Assessment of Metabolic Alterations Induced by Halogenated Additives and Antifungal Activity of Extracts from the Endophytic Fungus <i>Fusarium</i> sp. Associated with <i>Dizygostemon riparius</i> (Plantaginaceae)

Assessment of Metabolic Alterations Induced by Halogenated Additives and Antifungal Activity of Extracts from the Endophytic Fungus <i>Fusarium</i> sp. Associated with <i>Dizygostemon riparius</i> (Plantaginaceae)

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Endophytic fungi are valuable sources of bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic applications. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of secondary metabolites produced by <i>Fusarium</i> sp. isolated from <i>Dizygostemo...

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Main Authors: Hilzimar de Jesus Freitas Sá, Anne Karoline Maiorana Santos, Adriano Souza Fonseca, Lourivaldo da Silva Santos, Josivan Regis Farias, Rosane Nassar Meireles Guerra, Edson Rodrigues-Filho, Gilmar Silverio da Silva, Cleydlenne Costa Vasconcelos, Alberto Jorge Oliveira Lopes, Antônio José Cantanhede Filho
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Metabolites
Subjects:
secondary metabolites
biofilm inhibition
natural product discovery
halogen and metal supplementation
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/7/451
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Summary:<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Endophytic fungi are valuable sources of bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic applications. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of secondary metabolites produced by <i>Fusarium</i> sp. isolated from <i>Dizygostemon riparius</i>, with particular focus on the impact of culture medium supplementation with halogenated and metallic additives on metabolite production. <b>Methods</b>: The fungus was cultivated in standard Czapek medium and media supplemented with NH<sub>4</sub>Br or MnCl<sub>2</sub>. Methanolic extracts were obtained, fractionated, and chemically characterised via LC-ESI-HRMS. In vitro antifungal assays, including MIC and MFC determinations and biofilm inhibition tests, were performed against <i>Candida albicans</i> strains. In vivo toxicity and efficacy were assessed using <i>Tenebrio molitor</i> larvae. <b>Results</b>: Fifteen metabolites were annotated, including known antifungals such as fusaric acid and cyclosporin A. Fractions EMBr4 and EMC5 demonstrated fungicidal activity with MIC values close to fluconazole and significantly inhibited biofilm formation and maturation. In vivo, these fractions displayed low acute toxicity and improved survival in infected larvae, comparable to fluconazole treatment. <b>Conclusions</b>: The results indicate that culture medium modulation enhances the production of bioactive metabolites by <i>Fusarium</i> sp., leading to extracts with notable antifungal efficacy and safety. EMBr4 and EMC5 are promising candidates for further development as antifungal agents, particularly for targeting biofilm-associated <i>Candida</i> infections. These findings support the potential of endophytic fungi as sources of novel therapeutics and warrant further mechanistic and pharmacological investigations.
ISSN:2218-1989

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