Search Results (5,436)

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPBs) offer a sustainable alternative for enhancing crop productivity in low-fertility tropical soils. In this study, 30 bacterial isolates were screened in vitro for multiple PGP traits, including phosphate solubilization (from aluminum phosphate—AlPO₄ and thermophosphate), potassium release from phonolite rock, siderophore production, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) synthesis, ACC deaminase activity, and antagonism against Fusarium spp. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) among the isolates. The most efficient isolates demonstrated a solubilization capacity ranging from 24.0 to 45.2 mg L⁻¹ for thermophosphate and 21.7 to 23.5 mg L⁻¹ for potassium from phonolite. Among them, Pseudomonas azotoformans K22 showed the highest AlPO₄ solubilization (16.6 mg L⁻¹). IAA production among the isolates varied widely, from 1.34 to 9.65 µg mL⁻¹. Furthermore, 17 isolates produced carboxylate-type siderophores, and only Pseudomonas aeruginosa SS183 exhibited ACC deaminase activity, coupled with strong antifungal activity (91% inhibition). A composite performance index identified P. azotoformans K22, E. hormaechei SS150, S. sciuri SS120, and B. cereus SS18 and SS17 as the most promising isolates. This study provides a valuable foundation for characterizing plant growth-promoting traits and identifies key candidates for future validation and the development of microbial consortia. Full article

Background: Candida auris has emerged as a significant public health threat causing life-threatening systemic infections. Of particular concern is the frequency of multidrug resistance, high transmissibility, and persistence in the environment; thus, there is a need for novel strategies to prevent and treat this infection. We previously generated a “pan-fungal” vaccine candidate, NXT-2, which induces protective immunity against several invasive fungal infections. Methods: In this study, we investigated the efficacy of NXT-2 immunization against systemic C. auris infection in an immunosuppressed murine model and investigated the possible mechanisms by which NXT-2 protection is mediated in vitro. Results: Active immunization afforded significant improvement in survival and reduced morbidity in neutropenic mice challenged intravenously with C. auris compared to controls (48.4% vs. 13.8%). To assess humoral immunity in promoting protection, passive immunization with NXT-2-specific IgG to neutropenic mice prior to the challenge with C. auris resulted in significantly higher survival (42% vs. 0%) and low morbidity compared to controls. Sera from NXT-2-immunized animals inhibited biofilm formation and enhanced opsonophagocytic killing of multiple C. auris clades in vitro. Conclusions: These findings show that immunization with NXT-2 improves survival in C. auris infection and that NXT-2 antibodies promote antifungal activity in vitro and in vivo. These results extend the range of the pan-fungal NXT-2 vaccine to include protection against systemic C. auris-mediated infection and provide a rationale for the development of NXT-2 monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of C. auris infections. Full article

Mastic gum from Pistacia lentiscus L. has long been valued in Mediterranean medicine and food preservation, yet its bioactive potential remains underexplored in specific geographic contexts. In Morocco, the resin—locally known as Meska Horra—is abundant but insufficiently characterized. This study compared three extraction methods—cold maceration (CM), Soxhlet extraction (SE), and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE)—using sequential acetone and 70% ethanol to recover complementary phenolic compounds from defatted resin. Targeted UHPLC–ESI–MS/MS profiling identified and quantified 30 phenolics, mainly flavonoids and phenolic acids, providing the first systematic dataset for Moroccan mastic gum. UAE–EtOH extract displayed the strongest antioxidant activity (DPPH IC₅₀ = 0.029 mg/mL; ABTS•⁺ IC₅₀ = 0.026 mg/mL). SE–acetone and SE–EtOH extracts showed potent antifungal activity, particularly against Geotrichum candidum, Rhodotorula glutinis, and Aspergillus niger (MBC = 1.7%). The SE–acetone extract exhibited cytotoxicity toward MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells (IC₅₀ = 19 µg/mL). These findings demonstrate that extraction method and solvent choice strongly influence phenolic recovery and associated bioactivities, supporting the valorization of Moroccan mastic gum as a promising source for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. Full article

