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An Irish strain of the dinoflagellate Amphidinium carterae was previously shown to produce antibacterial amphidinol derivatives of unknown masses. Inspection of the major metabolites present in a bulk culture of this strain led to the isolation and structure elucidation of a new amphidinol derivative named amphidinol C featuring an unprecedented tetrahydropyran ring between the positions C-7 and C-11. The structure was determined using extensive analyses of NMR and MS data and comparison with data of analogues. The new ring was proposed to stem from a nucleophilic substitution of the sulphate present on the side chain of Amphidinol B. The major metabolites isolated were tested for their antibacterial and antifungal activities and Amphidinol C showed moderate fungicidal activity against yeast and filamentous fungi at 8–16 µg mL−1. [Display omitted] • Amphidinol C was isolated from an Irish strain of the dinoflagellate Amphidinium carterae. • Amphidinol C features an unusual tetrahydropyrane ring between the positions C-7 and C-11. • The tetrahydropyrane ring could result from the substitution of the sulphate group of amphidinol B. • Amphidinol C exhibited moderate fungicidal activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • 5-Arylbenzofuran neolignan (1) was semi-synthesized from honokiol in a high yield. • Twenty-four 5-arylbenzofuran neolignan derivatives were synthesized. • Several derivatives displayed potent fungicidal and insecticidal activity. • Promising compounds showed low toxicity in the model of human cells. Abstract As shown in a number of previous researches, the extracts of Magnolia officinalis exhibited broad-spectrum fungicidal and insecticidal activity. In our preliminary study, 5-arylbenzofuran neolignans, the secondary metabolite of Magnolia officinalis , was found to inherit the activity of Magnolia officinalis. For developing novel agrochemicals, natural 5-arylbenzofuran neolignan was selected as lead compound. After structural optimization, the fungicidal and insecticidal activity and selectivity were significantly improved. Compounds 5a , 5b , 6c and 6d displayed similar or equivalent activity compared with the positive controls against corresponding fungi or pests. Especially, compounds 6c and 6d exhibited the most promising insecticidal ability against Aphis fabae with the LC 50 values of 3.56 mg/L and 5.96 mg/L, respectively. The preliminary structure-activity relationship was obtained, and the promising derivatives showed low toxicity in the model of human cells. The results of research indicated great potential of 5-arylbenzofuran neolignan derivatives in the field of fungicide and insecticide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The phyto nanotechnology strategy was executed for the genesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles by applying bark aqueous extract of Acacia nilotica (AN-ZnO NPs). The AN-ZnO NPs emergence was substantiated through a distinct peak at 350 nm in the ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. The fourier transform infrared spectroscopy exposed the phyto-organic moieties engaged as reduction and stabilization factors in fabricating nanoparticles. The crystalline trait, elemental proportions, spherical and hexagonal geometry of AN-ZnO NPs was witnessed by X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The high-resolution transmission electron microscopic technique provided the average size of 35 nm. AN-ZnO NPs presented larger inhibition zone against Candida albicans (22.7 ± 0.32 mm) at 40 µg/mL as an effectual fungicidal agent. Execution of in vitro antiradical scavenging assay of AN-ZnO NPs applying 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO), hydroxyl radical (OH–), 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) displayed radical scavenging trait with the minimum inhibitory concentration (IC 50) of 34.54 µg/mL, 38.0 µg/mL, 41.34 µg/mL, and 35.41 µg/mL, respectively. Cytotoxic feature against MCF-7 cell line was in a dose-manner with IC 50 value of 37.15 µg/mL in addition to apoptotic proteins expressions were displayed by AN-ZnO NPs. An appreciable larvicidal role of AN-ZnO NPs was rendered against Anopheles stephensi with LD 50 (0.31 ppm) and LD 90 (0.59 ppm), besides acetylcholinesterase inhibition. Further, biofilm origination was remarkably ceased by the Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae , respectively. All our experimented reports on AN-ZnO NPs attested the credible applicability of ZnO NPs in biomedical care for health troubles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the antifungal potential and cytotoxicity of selected medicinal plants from Malaysia. The extracts from the stem of Cissus quadrangularis and the leaves of Asplenium nidus, Pereskia bleo, Persicaria odorata and Sauropus androgynus were