Image-based quantification of fungal growth inhibition under ammonium fluoride exposure using MIPAR software: a preliminary proof-of-concept study

Authors

  • Gvozden Jovanović Institute for Technology of Nuclear and Other Mineral Raw Materials
  • Vukosava Živković-Radovanović University of Belgrade, Faculty of Chemistry
  • Mladen Bugarčić Institute for Technology of Nuclear and Other Mineral Raw Materials https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6119-4414
  • Ivana Mikavica Institute for Technology of Nuclear and Other Mineral Raw Materials https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9533-1360
  • Katarina Pantović-Spajić Institute for Technology of Nuclear and Other Mineral Raw Materials https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1520-1334
  • Angelina Mitrović Institute for Technology of Nuclear and Other Mineral Raw Materials https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9578-6331
  • Dušan Milojkov Institute for technology of nuclear and other mineral raw materials, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0746-4185

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30544/MMD92

Abstract

This preliminary proof-of-concept study evaluated the feasibility of using MIPAR software for digital image-based quantification of fungal colony growth under ammonium fluoride (NH₄F) exposure. Growth dynamics of Neurospora crassa, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus niger were monitored at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h using standardized digital imaging. Image segmentation enabled measurement of fungal colony surface area and visualization of temporal growth patterns. Under the experimental conditions investigated, NH₄F exposure was associated with substantial reductions in measurable colony area in N. crassa and A. niger, whereas A. flavus exhibited a more variable response. Calculated growth inhibition ranged from 98–100% for N. crassa and 71–94% for A. niger. For A. flavus, calculated inhibition was 58% at 24 h, whereas the treated colony area exceeded the control area at 48, 72, and 96 h. The findings demonstrate the feasibility and potential of MIPAR-based image analysis for objective monitoring of fungal colony growth under NH₄F exposure. Further studies incorporating independent biological replicates, appropriate controls, statistical analysis, and formal validation of image segmentation are required to establish the accuracy and reproducibility of the approach.

Keywords:

fungal growth inhibition, fluoride ions, image analysis, MIPAR

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Published

23-10-2026

Issue

Online first

Section

Research Paper

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Copyright (c) 2026 Gvozden Jovanović, Vukosava Živković-Radovanović, Mladen Bugarčić, Ivana Mikavica, Katarina Pantović-Spajić, Angelina Mitrović, Dušan Milojkov

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