Fungal bioactive compounds Research Papers (original) (raw)

In this review, recent developments pertaining to the use of fungi as biosorbent for heavy metals removal from wastewater has been presented with critical analysis of the present status of the subject. Undoubtedly fungi have emerged as an interesting biosorbent family. They are superior to other microorganisms as they can be easily grown, produce large biomass, and genetic and morphological manipulation is easily possible with them. Various aspects of this field, such as classification, general characteristics, composition and role of the cell wall, and metal uptake mechanisms have been critically analyzed. The superiority of dead biomass of fungi and immobilization was paid enough attention. The use of fungal species as biosensors for metal detection in the environment was also presented.

The present investigation was carried out to determine the possible bioactive components of tuber of Ruellia tuberosa L. (Acanthaceae) using GC-MS analysis. Twenty five compounds were identified. The prevailing compounds in the ethanol extract of tuber of R. tuberosa were Lupeol (68.14%), Stigmasterol (8.89%), á-Sitosterol (3.99%), Sucrose (2.24%), Cholest-5-ene, 3-bromo-, (3á- (2.24%), Octadecane, 2-methyl- (2.10%), Nonadecane, 2-methyl- (1.93%), Eicosane, 2-methyl- (1.79%) Heptacosane (1.43%) and Heptacosane (1.29%).

A b s t r a c t A r t i c l e I n f o This review is a comprehensive survey of unique, unusual, and rare fatty acids incorporated into natural marine and terrestrial peptides obtained from fungi, fungal endophytes, lichenized ascomycetes, basidiomycetes, and actinomycetes. Lots of fungal peptides display important biological activities of interest, which includes antitumor, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, phototoxic, HIV inhibitory, immunosuppressive properties, and other pharmacological activities. There is no doubt that they are of great importance, especially in medicinal chemistry and/or pharmaceutical application. This review presents structures of more than 150 fatty acids, incorporated into marine and terrestrial fungal lipopeptides.

- by Valery M Dembitsky
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- Fungi, Fatty acids, Bioactive Peptides, Fungal bioactive compounds
- by Hesham Enshasy
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- Morphology, Fungi, Fungal Processes, Filamentous fungi

The marine environment is currently well explored as one of the most essential sources regarding to natural products in research, since organisms from oceans have exhibited exceptional biological, biochemical, and biosynthetic potential. Similarly, microorganisms’ natural products represent a substantial area for novel therapeutic compounds search. Many reviews highlighted microbial metabolites as targets for discovery and development of new drugs, especially anticancer, antibiotics, antifungals, and antiparasitics among others. Marine fungal endophytes are therefore virtually unlimited sources of novel compounds with numerous potential therapeutic applications due to their immense diversity and proven ability to produce natural products of medicinal and pharmaceutical importance, thus inspiring researchers to further study them. This book chapter reviews some of the endophytic fungi isolated from marine sources that produce metabolites with various biological activities against human pathogenic microorganisms. The potential for the exploitation in the pharmaceutical industry and concerns are also discussed.

- by bhoyroo Vishwakalyan
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- Pharmaceuticals, Endosymbionts, Fungal bioactive compounds

Chemical composition of the fresh and dried mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus and their bioactive secondary
metabolic products were studied. The ethanolic extracts of the P. ostreatus cultivated on rice straw supplemented by
wheat bran were studied by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. A total of hundred and seven
metabolites were detected in tested samples. These include 56 metabolites only detected in fresh sample, 37
metabolites only detected in dry sample, and 14 metabolites were detected in the both samples. The detected
metabolites could be classified into nine chemical groups including 2 metabolites related to acids, 5 alcohols, 27 alkane,
3 amides, 27 esters, 8 fatty acids, 4 terpenoids, 29 heterocyclic and 2 phenols. The bioactivity of the metabolic products
could be classified: anticholesterol, anticancer and essential fatty acids which support human health. On comparison
between fresh and dried P. ostreatus samples, we found that the high number of metabolites was recorded in the fresh
extract. Fifty five aroma compounds were recorded and including (27 esters, 9 ketones, 7 thiols, 5 alcholos, 4 terpenoids,
2 phenols and 1 aldehyde). The selenium content in P. ostreatus samples was measured by using ACAL –APR -51-00
test methods and showed that the fresh sample has 58.24 mg/kg but the dry sample has 100.31 mg/kg.

