Search Results (951)

Although flaviviruses, including DENV, ZIKV and JEV, remain important causes of febrile, congenital, and neurological diseases, treatment options remain largely supportive, with limited availability of virus-specific antiviral therapies. Marine organisms and marine-derived microorganisms produce chemically distinct antiviral materials, including sulfated polysaccharides, terpenoids, alkaloids, peptides, cyclodepsipeptides, and polyketides. However, their activities range from preliminary extract-level inhibition to direct biochemical target validation, making mechanistic comparison difficult. This review critically evaluates marine-derived anti-flaviviral agents using two complementary dimensions, the infection stage implicated by experimental assays and the strength of evidence supporting that assignment. DENV evidence is dominated by sulfated algal macromolecules that interfere with adsorption or internalization, whereas ZIKV studies encompass lipophilic algal metabolites, fungal alkaloids, cyclodepsipeptides, and a few target-oriented candidates. Across the field, most reports remain stage-associated rather than target-validated. Cross-study potency comparisons are constrained by differences in virus strains, cell models, assay formats, and treatment schedules. JEV-specific evidence is particularly sparse. Based on the DENV and ZIKV evidence map, we propose concise priorities for JEV-oriented discovery: early compound-level dereplication, parallel cytotoxicity testing, orthogonal confirmation of productive infection, stage-resolved assays, and biochemical or genetic validation of conserved flaviviral targets. This evidence-based framework can help distinguish promising chemical candidate scaffolds from preliminary antiviral signals and guide mechanism-informed development of marine-derived natural products against flaviviruses. Full article

Microbial extracellular pigments are renewable colorants for sustainable textile dyeing. A yellow-pigment-producing fungal strain, H-1, isolated from spalted wood, was identified as Chaetomium globosum and evaluated for pigment production, characterization, stability, bioactivity, and wool dyeing. Stepwise single-factor screening indicated suitable culture conditions of initial pH 7, 25 °C, 10 d, 25 g/L glucose, 7 g/L fish peptone, and 0.25 g/L K₂HPO₄. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed hydroxyl, aromatic, and C-O-C groups, and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS) putatively annotated representative components including Chaetomugilin D and Armochaetoglobin G. The crude pigment produced preliminary inhibition zones of 14.30 ± 0.04 and 10.01 ± 0.17 mm against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively, while crude fermentation filtrates showed measurable hydroxyl and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging capacities under fixed assay conditions. The pigment was more stable under neutral to alkaline pH and short-term heating at 40–100 °C. Wool showed higher dye affinity than cotton, linen, and silk. Response surface methodology (RSM) optimized wool dyeing at pH 2.35, 91 °C, 80 min, and 2.04 g/L potassium aluminum sulfate, yielding a color strength (K/S) value of 11.65. After three dye-bath reuse cycles, K/S decreased by 16.28%, and washing/rubbing fastness remained above grade 3 under GB/T tests. These results support further development of Chaetomium globosum H-1 extracellular pigments for natural wool coloration and dye-bath reuse. Full article

Microbial fertilizers may improve phosphorus availability and pH in acidic soils, but field evidence linking these changes with medicinal plant biomass and specialised metabolite accumulation remains limited. Here, a one-season field experiment was conducted in acidic yellow soil in Guizhou Province, China, using four fertilization regimes for Lonicera macranthoides: an organic fertilizer plus compound fertilizer control (CK), a bacterial consortium (T1), a simplified bacterial combination (T2), and a fungal agent (T3). Soil chemical properties, soil aggregate composition, flower-bud biomass, and chlorogenic-acid-related compounds were measured. T1 and T3 increased soil available phosphorus and pH at the pre-flowering stage and increased the proportion of water-stable macroaggregates (>5 mm). Both treatments also increased fresh and dry biomass. T1 showed the highest numerical chlorogenic acid content, whereas T3 was more favourable for the accumulation of isochlorogenic acids A and C. Across plot-level observations, available phosphorus was positively correlated with fresh weight (r = 0.804) and dry weight (r = 0.781), and pH was positively correlated with chlorogenic acid (r = 0.687). Univariate regression and redundancy analysis further indicated that available phosphorus and pH were the soil factors most closely associated with biomass and chlorogenic acid accumulation. These findings provide preliminary field indications that microbial fertilizers may improve yield and medicinal quality in acidic-soil L. macranthoides production. However, the single-season, single-site nature of the experiment warrants cautious interpretation and further validation across broader conditions. The observed associations are consistent with, but do not prove, a mechanistic pathway involving microbe-mediated phosphorus transformation and acidity regulation. Full article

