Three previously undescribed indole alkaloids, candindoles A-C (1-3), along with five known analogues (4-8), were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus candidus HNNU0546. Structurally, 1 and 2 represent the first terphenyl-indole piperazine alkaloid hybrids featuring unprecedented backbones. Their structures including absolute configurations were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, DP4+ probability analysis, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. A plausible biosynthetic pathway for 1 is proposed. Compound 1 exhibited moderate growth-inhibitory activity against the plant pathogenic fungus of Alternaria sp. with an EC50 value of 19.21 ± 0.26 μM, while compounds 1 and 2 showed significant cytotoxicity toward human rhabdomyosarcoma cells A673 with IC50 values of 7.72 and 8.89 μM, respectively, comparable to the positive control cisplatin.

Indole diketopiperazine-based hybrids with dual TDP1 and TDP2 inhibitory activities from marine fungus aspergillus sp. EGF 15-0-3.

Marine fungi play key roles in organic matter cycling, yet their distribution across particle size fractions remains understudied. We analyze 18S rDNA data from four size fractions (0.8-5, 5-20, 20-180, and 180-2000 μm) collected across the global sunlit ocean. Here, we show fungal diversity and relative abundance decline with increasing particle size. Fungal community structure is influenced by eukaryotic diversity and chlorophyll levels. Fungi co-occur with other eukaryotes, especially zooplankton, hinting at potential predator-prey interactions. Generalist fungi dominate smaller fractions, while specialists dominate larger fractions, likely due to stronger microenvironmental selection. Co-occurrence networks are dominated by positive interactions and driven by fungal specialists. Dispersal limitation emerges as the main ecological process shaping community assembly. Our findings reveal strong niche differentiation among marine fungi along the particle continuum and emphasize the role of particle size and biological interactions in structuring fungal diversity and biogeography.

Paraconfuranones N–P, three new furanone polyketides with antibacterial activity from a marine-derived fungus Paraconiothyrium sporulosum DL-16

Botrytis cinerea, commonly known as gray mold, is one of the most significant necrotrophic plant pathogens, causing considerable economic losses in the agricultural industry. An alkaloid, methyl-3,4,5-trimethoxy-2-(2-(nicotinamido) benzamido)benzoate (MTC), was isolated from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus terreus BYS8, and its antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea is reported for the first time. MTC displayed potent antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea, with an EC50 value of 10.33 μg mL-1. It effectively inhibited the mycelial growth and spore germination of B. cinerea and demonstrated broad-spectrum protective effects on the fruits of grape, strawberry, and cherry tomato. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses revealed that MTC induced severe morphological deformation in B. cinerea filaments. Furthermore, MTC increased the MDA content in B. cinerea mycelium, while the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, CAT, and GSH-PX), and the soluble protein content decreased. The transcriptome analysis revealed that MTC regulated the expression of genes related to starch and sucrose metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, and the citrate cycle, which resulted in a decrease in sucrose and amylose production, pyruvate content, citrate cycle-related enzyme activity, ATP levels, and affecting the energy metabolism imbalance and cellular dysfunction of B. cinerea. These findings suggest that MTC is a promising candidate as a novel agricultural fungicide, demonstrating effective control over B. cinerea and providing a solid scientific foundation for its potential development as an alternative to conventional chemical fungicides. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

A new kind of purified polysaccharide (CVP) was obtained from the marine fungus strain of Cladosporium velox SCAU272, which was obtained from the South Oceanographic Institute of China. Through the determination of the physical and chemical properties and structural characteristics of CVP, it was found that its molecular weight is 2.726 kDa and its monosaccharide composition consists exclusively of glucose. The main framework consists of six glucose units linked through a residue-based approach, and its structure is as follows: α-D-Glcp-(1→4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→3,4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→[4)-α-D-Glcp-(1]7 as the main chain and α-D-Glcp-(1→3)-β-D-Glcp、α-D-Glcp-(1→ 2)-β-D-Glcp as two side chains. We performed CCK-8 and single cell colony formation experiments on macrophage 264.7, demonstrating that CVP is non-toxic and promotes cell proliferation.

Natural monoterpenoid lactone, loliolide has garnered scientific attention due to its multifunctional pharmacological, ecological, and biochemical activities. Ubiquitously found in marine algae, terrestrial organisms, fungi, and certain animal organisms, loliolide possesses a wide range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, antidepressant, immunosuppressive, antiviral, and allelopathic activities. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the pharmacological activities with molecular mechanism, and ecological roles of loliolide with a specific focus on its drug-likeness profile (in silico) and therapeutic potential. Mechanistically, loliolide acts through modulation of critical pathways such as NRF2/ARE, NF-κB, MAPK, AMPK, and Wnt/β-catenin. Additionally, the compound's allelopathic activity makes it a viable green substitute in agrochemicals. Furthermore, In silico assessments (ADME, molecular networking/docking) reinforce its drug-like properties, with favorable ADMET characteristics. GO and Kegg pathway analysis demonstrated that loliolide works by interfering by inflammation and and other mechanistic pathways. Molecular docking showed strong binding affinities - 10.2 and - 8.7, - 7.4 and - 7.3 with receptor COX2[ICX2], apoptosis[5O10], anti-aging[7ZBF] and anti-oxidant [ 2HE3] respectively. Overall, this review provides the multifunctional potential of loliolide as a prospective bioactive molecule in drug discovery and environmental biotechnology.