assayed against six fungi using p-iodonitrotetrazolium-based on colorimetric broth microdilution method. All the plant extracts were found to be fungicidal against at least one type of fungus. The strongest fungicidal activity (minimum fungicidal concentration=0.16 mg/mL) were exhibited by the hexane extract of C. quadrangularis, the hexane, chloroform, ethanol and methanol extracts of P. bleo, the hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of P. odorata, and the water extract of A. nidus. In terms of cytotoxicity on the African monkey kidney epithelial (Vero) cells, the chloroform extract of P. odorata produced the lowest 50% cytotoxic concentration (100.3 ± 4.2 μg/mL). In contrast, none of the water extracts from the studied plants caused significant toxicity on the cells. The water extract of A. nidus warrants further investigation since it showed the strongest fungicidal activity and the highest total activity (179.22 L/g) against Issatchenkia orientalis, and did not cause any toxicity to the Vero cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plant growth promoting bacterial strain 213B was isolated from rice rhizosphere and identified with phenetic, fatty acid profiling, 16 S ribotyping (NCBI accession no. KF291253) and phylogenetic tree as Pseudomonas spp. The strain demonstrated multiple plant growth promoting traits including phosphate solubilization production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), ammonia and secreted different bioactive metabolites including phenazine, biosurfactant and siderophore. Mung bean ( Vigna radiata ) seed coated with the strain had shown enhanced seed germination and plant root length. Besides, the strain exhibited significant tolerance against common agricultural contaminants like salt, metals, herbicide and pesticides. Of the bioactives, strain was able to produce yellow colored phenazine derivatives in Pigment Production Medium D (PPMD) after 96 h at 28 ℃ and 120 rpm. The yellow compound was extracted and purified to obtain needle crystals and further characterized by HPLC, FTIR, LCMS, 1 H and 13 C NMR, EDAX and XRD analysis as phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA). The purified PCA showed profound fungicidal activity against major phytopathogens including Colletotrichum circinans , Colletotrichum dematium , Fusarium oxysporum , Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum , while, substantial cytostatic activity (<10 μg ml -1 ) against breast (MCF-7), lung (A549), cervical (HeLa) and liver (Hep-G2) cancer cell lines in dose dependent manner. Thus, the present study unraveled the innate plant growth promoting Pseudomonas spp. MCC 3145 with biotic and abiotic stress tolerant attributes. Besides, the organism was able to produce PCA having fungicidal and cytostatic competency for therapeutic use and for sustainable crop production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mint, thyme and lavender of Lamiaceae family were chosen as experimental materials. The aim of study was to investigate the antifungal effects of 3 medicinal plants extracts and essential oils obtained by water stem distillation method, against two pathotypes (defoliating-D and nondefoliating-ND) of Verticillum dahliae Kleb. The inhibition of the fungus mycelium growth was evaluated under in vitro conditions at the doses of plant extract in 1 %, 3 %, 5 %, 7 % and 10 % and essential oils in 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32µl mL-1. Experiment was set up at randomized plot design with 3 replications. After the end of 7 days incubation period, colony diameters were measured and % inhibition zone ratios were calculated compared to the controls. The reduction effects of mint, thyme and lavender essential oils were greater than the extracts of the same plants. Mint, thyme and lavender extracts reduced the mycelium growth of D and ND in varying degrees, however; the highest antifungal effect was observed at 10 % dose of thyme extract. 8, 16 and 32 µl mL-1 doses of thyme essential oil inhibited 100 % the mycelium growth of both pathotype and showed a significant fungicidal effect on them. Antifungal effect of mint essential oil was found to near the thyme essential oil depending on the pathotype and the applied dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high performance liquid chromatography was employed in monitoring the release of antifungal drugs into water from acrylic resin discs doped with fluconazole, chlorhexidine and a combination of the two drugs. The efficacy of the released drugs against a resistant strain of Candida albicans was evaluated. It was found that the drugs leach steadily out of the acrylic resin into distilled water at mouth temperature and that a sustained drug release continued throughout the 28-day test period. The released drugs demonstrated an antifungal activity against the resistant