The increasing demand for sustainable agriculture has accelerated research into eco-friendly plant health management, particularly through natural substances rich in bioactive compounds. In this study, various substances, including essential oils, extracts from Aloe vera, artichoke and ornamental plants, by-products from beer and coffee processing, and selected commercial formulations including biostimulants and a plant strengthener, were evaluated for their antimicrobial properties and ability to trigger plant defenses. Notably, Agapanthus spp. exhibited strong antifungal activity against the fungus Botrytis cinerea (Bc), while thyme, tea tree, and lavender essential oils were effective against both Bc and the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst). Greenhouse trials on tomato plants demonstrated the protective effects of A. vera gel and ornamental plant extracts against Bc and Potato virus Y (PVY), while coffee and artichoke extracts were effective against Pst. An alginate-based formulation containing thyme oil showed enhanced in planta efficacy against the three pathogens. Gene expression analyses revealed early upregulation of PR-1 and PR-4, especially with alginate treatments and A. vera gel at 12 h post-treatment (hpt) while coffee extract triggered the strongest late response at 72 hpt. These findings highlight the potential of plant-derived substances in promoting sustainable plant disease management through both direct antimicrobial action and immune system activation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) represents a critical respiratory condition mainly caused by Aspergillus fumigatus and other ubiquitous species such as Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus terreus. IPA clinical management has been complicated by diagnostic challenges and therapeutic difficulties due to antifungal intrinsic or secondary resistance episodes. Despite this assumption, few scientific data have been reported about possible antifungal drug combinations. Herein, we propose an experimental evaluation using isavuconazole/amphotericin B and isavuconazole/caspofungin in vitro synergy assays to investigate their combined activity on Aspergillus spp. IPA clinical isolates. Methods: We globally analyzed 55 Aspergillus spp. isolates, practicing the gradient test methods with single and combined antifungal drugs through the MIC Strip test (Liofilchem, Roseto degli Abruzzi, Italy). The collected MIC values were interpreted according to the EUCAST guidelines and classified as synergy, additivity, indifference, and antagonism cases through a FIC index calculation. A statistical analysis on species’ correlation with particular synergy testing results was finally provided. Results: Despite an interesting activity against A. fumigatus, isavuconazole/amphotericin B did not report statistical significance, obtaining a consistent antagonism percentage (43.6%). On the other hand, isavuconazole/caspofungin showed a promising in vitro synergic activity, except for A. flavus isolates. Conclusions: Synergy testing demonstrated a significant species-specific trend. Future studies should be focused on Aspergillus spp. isolates and antifungal in vitro synergy testing, aiming to discourage or recommend any specific antifungal combinations, depending on the isolated species. Full article

Staurosporine (STS) was discovered in 1977 by Omura and colleagues during a chemical screening for microbial alkaloids. It was the first indolocarbazole compound isolated from a soil-dwelling bacterium, Streptomyces staurosporeus. STS was also found to have antifungal activity, but its potent protein kinase (PK) inhibitory properties, perhaps the most extensively characterized biochemical feature of STS, were only revealed nearly a decade after its discovery. Thereafter, STS has been studied mainly for its anticancer potential with foreseen applications ranging from biomedical (e.g., antiparasitic) to agricultural (e.g., insecticidal). Interestingly, the recent discovery that STS induces apoptosis in the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa renewed interest in this molecule as a scaffold for antifungal drug development. Studies in fungi and mammalian cell lines suggest that, in addition to PK inhibition, other modes of action are possible for STS. These may involve the targeting of membrane lipid domains and/or alterations of membrane biophysical properties. Here, the studies on the action of STS and its natural and synthetic derivatives against diverse fungal species, since its discovery to the present day, are critically reviewed and discussed with the aim of highlighting their advantages, limitations to be overcome, conceivable mechanisms of action, and potential as antifungal chemotherapeutic agents. Full article

