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The aim of this study was to investigate the biological durability of particleboard, containing silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) and copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) to Trametes versicolor, white-rot fungus of hardwoods. NPs were mixed and sprayed with applied resin, to cover wood particles volumetrically. Bio-deterioration of specimens was measured through average mass loss after 4–16 weeks of exposure to T. versicolor. The results displayed a significant impact of Ag-NPs and Cu-NPs on the antifungal resistance of particleboard. The highest resistance to fungal attack is experienced by sample containing 15% Ag-NPs with the mass loss of 0.9% for 4 weeks to 3.24% after 16 weeks of exposure to T. versicolor which was classified as a very durable sample. Maximum mass loss of 45.5% was observed for the control specimens after 16 weeks. The presence of Ag-NPs and Cu-NPs on the wood particle surface was verified by the Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy. Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis confirmed the uniform distribution of NPs in bondline covered the surface of the wood particles properly, which seems to be an impressive barrier to fungal attack by inhibiting fungal hyphae growth. Because of the high thermal conductivity of metallic NPs, internal bonding properties of particleboard containing NPs were improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using extracellular filtrates of some Lysinibacillus sphaericus (Ls) strains under simple conditions. Ls synthesized AgNPs showed the optical absorption peaks at 388–412 nm as detected by UV-visible spectrophotometer. Transmission electron micrographs of bacterial synthesized AgNPs revealed that they were polycrystalline with spherical, hexagonal, cuboidal, rod and irregular shapes. The average diameter of the tested AgNPs were ranged from 14–21 nm and they were negatively charged as detected by DLS (−18.2 to −28.9). FTIR spectra showed the presence of nitrogenous biomolecules capping the synthesized AgNPs. The filtrates of tested Ls strains showed nitrate reductase activity (1.45–2.56 µmol/ml/min). Tested AgNPs showed bactericidal activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, fungicidal activity against yeast and filamentous fungi, and virucidal activity against rotavirus. In addition, it showed synergistic antimicrobial effect to cephradine and nizoarm against all tested microorganisms. Cytotoxicity test revealed the safety of the tested nanoparticles at tested concentrations. Finally, Ls strains represent microbial sources for ecofriendly, simple and economic biosynthesis of antimicrobial AgNPs. Also, this research may contribute to the medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical industry for the development of new products used for the public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of natural nano-based plant-protection formulations represents an emerging phenomenon that has been widely improved for crops protection and for enhancing the efficiency and safety of pesticides. In the present study we isolated the essential oil from the fruits of Citrus trifoliata L. and investigated it using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Limonene (78.46%) was the major component followed by β-Myrcene (7.94%) and Caryophyllene (4.20%). Citrus trifoliata essential oil (CTEO) loaded nano-cubosomes were successfully prepared by the emulsification technique. The insecticidal and fungicidal activities of formulated CTEO nano-cubosomes and unformulated CTEO were tested. While both of them exhibited substantial activities, CTEO nano-cubosomes were more effective than unformulated oil. It is the first time to formulate CTEO in nano-cubosomes and examine their insecticidal and fungicidal activities. In light of the current study, CTEO as it is or as nano-cubosomes is recommended as a promising candidate for pest and fungal pathogens control. Supplemental data for this article can be accessed at . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the composition of the essential oil of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) leaves and the antifungal effects of the essential oil on food-borne molds isolated from meat products were investigated. The α-pinene (21.64 %), γ-terpinene (21.09 %), terpinen-4-ol (17.31 %), limonene (9.37 %), and o-cymene (6.54 %) were found to be the major components of M. alternifolia essential oil. The essential oil showed the highest antifungal activity on Aspergillus niger (25.82 mm zone diameter), followed by Aspergillus fumigatus (22.27 mm), Aspergillus flavus (21.092 mm), and Penicillium notatum (20.30 mm) (p<0.05), respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of M. alternifolia essential oil on the mold species used in the study varied between 0.032 and 0.376 mg/L, and the value of minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values ranged from 0.021 to 0.341 mg/L (p<0.05). The MIC/MFC ratio of