What is it about?
This study explores the antibacterial properties of fungal extracts isolated from two different environments: Kakinada sea sediment and Eucalyptus foliage. The research aimed to discover natural compounds that could fight against harmful bacteria. Fungi from these sources were grown in the lab, and their extracts were tested against three common bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis. The team used ethyl acetate to extract potential antibacterial compounds from the fungi. The extracts were then analyzed using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) to see how they affect bacterial cells. TEM images revealed significant changes in bacterial cell structures, indicating that the extracts damaged the cell membranes, causing the bacteria to shrink and die. The fungi Aspergillus glaucus from the marine sediment and Bulbithecium pinkertoniae from Eucalyptus foliage showed potent antibacterial activity. This finding suggests that these fungal extracts have the potential to be developed as natural antibacterial agents, especially important in combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
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Why is it important?
Our findings demonstrate the potential of marine and endophytic fungi as sources of novel antibacterial compounds. The ethyl acetate extracts of these fungi exhibited significant antibacterial activity against common pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant strains. The structural damage observed in bacterial cells via TEM highlights the extracts' effectiveness. Given the growing concern over antibiotic resistance, discovering new, natural antibacterial agents is crucial. These results support the idea that fungi, especially from unique habitats like marine sediments and plant foliage, could be valuable sources of new antibiotics.
Perspectives
This publication reflects our commitment to exploring nature's potential to address modern medical challenges like antibiotic resistance. It was a fulfilling experience to see how fungi, often overlooked, can produce compounds with strong antibacterial effects. By utilizing advanced tools like TEM, we were able to visualize the direct impact of these extracts on bacterial cells, confirming their potency. This work has expanded my appreciation for the diverse roles fungi play and has motivated me to further investigate their potential in drug discovery. I hope this research can inspire future studies on natural antibacterial agents.
Prathyash Ushus M John
GITAM University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Bioprospecting Antibacterial Properties of Fungi Isolated from Kakinada Sea Coast and Eucalyptus Foliage, Anti-Infective Agents, February 2025, Bentham Science Publishers,
DOI: 10.2174/0122113525315717240513051550.
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