Superior Antifungal Activity Research Articles

Exploration of antimicrobial activity and antioxidant potential of Loranthus Cordifolius plants from Mirpur Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

Loranthus cordifolius is a parasitic plant, and its extracts are traditionally used in some cultures as antimicrobial and immunological medicines. Literature suggests that bioactive compounds produced by a parasitic plant could potentially be influenced by the host plant's own chemical composition, playing a role in the adaptogenic properties of the parasitic plant. In the present research, L. cordifolius shrubs were collected from host species Phyllanthus emblica and Juglans regia, and extracts were obtained using chloroform, petroleum ether, methanol, and water. The phytochemical profile, encompassing alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, tannins, terpenoids, and saponins, was qualitatively and quantitatively assessed, revealing varying concentrations based on solvents and hosts. Leaf extracts from L. cordifolius (Host P. emblica) displayed superior antifungal and antibacterial activities compared to those from L. cordifolius (Host J. regia). Notably, leaf extracts from L. cordifolius (Host P. emblica) exhibited effective results, including minimum inhibitory effect, Minimum Bactericidal Concentration, and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration. The leaf extracts of L. cordifolius (Host P. emblica) produced the best activity indices of 0.97, 0.97, 1.02, and 0.85 against the test organisms E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and B. subtilis, respectively, as compared to leaf extracts of L. cordifolius (Host J. regia) with values of 0.95, 0.95, 0.94, and 0.82 Stem extracts from L. cordifolius plants (Host P. emblica) demonstrated higher DPPH scavenging effect, total antioxidant activity, and total phenolic contents. These findings suggest that leaf extracts, particularly from host P. emblica, show promise as potential sources of green medicine due to their notable antimicrobial and antioxidant properties compared to the L. cordifolius plants from the host J. regia.

A rice rhizosphere plant growth-promoting Streptomyces corchorusii isolate antagonizes Magnaporthe oryzae and elicits defense responses in rice.

Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, is one of the most devastating diseases of rice (Oryza sativa L.). The aim of this study was to investigate the biocontrol potential of rice rhizosphere actinomycetes against M. oryzae Guy 11, and elucidate the antagonistic mechanisms. An isolate characterized as a Streptomyces corchorusii strain (Sc75) using the 16S rRNA gene exhibited superior antifungal activity. Sc75 had an inhibitory effect of 69.25%±0.15% against M. oryzae and broad antifungal activity on other fungal plant pathogens in the dual culture assay. Its cell-free culture filtrate inhibited fungal growth and reduced mycelial mass. Also, the ethyl acetate crude extract completely inhibited conidia germination and appressoria formation on the hydrophobic coverslips and detached leaf at a concentration of 20mg/ml. Its volatile organic compounds (VOCs) suppressed fungal growth by 98.42%. GC-MS analysis of the VOCs identified butanoic acid, 2-methyl-, methyl ester; di-tert-butyl peroxide; furan, 2-pentyl-; and undecanoic acid, 10-methyl-, methyl ester as the main components. In the greenhouse experiment, the disease severity was reduced and growth promotion was evident. Molecular investigation revealed that Sc75 upregulated defense-related genes involved in the synthesis of jasmonic acid, salicylic acid signaling pathway, and led to callose deposition and ROS production in the leaves. Finally, Sc75 produced hydrolytic enzymes, siderophore, indole acetic acid, gibberellic acid, phosphate solubilization, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase. The rice rhizosphere soil harbors actinomycetes that can be explored as biocontrol agents against fungal pathogens such as M. oryzae. The isolate Sc75 had superior antifungal activity against M. oryzae and other selected plant pathogenic fungi. It showed remarkable antagonistic activity through direct antibiosis, production of VOCs, antifungal metabolites in the culture filtrates and crude extracts, and produced enzymes. In addition, the isolate promoted plant growth, reduced rice blast disease index in the greenhouse experiment, and elicited defense-related responses. Sc75 is a promising candidate for future exploration as a biofungicide and a biofertilizer.

Novel pesticides design: co-encapsulation of citral and cyproconazole for the control of Botrytis cinerea using biocompatible nano-carriers.

