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Natural products, especially fungal secondary metabolites, have been served as valuable sources of drug leads in pharmaceutical industry. Medicinal plants-associated endophytic fungi possess a well-developed secondary metabolism. In this study, chemical investigation on Penicillium ochrochloron YT2022-65, an endophytic fungus associated with Lonicera Japonica, led to the isolation of six structurally diversified indole alkaloids, including a new one, namely peniochroloid A (1), as well as five previously reported alkaloids, flavonoid B (2), brocaeloid C (3), isoroquefortine C (4), roquefortine C (5), and dihydrocarneamide A (6). Their structures, including the absolute configuration of 1, were determined by a combined analysis of HRESIMS, NMR spectroscopic data, and calculation of the optical rotation. Their cytotoxicity against A549, HepG2, MCF-7, and THP-1 cell lines were evaluated in vitro. The new compound 1 was found to possess considerable cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and THP-1 cell lines with IC50 values of 10.2 and 11.0 μM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Understanding the microbial diversity and potential functional dynamics within the rhizocompartments of Dendrobium huoshanense is crucial for unraveling the plant–microbe interactions that influence its medicinal properties. Methods: This study is the first to characterize the microbiome associated with the rhizocompartments of D. huoshanense , including its cultivation medium, rhizosphere, rhizoplane, and root endosphere, using high-throughput sequencing and subsequent bioinformatic analysis. Results: Bacterial phylogenetic diversity was significantly higher in the endosphere than in the rhizosphere, while fungal α-diversity significantly decreased from the cultivation medium to the endosphere. Both bacterial and fungal niche widths decreased from the cultivation medium to the endosphere. β-Diversity analysis revealed distinct spatial patterns in both bacterial and fungal communities across the rhizocompartments, with the most pronounced differences between the cultivation medium and the endosphere. Taxonomically, Proteobacteria and Ascomycota were predominant in the endosphere for bacterial and fungal communities, respectively. Functional predictions showed significant enrichment of pathways related to xenobiotics biodegradation, lipid metabolism, and nitrogen fixation in the endosphere, while functions associated with plant pathogens and saprotrophs were significantly reduced. Discussion: The results indicate a shift from generalist to specialist microbes from the cultivation medium to the endosphere, suggesting that D. huoshanense exerts strong selective pressure for endophytic fungi. Interestingly, a high proportion of fungi with unknown functions were found in the endosphere, highlighting an area for further research regarding the medicinal efficacy of D. huoshanense. Overall, this study provides foundational data for understanding the adaptive evolution of these microbial communities in response to specific microhabitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endophytic fungi are a crucial microbial resource that can influence plant growth and development through their interactions with host plants. Gentiana straminea Maxim. is an important traditional Tibetan herb used to treat a range of diseases in the Qinghai-Tibetan region. However, the diversity and community structure of endophytic fungi in the species remain poorly understood. In this study, a total of 944 strains of endophytic fungi were isolated from the roots, stems, and leaves of G. straminea from four different altitudes. A total of 87 OTUs were identified through sequence alignment, comprising 6 classes, 15 orders, 25 families, and 44 genera. The colonization rate and diversity of endophytic fungi were affected by tissue type and altitude. With the exception of Xining, the endophytic fungi colonization rate of tissues was roots>leaves>stems. Moreover, the α -diversity of endophytic fungi among different tissues was leaves>stems>roots. Notably, the phylogenetic diversity index in leaves was significantly higher than that in roots. In addition, the colonization rate and diversity of endophytic fungi in leaves and stems demonstrated a decline with the increasing altitude. The β -diversity analysis revealed significant differences in the endophytic fungi of G. straminea at varying altitudes. In roots, geographical factors, such as latitude and longitude, were the primary drivers of variation, whereas environmental factors, including temperature and precipitation, had a greater influence on endophytes in leaves and stems. In addition, the results of the endophytic fungi association preference, linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe), and co-network analysis indicated that these differential endophytic fungi may play a significant role in the authenticity and stress resistance of G. straminea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive pathogens threaten the sustainability of forest ecosystems globally. Trees possess intrinsic pathogen defence mechanisms, including major gene resistance (MGR) and quantitative disease resistance (QDR). Plant‐symbiotic fungi can enhance tree defences, generating far‐reaching ecosystem impacts. However, the specific contributions of various fungal guilds to this symbiont‐mediated resistance remain unclear. In this study, we inoculated six Pinus monticola seedling families exhibiting resistance (MGR or QDR) or high susceptibility to the introduced invasive pathogen Cronartium ribicola, the causative agent of white pine blister rust (WPBR), with endophytic and ectomycorrhizal fungi, either alone or in combination (symbiont treatments), in an open‐air greenhouse study. Over a period of 25 months, we monitored the growth, foliar terpene defences, and disease progression in trees before and after C. ribicola infection and in trees inoculated with the symbionts but never inoculated with C. ribicola. We observed enhanced inducible host defences and evidence of defensive priming in response to symbiont treatments. In WPBR‐free control treatments, differences in pine defences coincided with an increased seedling growth rate. For WPBR‐infected seedlings, symbiont treatments reduced disease symptoms in seedlings with QDR and to a lesser extent in susceptible families, but not in those with MGR. Furthermore, disease symptoms correlated with variations in terpene composition. Synthesis and applications: Interactions with fungal symbionts should be considered when breeding native trees for resistance against invasive pathogens. Our study underscores the capacity of endophytic and ectomycorrhizal fungi to enhance tree growth and defence while also reducing disease symptoms. We also show that fungi can induce long‐lasting changes in conifer foliar terpenes, suggesting potential applications in tree protection from invasive pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decreasing returns in resource acquisition ability with increasing leaf mass investment is called 'diminishing returns', which provides important insights into plant economy. Yet, whether this is true for fine roots and how root resource acquisition strategies change with forest succession remain unclear.We investigated the scaling relationship between fine‐root length (L) and mass (M) for 215 topsoil cores from 24 plots across four successional stages in