A new bioactive compound methyl-3-(2-pyran-6-yl)propanoate (1) and seven known compounds (2–8) were isolated from marine fungus Trichoderma atroviride. The structure of the new compound 1 was identified and elucidated by NMR, HR-ESI-MS, UV, and IR spectra. The antagonistic activities and cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated. Compound 1 showed strong growth-inhibiting activities against the proliferation of B16 murine melanoma cells, with IC50 values of 4.4 ± 0.5 μM. Notably, this is the first report demonstrating strong cytotoxicity of 6-substituted 2H-pyran-2-one derivatives, providing novel insights into their potential as anti-tumour lead compounds.

Four new compounds (1–4), along with 22 known metabolites (5–26), were isolated from the fungus Biscogniauxia sp. 8703. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated based on NMR, MS, and ECD analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 were identified as heliannuol D analogs, which exhibited anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting NO production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell, with IC50 values of 7.14 and 25.25 μM, respectively.

Background: The search for environmentally friendly antifouling agents has led to an increased focus on marine natural products. Methods: This study investigated the antifouling potential of lipid fractions extracted from ten marine fungal strains isolated from the Beibu Gulf, China. The lipids were evaluated through a multi-level bioassay approach, including the inhibition of microfouling (against four fouling bacteria: Marinobacterium jannaschii, Vibrio pelagius, Vibrio rotiferianus, and Alteromonas macleodii), the prevention of macrofouling (inhibition of barnacle Amphibalanus reticulatus cyprid settlement), and long-term (90-day) marine field trials. Results: Eight lipid fractions demonstrated inhibitory effects against at least one bacterial strain. Five lipids significantly inhibited barnacle cyprid settlement, with half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) values ranging from 0.21 to 1.81 µg/mL and exhibited low toxicity (half-maximal lethal concentration (LC50) > 50 µg/mL). Notably, four lipid fractions maintained potent antifouling efficacy (>70% inhibition) throughout the 90-day field exposure. Chemical characterization via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) revealed that the bioactive fractions were predominantly composed of fatty acids and their derivatives. Major identified compounds included palmitic acid, methyl palmitate, linoleic acid, dodecyl-9-ynyl chloroacetate, cis-13-octadecenoic acid, oleic acid, methyl 11,14-octadecadienoate, and (E)-9-octadecenoic acid methyl ester. Conclusions: This work represents the first comprehensive investigation of marine fungal lipids from the Beibu Gulf with multi-target antifouling properties, providing a theoretical foundation and practical candidate compounds for developing eco-friendly antifouling coatings.

Marine fungi play a crucial role in maintaining the ocean ecosystem functions by participating in organic matter degradation, carbon and nitrogen biogeochemical cycles, and interactions with other marine organisms. Nevertheless, many marine habitats remain poorly explored for fungal diversity, as fungi have historically been overlooked in marine research. In this study, we investigated marine fungi in two underexplored coastal habitats (PET plastic waste and seafoam) collected from the intertidal zone of Udo Island, South Korea. A total of 88 fungal strains were isolated and identified as 45 taxa (22 taxa from PET waste and 24 from seafoam) based on multigene phylogenetic analysis and morphological characteristics. The distinct fungal communities recovered from PET plastic waste and seafoam highlight the ecological value of anthropogenic and ephemeral marine habitats. Among these, we report two novel species – Leptospora conidiifera sp. nov. and Neodevriesia oceanoplastica sp. nov. – along with five previously unrecorded marine fungi species in Korea. These findings suggest that the two habitats can serve as reservoirs of unique fungal biodiversity and marine fungi may play unrecognized roles in marine nutrient cycling and microbial interactions.

Context: Kojic acid (KA) is an organic compound generated through the fermentation process involving various species of Aspergillus fungi. It has attracted considerable attention within the cosmetic industry and serves a vital role in pharmaceuticals. Remains a paucity of research focused on the production of KA from marine fungi, presenting a significant opportunity for further investigation. Aims: To optimize KA production from the marine coral-associated fungus by adjusting factors such as incubation time, medium pH, temperature, and fermentation type. Methods: Coral material was collected from Nipah, Lombok, Indonesia, ground into small pieces, and incubated in PDA medium with seawater at 28°C. Purified fungi were identified through DNA sequencing. Fermentation was performed on solid media, and extracts were obtained using ethyl acetate. KA crystals were formed by storing the liquid extract at 4°C. Optimization of KA production on fermentation parameters, including incubation time, medium pH, temperature, and fermentation type. KA levels were assessed by HPLC, and toxicity was assessed in B16F10 cells. Results: Marine coral-associated fungi produced significant amounts of KA, identified as Aspergillus flavus DIKSI C35 through BLAST DNA analysis. The optimal yield of KA was obtained at pH 3, 25°C, and after 15 days of incubation. The crude extracts demonstrated excellent non-cytotoxicity at 125 µg/mL. Conclusions: Marine fungi have demonstrated the capacity to produce valuable compounds, including KA. Through the optimization of fermentation parameters, yields can be substantially enhanced, and a toxicity assay is conducted to ensure the safety of the extracts.