Growing concerns about sustainability have driven the search for eco-friendly pest management solutions. Combining natural and synthetic compounds within controlled release systems is a promising strategy. This study investigated the co-encapsulation of the natural compound citral (Cit) and the synthetic antifungal cyproconazole (CPZ) using two water-based nanocarriers: solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs). Both CSNPs and SLNs loaded with Cit + CPZ displayed superior antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea compared to free compounds. Notably, CSNPs with a 2:1 Cit:CPZ ratio exhibited the highest efficacy, achieving a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC100) of < 1.56 μg mL-1, lower than the 12.5 μg mL-1 of non-encapsulated compounds. This formulation significantly reduced the required synthetic CPZ while maintaining efficacy, highlighting its potential for environmentally friendly pest control. The successful co-encapsulation of Cit + CPZ within CSNPs, particularly at a 2:1 ratio, demonstrates a promising approach for developing effective and sustainable antifungal formulations against B. cinerea. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Synthesis, characterization, and bioactivity of Cu(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Mn(II) complexes with benzilmonoximethiocarbohydrazide-O-methoxybenzaldehyde: experimental and computational insights.

In this study, a novel ligand, benzilmonoximethiocarbohydrazide-O-methoxybenzaldehyde (HBMToMB), was synthesized and subsequently complexed with Cu(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Mn(II) ions. The metal complexes were comprehensively characterized using techniques such as NMR, IR, Mass Spectrometry, UV-Vis, elemental analysis (CHNS), and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The complexes exhibited superior antibacterial and antifungal activity compared to the free ligand. In addition, cytotoxicity was evaluated using the brine shrimp lethality bioassay, demonstrating significant activity. Computational studies, including molecular docking, DFT, and ADMET analysis, provided further insights into the compounds' binding affinities and electronic properties. These findings underscore the potential of these metal complexes as promising candidates for therapeutic applications, particularly in antimicrobial and anticancer therapies.

Exploring the enhanced bioactivity and reactivity of novel Fe(III) and Co(II) complexes incorporating sulfadiazine tetradentate ligand: Structural, DFT, molecular docking, and biological applications

This current work presented the synthesis, characterization and bio-evaluation of new Fe(III) (FePSD), and Co(II) (CoPSD) complexes based on N-[4-amino-5-cyano-6-(methylthio)pyridin-2-yl]-3-oxobutanamide in pyridine afford N-(4-amino-5-cyano-6-(methylthio) pyridin-2-yl)-3-oxo-2-([4-(pyrimidin-2-ylsulfamoyl) phenyl]hydrazono) butanamide (PSD). Interestingly, the FePSD and CoPSD complexes exhibit notable stability and solubility in organic solvents, with molar conductivity values of 79.35 Ω−1 cm2 mol−1 for FePSD and 8.89 Ω−1 cm2 mol−1 for CoPSD, indicating a 1:1 electrolytic nature for FePSD and non-electrolytic behavior for CoPSD. FTIR analysis confirmed metal–ligand interactions, as shifts in key bands were observed, while UV–Vis spectra and magnetic moment measurements supported octahedral geometries for both complexes. DFT calculations provided insights into the electronic structure, revealing that CoPSD has higher reactivity and electrophilicity, while FePSD showed moderate reactivity. Thermal and mass spectral analyses further characterized their stoichiometry and stability. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were evaluated against a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungal strains. The FePSD and CoPSD complexes demonstrated significantly enhanced antimicrobial efficacy compared to the parent ligand, as evidenced by larger inhibition zones, higher activity indices, and lower minimum inhibition concentrations (MIC). CoPSD exhibited superior antibacterial and antifungal activity compared to FePSD, nearing the effectiveness of standard antibiotics and antifungal drugs. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory potential of these compounds was assessed using the egg albumin denaturation method. Both FePSD and CoPSD showed remarkable inhibition of protein denaturation, surpassing the parent ligand and even outperforming the standard drug Ibuprofen at higher concentrations. The enhancement in biological activity is attributed to the metal chelation effect, which improves cell membrane permeability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Molecular docking studies further elucidated the binding interactions of PSD, FePSD, and CoPSD with target proteins, revealing stronger hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding in the metal complexes, correlating with their superior biological activity. These findings highlight the potential of FePSD and CoPSD as promising antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents.

Inhibition of Food Spoilage Fungi, Botrytis cinerea and Rhizopus sp., by Nanoparticles Loaded with Baccharis dracunculifolia Essential Oil and Nerolidol.