- by Eman Mostafa Mohamed
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- Fungal bioactive compounds
- by zafar iqbal
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- Fungal bioactive compounds
- by Ismail Asd88 and +1
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- Bioengineering, Pharmacology, Mycology, Pharmacy
- by Dr. Chellaram C
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- Fungal bioactive compounds

Fungi being achlorophyllous depends on other living organisms for their food either being parasite or saprophyte. Saprophytic fungi are good biodegraders. Through their enzymatic batteries, they can degrade any organic substances. Most of the time during the processes of degradation, macrofungi (mushrooms) are occurred as per the climatic conditions prevailing in the particular locations. Micro and macrofungi are considered a good source of human nutrition and medicine since time immemorial. Some of the fungi which are commonly known as mycorrhizae facilitate nutrients to more than 90% of green plants. Fungi play a basic role in plant physiology and help in the biosynthesis of different plant hormones that provides the flexibility of plant to withstand adverse environmental stress, the whole fungi are more friend than foe.

- by Chandan Singh
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- Plant Nutrition, Human Nutrition, Mushrooms, AM fungi

Monascus pigments have many applications such as coloring agents in foodstuffs, texture industries,
pharmacology, medicine and cosmetics. Globule production and annual consumption of the pigment around
the world were reported. Thirteen Monascus species were reported as pigment producers. All the recent
information's about Monascus bioactive metabolites were reported and the pigments also are classified into four
categories including: yellow, orange, red and colorless metabolites. Also, bioactivities of their metabolites were
classified into: antibacterial, antioxidant and anticancer, anti-cholesterols and anti-cardiovascular disease,
human health supporting agents and immune enhancer metabolites. Pigment production are maximizing and
improving their productivity by selection of the good producing strains, genetic and metabolic engineering.

- by Eman Mostafa Mohamed
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- Fungal bioactive compounds

This study investigated the communities of fungi on Magnolia liliifera wood in terrestrial and freshwater habitats in northern Thailand. Freshly fallen samples of M. liliifera wood were collected from the forest floor, oven dried, and then placed in the stream or adjacent to the stream on the forest floor as baits. The samples were collected and examined after 3 and 6 months of submersion and periodically over 29 months from the forest floor. Thirty- seven species of lignicolous fungi were discovered from 50 bait samples of wood sub- merged in the stream. Fungi obtained from submerged baits were compared with those found on wood of M. liliifera in terrestrial habitats (both naturally terrestrial and terrestrial baits). The fungal communities on wood in freshwater were distinct from those in the terrestrial habitat. Seventeen species of fungi overlapped between freshwater and terres- trial habitats, but only five out of 234 species overlapped between all habitats (freshwater, natural terrestrial and terrestrial bait). Corynespora cassiicola (60% frequency of occurrence) was the most common taxon found on natural terrestrial samples, while Lasiodiplodia theobromae (43% frequency of occurrence) was the dominant species from terrestrial baits. Candelabrum brocchiatum (26%) was the most common species from submerged baits. The common genera of fungi obtained from submerged baits were similar to those reported in other submerged wood studies.

- by Rampai Kodsueb and +1
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- Fungal Taxonomy, Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Fungal Enzymes, Fungal bioactive compounds, Fungal Diversity

To explore the biotechnological potential of endophytic fungi for kojic acid production by static and submerged cultivation. Two hundred and fourteen endophytic fungal isolates collected from apparently healthy leaves of eleven common medicinal plants in Egypt were screened for production of the acid using static cultivation at 28 °C and all positive isolates were examined for their production using submerged technique at 220 rpm. Twenty four endophytic fungal isolates showed the ability to produce kojic acid; these isolates belong to Aspergillus (five isolates of two species and two species varieties), Petromyces (nine isolates of two species), Penicillium (six isolates of four species), Chaetomium globosum (two isolates) and one isolate from each of Emericella nidulans and Pleospora allii. Production levels of kojic acid by static cultures fluctuated between 0.89 ± 0.05 and 23.84 ± 0.1 g/L. On the other side, Kojic acid production levels using submerged technique at 220 rpm fluctuated between 1.34 ± 0.28 and 36.75 ± 1.91 g/L. Maximum production level of kojic acid using submerged cultivation was exhibited by Petromyces flavus No. 64 (36.75 ± 1.91 g/L) isolated from Datura stramonium followed by Aspergillus flavus var. columnaris No. 69 (35.41 ± 0.5 g/L) isolated from Rosmarinus officinalis.