Coumarin derivatives, whether natural or synthetic, have attracted considerable interest from medicinal chemists due to their versatile biological properties. Their appealing pharmacological activities—such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anticoagulant, and antioxidant effects—combined with the ease of their synthesis and the ability to introduce chemical modifications at multiple positions have made them a widely explored class of compounds. In the scientific literature, there are many examples. On the other hand, dithiocarbamates, originally employed as pesticides and fungicides in agriculture, have recently emerged as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of serious diseases such as cancer and microbial infections. Moreover, dithiocarbamates bearing diverse organic functionalities have demonstrated significant antifungal properties against resistant phytopathogenic fungi, presenting a promising approach to combat the growing global issue of fungal resistance. Dithiocarbamates linked to coumarin derivatives have been shown to exhibit cytotoxic activity against various human cancer cell lines, including MGC-803 (gastric), MCF-7 (breast), PC-3 (prostate), EC-109 (esophageal), H460 (non-small cell lung), HCCLM-7 (hepatocellular carcinoma), HeLa (cervical carcinoma), MDA-MB-435S (mammary adenocarcinoma), SW480 (colon carcinoma), and Hep-2 (laryngeal carcinoma). Numerous studies have revealed that the inclusion of a dithiocarbamate moiety can provide central nervous system (CNS) activity, particularly through inhibitory potency and selectivity toward acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and monoamine oxidases (MAO-A and MAO-B). Recently, it has been reported that coumarin–dithiocarbamate derivatives exhibit α-glucosidase inhibitory effects and also possess promising antimicrobial activity. This study presents an overview of recent progress in the chemistry of coumarin–dithiocarbamate derivatives, with a focus on their biological activity. Previous review papers focused on coumarin derivatives as multitarget compounds for neurodegenerative diseases and described various types of compounds, with dithiocarbamate derivatives representing only a small part of them. Our work deals exclusively with coumarin dithiocarbamates and their biological activity. Full article

The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and the persistent challenge of infectious diseases highlight the critical necessity for novel approaches that integrate pathogen management with swift detection methods. Carbon dots (CDs) are a versatile class of fluorescent nanomaterials that have garnered increasing attention owing to their tunable surface chemistry, strong photoluminescence, high stability, and biocompatibility. Recent studies demonstrate that CDs possess broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activities via multiple mechanisms, including the generation of reactive oxygen species, disruption of membranes, inhibition of biofilms, and synergistic interactions with conventional antimicrobials. The performance is significantly affected by precursor selection, heteroatom doping, and surface functionalization, with minimum inhibitory concentrations reported to range from highly potent at the microgram level to moderate at elevated concentrations. The intrinsic fluorescence of CDs, in addition to their antimicrobial activity, facilitates their use as sensitive and selective probes for microbial detection, allowing for rapid and real-time monitoring in biomedical, food safety, and environmental settings. This review summarizes recent advancements in the antimicrobial properties of carbon dots (CDs) and their fluorescence-based applications in microbial detection. It emphasizes their theranostic potential and future prospects as multifunctional nanomaterials for combating infectious diseases and ensuring microbial safety. Full article

Camellia oleifera, a member of the Theaceae family and belonging to the Camellia Linn species, is a plant utilized for edible oil production and medicinal value. Its fruit is abundant in various bioactive compounds, including triterpene saponins, flavonoids, lignans, fatty acids, sterols, polysaccharides, and numerous other chemical constituents. Among these, triterpene saponins and flavonoids serve as the primary active ingredients. The pharmacological effects of C. oleifera fruits are diverse, encompassing anti-tumor properties, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activity, lipid-lowering capability, anti-fungal property, and neuroprotective function. In recent years, this area has garnered significant attention from scholars both domestically and internationally. This article reviews the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of C. oleifera fruits, aiming to provide a comprehensive reference for further research and development. Additionally, it offers a scientific foundation and innovative insights for clinical applications and the identification of relevant bioactive components. Full article

Invasive fungal infections and the emergence of antifungal resistance pose significant challenges to public health. This study evaluates the antifungal activity of two 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives, PH265 and PH276, against Cryptococcus spp., Candida auris, and Candida haemulonii. Using the EUCAST protocol, both compounds demonstrated broad-spectrum antifungal activity, with MICs ranging from 0.5 to 8 μg/mL. PH276 exhibited synergistic effects with fluconazole and caspofungin against C. haemulonii (FIC ≤ 0.5). The derivatives inhibited C. neoformans biofilm formation at higher concentrations and modulated polysaccharide capsule formation in Cryptococcus spp. In vivo toxicity assays in Tenebrio molitor, Galleria mellonella, and Caenorhabditis elegans revealed no significant adverse effects, with survival rates comparable to controls. These findings highlight PH265 and PH276 as promising antifungal agents with biofilm-disrupting properties, capsule-modulating effects, and low toxicity, supporting their potential for therapeutic development. Full article