This study investigates the antifungal potential of encapsulated essential oil (EO) from Baccharis dracunculifolia and nerolidol (NE) within Pluronic® F-127 nanoparticles (NPs). The EO, containing nerolidol, β-caryophyllene, and α-pinene as major bioactive compounds, exhibited superior antifungal activity compared to NE. The NP-EO formulations demonstrated high efficacy against Botrytis cinerea, with inhibition rates ranging from 29.73% to 87.60% and moderate efficacy against Rhizopus sp., with inhibition rates from 11.81% to 32.73%. In comparison, NP-NE showed lower antifungal activity. Both formulations effectively inhibited spore germination, with NP-EO showing greater inhibition compared to NP-NE. The encapsulation efficiency was significantly higher for NP-EO (80.1%) as compared to NP-NE (51.1%), attributed to the complex composition of EO facilitating better encapsulation and retention. Stability studies indicated that both NP formulations were stable at 25 °C for at least 15 days and exhibited changes in particle size and the formation of smaller particle populations at other temperatures (4 °C and 37 °C). Hemolytic activity was low across all NPs, suggesting their safety for food applications. The findings underscore the efficacy and applicability of EO-encapsulated NPs in extending food shelf life and maintaining product quality. The controlled and prolonged release of active compounds, coupled with their antifungal activity and safety, suggests that these NPs represent a promising and innovative approach for food preservation and active packaging development.

Production of chitinase in elicited tomato cell suspensions and its application as a biopesticide and fungicide against soil-borne pests and fungi

Soil-borne fungi and pests present significant challenges to crop production, causing diseases and reducing yields. This study explores the potential of producing chitinase from tomato cell suspension cultures and its application in controlling soil-borne fungi and pests. Tomato cell suspension cultures were established from seeds, and different elicitors—including chitin, fungal debris, and fungal metabolites—were used to optimize chitinase production. The enzyme was purified, and its physicochemical properties were characterized. Its antifungal activity was tested against various soil-borne fungi, while termiticidal activity was evaluated using four bioassay methods. Additionally, the nematicidal activity of chitinase was assessed against different stages of root-knot nematodes. Results indicated that chitin media induced the highest chitinase production and cell growth compared to other elicitors. The purified chitinase had a molecular weight of 34 kDa, with a maximum velocity (Vmax) of 0.940 μg NAG/min and a Michaelis constant of 1.236 mg colloidal chitin/mL. The turnover number (Kcat) was 1.598 μg NAG/min/mol chitinase. The enzyme exhibited a broad range of activity and stability across varying pH levels and temperatures, as well as remarkable stability under different storage times and in the presence of metal ions. Tomato-derived chitinase demonstrated superior antifungal, nematicidal, and termiticidal activities compared to common chemical fungicides and pesticides. Chitinase was successfully produced from tomato cell suspension culture in this study, highlighting its potential as a biocontrol agent for sustainable pest and disease management in agriculture.

Antifungal films for strawberry packaging using carbon quantum dots derived from lemon and onion juice via green hydrothermal method

Fungi are the prime concern since they cause post-harvest decay in fruits such as strawberries; the fungi motivate the need for new antifungal agents. Among all these nanoparticles, the carbon quantum dots (CQDs) show the most promising results for their use in food packaging applications. Lemon carbon quantum dots (LCQD), which is derived from lemon juice, and onion carbon quantum dots (OCQD), which is derived from onion juice, were synthesized using the one-step hydrothermal method. The synthesized materials were then characterized using a transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. LCQD and OCQD solutions were applied to fresh strawberries for the purpose of conducting studies on weight loss, decay, and shelf-life extension. The antifungal activity of both CQDs was assessed against Rhizopus sp., Penicillium sp., Candida albicans, Aspergillus sp., and Botrytis cinerea using the agar-well diffusion technique. The obtained average size was 4.33±1.67 nm for LCQDs and 3.34±1.72 nm for OCQDs. Strawberries packaged with OCQDs and LCQDs showed weight loss of 5.21%±1.03% and 8.14%±1.09% on the fourth day of observation, respectively, against 18.71%±2.2% by control. On the same day, the decay rate for OCQDs was 11%, 40% for LCQDs, and 96.65% for control. Both exhibited antifungal activity, with inhibition zones ranging from 12.6-44.5 mm for various fungi. OCQD exhibits higher activity packaging compared to LCQD due to their smaller size and superior antifungal activity against a variety of fungi.