- by Orkida Monir
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- Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biology, Fungal endophytes

The fresh and dried fruiting bodies of cultivated P. ostreatus are accomplished by using different chemical analytical methods. The results are showing that the nutritional value is including: energy 236.624 & 56.05 kcal/100g; moisture content 86.33 & 5.155%; also the following constitutes by g/100g DW in fresh and dry samples: dry matters 13.667 & 94.844; total proteins 22.6 & 9.6; amino acids 3.43 & 0.68; total carbohydrates 35.1 & 2.83 and total lipids 0.91 & 0.77. Each of K, Mg, Zn, Na and Cu are determined by mg/100g DW. Antioxidant metabolites are detected and included ascorbic acid 2.395 & 0.6204 g/100g DW in fresh & dry samples, respectively; free phenols are 23.99 & 163.515 and bounded phenols are 2.85 &1.96 μg/100g in fresh & dry samples, respectively. Comparison between the fresh and dry P. ostreatus samples appeared that the fresh sample has high nutritional value with highest values in all tested parameters. Also the dry samples had the higher contents of four minerals (1696.25 K, 90.25 Mg, 21 Zn, and 4.5 Cu mg/100g DW comparing to the fresh sample (1402.5 K, 74.25 Mg, 18.25 Zn, and Cu 4.0). On the other side, the levels of each of Fe were 179.75 & 78 and Na 417.7 & 204.25 mg/100g DW, respectively).

- by Eman Mostafa Mohamed
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- Fungal bioactive compounds

Chemical profile of the Agaricus bisporus samples were analyzed using GC/MS method in ethanolic extracts. A
total of 174 metabolic products were detected, which included 13 significant metabolites between 1.2 to 83 % (w/w);
other 13 metabolites at 1% (w/w) and 148 metabolites less than 1% classified into 12 categories. These metabolites
had many medicinal activities, which included anti-cancer, anti-cardiovascular diseases, anti-hypercholesterol,
anti-microbial, hepatoprotective, human health supporting and immune enhancer. HPLC analysis of water extracts
of the A. bisporus samples showed that the spores and gills in the fresh adult mushroom had higher percentage of
agaritine mycotoxin than the other parts. These contents were decreased by different treatments especially by
boiling, preservation and cooking. The selenium contents (ppb) was measured by Galvanometric analysis and
highest content was recorded in fresh whole mushroom sample (0.97) followed by cooked preserved (0.4) and fried
sample (0.11).

- by Eman Mostafa Mohamed
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- Fungal bioactive compounds

Chemical investigation of the marine derived fungus Penicillium aurantiogriseum AUMC 9759 isolated from sea sediment of Mediterranean Sea (Alexandria) has led to isolation of two bioactive alkaloids, Viridicatin (1) and Dehydrocyclopeptine (2) along with sub faction B (mixture of two sterols). The compounds were isolated and purified by combined chromatographic procedures.The structures were established by 1 H and 13 C NMR experiments and HRESIMS data. This is the first report for dehydrocyclopeptine 1 H and 13 C NMR assignments. LC-MS of total fungal extract revealed the presence of cyclopeptine, dehydrocyclopeptine, viridicatin, terrestric acid, viridicatic acid, roquefortine c and 4-hydroy-3,6-Dimethyl-2H-pyran-2-one. The crude extract of the strain exhibited high activities against four bacterial and four fungal strains. Viridicatin (1) showed strong activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Sub faction B showed significant cytotoxicity against two cell line; hepatic cellular carcinoma (HEPG2) and breast cancer (mcf7) with IC50% of 32.8774 µg/ml and 24.3284 µg/ml respectively.

- by Ahmed M Abdel-hadi
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- Fungal bioactive compounds

Fungivorous paedogenetic larvae of Brittenia fraxinicola (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) live under the bark of decaying Hazel (Corylus
avellana) and are strongly associated with interfaces between two species of wood-rotting fungi, Hypoxylon fuscum and Vuilleminia
comedans. Here we show that the insects specifically inhabit narrow sub-cortical niches of dead wood between adjacent fungal decay
columns, which contain zones of melanised pseudosclerotial plate (PSP). Cecids influenced the interaction between fungi and fungal interactions in turn caused changes in cecid behaviour and reproduction.

