*2.5. Fungal Genomic DNA Degrading Potential of the ZnNPs*

The fungal biomass of the three fungi was generated in potato dextrose broth. The fungal mats were filtered and washed through sterilized filter paper (Whatman qualitative filter paper No. 1, Sigma-Aldrich, USA). The mycelial mat was then placed in a ceramic pestle containing liquid nitrogen and finely ground to obtain a powder. The fungal genomic DNA was extracted [34], quantified for quality and quantity and known quantity (10 µL) was incubated with 40 µg mL−<sup>1</sup> of ZnNPs (NaOH as reducing agent) for 2 and 24 h at 37 ◦C. The incubated genomic DNA was resolved on 1.5% (*w/v*) agarose gel containing ethidium bromide (0.05 µg mL−<sup>1</sup> ). The resolved gel was viewed in a Gel Documentation and Analysis System (Uvitec, Cambridge, UK), and images were captured.
