and kidney and some blood parameters were abnormal. Trichoderma has some harmful effects on tissues and organs and although it is a natural product, it should be used under cautions.

Keywords

Biological agents
Lab animals
Phytopathogenic fungi
Toxicity
Trichoderma harzianum

Subjects

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Veterinary Research Forum
Volume 14, Issue 11
November 2023
Pages 607-614

  • Receive Date 10 September 2022
  • Revise Date 19 April 2023
  • Accept Date 20 May 2023

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