Electrospun patches to deliver combination drug therapy for fungal infections

Fungal infections, though affecting healthcare globally, receive insufficient attention in clinical and academic settings. Invasive fungal infections, particularly caused by combat wounds, have been identified as a critical threat by the US Department of Defense. Monotherapy with traditional antifungals is often insufficient, and so combination therapies are explored to enhance treatment efficacy. However, systemic combination treatments can result in severe adverse effects, suggesting the need for localised delivery systems, such as drug-loaded electrospun patches, to administer antifungals directly to the infection site. This proof-of-concept study hypothesised that dual amorolfine and terbinafine therapy slowly releasing from electrospun patches would be an effective way of eradicating Candida albicans when the patch was applied directly to the fungal colony. The feasibility of creating electrospun materials loaded with amorolfine and terbinafine for combination antifungal therapy was investigated. Electrospinning was used to fabricate polycaprolactone (PCL) patches with varying drug loadings (2.5%, 5%, and 10% w/w) of amorolfine and terbinafine either individually or in combination. The incorporation of both drugs in the fibres was confirmed, with the drugs predominantly in an amorphous state. Results showed that combination therapy patches had a significantly greater and prolonged antifungal effect compared to monotherapy patches, with larger zones of inhibition and sustained efficacy over at least 7 days. This study therefore demonstrates that PCL-based electrospun patches containing amorolfine and terbinafine provide superior antifungal activity against C. albicans compared to monotherapy patches. This approach could lower required drug doses, reducing adverse effects, and enhance patient compliance due to prolonged drug release, leading to more effective antifungal therapy.

Discovery of Benzothiazol-2-ylthiophenylpyrazole-4-carboxamides as Novel Succinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors.

Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) has been considered an ideal target for discovering fungicides. To develop novel SDH inhibitors, in this work, 31 novel benzothiazol-2-ylthiophenylpyrazole-4-carboxamides were designed and synthesized using active fragment exchange and a link approach as promising SDH inhibitors. The findings from the tests on antifungal activity indicated that most of the synthesized compounds displayed remarkable inhibition against the fungi tested. Compound Ig N-(2-(((5-chlorobenzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)thio)methyl)phenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-yrazole-4-carboxamide, with EC50 values against four kinds of fungi tested below 10 μg/mL and against Cercospora arachidicola even below 2 μg/mL, showed superior antifungal activity than that of commercial fungicide thifluzamide, and specifically compounds Ig and Im were found to show preventative potency of 90.6% and 81.3% against Rhizoctonia solani Kühn, respectively, similar to the positive fungicide thifluzamide. The molecular simulation studies suggested that hydrophobic interactions were the main driving forces between ligands and SDH. Encouragingly, we found that compound Ig can effectively promote the wheat seedlings and the growth of Arabidopsis thaliana. Our further studies indicated that compound Ig could stimulate nitrate reductase activity in planta and increase the biomass of plants.

Silver nanoparticles (AGNPs): A review on properties and behavior of silver at the nanoscale level

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have garnered significant interest due to their unique and enhanced properties compared to bulk silver. These nanoparticles exhibit remarkable chemical, physical, and biological characteristics, primarily attributed to their high surface area-to-volume ratio and nanoscale dimensions. Key properties include superior antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activities, potent catalytic capabilities, and distinctive optical properties, such as localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). These enhanced properties stem from the increased surface reactivity and quantum effects at the nanoscale. AgNPs are extensively applied across various fields. In medicine, they are utilized for their antimicrobial properties in wound dressings, coatings for medical devices, and as components in drug delivery systems. In environmental science, they serve as effective agents in water treatment processes due to their potent antimicrobial action. Additionally, AgNPs are employed in electronics for conductive inks, in catalysis for chemical reactions, and in textiles for producing antibacterial fabrics. The improved properties of silver nanoparticles over bulk silver are mainly due to the increased proportion of surface atoms, which leads to higher surface energy and reactivity. Furthermore, the nanoscale dimensions allow for quantum confinement effects, enhancing their optical and electronic properties. These unique characteristics enable AgNPs to perform more effectively and efficiently in various applications, making them a vital component in advancing technology and healthcare solutions.