tropical forests of Xishuangbanna, southwestern China. We also assessed the relative effects of edaphic conditions, leaf functional traits, tree species diversity and soil fungal factors on L versus M scaling relationship using hierarchical variation partitioning.Our results revealed the existence of diminishing returns in root length (L vs. M scaling exponent <1), and that the exponent was higher in late‐ than early‐successional forests, corresponding to a strategy shifting from 'do‐it‐yourself' in the late‐successional stage to 'outsourcing' resource uptake by soil fungi in the early‐successional stage. Soil fungal abundance was the main driver of changes in the L versus M scaling exponent across plots (explained 58% of variances), with root endophytic fungi the strongest predictor (22.11%), followed by mycorrhizal fungi (10.41%), while other factors (leaf functional traits, edaphic nutrient conditions and tree species diversity) exerted weak effects.Our results suggest that root endophytic and mycorrhizal fungi act as key modulators of root economy changes during forest succession, but the former has received less attention previously. L versus M scaling exponent may be a better indicator for shifts in root resource acquisition strategy than the commonly used specific root length. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research on endophytes is focused on understanding the complex microbiome compositions, their interactions with host plants and their bioactive potential. Our study provided an overview of the diversity, distribution and bioactivities of culturable endophytic fungi associated with fungal endophytes of Dioscorea bulbifera L. The phylogenetic analysis depicted the evolutionary relationship among taxa of endophytic fungal isolates. The isolated fungal endophytes belonged to twenty-five genera and thirty-eight species. Further, diversity indices demonstrated significant diversity of fungal endophytes in the different tissues: stem, leaf, tuber and bulbil. A higher consistency of endophytic fungal isolates in the bulbils was found using Shannon index. Furthermore, Simpson's index revealed that the leaf tissue harboured highly diverse fungal endophytes. Likewise, Margalef's index depicted high taxonomic richness in bulbils. The isolates such as Acrocalymma medicaginis, Curvularia lycoperscii, Talaromyces macrospora, Fusarium laceratum, Paecilomyces formosus and Microascus cirrosus isolated in this study have been reported as endophytes for the first time from any plant. In-vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of the ethyl acetate extracts revealed that Nigrospora oryzae (Z2) effectively inhibited α-glucosidase activity with IC 50 value of 0.6 µg/ml whereas IC 50 value of the acarbose, the positive control was reported to be 0.040 µg/ml. The results of antioxidant activity demonstrated that H15A (Acrocalymma medicaginis) and BD5 (Phomopsis longicolla) could be used as potential sources of antioxidant agents. Moreover, H15A (Acrocalymma medicaginis) was reported to produce 687.1 ± 0.17 µg GAE/mg of TPC and 78.55 ± 0.29 µg QE/mg of TFC quantitatively. These findings suggest that the potential endophytes could be explored using systematic bio-guided investigations to further discover novel natural products. Our study provides an important resource for a deeper understanding of endophyte-plant interactions at molecular and genetic levels. [Display omitted] • First report on the exploration of the culturable fungal endophytes from Dioscorea bulbifera L., an essential ethnomedicinal plant. • The isolated endophytic fungi showed abundant diversity in various tissues of the plant. • Six fungal endophytes obtained in this study have been reported as endophytes for the first time. • Nigrospora oryzae (Z2) exhibited potential α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. • Acrocalymma medicaginis (H15A) could be used as a potential source of antioxidant agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Interactions between plants and diverse root-associated fungi are essential drivers of forest ecosystem dynamics. The symbiosis is potentially dependent on multiple ecological factors/processes such as host/symbiont specificity, background soil microbiome, inter-root dispersal of symbionts, and fungus–fungus interactions within roots. Nonetheless, it has remained a major challenge to reveal the mechanisms by which those multiple factors/processes determine the assembly of root-associated fungal communities. Based on the framework of joint species distribution modeling, we examined 1,615 root-tips samples collected in a cool-temperate forest to reveal how root-associated fungal community structure was collectively formed through filtering by host plants, associations with background soil fungi, spatial autocorrelation, and symbiont–symbiont interactions. In addition, to detect fungi that drive the assembly of the entire root-associated fungal community, we inferred networks of direct fungus–fungus associations by a statistical modeling that could account for implicit environmental effects. Results: The fine-scale community structure of root-associated fungi were best explained by the statistical model including the four ecological factors/processes. Meanwhile, among partial models, those including background soil fungal community structure and within-root fungus–fungus interactions showed the highest performance. When fine-root distributions were examined, ectomycorrhizal fungi tended to show stronger associations with background soil community structure and spatially autocorrelated patterns than other fungal guilds. In contrast, the distributions of root-endophytic fungi were inferred to depend greatly on fungus–fungus interactions. An additional statistical analysis further suggested that some endophytic fungi, such as Phialocephala and Leptodontidium, were placed at the core positions within the web of direct associations with other root-associated fungi. Conclusion: By applying emerging statistical frameworks to intensive datasets of root-associated fungal communities, we demonstrated background soil fungal community structure and fungus–fungus associations within roots, as well as filtering by host plants and spatial autocorrelation in ecological processes, could collectively drive the assembly of root-associated fungi. We also found that basic assembly rules could differ between mycorrhizal and endophytic fungi, both of which were major components of forest ecosystems. Consequently, knowledge of how multiple ecological factors/processes differentially drive the assembly of multiple fungal guilds is indispensable for comprehensively understanding the mechanisms by which terrestrial ecosystem dynamics are organized by plant–fungal symbiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) originated in Europe and North Africa and has evolved significantly, with a plethora of distinct varieties tailored to different environments. Despite widespread cultivation in the United States (US) since the 1970s, challenges remain, particularly the presence of the endophytic fungus, Epichloë coenophiala, leading to animal health concerns and a subsequent decline in cultivation. However, coordinated breeding programs aim to develop endophyte-free tall fescue varieties, propelling the field forward. This comprehensive review offers valuable insights into the multifaceted world of tall fescue cultivation, from its historical roots to cutting-edge genetic engineering