Demand for natural red colorants has increased due to regulatory and consumer pressure to replace synthetic additives; however, their industrial application remains limited by challenges related to production, stability, and safety. In this study, the production, physicochemical stability, antimicrobial activity, and preliminary cytotoxicity of an azaphilone-type red colorant produced by Talaromyces sp. C1I3 under submerged fermentation were evaluated. Two sequential Box–Behnken designs identified optimal production conditions at approximately pH 5.8, 60 rpm, and 15.15 g·L⁻¹ monosodium glutamate. Under these conditions, colorant production increased from 1.46 AU_500nm on day 5 to 9.9 AU_500nm on day 10, with estimated kinetic parameters of µmax 0.0109 h⁻¹ and Yx/s 0.63 g·g⁻¹. The colorant showed high thermal stability, retaining approximately 95% of its color after heating at 80 °C for 10 min, and remained stable over a broad pH range, with only 18% degradation after 168 h of light exposure. No significant antimicrobial activity was detected, indicating that the colorant primarily functions as a color additive without additional bioactive effects. Furthermore, no acute cytotoxicity was observed in human neonatal dermal fibroblasts at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 15 µg·mL⁻¹. These findings demonstrate the potential of this fungal colorant as a stable and safe natural colorant for future industrial applications. Full article

Background: Endophytic fungi are important sources of structurally diverse antimicrobial natural products, but their potential to yield antitubercular scaffolds remains insufficiently explored. This study aimed to uncover new decalin polyketides from the endophytic fungus, Trichoderma longicollum 17007, and to evaluate their biological activity. Methods: Feature-based molecular networking (FBMN) analysis of the ethyl acetate extract from rice-based cultures was performed using trichoharzin as a seed compound to guide targeted isolation. Structures were established by HRMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, NOESY analysis, and quantum chemical ECD calculations. Cytotoxicity and activity against the avirulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra strain were evaluated, and genome mining was performed to identify a candidate biosynthetic gene cluster. Results: Six new decalin polyketides, tandyukisins K–P (1–6), and two known analogues, trichoharzin (7) and tandyukisin J (8), were isolated. Compounds 1–6 are C1-O-acetylated analogues bearing a 3-methylpentenedioate-type acyl side chain. Comparative ¹³C NMR analysis revealed empirical features useful for assigning side-chain attachment site, double-bond position and geometry. Tandyukisins K (1) and P (6) showed moderate activity against the avirulent M. tuberculosis H37Ra strain, with a MIC value of 12.5 μg/mL. Conclusions: These findings expand the structural diversity of decalin polyketides and provide the first evidence of antitubercular activity by this compound family. Full article

The increasing demand for sustainable agricultural practices has intensified the search for natural alternatives for the control of plant pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro inhibitory activity of plant extracts obtained from agro-industrial byproducts, including pomegranate peel (Punica granatum), chestnut peel (Castanea sativa), and grape pomace (Vitis vinifera), against the bacterium Pseudomonas savastanoi and the fungus Colletotrichum fioriniae. Antibacterial activity was assessed using the disk diffusion and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) methods. Antifungal activity was evaluated for all extracts through mycelial growth inhibition, spore quantification, and viability assays. Based on its overall antimicrobial performance and extraction yield, the P. granatum extract was selected for evaluation in a detached olive fruit bioassay. The results showed that the pomegranate peel extract exhibited an inhibition halo of $9.80\pm 0.10$ mm against Pseudomonas savastanoi, with a MIC of 5.0 mg/mL and a predominantly bacteriostatic effect. Regarding antifungal activity, the Castanea sativa extract showed the highest inhibition of mycelial growth, reaching 27.27% after 3 days and reducing sporulation by up to 44.36%, whereas the Punica granatum and Vitis vinifera extracts exhibited only moderate inhibitory effects. In the sporulation assay, all extracts reduced spore production and increased early conidial germination, a transient response not accompanied by enhanced fungal development. In the detached olive fruit bioassay, pre-treatment with the P. granatum extract delayed disease progression and reduced final disease severity from 100% in the positive control to 64%, whereas simultaneous application of the extract and the pathogen did not provide a protective effect. Overall, the findings highlight the potential of plant-derived agro-industrial byproducts as sources of bioactive compounds for sustainable plant disease management strategies. Full article