Chitosan stabilized lemon essential oil nanoemulsion controls black mold rot and maintains quality of table grapes

Aspergillus carbonarius infection leads to black mold rot in table grapes, causes grape decay, reduces fruit quality and marketability, which produces significant economic losses. This study investigated the antifungal efficacy of chitosan-stabilized lemon essential oil nanoemulsion (LO-CNE) against A. carbonarius and black mold rot of table grapes. LO-CNE was prepared with a mean diameter of 130.01 ± 8.34 nm. LO-CNE exhibited superior antifungal activity, reduced spore germination and germ tube elongation, decreased the antioxidant enzyme activities in A. carbonarius; the minimal inhibitory concentration of LO-CNE was determined to be 30 mg/mL. LO-CNE reduced the occurrence of black mold rot by 63 % and lesion diameter by 56.78 % in table grapes compared to the control. At their peak activity level, the grapes treated with LO-CNE exhibited significantly enhanced antioxidant and defense-related enzyme activities. Specifically, polyphenol oxidase activity increased by 2.27-fold, peroxidase activity by 2.22-fold, superoxide dismutase activity by 0.68-fold, catalase activity by 1.61-fold, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity by 3.38-fold, and ascorbate peroxidase activity by 2.36-fold. The LO-CNE application reduced natural decay by 95 %, weight loss by 15 % compared to the control, and effectively maintained the quality parameters of table grapes. Therefore, LO-CNE can be considered an alternative disease-control agent for grape preservation.

Chitosan (CTS) induced secondary metabolite production in Canscora decussata Schult. - An endangered medicinal plant

Bioengineering has excellent potential in plant-based in vitro cultures for efficiently synthesizing desired plant products. Due to the rapid destruction of natural habitats, in vitro methods might save endangered species. Winged-Stem Canscora is an endangered medicinal herb used in traditional medicine for brain disorders. This study investigates the induction of in-vitro metabolite production using chitosan. Among the various concentrations of auxins tested, 82% of callus was obtained from Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 3 mg L−1 Kinetin (KIN) + 1 mg L−1 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The highest callus content was after the 3rd subculture at 200 mg L−1 chitosan treatment. On the 70th day of culture, levels of total phenolics and flavonoids are increased in the elicited and normal callus. However, antioxidant activity was higher in elicited callus compared to normal callus and wild plants. Higher secondary metabolite concentrations of elicited callus have superior anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity. Secondary metabolites from elicited callus have a lower inhibitory concentration than those from wild plant and normal callus. High-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis showed that the elicited callus had higher amounts of mangiferin (0.178 μg mL−1) and scopoletin (0.133 μg mL−1). An efficient approach was employed to ensure that sufficient amounts of the widely used plant secondary metabolites from medicinal plants, such as mangiferin and scopoletin, were accessible to meet demand.

Superior Anticancer and Antifungal Activities of New Sulfanyl-Substituted Niclosamide Derivatives.

The approved anthelmintic salicylanilide drug niclosamide has shown promising anticancer and antimicrobial activities. In this study, new niclosamide derivatives with trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethylsulfanyl, and pentafluorosulfanyl substituents replacing the nitro group of niclosamide were prepared (including the ethanolamine salts of two promising salicylanilides) and tested for their anticancer activities against esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) cells. In addition, antifungal activity against a panel of Madurella mycetomatis strains, the most abundant causative agent of the neglected tropical disease eumycetoma, was evaluated. The new compounds revealed higher activities against EAC and fungal cells than the parent compound niclosamide. The ethanolamine salt 3a was the most active compound against EAC cells (IC50 = 0.8-1.0 µM), and its anticancer effects were mediated by the downregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins (BCL2 and MCL1) and by decreasing levels of β-catenin and the phosphorylation of STAT3. The plausibility of binding to the latter factors was confirmed by molecular docking. The compounds 2a and 2b showed high in vitro antifungal activity against M. mycetomatis (IC50 = 0.2-0.3 µM) and were not toxic to Galleria mellonella larvae. Slight improvements in the survival rate of G. mellonella larvae infected with M. mycetomatis were observed. Thus, salicylanilides such as 2a and 3a can become new anticancer and antifungal drugs.