- by Christian Taylor
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- Mycology, Entomology, Insect-Plant Interactions, Insect Ecology

A UV-guided fractionation of the AcOEt extract of the fermentation broth of Guignardia sp., an endophytic fungus from the leaves of the tropical tree Spondias mombin, resulted in the identification of the new metabolite (À)-(2S,5Z)-2-(1-methylethyl)-4-oxo-5-(phenylmethylene)-1,3-dioxolane-2-carboxylic acid (1), isolated as NH 4 salt 1a. The metabolite 1 was designated (À)-(S)-guignardic acid. This first member of a new class of natural compounds contains a dioxolanone moiety formed by fusion of 2-oxo-3-phenylpropanoic acid (phenylpyruvic acid) and 3-methyl-2-oxobutanoic acid (dimethylpyruvic acid), products of the oxidative deamination of phenylalanine and valine, respectively. The structure of 1a was deduced from spectral data (UV, IR, MS, 1 Hand 13 C-NMR) and confirmed by asymmetric synthesis. Introduction. ± The interest in endophytic fungi as a source of novel bioactive compounds is increasing mainly because of the difficulty to find new interesting lead compounds from extensively investigated organisms. In Brazil, Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae) has been used in traditional medicine because of its antimicrobial properties [1]. Species of Guignardia (Ascomycetes) and/or its anamorph genus Phyllosticta have been frequently isolated as endophytes [2 ± 4]. Phyllosticta, a genus of asexual fungi, is a source of various secondary metabolites. The most abundant, the phytotoxin phyllosinol, containing an a,b-unsaturated ketone moiety, shows antibacterial activity [5] [6]. Recently the sesquiterpene lactone heptelidic acid and two analogues, which are toxic against spruce budworm larvae, have been reported [7]. During an initial screening of secondary metabolites produced by strains of different fungal species isolated as endophytes from S. mombin that could contain useful antimicrobial properties [8], we selected a Guignardia strain based on some degree of antibacterial activities demonstrated by its crude extract. In the present communication, we describe the isolation, structure elucidation, and asymmetric synthesis of the new metabolite (À)-(S)-guignardic acid (1) as ammonium salts 1a or 1b.

- by Titania Tjandrawati Nugroho
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- Fungal bioactive compounds

Introduction:Flavonoids have a variety of functions, such as antioxidant activity, and are expected to have a disease prevention effect. In order to verify the disease risk reduction effect of flavonoids, we carried out a crossover trial in seven adult men of normal orlight overweight who ingested flavonoid-rich meals, with a diverse combination of basic foodstuffs, and low-flavonoid meals and compared blood disease-related inflammatory markers.
Methods: On the first two days of the study, seven male volunteers were provided with low-flavonoid meals (flavonoid content below the detection limit of HPLC: less than 0.24 mg/meal) three times a day as a washout. For the next seven days, they were fed flavonoid-rich meals (46.9 ± 8.1 mg/meal) or low-flavonoid meals. Blood samples were collected from all the volunteers before breakfast on the third day, after the washout and before breakfast on the tenth day. The test was consisted of one cycle from the first day tothe tenth day, and the participants carried out two cycles. Flavonoid concentrations in plasma and gene expression of inflammatory cytokine (interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 6, interleukin 18, and tumor necrosis factor-α) in whole blood cells were comparedbefore and after the intervention. Gene expression in whole blood cells was measured using real time RT-PCR.
Results: We found a significant increase in plasma flavonoid concentration (quercetin, kaempferol, daidzein,and genistein) upon intervention with flavonoid-rich meals (p < 0.05). In addition, the inflammatory cytokine gene expression was reduced in the subjects with a body mass index of more than, but not less than, 25kg/m2compared with that observed after the intake of low-flavonoid meals.
Conclusion: These results suggest that flavonoid-rich meals have an anti-inflammatory effect in obese persons who are likely to have chronic inflammation.
Keywords:Flavonoids, inflammatory cytokines, flavonoid-rich meal, human study

- by Food Science Publisher
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- Cytokines, Flavonoids, Flavanoids, Functional Foods