efforts, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for this critical forage grass species in the US. Progress in improving the dry matter digestibility of tall fescue, increasing the genetic diversity of turf-type tall fescue, and using precision farming methods to maximize grassland productivity are highlighted in this review. Additionally, genetic engineering technologies for breeding tall fescue are reviewed, with an emphasis on creating varieties resistant to environmental stresses such as heat and drought. The difficulties and innovations in this field are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baicalein and wogonin, two health-promoting flavonoid aglycones in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi roots, have better bioactivity and bioavailability than their glycoside precursors (baicalin and wogonoside). The search for novel microorganisms for the fermentation of S. baicalensis roots to improve the yields of baicalein and wogonin is of great interest in the food and nutraceutical industries. In this study, a novel endophytic fungus (Penicillium rubens) capable of producing cellulase (0.82 ± 0.12 U/mL) and β-glucosidase (4.55 ± 0.97 U/mL) was used to ferment S. baicalensis roots to obtain high yields of baicalein and wogonin. Semi-solid-state fermentation with homogeneous fungal cultures was found to be the appropriate strategy. Under the optimal fermentation parameters (temperature 30 °C, inoculation dose of fungal cultures 4 mL/g, and time 60 h), the yields of baicalein and wogonin (46.95 ± 4.98 mg/g DW and 31.41 ± 9.36 mg/g DW) from S. baicalensis roots were tremendously increased by 16.13-fold and 15.47-fold over control, respectively. Results of industrial enzyme bioprocessing and scanning electron microscope indicated that the remarkable increase in aglycone product yields could be due to the synergistic effects of cellulase and β-glucosidase produced by P. rubens on cell wall hydrolysis and glycoside deglycosylation. In addition, extracts of S. baicalensis roots fermented by P. rubens showed a significant increase in antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Overall, the semi-solid-state fermentation of S. baicalensis roots using the novel P. rubens was an effective strategy that could yield high quantities of baicalein and wogonin, which had promising potential in the food and nutraceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malesherbia auristipulata is an endemic plant species of the Atacama Desert, with unique morphological and physiological adaptations. This research was conducted at Cuesta El Águila, Arica and Parinacota Region, Chile. Adult and juvenile plants were monitored, recording their growth, flowering, and fruiting phases. Additionally, plant community species were identified. For the study of endophytic mycoflora, samples of seeds, roots, stems, and leaves were collected, disinfected, and cultivated in specific media. The isolated fungi were analyzed morphologically and molecularly, determining their distribution in different plant organs. The diversity of endophytic fungi associated with M. auristipulata and the associated fungal community was determined. The presence of endophytic fungi varied depending on the organ studied, suggesting dynamic interactions in the structure of its fungal community. Among the identified endophytic fungi, Alternaria sorghi, A. alstroemeriae, and Fusarium nurragi stand out for their presence in the root and stem of the plant. Of particular interest is the presence of F. circinatum in the leaves. This study provides valuable information for the conservation of M. auristipulata and other organisms in the Atacama Desert, highlighting the importance of ecological interactions in the resilience of plants to extreme environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how plant genotype can influence the microbiome by comparing six tomato genotypes (Solanum lycopersicum) based on their traditional vs. commercial backgrounds. Using Illumina-based sequencing of the V6-V8 regions of 16S and ITS2 rRNA genes, we analyzed and compared the endophytic bacterial and fungal communities in stems to understand how microbiota can differ and be altered in plant genotypes and the relation to human manipulation. Our results reflect that traditional genotypes harbor significantly more exclusive microbial taxa and a broader phylogenetic background than the commercial ones. Traditional genotypes were significantly richer in Eurotiomycetes and Sordariomycetes fungi, while Lasiosphaeriaceae was more prevalent in commercial genotypes. TH-30 exhibited the highest bacterial abundance, significantly more than commercial genotypes, particularly in Actinomycetia, Bacteroidia, and Gammaproteobacteria. Additionally, traditional genotypes had higher bacterial diversity, notably in orders like Cytophagales, Xanthomonadales, and Burkholderiales. Moreover, we performed an evaluation of the impact of a systemic fungicide (tebuconazole-dichlofluanide) to simulate a common agronomic practice and determined that a single fungicide treatment altered the stem endophytic microbiota. Control plants had a higher prevalence of fungal orders Pleosporales, Helotiales, and Glomerellales, while treated plants were dominated by Sordariomycetes and Laboulbeniomycetes. Fungal community diversity significantly decreased, but no significant impact was observed on bacterial diversity. Our study provides evidence that the background of the tomato variety impacts the fungal and bacterial stem endophytes. Furthermore, these findings suggest the potential benefits of using of traditional genotypes as a source of novel beneficial microbiota that may prove highly valuable in unpredicted challenges and the advancement in sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three sulfur-containing alkaloids aplospojaveedins A-C (1-3) with a hitherto undescribed carbon skeleton comprising octahy-dronaphthalene, α, β-unsaturated lactam and glycine-cysteine moieties were isolated from Aplosporella javeedii. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, HR-MS, X-ray diffraction analysis, DFT-NMR and TDDFT-ECD calculations. A plausible biosynthetic pathway and putative targets are described. The blind docking suggested that 1-3 may have functional effects on several putative targets such as the GPCR cannabinoid receptor 2 or the integrin α5β1 complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise Methods Results Conclusions Endophytic plant‐microbe interactions range from mutualistic relationships that confer important ecological and agricultural traits to neutral or quasi‐parasitic relationships. In contrast to root‐associated endophytes, the role of environmental and host‐related factors in the acquisition of leaf endophyte communities at broad spatial and phylogenetic scales remains sparsely studied. We assessed endofoliar diversity to test the hypothesis that membership in these microbial communities is driven primarily by abiotic environment and host phylogeny.We used a broad geographic coverage of North America in the genus Heuchera L. (Saxifragaceae), representing 32 species and varieties across 161 populations. Bacterial and fungal communities were characterized using 16S and ITS amplicon sequencing, respectively, and standard diversity metrics were calculated. We assembled environmental predictors for microbial diversity at collection sites, including latitude, elevation, temperature, precipitation, and soil parameters.Assembly