M. alternifolia essential oil on 10 different mold species varies between 1.05 and 1.68 mg/L. According to the MIC/MFC ratio, the M. alternifolia essential oil showed a lethal effect on all of the mold species studied in this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine whether fungicidal versus fungistatic pharmacotherapy of invasive candidiasis/candidemia yields superior outcomes. Data sources included MEDLINE (1966-June 2017), EMBASE (1980-June 2017), PubMed (1966-June 2017), Global Health-Ovid (inception to June 2017), LILACS Virtual Health Library (inception to June 2017) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (to 2nd quarter 2017). The ClinicalTrial.gov database, the SCOPUS database, SIGLE (System for Information on Grey Literature) and Google Scholar were also utilised to search for relevant studies. Randomised studies of any pharmacotherapy of invasive candidiasis including candidemia using a fungicidal (amphotericin B or echinocandin compound) versus a fungistatic (triazole) compound in adolescent or adult non-neutropenic patients. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Pooled odds ratios demonstrated an advantage of fungicidal therapy with respect to early therapeutic success (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.27-2.03, p < 0.0001, I2 = 0%) and persistence or recurrence of infection (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.35-0.74, p = 0.0005, I2 = 0%) but no advantage for late survival (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.77-1.21, p = 0.77, I2 = 0%). Fungicidal therapy of invasive candidiasis and candidemia is associated with a higher probability of early therapeutic success and decreased probability of persistent or recurrent infection. However, there is no improvement in survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context:Orange Jessamine [Murraya paniculataL. (Rutaceae)] has been used worldwide in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and analgesic. Objective:The objective of this study is to investigate thein vitroantioxidant, cytotoxic, antibacterial and antifungal activity and the time-kill curve studies of orange jessamine essential oil and β-caryophyllene, as well as the chemical composition of the essential oil. Material and methods:The cytotoxic activity ofM. paniculataand β-caryophyllene (7.8–500 μg/mL) was evaluated using the MTT assay on normal fibroblasts and hepatoma cells. The minimal inhibitory concentration and time–kill curves (24 h) were evaluated against those of Staphylococcusaureus,Escherichia coli,Salmonella typhimurium,Enterococcus faecallis,Aspergillus(niger,fumigatesandparasiticum) andF. solaniby the broth microdilution method. The antioxidant activity was measured by the DPPH and ABTS assays. Chemical composition was evaluated by GC/MS analyses. Results:GC/MS analyses identified 13 compounds, with β-caryophyllene as the major compound. The oil exhibited moderate antibacterial activity (MIC <1.0 mg/mL) and strong antifungal activity. Time–kill curve studies showed that either the essential oil or β-caryophyllene presented rapid bacterial killing (4 h forS. aureus) and fungicidal effect (2-4 h forF. solani); however, both displayed weak free radical scavenger capacity. The cytotoxic activity exhibited a prominent selective effect against hepatoma cancer cells (IC50value =63.7 μg/mL) compared with normal fibroblasts (IC50value =195.0 μg/mL), whereas the β-caryophyllene showed low cytotoxicity. Discussion and conclusion:The experimental data suggest that the activities ofM. paniculataessential oil are due to the synergistic action among its components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biotransformation of the antifungal compound 16-oxocleroda-3,13(14)E-dien-15-oic acid (1) isolated fromPolyalthia longifolialeaves was achieved byRhizopus stoloniferin broth medium containing the substrate at the sublethal concentration of 0.06 mg ml−1. A novel derivative, 18-hydroxy-16-oxocleroda-3,13(14)E-dien-15-oic acid (2) was isolated after 4 d of incubation. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined against 11 fungal pathogens of clinical and agricultural importance. The biotransformed compound showed lower MIC values than the natural parent compound. The study showed that the fungusR. stoloniferhas the potential to hydroxylate a natural fungicidal clerodane diterpene at allylic position to produce a novel hydroxylated derivative with enhanced antifungal activity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A new series of halogenated Schiff bases was synthesized by the condensation of 5-fluoro-2-hydroxy acetophenone and 3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxy acetophenone with different alkyl amines, namely propyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, and octadecyl amines, under microwave irradiation. Newly formed molecules were characterized by Infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR and13C NMR) spectroscopic techniques. Further, the Schiff bases were screened for antifungal