The impact of climate change on the distribution of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) was analyzed in northern Japan, where chronological distribution records are incomplete. We analyzed local climate data using linear regression of the thermal suitability index (TSI) for the mosquito and mean annual temperature as functions of time. In northern Japan, thermal conditions since the early 20th century have become increasingly suitable for Ae. albopictus, more as a result of decreasing coldness in the overwintering season than increasing warmth in the reproductive season. Based on recent discovery records of Ae. albopictus in the northern border range, we determined thermal criteria for estimating when its persistent establishment became thermally possible. Retrospective analyses indicated that those criteria were reached in most coastal lowlands of northern Honshu before the accelerated temperature increase after the mid-1980s and the Þrst records of this species after 1990; at some sites, temperature criteria were reached during or before the early 20th century. Expansion of the thermally suitable range after 1990 was supported only for inland areas and the northernmost PaciÞc coast. The estimated expansion rate was 26 km per decade. Our analyses also demonstrated the importance of local climate heterogeneity (apart from northÐsouth or altitudinal temperature gradients) in determining the expansion pattern.

The aim of our research was to determine the antimicrobial activity of Aspergillus Flavus against some selected bacterial and fungal pathogen. The research work was done in the laboratory of Agricultural Chemistry, Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Agriculture University Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan during the month of May 2013. The agar well diffusion method was used. The Acetonitrile and n-hexane extracts were used. The result of both the extracts of Aspergillus flavus was found to be effective against all the tested Bacterial i.e. P. aeruginosa, E. coli, S. aureus, S. aureus (Methicillin resistant), S. aureus (Vancomycin resistant), and fungal pathogen A. niger, A. oryzae, C. albican, P. distalatum, F. oxysporum. The result in Acetonitrile solvent was quite good from the result in n-hexane fraction, which confirmed that the secondary metabolites are more soluble in acetonitrile. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), of the extracts against these bacterial and fungal strains were in the range of 0.20 mg/ml. Different phytochemical analysis result indicate the presence of secondary metabolites like mycotoxin, Aflatoxin, Kojic acids which may be responsible for antimicrobial properties. From our result is the concluded that extract of Aspergillus flavus have potential against fungal and bacterial strains.

- by Sohail Khan
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- Fungal bioactive compounds

e aim of this study was to evaluate the pretreatment hepatoprotective effect of the extract of marine-derived fungus Trichurus spiralis Hasselbr (TS) isolated from Hippospongia communis sponge on hepatotoxicity. Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (í µí±í µí± í µí± í µí±). Group I served as −ve control, group II served as the induced group receiving subcutaneously for seven days 0.25 mg heavy metal mixtures, group III received (i.p.) TS extract of dose 40 mg for seven days, and group IV served as the protected group pretreated with TS extract for seven days as a protection dose, and then treated with the heavy metal-mixture. e main pathological changes within the liver aer heavy-metal mixtures administrations marked hepatic damage evidenced by foci of lobular necrosis with neutrophilic in�ltration, adjacent to dysplastic hepatocytes. ALT and AST measurements show a signi�cant increase in group II by 46.20% and 45.12%, respectively. Total protein, elevated by about 38.9% in induction group compared to the −ve control group, in contrast to albumin, decreased as a conse�uence of metal administration with signi�cant elevation on bilirubin level. e results prove that TS extract possesses a hepatoprotective property due to its proven antioxidant and free-radical scavenging properties.

In this study, an attempt was made to substitute maize (Zea mays L.) content of broiler starter feed with ground cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) peels enzymatically improved with amylase-producing fungi with a view to having a cost-effective yet nutritious and health-friendly feed. The biochemical components of the formulated feeds were determined as well as the effect of the feeds on some biochemical parameters in the broiler chicks. Six starter feeds tagged Control Feed, 20%CPFG, 40%CPFG, 60%CPFG, 80%CPFG and 100%CPFG were formulated with respect to variations in maize and cassava peel contents. The results showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in total polysaccharide contents of Feeds 20%CPFG, 60%CPFG, 80%CPFG and 100%CPFG compared to the Control Feed (191.4±14.5 mg/g of feed). Total soluble protein and reducing sugar contents were statistically different in most of the feeds (p<0.05). All the feeds contain relatively high amounts of total phenol (>70 mgCE/g of feed) and most of them comparatively high in anthocyanin relative to the control feed anthocyanin content (225.4±12.2 mg/g of feed). The highest weight gain (108.0±3.0 g) was observed in broiler chicks fed the feed ration containing 60% cassava peels improved with amylase-producing fungi and 40% maize (60%CPFG). Broiler chicks fed the formulated feeds, including the control, exhibited over 40% inhibition against 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. The serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in birds fed the compounded feeds and control slightly differed except in group 60%CPFG. It was concluded that the maize content in broiler feed can be replaced with cassava peels improved with fungal amylase upto a maximum of 60%. This would significantly decrease the overall cost of broiler feed production without compromising the nutritional, antioxidant and health-friendly potentials of the feed.