patterns differed between bacterial and fungal endophytes. Host phylogeny was significantly associated with bacteria, while geographic distance was the best predictor of fungal community composition. Species richness and phylogenetic diversity were consistent across sites and species, with only fungi showing a response to aridity and precipitation for some metrics. Unlike what has been observed with root‐associated microbial communities, in this system microbes show no relationship with pH or other soil factors.Overall, this work improves our understanding of the large‐scale patterns of diversity and community composition in leaf endophytes and highlights the relative significance of environmental and host‐related factors in driving different microbial communities within the leaf microbiome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endophytic fungi are microorganisms that, exhibiting within the plant tissues without causing any apparent harm to the host, establish a symbiotic relationship with plants. Host plants provide endophytic fungi with essential nutrients and a protected environment. In exchange, the fungi can enhance the plant's ability to acquire nutrients. They can also play a crucial role in increasing the host plant's tolerance to various abiotic and biotic stresses. Endophytic fungi can produce a wide range of bioactive compounds, some similar to those found in the host plant. In Iraq's Duhok province of the Kurdistan region, the plant species Vitis vinifera has been explored as a habitat for diverse endophytic microorganisms across various ecological environments. During the period from 2021 to 2022, a total of 600 samples were collected from four distinct locations: Bagera, Besfke, Barebhar, and Atrush. From these samples, twelve endophytic fungal species were isolated, including Aspergillus flavipes, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium ruscicol, Fusarium venenatum, Chaetomium globosum, Clonostachys rosea, Mucor racemosus, Penicillium glabrum, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus nidulans, and Aspergillus niger, Alternaria alternata, Paecilomyces maximus, Curvularia buchloes. These fungi were introduced for their potential as biocontrol agents against grapevine trunk diseases and grape rotting fungi, which pose significant risks to grapevine health and productivity. Penicilium radiatolobatum, Botrysphaeria dothidea, Fusarium ruscicola, Fusarium venenatum, and Paecilomyces maximus represented the first record as endophytes on grapevine in Iraq. Based on ITS and SSU sequencing, molecular identification confirmed these fungi's presence with sequence identities ranging from 99% to 100%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these endophytes could be categorized into five main clusters (A, B, C, D, and E), showing high intra-group similarity. Utilizing the Dual Culture method, the endophyte Paecilomyces maximus demonstrated a 70.83% inhibition rate against Ilyonectria destructans. In the Food Poisoning method, A. flavipes and P. maximus emerged as the most effective inhibitors of Ilyonectria destructans, whereas A. terreus, M. racemosus, and P. maximus achieved complete inhibition (100%) of Botrytis cinerea. Additionally, M. racemosus was identified as the most effective biocontrol agent against Neoscytalidium dimidiatum. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the potential of endophytic fungi from Vitis vinifera as effective biocontrol agents against grapevine diseases, highlighting their role in sustainable vineyard management. These findings lead to further exploration and implementation of these fungi-inserted pest management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symbiotic associations play a role in plant ecology and evolution, but the outcome of the interaction depends on the life‐history traits of the partners and the environmental context. Although symbiosis with vertically transmitted microorganisms should result in mutualism, it is not clear how the transmission process aligns with the outcome of the context‐dependent symbiosis. For 3 years, we sampled individuals of an annual plant species that forms symbiosis with a vertically transmitted fungal endophyte, in paired stands of two contrasting vegetation communities (humid mesophytic meadows [HMM]: productive/low stress, and humid prairies [HP]: less productive/high stress). We estimated the prevalence of symbiosis at the population level, and the fitness of the plant, the symbiotic status and vertical transmission efficiency at the individual level. Over 3 years, the prevalence of symbiosis was ≈100% in HMM and ≈75% in HP. Plant fitness was very low and high in years with precipitation below and above the yearly mean, respectively. The higher fitness of endophyte‐symbiotic plants was evident in the HMM and high precipitation years. Vertical transmission of endophytes was higher in HMM (≈96%) compared to HP (≈93%) and was not related to plant fitness. Despite transmission inefficiencies in HP, changes in prevalence within the growing season (from seeds to the final plant stand) suggest a fitness advantage for symbiotic plants. Vertical transmission is expected to promote mutualism as it aligns partners' fitness. Although symbiotic plants showed higher fitness and the probability of transmission failures was higher among low‐fitness plants, the variation in transmission efficiency between plants and vegetation communities was not related to the fitness of the individual host. Our study provides evidence that context‐dependent vertical transmission efficiency and endophyte‐mediated fitness advantages interact complexly to determine the prevalence of symbiosis in populations that occur in contrasting vegetation communities. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal endophytes are known to produce bioactive chemicals and secondary metabolites that are often identical to those produced by their host plants. The main objective of the current study was to isolate and identify endophytic fungi associated with the medicinal plant Anethum graveolens, and to investigate their potential antibacterial and anticancer properties. The ethyl acetate extracts from the isolated endophytic fungi, as well as the host plant A. graveolens, were subjected to bioactivity assays to evaluate their antibacterial and anticancer potential against multi-drug resistant bacterial strains and the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. The endophytic fungi isolated and identified from the A. graveolens samples included Diaporthe, Auxarthron, Arthrinium, Aspergillus, Microsporum, Dothiorella, Trichophyton, Lophiostoma, Penicillium, and Trichoderma species. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay revealed that the A. graveolens extract exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity, with an MIC value of 4 µg/ml, followed by the Trichoderma sp. (5 µg/ml) and Penicillium sp. (6 µg/ml) extracts. Additionally, the crude extracts of Trichoderma sp., Penicillium sp., and Fusarium sp. demonstrated high anticancer activity against HepG2 cells, with inhibition rates ranging from 89 to 92% at a concentration of 50 µg/ml. Interestingly, the A. graveolens extract showed the most potent anticancer activity, with a 95% inhibition rate against HepG2 cells at the same concentration. These findings highlight the significant potential of endophytic fungi associated with A. graveolens, as a source of bioactive compounds with promising antibacterial and anticancer properties. The results reinforce the hypothesis that medicinal plants and their endophytic fungi can serve as an attractive alternative for the development of novel therapeutic agents, potentially offering a more sustainable and less harmful approach to disease management compared to traditional chemical-based methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The excavation and utilization of endophytic fungi from medicinal plants is highly important for the development of new drugs. The endophytic fungus Aspergillus tamarii TPD11, which was isolated and obtained by the authors in the previous stage, can produce a variety of polyphyllins with important potential applications in hemostasis, inflammation and antitumor activities; however, the genomic information of TPD11 is still unknown. Results: In this study, we sequenced and assembled the whole genome of the endophytic fungus A. tamarii TPD11, resolved the genome evolutionary relationships of 24 Aspergillus strains, and phylogenetic analysis of the genomes of 16 strains revealed the evolutionary differences between Aspergillus and Penicillium and the mechanisms of genome expansion and contraction. CAZy annotation analysis revealed that TPD11 obtains nutrients mainly by ingesting starch from the host plant. TPD11 has a biosynthesis-related gene cluster for the synthesis of squalestatin S1, and the silencing of this biosynthesis-related gene cluster might increase the content of polyphyllin. Annotation of 11 UDP-glycosyltransferase genes helps to further reveal the biosynthetic pathway of polyphyllin. In addition, secondary metabolism gene cluster and CAZy analyses confirmed the potential probiotic, insecticidal and antimicrobial activities of TPD11 on host plants. Conclusions: This study reveals the intrinsic mechanism by which endophytic fungi increase the content of polyphyllin, which provides a basis for the synthetic synthesis of the natural product polyphyllin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new lactones, including hypomonacid A (1) and hypomonone A–C (4–6), as well as nine known polyketide analogues (2–3 and 7–13) were obtained from endophytic fungus Hypomontagnella sp. TX-09 derived from Santalum album. Their planar structures were extensively established by analysing HRESIMS and NMR spectroscopic data. Stereochemistry of new compounds was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis and modified Mosher’s method in combination with quantum-chemical ECD calculation. In addition, compounds 1 and 2 showed anti-inflammatory activity by inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells at 50 μmol/L without cytotoxicity. Among them, compound 1 inhibited the production of LPS-stimulated inflammation in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells by suppressing the expression of iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal endophytes, symbiotic microorganisms residing within plants, are renowned for producing bioactive secondary metabolites with diverse beneficial properties. We investigated the antimicrobial potential of fungal endophytes isolated from Solanum mauritianum, an invasive weed, against clinically significant bacterial pathogens. Selected fungal endophytes (Penicillium chrysogenum, Fusarium sp., and Paracamarosporium leucadendri) were isolated from the plant's leaves and fruits. Their crude extracts were tested against various referenced strains, such as Mycobacterium species (M. smegmatis ATCC 607 and M. bovis ATCC 27290), Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6571, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 11774, Klebsiella species (K. pneumoniae ATCC 10031 and K. oxytoca ATCC 8724), Escherichia coli ATCC 10536, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145, using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Resazurin Microtiter Assay was used for the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration. The chemical nature of the secondary metabolites in the crude extracts produced by fungal endophytes was evaluated using high-resolution liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) using water and acetonitrile gradient. Liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS/MS) was employed for untargeted metabolomics. LC-QTOF-MS/MS identified 63 bioactive compounds across the three endophytes. P. chrysogenum had the highest activity against S. aureus and M. smegmatis (1.15 mg/mL and 0.02 mg/mL, respectively), while P. leucadendri demonstrated moderate activity against M. smegmatis (2.91 mg/mL) and E. coli (1.16 mg/mL). Fusarium sp. exhibited the broadest spectrum of antibacterial activity, with MIC values ranging from 0.03 mg/mL (B. subtilis) to 10 mg/mL (M. smegmatis). P. leucadendri produced 29 metabolites, Fusarium sp. had 23 identified metabolites, and a total of 11 metabolites were identified from P. chrysogenum. The fruits of the plant, accounting for 60%, appeared to be the most abundant in the endophyte diversity when compared to the stems and leaves. This study highlights the potential of fungal endophytes from S. mauritianum as a source of novel bioactive compounds, particularly against multidrug-resistant pathogens, contributing to the ongoing efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigella sativa (N. sativa; Ranunculaceae), commonly referred to as black cumin, is one of the most widely used medicinal plants worldwide, with its seeds having numerous applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries. With the emergence of antibiotic resistance in pathogens as an important health challenge, the need for alternative microbe-inhibitory agents is on the rise, whereby black cumin has gained considerable attention from researchers for its strong antimicrobial characteristics owing to its high content in a wide range of bioactive compounds, including thymoquinone, nigellimine, nigellidine, quercetin, and O-cymene. Particularly, thymoquinone increases the levels of antioxidant enzymes that counter oxidative stress in the liver. Additionally, the essential oil in N. sativa seeds effectively inhibits intestinal parasites and shows moderate activity against some bacteria, including Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. Thymoquinone exhibits minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 8–16 μg/mL against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and exhibits MIC 0.25 µg/mL against drug-resistant mycobacteria. Similarly, quercetin shows a MIC of 2 mg/mL against oral pathogens, such as Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Furthermore, endophytic fungi isolated from N. sativa have demonstrated antibacterial activity. Therefore, N. sativa is a valuable medicinal plant with potential for medicinal and food-related applications. In-depth exploration of the corresponding therapeutic potential and scope of industrial application warrants further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking the endophytic fungus UJ3-2, isolated from Urtica fissa, as the experimental material, this study aimed to explore the composition of its metabolites and the underlying mechanisms by which it inhibits Staphylococcus aureus. Initially, the MIC, MBC, inhibitory curves, biofilm growth, and extracellular nucleic acids and proteins of S. aureus in response to the metabolites were measured. Secondly, PI staining and SEM were used to evaluate the impact of the metabolites on the integrity of the cell wall and overall