bioassay, and the results showed potential fungicidal activity against two very important plant infecting fungi, viz.Rhizoctonia solaniandSclerotium rolfsii. Among the screened compounds, 2,4-dichloro-2-[1-(propylimino)ethyl]phenol was found to be the most active compound against bothR. solani(ED508.02 mg L−1) andS. rolfsii(ED5021.51 mg L−1) followed by 2,4-dichloro-2-[1-(pentylimino) ethyl]phenol (ED5013.02 and 29.57 mg L−1, respectively). The synthesized compounds were also screened for antioxidant activity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-free radical scavenging technique. All the compounds showed very low to moderate activity as compared with Gallic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Thein vitroeffects ofCombretum zeyherileaf ethanol extract (CZLE) on ergosterol biosynthesis ofCandida albicanswere investigated by quantifying the ergosterol inC. albicansin the presence and absence of the extract using UV-visible spectrophotometric analyses. Miconazole was used as the positive control. CZLE showed ergosterol biosynthesis inhibition at sub-inhibitory concentration for growth ofC. albicansand also at the MIC (0.08 mg.mL−1). The decrease in ergosterol inC. albicanscells was dose-dependant with 67%, 79%, and 100% after growing in 20, 40, and 80 μg.mL−1of CZLE, respectively. CZLE exerted its fungicidal effects by targeting the ergosterol biosynthesis inC. albicansand disrupting the membrane integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A series of simple structural 1,3-thiazolidine-2-thione derivatives with various substituents on the S-, N-, 4-, and 5-positions was synthesized with high yields from various vicinal amino alcohols via two steps and screened for their antifungal activity. Bioassay results reveal that some thiazolidine-2-thione derivatives show strong antifungal activities against P. capsici, G. zeae, S. sclerotiorum, A. alternata, B. cinerea, or R. solani. The SAR analysis indicates that N-acyl substituted and 4-alkyl substituents can enhance the antifungal activity. Notably, 4-isopropyl-N-propionylthiazoldine-2-thione shows excellent activity against B. cinerea and G. zeae with IC50values at 3.7 μg/mL and 6.5 μg/mL, respectively, and 4-isobutyl-N-propionylthiazoldine-2-thione shows remarkable fungicidal activity against R. solani, S. sclerotiorum, and G. zeae with IC50values at 1.0 μg/mL, 12.1 μg/mL, and 11.0 μg/mL, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Despite several phytochemical studies of Nepenthes gracilis Korth (Nepenthaceae), the biological activities of this pitcher plant remain to be explored. Objective: This study evaluates the antifungal activity of N. gracilis extracts, isolates, and characterizes its bioactive compound and evaluates the cytotoxicity of the isolated compound. Materials and methods: Fresh leaves of N. gracilis were sequentially extracted. The fungistatic and fungicidal activities of the extracts were evaluated against six species of fungi of medical importance using a colorimetric broth microdilution method. The most active extract was fractionated by liquid-liquid partitioning and further purified by a preparative thin layer chromatography. Structural elucidation was carried out using FT-IR, GC-MS, and NMR. Cytotoxicity testing against rhesus monkey kidney epithelial cells (LLC-MK2) was assessed by a neutral red uptake (NRU) assay. Results: The hexane extract, which showed the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC), both at 20 μg/mL against Candida albicans, Issatchenkia orientalis, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, was subjected to bioactivity-guided fractionation. The isolated compound exhibited potent activity with the MIC values ranging from 2 to 31 μg/mL against all the fungi. The active compound was identified as plumbagin (5-hydroxy-2-methyl-naphthalene-1,4-dione). The 50% cytotoxicity concentration (CC50) of plumbagin was 0.60 μg/mL. Discussion and conclusion: The selectivity indices of plumbagin against all the fungi were less than 1.0, indicating that plumbagin is more toxic to mammalian than fungal cells. This study provides information on the antifungal properties of N. gracilis leaf extracts, as well as the antifungal and cytotoxicity properties of plumbagin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ozone gas possesses antimicrobial potential against many microorganisms, however limited data exist on its effect on the keratinophilic dermatophyte fungi Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes; two organisms commonly isolated as the etiological agent in onychomycosis and tinea pedis patients. Objective/methods: We utilized a commercial ozone gas generation device for testing the fungicidal effects of ozone on ATCC strains of Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Results:We demonstrated that ozone gas is effective in killing > 99% of viable fungi present in various experimental systems. Conclusion: This work represents a proof of principle regarding ozone gas and its fungicidal effect on dermatophyte