Candida albicans and this was most remarkable in the combined drugs samples. The findings of this investigation have a clinical value in terms of their significant contribution to the treatment of fungal infections of the oral cavity. The sustained release of antifungal drugs from the PMMA resin clearly constitutes a new dosage form of these drugs via the poly(methyl methacrylate) delivery system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chloroform, ethanolic, methanolic, ethyl acetate and aqueous root extracts of Anogeissus leiocarpus and Terminalia avicennioides were investigated in vitro for antifungal activities against Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium species, Microsporum audouinii and Trichophyton rubrum using radial growth technique. The plant extracts inhibited the growth of all the test organisms. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts ranged between 0.03µg/ml and 0.07µg/ml while the minimum fungicidal concentration ranged between 0.04µg/ml and 0.08µg/ml. Anogeissus leiocarpus appears to be more effective as an antifungal agent than Terminalia avicennioides. Ethanolic extracts of the two plant roots were more effective than the methanolic, chloroform, or aqueous extracts against all the test fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The bactericidal and fungicidal activity of Akacid plus, a novel polymeric compound of the cationic family of disinfectants, was compared with chlorhexidine digluconate using quality control strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus hirae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. In vitro activity was determined using the quantitative suspension tests described by the European Committee for Standardization. These use concentrations of 0.01–0.5% against bacterial strains/C. albicans, with 0.5–4% against A. niger, and exposure times of 5, 15 and 60min in the presence and absence of 0.3% bovine albumin and with dilution in distilled and hard water. In the basic quantitative suspension test, Akacid plus destroyed all bacterial pathogens at a concentration of 0.1% in ≤5min. Chlorhexidine was also highly active against S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa, but failed to eliminate E. hirae within 5min. A high organic load reduced the bactericidal activity of both disinfectants slightly. Akacid plus showed fungicidal activity against C. albicans within 15–60min and eliminated A. niger at a concentration of 1% in 5min of contact. Chlorhexidine was fungicidal against C. albicans, but not against A. niger. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Over the years, post-harvest management strategies of fungal pathogens have depended on the aggressive usage of synthetic chemicals (fungicides). This conduct has been reported to have a negative environmental impact, cause potential harm to humans due to exposure to residues, and increase the risk of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms resistant. These emphasises the need for safe and effective alternative treatments capable of preventing fruit infections and maintaining quality in order to minimize post-harvest losses. Ethno-pharmacological assessments of various plant extracts and other natural compounds such as active metabolites and enzymes produced by microorganisms have shown potential as fungi-static and/or -cidal agents against fruit pathogens. This review provides an overview on: the mechanisms and action of fruit pathogens and the existing synthetic fungicides and biological controls strategies. The potentials of plant extracts as alternative control was discussed with emphasises on the phyto-chemistry of selected plant extracts with high efficacy against fruit pathogens in order to gain insight into their bioactive compounds. In addition, the implication of extensive spatial scale application of synthetic fungicides leading to fungal resistance was discussed and the importance of synergistic use of natural compound were addressed. Challenges associated with upscaling plant extracts and other natural compounds from lab scale and commercialization were highlighted. • Synthetic fungicides as a broad strategy for post-harvest fungal pathogen management is increasingly challenged. • Ethno-pharmacological study of plant extracts and other natural compounds have shown potential antifungal activity. • Biological control using antagonistic microorganisms is an emerging method for fungal pathogens management. • Market access for biocontrols requires a trilateral co-operation amongst researchers, industries and policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Synthesis and antiAIDS, anticancer, antitubercular, fungicidal and antibacterial activities of 2-methyl-4-N-2′-cyanoethyl-N-methane/benzenesulphonylaminobenzaldehyde and their hydrazones are reported. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]