morphology of S. aureus. Additionally, UPLC-MS was employed to analyze the composition of the secondary metabolites. The UJ3-2 strain was identified as Xylaria grammica based on ITS sequencing and designated as Xylaria grammica UJ3-2. Our results revealed that the metabolites of UJ3-2 exhibited excellent in vitro antibacterial activity against S. aureus, with both MIC and MBC values of 3.125 mg/mL. The inhibitory curve confirmed that 1 MIC of UJ3-2 metabolites could completely inhibit the growth of S. aureus within 24 h. With increasing concentrations of UJ3-2 metabolites, the growth of S. aureus biofilms was significantly suppressed, and obvious leakage of nucleic acids and proteins was observed. PI fluorescence staining indicated that various concentrations of UJ3-2 metabolites disrupted the integrity of the S. aureus cell membrane. SEM observation revealed that the treated S. aureus surfaces became rough, and the bacteria shrank and adhered to each other, showing a dose-dependent effect. UPLC-MS analysis suggested that the main components of the fermented metabolites were 6-oxocineole (17.92%), (S)-2-acetolactate (9.91%), 3-methyl-cis,cis-muconate (4.36%), and 8-oxogeranial (3.17%). This study demonstrates that the endophytic fungus UJ3-2 exhibits remarkable in vitro antibacterial effects against S. aureus, primarily by enhancing the permeability of the S. aureus cell membrane, causing the leakage of its intracellular contents, and altering the bacterial surface morphology to inhibit the pathogen. The endophytic fungus UJ3-2 has a good antibacterial effect on S. aureus, which gives it certain application prospects in the screening and industrial production of new and efficient natural antibacterial active substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a harmful pathogen that causes a variety of acute and chronic infections through quorum sensing (QS) mechanisms. The increasing resistance of this bacterium to numerous antibiotics has created a demand for new medications that specifically target QS. Endophytes can be the source of compounds with antibacterial properties. This research is the first to examine tannic acid (TA) produced by endophytic fungus as a potential biotherapeutic agent. A novel endophytic fungal isolate identified as Penicillium oxalicum was derived from the cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.). The species identification for this isolate was confirmed through sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region. The metabolites from the culture of this isolate were extracted using ethyl acetate, then separated and characterized using chromatographic methods. This led to the acquisition of TA, a compound that shows strong anti-QS and excellent antibacterial effects against extensively drug-resistant P. aeruginosa strains. Furthermore, it was shown that treating P. aeruginosa with the obtained TA reduced the secretion of virulence factors controlled by QS in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that TA inhibited the QS characteristics of P. aeruginosa. Simultaneously, TA significantly inhibited the expression of genes associated with QS, including rhlR/I, lasR/I, and pqsR. In addition, in silico virtual molecular docking showed that TA could efficiently bind to QS receptor proteins. Our results showed that P. oxalicum could be a new source of TA for the treatment of infections caused by extensively drug-resistant P. aeruginosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant microbiota appear more and more as potential sources of antagonistic microorganisms. However, the seed microbiota associated with wild plant species has rarely been explored. To identify fungal antagonists to the seed)borne pathogen Alternaria brassicicola, seeds were collected in natural populations of three Brassicaceae species, Arabidopsis thaliana, Capsella bursa-pastoris and Draba verna. A large number of fungal strains reduced the growth of A. brassicicola. The most antagonistic strains belonged to Alternaria, Apiospora, Trichoderma and Aspergillus. Seed-associated fungi tolerated host plant defenses and exhibited lower sensitivity compared to A. brassicicola to indolic compounds such as the phytoalexin camalexin and the glucosinolates (GLS)-breakdown compound indole-3-carbinol. By contrast, antagonistic strains were as inhibited as A. brassicicola in presence of allyl-isothiocyanates (ITC) derived from aliphatic GLS, and more inhibited by benzyl-ITC derived from aromatic GLS. However, all defense compounds could enhance the antagonistic effects of some of the isolated strains on A. brassicicola. The observed potential synergistic effects between defense compounds and seed-associated antagonistic strains emphasize the need for further studies to elucidate the molecular bases of the interactions. A better understanding of the interactions between host plants, pathogens and fungal endophytes is also needed to develop sustainable biocontrol strategies [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how plant genotype can influence the microbiome by comparing six tomato genotypes (Solanum lycopersicum) based on their traditional vs. commercial backgrounds. Using Illumina-based sequencing of the V6-V8 regions of 16S and ITS2 rRNA genes, we analyzed and compared the endophytic bacterial and fungal communities in stems to understand how microbiota can differ and be altered in plant genotypes and the relation to human manipulation. Our results reflect that traditional genotypes harbor significantly more exclusive microbial taxa and a broader phylogenetic background than the commercial ones. Traditional genotypes were significantly richer in Eurotiomycetes and Sordariomycetes fungi, while Lasiosphaeriaceae was more prevalent in commercial genotypes. TH-30 exhibited the highest bacterial abundance, significantly more than commercial genotypes, particularly in Actinomycetia, Bacteroidia, and Gammaproteobacteria. Additionally, traditional genotypes had higher bacterial diversity, notably in orders like Cytophagales, Xanthomonadales, and Burkholderiales. Moreover, we performed an evaluation of the impact of a systemic fungicide (tebuconazole-dichlofluanide) to simulate a common agronomic practice and determined that a single fungicide treatment altered the stem endophytic microbiota. Control plants had a higher prevalence of fungal orders Pleosporales, Helotiales, and Glomerellales, while treated plants were dominated by Sordariomycetes and Laboulbeniomycetes. Fungal community diversity significantly decreased, but no significant impact was observed on bacterial diversity. Our study provides evidence that the background of the tomato variety impacts the fungal and bacterial stem endophytes. Furthermore, these findings suggest the potential benefits of using of traditional genotypes as a source of novel beneficial microbiota that may prove highly valuable in unpredicted challenges and the advancement in sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hazardous synthetic dye wastes have become a growing threat to the environment and public health. Fungal enzymes are eco-friendly, compatible and cost-effective approach for diversity of applications. Therefore, this study aimed to screen, optimize fermentation conditions, and characterize laccase from fungal endophyte with elucidating its ability to decolorize several wastewater dyes. Results: A new fungal endophyte capable of laccase-producing was firstly isolated from cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica and identified as T. harzianum AUMC14897 using ITS-rRNA sequencing analysis. Furthermore, the response surface methodology (RSM) was utilized to optimize several fermentation parameters that increase laccase production. The isolated laccase was purified to 13.79-fold. GFC, SDS-PAGE revealed laccase molecular weight at 72 kDa and zymogram analysis elucidated a single band without any isozymes. The peak activity of the pure laccase was detected at 50 °C, pH 4.5, with thermal stability up to 50 °C and half life span for 4 h even after 24 h retained 30% of its activity. The Km and Vmax values were 0.1 mM, 22.22 µmol/min and activation energy (Ea) equal to 5.71 kcal/mol. Furthermore, the purified laccase effectively decolorized various synthetic and real wastewater dyes. Conclusion: Subsequently, the new endophytic strain produces high laccase activity that possesses a unique characteristic, it could be an appealing candidate for both environmental and industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Understanding the microbial diversity and potential functional dynamics within the rhizocompartments of Dendrobium huoshanense is crucial for unraveling the plant--microbe interactions that influence its medicinal properties. Methods: This study is the first to characterize the microbiome associated with the rhizocompartments of D. huoshanense, including its cultivation medium, rhizosphere, rhizoplane, and root endosphere, using high-throughput sequencing and subsequent bioinformatic analysis. Results: Bacterial phylogenetic diversity was significantly higher in the endosphere than in the rhizosphere, while fungal α-diversity significantly decreased from the cultivation medium to the endosphere. Both bacterial and fungal niche widths decreased from the cultivation medium to the endosphere. β-Diversity analysis revealed distinct spatial patterns in both bacterial and fungal communities across the rhizocompartments, with the most pronounced differences between the cultivation medium and the endosphere. Taxonomically, Proteobacteria and Ascomycota were predominant in the endosphere for bacterial and fungal communities, respectively. Functional predictions showed significant enrichment of pathways related to xenobiotics biodegradation, lipid metabolism, and nitrogen fixation in the endosphere, while functions associated with plant pathogens and saprotrophs were significantly reduced. Discussion: The results indicate a shift from generalist to specialist microbes from the cultivation medium to the endosphere, suggesting that D. huoshanense exerts strong selective pressure for endophytic fungi. Interestingly, a high proportion of fungi with unknown functions were found in the endosphere, highlighting an area for further research regarding the medicinal efficacy of D. huoshanense. Overall, this study provides foundational data for understanding the adaptive evolution of these microbial communities in response to specific microhabitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endophytic fungi in symbiotic association with their host plant are well known to improve plant growth and reduce the adverse effects of abiotic stresses. Therefore, fungal endophytes are beginning to receive increased attention in an effort to find growth-promoting strains that could be applied to enhance crop yield and quality. Methods: In our study, the plant growth promoting activities of endophytic fungi isolated from various parts of India have been revealed and investigated. Fungal isolates were identified using molecular taxonomical methods, while their plant growth promoting abilities were evaluated in plate assays and in vitro studies. Altogether, seven strains were selected, representing the genera Fusarium, Chaetomium and Ulocladium. Result: Six of the isolates possessed phosphate solubilization activities, four secreted siderophores and four showed amylase activity, while all of them were able to produce indoleacetic acid (IAA). In order to investigate the effect of endophytes on plant growth, all seven fungi were selected concerning their potential ability to promote growth in mung bean. The results indicated that microbial endophytes selected from different geographical regions living originally in the plant host are able to influence the growth and fitness parameters of other plants through their promotion effects and could be used as inoculants to establish a sustainable crop production system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants are a rich source of naturally occurring substances utilized in treating a wide range of diseases; as a result, they serve as the basis for discovering new drugs. Research has focused on the relationship between endophytic microorganisms and host plants, as they produce a variety of secondary metabolites with significant biological functions. This study aimed to extract the endophytic fungi from various plant parts, including the roots, barks, and leaves of the Cyathea contaminans (Hook) Copel, which was collected from Kerinci, Jambi, Indonesia. By employing direct planting and pouring techniques with fungal culture media, the fungi were separated from the roots, stems, hairs, and leaves of C. contaminans and grown on rice media. The secondary metabolite of the fungus was extracted using ethyl acetate. The extracts were then tested for antimicrobial activity using a disk diffusion assay against microbial pathogens Staphylococcus aureus ATCC29213, Escherichia coli ATCC25922, and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This research yielded 19 endophyte fungi. In the antibacterial activity screening results, four fungal strains (CBK3, CDK1, CDK4, and CAK2) were active against S. aureus, MRSA, and E. coli, with an inhibition zone in the range of 15.08 ± 0.854 to 23.52 ± 0.87 mm. All active fungal isolates were identified molecularly. CBK3 and CDK1 were Paecilomyces subglobosus PP510226 and Penicillium citrinum PP510227, respectively, while CDK4 and CAK2 were comparable to Aspergillus terreus PP510229 and Aspergillus terreus PP510228. The four endophytic fungi of Cyathea contaminans may be a new source of antibacterial compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is the most important fibre crop worldwide. Black root rot and Fusarium wilt are two major diseases of cotton caused by soil-borne Berkeleyomyces rouxiae and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (Fov), respectively. Phenotyping plant symptoms caused by soil-borne pathogens has always been a challenge. To increase the uniformity of infection, we adapted a seedling screening method that directly uses liquid cultures to inoculate the plant roots and the soil. Four isolates, each of B. rouxiae and Fov, were collected from cotton fields in Australia and were characterised for virulence on cotton under controlled plant growth conditions. While the identities of all four B. rouxiae isolates were confirmed by multilocus sequencing, only two of them were found to be pathogenic on cotton, suggesting variability in the ability of isolates of this species to cause disease. The four Fov isolates were phylogenetically clustered together with the other Australian Fov isolates and displayed both external and internal symptoms characteristic of Fusarium wilt on cotton plants. Furthermore, the isolates appeared to induce varied levels of plant disease severity indicating differences in their virulence on cotton. To contrast the virulence of the Fov isolates, four putatively