Infectious diseases present a significant global health challenge, further exacerbated by the rising prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and the limited availability of effective antiviral and antimicrobial agents. The Erythrina genus has garnered scientific interest due to its diverse array of bioactive phytoconstituents, with potential therapeutic relevance. This review aims to synthesize and critically assess the existing literature on the antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiplasmodial properties of Erythrina species. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Relevant studies were identified through keyword searches combining pathogen-specific terms with “Erythrina”. The extracted data were categorized based on the pathogen type and its associated bioactive compounds. Several Erythrina species exhibited substantial antiviral activity against prominent viral pathogens, such as HIV and SARS-CoV-2. Notably, strong antibacterial efficacy was observed against Staphylococcus aureus, including multidrug-resistant strains. Antifungal activity was most pronounced against Candida albicans, while potent antiplasmodial effects were reported against both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. These pharmacological effects were predominantly attributed to prenylated flavonoids, isoflavones, pterocarpans, and erythrina-type alkaloids. Further mechanistic studies and in vivo evaluations are essential to fully assess their clinical efficacy and support the development of plant-derived antimicrobial agents. Full article

Melon is a global crop with a value of USD 31 billion. However, up to 30% of yield is lost due to phytopathogens. Essential oils are a sustainable approach to crop protection and storage, enhancing food security and reducing agricultural losses. We evaluated the antifungal potential of clove essential oil and pure eugenol against Alternaria alternata, Curvularia hawaiiensis, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL), Fusarium solani f. sp. cucurbitae (FSC), Rhizoctonia solani, and Verticillium dahliae in vitro. We also evaluated the resistance of melons, including eugenol-poor Cucumis melo cv. vedrantais (CMV) and eugenol-rich C. melo cv. makuwa (CMM), to infection caused by FOL and FSC. Chemical analysis of clove oil reveals that eugenol was the main compound, at 89.28%. Clove oil and eugenol at 300 μg/mL reduced the growth of all fungal species. Pure eugenol exhibited the strongest antifungal activity, with 95–100% growth inhibition. Eugenol-rich melons did not show necrosis or internal rot when inoculated with FSC, and had minimal lesions, while eugenol-poor melons revealed more advanced rot symptoms. Clove oil and eugenol are antifungal alternatives that may improve food safety. These findings demonstrate the high potential of eugenol to reduce postharvest losses in melon and contribute to future breeding programmes aimed at developing contamination-resistant cultivars. Full article

The cereal cyst nematode, Heterodera avena, is responsible for substantial economic losses in the global production of wheat, barley, and other cereal crops. Extracellular enzymes, particularly those from the glycoside hydrolase 18 (GH18) family, such as chitinases secreted by Trichoderma spp., play a crucial role in nematode control. However, the genome-wide analysis of Trichoderma longibrachiatum T6 (T6) GH18 family genes in controlling of H. avenae remains unexplored. Through phylogenetic analysis and bioinformatics tools, we identified and conducted a detailed analysis of 18 GH18 genes distributed across 13 chromosomes. The analysis encompassed gene structure, evolutionary development, protein characteristics, and gene expression profiles following T6 parasitism on H. avenae, as determined by RT-qPCR. Our results indicate that 18 GH18 members in T6 were clustered into three major groups (A, B, and C), which comprise seven subgroups. Each subgroup exhibits highly conserved catalytic domains, motifs, and gene structures, while the cis-acting elements demonstrate extensive responsiveness to hormones, stress-related signals, and light. These members are significantly enriched in the chitin catabolic process, extracellular region, and chitinase activity (GO functional enrichment), and they are involved in amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism (KEGG pathway enrichment). Additionally, 13 members formed an interaction network, enhancing chitin degradation efficiency through synergistic effects. Interestingly, 18 members of the GH18 family genes were expressed after T6 parasitism on H. avenae cysts. Notably, GH18-3 (Group B) and GH18-16 (Group A) were significantly upregulated, with average increases of 3.21-fold and 3.10-fold, respectively, from 12 to 96 h after parasitism while compared to the control group. Meanwhile, we found that the GH18-3 and GH18-16 proteins exhibit the highest homology with key enzymes responsible for antifungal activity in T. harzianum, demonstrating dual biocontrol potential in both antifungal activity and nematode control. Overall, these results indicate that the GH18 family has undergone functional diversification during evolution, with each member assuming specific biological roles in T6 effect on nematodes. This study provides a theoretical foundation for identifying novel nematicidal genes from T6 and cultivating highly efficient biocontrol strains through transgenic engineering, which holds significant practical implications for advancing the biocontrol of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs). Full article

