ABSTRACT

Nanoparticles are particles with the size between 1 and 100 nanometers that shows properties that are not found in the bulk samples of the same material. They exhibit unique physical and chemo properties activity and hence have received much attention from scientist and research in different area of biological science. This study was aimed at assessing the effects of incubation temperature on magnesium oxide nanoparticles, its yield and antimicrobial activity against selected phytopathogens.  Three phytopathogens (Enterobacter hormaechei S36-2, Enterobacter ludwigii GM7 and Erwinia spp) were isolated from the diseased Manihot esculenta. Antimicrobial assay was carried out using agar well diffusion, the wells were filled with antibiotics (positive control), magnesium oxide nanoparticles at different concentration (25, 50 and 100 %) Moringa oleifera extract and magnesium nitrate (precursor) in equal amount. From the result, the magnesium oxide nanoparticles displayed no inhibition (0.00+ 0.00 cm) against all test isolates, this was significantly different from the control (Chloramphenicol) with the zones of inhibition ranging from 3.07+0.70 cm to 4.35±0.14 cm. The results of this study reveal that magnesium oxide nanoparticles displayed no antibacterial activity against the test isolate. More studies should be conducted to accurately ascertain the antimicrobial effects of plant based synthesized MgONPs on pathogens isolated from Manihot esculenta under different environmental conditions and temperature.