Improving fruit quality is a core challenge in apple production in Southwest China, where long-term clean tillage has driven red soil acidification and fertility decline. However, how different cover crop species influence fruit quality through soil fungal pathways in this region remains unclear. Here, we compared five cover crop treatments—natural grass, alfalfa, perennial ryegrass, white clover, and orchardgrass—against clean tillage in a field experiment, integrating ITS sequencing with multivariate statistical analyses to evaluate their effects on soil properties, fungal communities, and apple fruit quality. Orchardgrass (DG) showed the most favorable performance, increasing sugar–acid ratio (+28.74%) and vitamin C content (+42.16%), followed by alfalfa and natural grass, while ryegrass had the weakest effects. Soil fertility improvement followed the same ranking, and soil pH, organic matter, and nitrogen were identified as key factors associated with fungal community shifts. Fungal community composition and diversity were closely linked to soil properties and fruit quality traits, with sugar–acid ratio co-regulated by nitrogen, pH, and fungal diversity, while vitamin C content was directly associated with cover crop treatment. These findings suggest that orchardgrass may be a promising cover crop for enhancing fruit flavor and nutritional quality under the subtropical red-soil conditions tested in this study, offering practical implications for cover crop selection, though the long-term stability of these effects requires further validation through multi-year trials. Full article

Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) represent a new class of bio-based polymer alternatives, where fungal networks act as natural binders within lignocellulosic composite architectures. This review systematically summarises the development of mycelium-based packaging materials from early laboratory research to industrial applications since the pioneering work of Ecovative Design in 2007. The review analyses how fungal strains and substrate compositions regulate the mechanical properties, density, hydrophobicity, and biodegradability of MBCs. Additionally, reinforcement strategies, including natural fibre reinforcement, nanomaterial modification, densification treatment, and process optimisation, are discussed for their roles in improving material performance. Furthermore, current commercial applications of mycelium-based packaging in electronics, food, cosmetics, and construction are reviewed, together with the major challenges limiting large-scale industrialisation, such as production scalability, cost competitiveness, and batch variability. Future research directions, including strain engineering, intelligent living materials, and automated biomanufacturing, are also outlined. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive reference for the design, optimisation, and commercial development of mycelium-based packaging materials within the framework of a circular bioeconomy. Full article

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a highly polyphagous pest that has rapidly expanded across Africa, Asia, and Oceania, threatening food security and agricultural productivity. Reliance on synthetic insecticides for FAW management is increasingly challenged by insecticide resistance, environmental contamination, and adverse effects on non-target organisms and human health. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the potential of endophytic fungi as a sustainable strategy for FAW management. Following a systematic literature search, 59 original research articles published over the past 41 years were evaluated. These studies investigated 44 fungal species across 37 host crops, with Zea mays representing the most extensively studied system. The fungal species most frequently assessed were Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae sensu lato (s.l.), and Epichloe coenophialum. Overall, several fungal species successfully colonized plant tissues and reduced FAW performance through increased larval mortality, delayed development, and reduced feeding. These effects were associated with the production of bioactive secondary metabolites, induction of plant defense responses, and alteration of volatile organic compound emissions. Despite these promising findings, important knowledge gaps remain. Studies assessing effects on non-target organisms and natural enemies are scarce, and field validation remains limited. Research efforts are also geographically biased, with relatively few studies conducted in Africa despite the continent experiencing some of the highest FAW-related losses. Future research should prioritize field evaluations, multitrophic interaction studies, investigations in underrepresented regions, and socio-economic analyses to support farmer adoption. Addressing these gaps will be critical for determining the practical role of endophytic fungi in sustainable FAW management. Full article

The rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant microbial pathogens has created an urgent need for new antimicrobial agents. Marine organisms are a rich source of structurally diverse bioactive metabolites with therapeutic potential, and the sea cucumber H. scabra contains numerous secondary metabolites that may exhibit favorable predicted interactions with antimicrobial targets. This study aimed to identify potential antimicrobial metabolites from H. scabra using an integrated computational approach. Metabolites were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and screened against selected bacterial and fungal target proteins using molecular docking. The top-ranked compounds were further evaluated for pharmacokinetic properties through ADME prediction, while the stability of the protein–ligand complexes was assessed using 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations and MM/GBSA binding free energy calculations. GC–MS analysis tentatively identified sixteen metabolites, among which CID 21820889 and CID 304 exhibited favorable predicted binding interactions with target proteins from Acinetobacter baumannii and Candida albicans, respectively. These compounds also demonstrated acceptable predicted pharmacokinetic properties, stable protein–ligand interactions throughout the simulations, and favorable MM/GBSA binding free energies, supporting the stability of the predicted complexes. Overall, MM/GBSA binding free energies ranged from −35.46 to −47.17 kcal/mol, with CID 441130 exhibiting the most favorable overall binding energy (−47.17 kcal/mol), while CID 21820889 also showed a favorable binding free energy (−44.85 kcal/mol). These findings identify several putatively identified, computationally prioritized metabolites from H. scabra as candidates for further investigation and demonstrate the utility of integrating chemical profiling with computational approaches for the early stage screening of marine natural products. Full article

Hyperpigmentation is a multifaceted process that involves the overproduction and uneven distribution of melanin. The number of patients with skin hyperpigmentation is on the rise, representing the most common complaint in dermatology clinics. Treatment focuses mainly on melanocyte reduction and stopping melanosome production due to their expected degradative effects. Kojic acid (KA), a widely known natural depigmenting agent of fungal origin, acts by inhibiting the action of tyrosinase, the enzyme that catalyzes melanin production. Although it has been used for many years in skin-lightening preparations, kojic acid suffers from many problems that reduce its efficacy, including poor chemical stability, hydrophilicity, and adverse effects. Many modern systems like polymeric, lipidic, and inorganic nanocarriers have been used to provide controlled release, improve the delivery of kojic acid to the target site of action, and provide protection during storage. Consequently, the aim of this narrative review is to present the current literature reports concerning the biological activity of kojic acid, with particular emphasis on recent advances in nanotechnology-based delivery systems, including lipidic, vesicular, polymeric, inorganic, and other emerging nanocarriers developed for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. This review also introduces prospective, next-generation delivery strategies that remain unaddressed in the current literature, which may optimize the therapeutic efficacy of kojic acid. It also reports the main challenges that face the use of nanoparticles for kojic acid delivery, namely, the lack of clinical validation, limited safety data, and large-scale production reproducibility, as well as regulatory constraints, thereby identifying key research gaps and future priorities that necessitate the prioritization of clinical evaluation of kojic acid delivery systems. Full article

Marine-associated polar fungi are promising sources of structurally diverse natural products. To investigate polyketide metabolites from the Antarctic moss-derived fungus Penicillium sp. OUCMDZ-4014, HSQC NMR combined with DeepSAT analysis was used to prioritize fractions enriched in cyclic and aromatic polyketides, and chromane-like metabolites. Chromatographic separation yielded ten resorcylic acid lactone-derived aromatic polyketides, including RAL macrolides, ring-opened esters, and isocoumarins, among which compounds 4–7 were new. Their planar structures were established by HRESIMS and 1D/2D NMR analyses. Their chemical structures including configurations were established by HRESIMS, 1D/2D NMR, ECD calculations, 13C NMR calculations, and DP4+ analysis. Isocoumarins 7–10 displayed diverse levels of α-glucosidase inhibition, with compound 9 being the most active (IC₅₀ = 47.0 ± 3.83 μM). Kinetic analysis indicated noncompetitive inhibition by 9 and mixed-type inhibition by 10. Genome mining revealed a putative res biosynthetic gene cluster containing HR-PKS, NR-PKS, and tailoring-enzyme genes. Compound 1 underwent nonenzymatic conversion into 9 under culture-medium conditions, while trace conversion was also observed during concentration, revealing a chemical link between the RAL macrolide and isocoumarin scaffolds, and highlighting the contribution of post-biosynthetic chemical transformation to fungal polyketide diversification. Full article