- by Avwioroko J Oghenetega, PhD and +1
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- Biochemistry, Animal Science, Nutrition, Enzymology

Thirty-six isolates comprising 23 species of fungi belonging to 8 genera isolated from five regions in Mediterranean Sea (Alexandria) were screened for production of indole alkaloids. Twenty-two isolates gave positive reactions (blue spots on TLC) with Van Urk's reagent and were regarded as indole alkaloids producers. Penicillium aurantiogriseum AUMC 9757 was isolated from sea sediment, was selected as the most active producer of indole alkaloids for biological evaluation (antimicrobial and antitumor activities). The crude extract of the strain exhibited high activities against four bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, B. subtillus and Salmonella sp.), four fungal strains (Fusarium solani, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus and A. ochraceus) and liver carcinoma cell line (HEPG2). The maximum concentration (100 μg/ml) killed 82.76% of the viable cells, while 50 μg/ml killed 80.52% of the viable cells. The cytotoxicity bioassay using brine shrimp eggs revealed that, there was no mortality in the tested samples at different concentrations. The present study identified P. aurantiogriseum from marine sediment as a potential producer of safe bioactive compounds which can be used as antimicrobial and anticancer compounds.

- by Ahmed M Abdel-hadi
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- Fungal bioactive compounds

The -glucosidase and lipase inhibitory activities of three phenalenones (1–3) and one phenylpropanoid (4) from the ethyl acetate extracts of a Pseudolophiosptoma sp. are described. They represent the first reported secondary metabolites from the genus Pseudolophiostoma. Scleroderolide (1) and sclerodione (2) exhibited potent -glucosidase and porcine lipase inhibitory activity during primary screening, with better IC50s compared to the positive controls, N-deoxynojirimycin and orlistat. In silico techniques were employed to validate the probable biological targets and elucidate the mechanism of actions of phenalenones 1 and 2. Both compounds exhibited strong binding affinities to both -glucosidase and porcine lipase through H-bonding and - interactions. Interestingly, favorable in silico ADME properties such as gastrointestinal absorption were also predicted using computational programmes.

- by Allan Patrick Macabeo
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- Fungal bioactive compounds

The effect of surfactants (two cationic, one anionic and three non-ionic) at 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 1.0 % concentrations on aflatoxin production, ergosterol content and sugar consumption by Aspergillus parasiticus (NRRL 2999) in YES liquid culture medium is reported. At 0.01% concentration, the cationic surfactants, cetyl dimethyl ammonium bromide (CDAB) and dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB), and the anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), completely inhibited spore germination, while DTAB also inhibited the production of ergosterol and toxin (p p-tert-octylphenol (Triton X-100) delayed the spore germination up to day 5 at all concentrations and inhibited toxin and ergosterol production at 0.001% concentration. The affect was found to be dose-dependent from 0.001% to 1%, for Triton X-100 only. Positive correlation between ergosterol content and toxin production in the presence of different surfactants at various time periods (3, 5, 7, 9 and 12 days) was found. Tween-20 was most effective in inhibiting toxin production on day 7, when aflatoxin production was found to be maximal in control group. Sugar consumption was directly proportional to the ergosterol content, showing a significant correlation with aflatoxin production.