fungi. From these findings, further ozone gas studies will be conducted to develop a novel adjunct therapy for use in parallel with current antifungal medications and/or devices to better treat onychomycosis and tinea pedis patients in the short and long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The causal agents of ascochyta blight on field pea in South Australia, DidymeUa pinodes, Phoma medicaginis var. pinodella and Phoma koolunga, are isolated from a single plant within a crop, suggesting competition for space and nutrients. Interactions among these pathogens were investigated. Diameters of colonies of D. pinodes and of P. medicaginis var. pinodella were significantly reduced on PDA amended with filtrate from broth cultures ofP. koolunga as were diameters of colonies of D. pinodes on PDA amended with filtrate from P. medicaginis var. pinodeUa or D. pinodes. This effect was negated when cultures were transferred to unamended PDA, indicating filtrates were fungistatic instead of fungicidal. The diameter of P. koolunga colonies was not influenced by filtrate from any of the three species. When pathogens were co-inoculated in pairs onto leaves on field pea plants, the quantity of DNA of D. pinodes and of P. medicaginis var. pinodella was significantly reduced if co-inoculated with P. koolunga. The quantity of DNA of P. koolunga was not influenced by co-inoculation. When co-inoculated onto excised leaf disks on sterile water the mean lesion diameter due to D. pinodes and to P. medicaginis var. pinodella was significantly reduced if co-inoculated with P. koolunga isolate DAR78535. Lesions caused by D. pinodes were significantly reduced when inoculum was self-paired. Conversely the diameter of lesions caused by P. koolunga DAR78535 increased when self-paired or when co-inoculated with P. medicaginis var. pinodella. Unlike leaf disks on sterile water, co-inoculation had no influence on lesion size or quantity of pathogen DNA in leaf disks on water agar. Antagonisnl, including self-antagonism, was detected among these species, leading to reduction in lesion size and quantity of pathogen DNA. The slower growing species, P. koolunga, was not self-antagonistic, and in a few instances the effect of co-inoculation was additive or synergistic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of novel 1,3-thiazoline derivatives containing a 5- or 6-position halogenated indole moiety were synthesized via a one-pot and three-step reaction. Their structures were confirmed by spectroscopic methods. The fungicidal activities of all the title compounds were evaluated. Most of them exhibited moderate to high activity against eight plant pathogens at the concentration of 50 ug/mL. Generally the fungicidal activity of fluorinated indolyl thiazolines was higher than that of chlorinated indolyl thiazoline derivatives. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT [image omitted] [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]

Momilactones A (MA) and B (MB) are phytoalexins derived from rice plant (Oryza sativa) and were considered to be a part of the mechanism of rice self-defense system. The present study was to evaluate the comparative efficacies in vitro of antibacterial, fungicidal, antioxidant, and herbicidal activities of MA and MB. In general, MB shows higher antifungal, antibacterial, and herbicidal action than MA, although its antioxidant property was less than MA. In herbicidal trial, the IC50 values of MB against germination, shoot and root elongation of barnyardgrass and monochoria were 40.9, 45.5, and 27.5, and 27.1, 17.3, and 0.9 µg, respectively. For MA, these values were 40.3, 35.6, and 55.1, and 43.9, 24.3, and 0.5 µg, respectively. For antifungal activity, momilactone B (IC50: 1.2, 123.9, and 53.4 µg) exerted significantly greater inhibition than MA (IC50: 78.1, 198.1, and 95.3 µg) against Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium solani, Colletrotrichum gloeosporioides, respectively, except for Fusarium oxysporum that both MA and MB showed no marked difference. In addition, MB exhibited significantly stronger antibacterial activity than MA against Pseudomonus ovalis, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus pumilus, whereas the inhibitory activity of the two compounds was similar against Escherichia coli. Both MA and MB exerted rather weak antioxidant activity (EC50 was 783.9 and 790.7 µg, respectively), of which MA showed a slightly stronger antioxidant activity than MB. This study is the first to examine antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities of two phytoalexins, as well as their comparative efficacies against growth of the noxious weeds barnyardgrass and monochoria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thiophne derivatives 4a–c were prepared according to the Gewald procedure. Their reactivity towards a variety of chemical reagents was studied to give thienopyridines and pyrimidines. Biological investigations were carried on the newly synthesized products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]