Salinity poses a major threat to sustainable agriculture and coastal ecosystems, resulting in a substantial loss of plant productivity and biodiversity. Although some coastal grass species exhibit natural adaptation to saline conditions, the physiological mechanisms underlying salt tolerance remain incompletely understood, particularly regarding the contribution of plant-associated microorganisms. In a previous study, a commercial cultivar of red fescue (Festuca rubra ssp. rubra cv. Rafael) was shown to be salt sensitive when grown hydroponically, whereas wild populations of F. rubra commonly occur in coastal salt marshes (possibly ssp. litoralis). We hypothesized that this difference in salt tolerance is partly associated with beneficial fungal plant interactions. To test this hypothesis, we investigated whether inoculation with a fungal isolate designated Fusarium sp. 1 and isolated from F. rubra growing on a salt marsh along the Dutch Wadden Sea coast could improve the salinity tolerance of the commercial cultivar. The results showed that inoculation with Fusarium sp. 1 alleviated the salt-induced growth inhibition. At 100 mM NaCl, shoot and root biomass were partially restored relative to non-inoculated controls, accompanied by a significant increase in the shoot-to-root ratio. To investigate the physiological basis of this response, we applied the Microelectrode Ion Flux Estimation (MIFE) technique to quantify Na⁺ -induced K⁺ efflux in roots. Inoculated plants exhibited improved K⁺ homeostasis, characterized by a reduced instantaneous Na⁺-induced K⁺ efflux and a faster recovery of root fluxes. Moreover, inoculated plants grown at 50 and 100 mM NaCl displayed 333% and 397% greater net K⁺ influx, respectively, compared with non-inoculated controls. Our results indicated that inoculation with Fusarium sp. 1 improves the salinity tolerance of F. rubra, likely through enhanced root K⁺ retention. These findings suggest that commercial F. rubra cultivars remain responsive to beneficial microbial associations and highlight the potential of exploring plant–microbe interactions from naturally salt-adapted environments to improve salinity resilience in grasses and potentially other crops. Full article

Drainage solution reuse in soilless strawberry production can reduce nutrient-rich discharge, but adoption requires microbial control, hydraulic reliability, and manageable energy demand. This field study evaluated a photovoltaic (PV) assisted ultraviolet-C (UV-C) treatment loop for substrate derived drainage solution in a 132 m² three-tier natural light greenhouse producing ‘Solhyang’ strawberry in Sokcho-si, Republic of Korea. The system used an 11.25 kWp vertical windbreak-type PV facility and a 650 W treatment loop comprising a 250 W low-pressure mercury UV-C reactor, a 350 W pump, and a 50 W controller. The loop operated for 2.5 h day⁻¹, processed 3.25 m³ day⁻¹ as cumulative reactor throughput, and consumed 1.625 kWh day⁻¹, equal to 4.22% of the measured daily PV alternating current (AC) output (38.5 kWh day⁻¹). The drainage solution had low ultraviolet transmittance at 254 nm (UVT₂₅₄; 25–50%) and moderate turbidity (5–30 NTU), conditions that can attenuate UV radiation and shield microorganisms. Across six post fruit set sampling events, the mean log₁₀ reductions were 1.15 ± 0.09 for culturable molds/fungal propagules and 1.64 ± 0.09 for culturable aerobic bacteria; paired tests on log₁₀ transformed counts were significant (p < 0.001). Total coliform bacteria were not detected after treatment, corresponding to a detection limit-based lower-bound reduction of ≥2.69 ± 0.17 log₁₀. Apparent fluence values were treated as engineering estimates rather than validated delivered dose. The results support UV-C sanitation as a preliminary enabling step for drainage solution reuse, while biodosimetry, untreated circulation controls, multi-stage seasonal sampling, full-season recirculation, and crop response validation remain necessary. Full article

Plant-derived syrups are traditional sugar-rich products that may serve as potential natural food ingredients, but their quality-related characteristics depend on raw material composition, acidity, phenolic constituents, pigments and colour attributes. This study characterised 15 plant-derived syrup products prepared from botanical and fungal raw materials collected in Latvia during the 2025 vegetation season. The syrups were analysed for pH, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total anthocyanin content (TAC) determined spectrophotometrically, smartphone-based CIELAB colour parameters and organic acid content by HPLC-DAD. Data were evaluated using correlation analysis, PCA and K-means clustering as exploratory tools. The syrup products differed in acidity, phenolic and flavonoid indices, TAC, colour characteristics and organic acid profiles. Fruit-derived syrups showed the widest variation in titratable acidity, while total soluble solids showed no significant linear association with titratable acidity. TPC correlated strongly with TFC in samples with quantifiable TFC values, whereas TAC was associated more closely with reduced lightness than with increased redness. Organic acid profiles provided additional product-level differentiation. Overall, the integrated analytical approach provides a compositional basis for the further evaluation of plant-derived syrups as potential natural food ingredients. Full article