Postharvest biocontrol ability and involved mechanism of volatile organic compounds from Serratia nematodiphila BC-SKRU-1 against Penicillium digitatum tangerine fruit

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by microorganisms offer a promising strategy for managing green mold disease in citrus fruits caused by Penicillium digitatum. This study evaluated the biocontrol efficacy of VOCs produced by Serratia nematodiphila BC-SKRU-1 (BC-SKRU-1 VOCs) against green mold in postharvest tangerine fruits, targeting P. digitatum NKP4321. Our findings demonstrated that BC-SKRU-1 VOCs exhibited a broad spectrum of activity against seven plant pathogens, with the highest efficacy observed against NKP4321 (68.21%). A concentration of 106 CFU mL−1 for VOC production by BC-SKRU-1 completely inhibited the mycelial growth of NKP4321, whereas a concentration of 107 CFU mL−1 was required to fully inhibit spore germination. The application of four plates of BC-SKRU-1 VOCs at 108 CFU mL−1 significantly reduced the severity of green mold disease, with optimal biocontrol achieved through continuous fumigation during storage. Notably, 2-nonanol, identified as the predominant component among the 20 VOCs using HS-SPME/GC-MS, exhibited superior antifungal activity both in vitro and in vivo. It effectively decreased ergosterol production and disrupted plasma membrane integrity in NKP4321 cells. Furthermore, 2-nonanol altered the cellular content of non-enzymatic antioxidants (e.g., GSH, GSSG) and enzymatic antioxidants (e.g., CAT, SOD), elucidating its comprehensive antifungal mechanism. These findings highlight the potential of BC-SKRU-1 VOCs, particularly 2-nonanol, as effective biocontrol agents for enhancing postharvest fruit preservation by combating fungal pathogens.

Exploring the multifunctionality of MoS2 and MoSe2 nanostructures: Enhanced ammonia sensing, antimicrobial activity and organic dye adsorption

Nanostructured materials have emerged as a focal point in materials science, primarily due to their unique physical and structural characteristics that facilitate a wide range of applications. Multifunctional activity derived from a single material has been attracting attention recently. This study focuses on synthesizing the Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and Molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2) using the hydrothermal method of synthesis. The nanostructures thus produced were studied for various environmental remediation applications, including ammonia gas sensing, antimicrobial activities, and the removal of methyl orange (MO) dye from aqueous solutions. Herein, the flower-like MoS2 nanostructures exhibit remarkable ammonia-sensing capabilities with a response (Δ R/Rair%) of 100 % at room temperature when exposed to 20 ppm of ammonia gas. Additionally, they were also effective in the removal of MO from aqueous solutions. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activity of the synthesized samples was also studied against Escherichia Coli (E. Coli) (MTCC443) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (MTCC170) using the agar diffusion method. The antibacterial activity of MoS2 and MoSe2 against E. coli produced inhibition zones of 18 mm and 22 mm, respectively. The antifungal activity against Saccharomyces cerevisiae resulted in inhibition zones of 11 mm and 16 mm, respectively, for 0.1 μg of MoS2 and MoSe2. The results indicated that MoSe2 exhibits superior antibacterial and antifungal activities compared to MoS2. This enhanced activity is likely attributable to the nanorod-like morphology of MoSe2, which facilitates easier penetration into microbial cell walls. Overall, this study underscores the multifunctional potential of these synthesized nanostructured materials, highlighting their applicability in environmental remediation.

Synthesis and Antifungal Activity of Chalcone Derivatives Containing 1,3,4-Thiadiazole.

24 chalcone derivatives containing 1,3,4-thiadiazole were synthesized. The results of bioactivity tests indicated that some of the target compounds exhibited superior antifungal activities in vitro. Notably, the EC50 value of D4 was 14.4 μg/mL against Phomopsis sp, which was significantly better than that of azoxystrobin (32.2 μg/mL) and fluopyram (54.2 μg/mL). The in vivo protective activity of D4 against Phomopsis sp on kiwifruit (71.2 %) was significantly superior to azoxystrobin (62.8 %) at 200 μg/mL. The in vivo protective activities of D4 were 74.4 and 57.6 % against Rhizoctonia solani on rice leaf sheaths and rice leaves, respectively, which were slightly better than those of azoxystrobin (72.1 and 49.2 %) at 200 μg/mL. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that the mycelial surface collapsed, contracted and grew abnormally after D4 treatment. Finally, the results were further verified by in vivo antifungal assay, fluorescence microscopy (FM) observation, determination of relative conductivity, membrane lipid peroxidation degree assay, and determination of cytoplasmic content leakage. Molecular docking results suggested that D4 could be a potential SDHI.