Oral Candida infections result from the overgrowth of this opportunistic fungus in the oral mucosa. Risk factors include immunosuppression, antibiotic or corticosteroid use, xerostomia, and conditions such as diabetes mellitus. Fungal resistance in Candida spp. has become a significant challenge, especially due to the excessive use of conventional antifungals such as azoles, echinocandins, and polyenes. Therefore, this study aims to determine the spectrum of antifungal activity of Juglans regia and assess its cytotoxicity on hepatocytes. Thus, a broth microdilution test was conducted according to the CLSI (M27-A3) guidelines. After initial screening, biofilm tests were conducted using the crystal violet (CV) and metabolic activity assays (MTT). Cytotoxicity was evaluated on human hepatocytes (HEPG2). The J. regia extract showed dose-dependent antifungal activity. At a concentration of 200 mg/mL, inhibition was greater according to the CV test in Candida albicans (31%) and Candida tropicalis (30.4%), while the MTT assay indicated a greater reduction in viability in C. albicans (61%) and C. glabrata (53.5%). At 100 mg/mL, C. albicans remained sensitive (37.7% CV; 71.6% MTT), while C. krusei and C. dubliniensis showed low viability by MTT (18.4% and 11.8%, respectively). At 50 mg/mL, C. albicans remained affected (74.3% MTT), but C. krusei, C. dubliniensis, and C. guilliermondii showed the lowest viability values (≤19.4% MTT), suggesting greater sensitivity to lower concentrations. These results indicate variation in susceptibility between species, with C. albicans being consistently inhibited, while C. krusei and C. dubliniensis responded better to lower doses. The extract showed cytocompatibility when applied to human hepatoma cells (HEPG2) and therefore holds significant potential for developing a new therapeutic approach. Full article

Apple black rot, a destructive postharvest disease caused by Alternaria alternata, poses significant economic threats during fruit storage and transportation. However, effective biocontrol bacteria to manage this disease remain limited. In this study, Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain GY-2, isolated from healthy apple fruit surfaces, had a remarkable biocontrol ability on apple black rot. While GY-2 exhibited no direct inhibitory effects in confrontation assays, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by the strain suppressed colony diameter of A. alternata by 70.8% in dual plate assays, indicating potent fungistatic activity. Notably, these VOCs produced by L. mesenteroides displayed broad-spectrum antifungal properties against multiple apple fungal pathogens. Microscopic analysis revealed that VOC exposure induced structural anomalies in A. alternata hyphae, including surface perforations and protoplast leakage, suggesting membrane integrity disruption. The VOCs produced by strain GY-2 were identified; four compounds had antifungal activities, among them, isoamylol exhibited the highest antifungal activity. Applying bacterial suspensions of strain GY-2 on apple fruit significantly reduced 91.4% of lesion areas of black rot. The strain exhibited robust colonization capacity on fruit surfaces, maintaining viable populations for over 15 days post-application, guaranteeing a sustained disease prevention. Furthermore, GY-2 treatment enhanced systemic resistance in apple fruit, as evidenced by upregulated antioxidant enzymes and defense-related enzymes. Importantly, application of GY-2 did not adversely affect key parameters of fruit quality, including firmness, soluble solids content, or acidity. These findings showed that the bacterial L. mesenteroides GY-2 was a promising biocontrol agent for managing postharvest black rot of apple fruit. Full article