- by Tanuja Kosuri
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- Fungal bioactive compounds

- by Katia F Rodrigues
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- Chemistry, Natural Products Chemistry, Fungal endophytes, Asymmetric Synthesis
- by Waqar A Khan
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- Biology, Biosciences, Fungal bioactive compounds
- by Giovanni Pacioni
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- Phytochemistry, Biology, Biological Sciences, CHEMICAL SCIENCES
- by Nageh abo-dahab
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- Bioengineering, Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Biotechnology

Laccases are ligninolytic enzymes produced by different microorganisms, especially by fungi such as the white-rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus. Chemical inductors have been used to promote laccase secretion due to the application of these enzymes in lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment. Cordyceps nidus ANDES-F1080 was previously described as a source of bioactive compounds that could influence the enzymatic production system of other fungi. For that reason, this study evaluates the effect of C. nidus’ ANDES-F1080 extracts on the laccase activity of P. ostreatus ANDES-F515. To achieve this objective, C. nidus ANDES-F1080 was grown in four different substrates: two artificial-based and two natural-based culture media. Metabolites were extracted from C. nidus ANDES-F1080 using water and methanol as solvents. Biochemical characterization of these extracts was performed to complement the analysis of their effect on laccase activity. Our results revealed an enhancement on the laccase activity of P. ostreatus ANDES-F515 grown in natural-based cultures when C. nidus’ ANDES-F1080 extracts were supplemented. The best laccase activities registered values around 10,575 ± 813 U·L−1.

- by Daniel Durán
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- Fungi, Enzymes, Cordyceps, Pleurotus ostreatus

Both aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and melanin produced by Aspergillus flavus are products of a polyketide biosynthesis. Inhibition of AFB1 biosynthesis reduces the harmfulness of A. flavus, whereas blocking of melanin biosynthesis is able to reduce the viability of this fungus. Thus, the development of a complex preparation blocking both AFB1 and melanin production in A. flavus is a point of practical interest.
As we have shown earlier, some phosphoanalogues of amino acids and peptides are able to regulate polyketide biosynthesis in phytopathogenic fungi. The purpose of this study was to screen such compounds for potential inhibitors of the AFB1 and melanin production in A. flavus. As a result, two different groups of inhibitors have been revealed:
I. Inhibitors of AFB1 biosynthesis
1. CH3(NH2)-P(S)(OH)2
2. CH3-CH(NH2)-P(S)(OH)2
3. CH3-CH(NH2)-P(O)(OC2H5)OH
4. CH3-CH(NH2)-CO-NH -CH(CH3)-P(O)(OCH3)OH
II. Inhibitors of melaninogenesis
5. CH3-CH(NH2)-P(O)(OH)2
6. NH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-ONH2
7. D,L-Ala-P(O)(CH3)OH
8. NH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-NHOH
Compounds 1-4 reduced AFB1 production by A. flavus up to 6 times as against the control, but did not influence on a colony pigmentation. Compounds 5-8 caused colony discoloration and, at the same time, significantly enhanced the AFB1 production.
It is known that AFB1 and melanin biosynthetic pathways have common initial stages and then diverge. Colony discoloration could be caused by blocking of melaninogenesis after the divergence point (see figure); due to such blocking, toxin production is increased.
The further testing of different combinations of compounds from the groups I and II will probably allow us to develop a complex preparation able to block both toxin and melanin production.

- by Natalia Statsyuk and +1
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- Aspergillus, Mycotoxins, Secondary Metabolites, Aspergillus flavus

The aim of our research was to investigate the hidden antimicrobial potential of Rhizopus stolonifer against some selected fungal and bacterial pathogenic strains. The research work was done in the laboratory of Agricultural Chemistry, Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Agriculture University Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan during the month of May 2013. The agar well diffusion method was used. The extracts in Acetonitrile and n-hexane were used. The result of all the extracts of Rhizopus stolonifer was found to be effective against all the tested fungal pathogenic strains i.e. A. niger, A. oryzae, C. albican, P. digitatum, F. oxysporum and Bacterial pathogens P. aeruginosa, E. coli, S. aureus, S. aureus (Methicillin resistant), S. aureus (Vancomycin resistant), The result of the extracts of R. stolonifer is quite effective in Acetonitrile solvent as compared to results in n-hexane. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), of the extracts against these bacterial and fungal strains were in the range of 0.25 mg/ml. Different phytochemical analysis result indicate the presence of secondary metabolites like mycotoxin, Aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1and G2), which may be responsible for antimicrobial potential. From my result it is concluded that extracts of Rhizopus stolonifer have potential against all fungal and bacterial pathogenic strains.

- by Sohail Khan
- •
- Fungal bioactive compounds
- by Giovanni Pacioni
- •
- Fungal bioactive compounds