Antioxidant evaluation and bio-guided isolation from methanol leaf extract of Acalypha godseffiana

Acalypha godesffiana is a plant used in conventional medicine for fungal-related illnesses. The plant‘s extracts were investigated in this study, antioxidant, and antimicrobial studies were conducted. Different models were employed in the antioxidant assay; serial dilution was utilized to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The extract from A. godseffiana was purified and characterized by chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques, respectively. Three biologically active compounds, 3, 5-dihdroxylbenzoic acid (1), 3, 4, 5-trihydroxybenzoic acid (2), as well as Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (3), were identified for the first time in A. godseffiana. The extract and fractions exhibited varying scavenging capacities on different anti-oxidative models. The DPPH of MeOH (IC50= 0.51 mg mL^-1) was comparable with silymarine (SLY) IC50= 0.52 mg mL^-1 and better than gallic acid (GAL) IC50=1.95 mg mL^-1; the ABTS.+ of EtOAc column fraction (ACF, IC50=0.46 mg mL^-1) was comparable with standard SLY, IC50 = 0.47 mg mL^-1; and an OH radical of DCM, IC50= 0.10 mg mL^-1, was better than both standards (SLY, IC50= 6.30 mg mL^-1, GAL: IC50= 1.93 mg mL^-1). ACF showed superior antifungal activities (0.02 mg mL^-1) against Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans, compared to ketoconazole (MIC of 0.250 mg mL^-1). Compounds (1-3) from A. godseffina reportedly displayed antioxidant and other activities. This study validated the antifungal potentials of A. godseffiana leaves and identified bioactive compounds. The extracts should be further investigated, and the compounds should be added to the existing library for further investigation of possible leads.

Tricyclic microwave-assisted synthesis of gold nanoparticles for biomedical applications: combatting multidrug-resistant bacteria and fungus

BackgroundRising global mortality due to antibiotic-resistant pathogens necessitates novel antibacterial and antifungal agents. This study focuses on synthesizing gold nanoparticles (GNPs) via tricyclic microwave irradiation (TMI) to combat Multi-Drug-Resistant Bacteria and Fungus. The demand for sustainable synthesis methods has led to the exploration of TMI for GNP production.ResultsCharacterization demonstrates consistent, uniform, and dispersed GNPs with trigonal and hexagonal shapes. GNPs sized 20–55 nm exhibit superior antibacterial and antifungal activity, particularly against drug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. Notably, GNPs display consistent efficacy against drug-resistant fungus and demonstrate potential for broad-spectrum antimicrobial applications.ConclusionTMI-synthesized GNPs, characterized by their favorable physical properties and size-dependent efficacy, show promise as effective agents against drug-resistant pathogens. Their ability to combat Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and drug-resistant fungus positions them as valuable tools in biomedical sciences. By addressing the urgent need for novel antimicrobial agents, TMI-synthesized GNPs offer a sustainable solution to the escalating global health challenge of antibiotic resistance.

Antifungal and visible light driven photocatalytic degradation of Brilliant green dye by Ceria–Zirconia Nanocomposites

Green synthesis is a simple, eco-friendly and emerging approach of synthesizing CeriaZirconia nanocomposites (CZ NCs) and evaluates its performance for the photocatalytic treatment of industrial waste water. Ceria-Zirconia NCs were synthesized using leaf extracts of Jatropha gossypiifolia L. for the application towards photocatalytic degradation of Brilliant Green (BG) dye under visible light irradiation. The Ceria-Zirconia NCs were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer, UV-Visible spectrophotometer, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) equipped with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX). FT-IR spectra indicate the presence of amino, carboxyl and hydroxyl functional groups on the crystal surface of the nanocomposites. In UV-Visible spectra, the nanocomposites exhibit the highest absorbance at about 252 and 340 nm. From XRD, the average crystallite size of the CeriaZirconia NCs were found to be 80.36nm, while SEM images showed the spherical clusters of agglomerated nanocomposites. The elemental composition and the purity of the nanocomposites were confirmed by Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy. The superior antifungal activity was investigated against with the fungal strains Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and penicillium.