Potential environmental impacts of bioplastic degradation in natural marine environments: A comprehensive review.

Antibacterial activity and mechanism of polyketides from the marine-derived fungus Talaromyces sp.

Diversity and temporal succession of early-colonizing fungi in wood baits from an estuarine environment, with description of Penicillium alavariense sp. nov.

Indoloditerpenoids (IDTs) are a group of fungal metabolites that have attracted considerable attention from natural product chemists due to their diverse structures and potent bioactivities. A total of 317 IDTs is included in this review, and some of them exhibit antitumor, antiinsectan, antifungal, and antibacterial activities. Among them, 60% IDTs were isolated from marine-derived fungi, indicating the significant role of the marine ecological environment. The chemical structures of IDTs have been determined mainly by NMR, MS, and X-ray crystallographic analysis, while the absolute configurations have been largely assigned by Mosher’s method and chiral spectroscopic protocols such as computed ECD, VCD, and optical rotations. This review covers the literature up to the middle of 2025, illustrating the chemical diversity of IDTs from the fungal kingdom. Biosynthesis and organic synthesis of IDTs are also summarized.

This concise review delves into an intriguing subject—a unique class of natural pigments known as xanthophylls. These carotenoids feature a 1,2-diol functional group within their molecular structure, which allows them to engage with boric acid or the boron anion in solution, forming distinctive complexes. Xanthophylls having up to six hydroxyl groups in the molecule increase their hydrophilicity, and by forming boron complexes, they become water-soluble molecules, which contributes to increased activity. These molecules predominantly originate from marine or freshwater cyanobacteria, as well as yeasts. They can also be found in extracts from marine invertebrates, fungi, marine isopods, freshwater and marine copepods, and microalgae. The review provides insights into their distribution patterns and explores their biological activities.

Two new polyketides with a 6/6/6 oxygenated heterocyclic ring system, eupenicillmarines A-B (1-2), one new alkaloid eupenicillmarine C (3), one new natural product alkaloid eupenicillmarine D (4), and four known compounds (5-8), were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Eupenicillium sp. HJ002. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by 1D/2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS spectral, ECD calculation, and X-ray diffraction analyses. Eupenicillmarine A (EMA) exhibited potent nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne incognita with an EC50 of 32.7 μg/mL. EMA effectively inhibited the M. incognita egg hatching and caused significant morphological distortions. EMA induced oxidative stress imbalance by decreasing antioxidant enzyme activity, leading to excessive ROS accumulation, which reduced soluble protein levels and ATP levels and disrupted energy metabolism. EMA exhibited a significant treatment effect against M. incognita in chili pepper plant experiments and remaining safe for rice crops, suggesting its potential as a promising, environmentally friendly nematode control agent.

A new secondary metabolite, aspernigrin F (1), possessing a unique 2-benzylpyridine-4-one substructure along with six known fungal metabolites were isolated from marine-derived fungus Aspergillus sp. SF6390. The chemical structures of all metabolites were mainly determined by analysing 1D, 2D NMR and HRESI-MS data. The isolated metabolites were assayed for their anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects in various cell lines such as RAW264.7 macrophages, BV2 microglia cells, hippocampal HT22, and HepG2 cell lines.

This study explores cellulase production from marine microorganisms as a sustainable solution for biofuel generation, utilizing their unique enzymatic adaptations for degrading cellulosic biomass under harsh conditions. A novel marine fungal strain, Cladosporium pseudochalastosporoides , was isolated from a mangrove area in Taiwan and identified as a potent producer of cellulolytic enzymes. Key production parameters, including pH, incubation time, temperature, substrate ratio, and nitrogen source, were optimized. Maximum β-glucosidase (BGL) activity was achieved at pH 7, 25 °C, after 7 days, with a wheat bran-to-Avicel ratio of 1:2.3 and 3% (w/v) corn steep liquor. The enzyme was purified using acetone precipitation and DEAE-Sephadex A-25 ion exchange chromatography, achieving a 17-fold purification and specific activity of 6.8 U/mg. The purified BGL, with a molecular weight of ∼90 kDa, showed optimal activity at pH 6.0 and 50 °C. Activity was retained for 40 min before declining, likely due to its purified state. Enhanced activity was observed with 5 mM concentrations of Fe²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Mn²⁺ ions, highlighting its industrial potential. This is the first report characterizing BGL from C. pseudochalastosporoides , underscoring its potential for efficient biomass degradation and biofuel production. Highlights A novel cellulase-producing fungus Cladosporium pseudochalastosporoides was isolated from Taiwan mangroves. BGL produced was moderate glucose tolerant and was purified and characterized. BGL was optimally active at pH 6, 50 °C, and was enhanced by Fe²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺ ions. C. pseudochalastosporoides was a robust fungus producing cellulase.