non-pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum (Fo) isolates collected from cotton seedlings exhibiting atypical wilt symptoms were assessed for their ability to colonise cotton host. Despite the absence of Secreted in Xylem genes (SIX6, SIX11, SIX13 and SIX14) characteristic of Fov, all four Fo isolates retained the ability to colonise cotton and induce wilt symptoms. This suggests that slightly virulent strains of Fo may contribute to the overall occurrence of Fusarium wilt in cotton fields. Findings from this study will allow better distinction to be made between plant pathogens and endophytes and allow fungal effectors underpinning pathogenicity to be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endophytic fungi inhabit various plant tissues and organs without inducing evident disease symptoms. They can contribute positively to the growth of plants, bolster plants resilience to environmental and biological stresses, and facilitate the accumulation of secondary metabolites. These microbial resources possess significant developmental and utilization value in various applications. Hence, this study focused on exploring the plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits of 14 endophytic fungi from Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort (CX) and elucidating the effects and mechanisms that facilitate plant growth. According to PGP activity evaluation, the majority of strains demonstrated the capacity to produce IAA (78.57%), siderophores (50.00%), ammonia (35.71%), potassium solubilization (21.43%), nitrogen fixation (57.14%), and phosphate solubilization (42.86%). Further investigations indicated that the levels of IAA ranged from 13.05 to 301.43 μg/mL, whereas the soluble phosphorus levels ranged from 47.32 to 125.95 μg/mL. In cocultivation assays, it was indicated that Fusarium sp. YMY5, Colletotrichum sp. YMY6, Alternaria sp. ZZ10 and Fusarium sp. ZZ13 had a certain promoting effect on lateral root number and fresh weight of tobacco. Furthermore, ZZ10 and ZZ13 significantly enhanced the germination potential, germination index, and vigor index of tobacco seeds. The subsequent potted trials demonstrated that the four endophytic fungi exhibited an enhancement to growth parameters of tobacco to a certain extent. ZZ10 and ZZ13 treatment had the best promotion effect. Inoculation with YMY5 increased the chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll content. ZZ10 and ZZ13 treatment remarkably increased the net photosynthetic rate, soluble sugars and soluble protein content, catalase and peroxidase activities, and lowered malondialdehyde content in tobacco leaves. In addition, YMY5 remarkably elevated superoxide dismutase activities. ZZ13 upregulated the expression of growth-related gene. Among them, ZZ13 had a better growth-promoting effect. In conclusion, these endophytic fungi possessing multi-trait characteristics and the capacity to enhance plant growth exhibit promising potential as biofertilizers or plant growth regulators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. sinensis Rousi (Abbrev. H. rhamnoides) stands as a vital botanical asset in ameliorating the ecological landscape of the arid regions in Northwest China, where its rhizospheric microorganisms serve as linchpins in its growth and developmental dynamics. This study aimed to explore the community structure characteristics and origin differences of root endophytic fungi in H. rhamnoides. Samples were collected from 25 areas where H. rhamnoides is naturally distributed along an altitude gradient in the northwest region. Then, endophytic fungi from different regions were analyzed by using high-throughput sequencing technology to compare the structural characteristics of endophytic fungi and examine their association with environmental factors. FUNGuild was employed to analyze the community structure and functions of endophytic fungi, and the results showed that each region had its own dominant endophytic fungal flora, demonstrating the differences in origin of endophytic fungi, and the specific endophytic flora acquired from the original soil in the growing season of H. rhamnoides will help us construct the microecological community structure. Furthermore, the study identified and assessed the diversity of fungi, elucidating the species structure and highlighting dominant species. The RDA analysis revealed that available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK), and total nitrogen (TN) exhibit significant correlations with the composition and diversity of root-associated fungi. In conclusion, the fungal community structure is similar within the same region, while significant differences exist in the taxonomic structure and biodiversity among different regions. These findings shed light on the intricate interplay and mechanisms governing the ecological restoration of H. rhamnoides, offering a valuable framework for advancing green ecology initiatives and harnessing the potential of root-associated microorganisms in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Endophytic fungi in pasture grasses help the plant resist unfavourable biotic and abiotic conditions. Despite some well-documented aspects of how these fungi confer resistance to insects, some mechanisms are not well known. In this work, we measured the effects of such endophytes on aphids, an important pest group. We measured aphid feeding activity and life-history effects to further understand the mode of action of endophyte–perennial ryegrass systems. We were able to demonstrate that, in some cases, fungal endophytes significantly deterred feeding, but in other cases, feeding was not affected, and yet high mortality was observed. This suggests a complex scenario of interactions between compounds in the endophyte–perennial-ryegrass–aphid system. Our study shows that fungal endophytes have the potential to improve sustainable aphid control by decreasing the use of insecticide sprays. The bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.), is an economically significant pest of pasture grasses, the latter being capable of hosting several fungal endophyte–perennial ryegrass symbiota rich in alkaloids and toxic to vertebrates and invertebrates. Measuring aphid feeding behaviour can provide insights into the effectiveness and mode of action of different fungal endophytes. This study investigated the effects of different Epichloë–perennial ryegrass symbiota on the feeding behaviour of R. padi using the electrical penetration graph technique while also assessing the aphid life history. In most cases, endophytes had significant feeding deterrence and paired fecundity and mortality effects. But, in some instances, endophytes with the highest aphid mortality did not significantly deter feeding, suggesting a more complicated scenario of interactions between the relative concentration of metabolites, e.g., host plant defence response metabolites and alkaloids, and/or physical changes to leaf morphology. Overall, this study sheds light on the mode of action of Epichloë endophytes against aphids and highlights the importance of Epichloë–perennial ryegrass symbiota in the management of insect pests such as aphids in pasture-based grazing systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While assessing the filamentous fungi associated with woody tissues of stem collar rots, necroses, and lesions of European ash trees (Fraxinus excelsior) presenting symptoms of ash dieback in Germany, Cryptostroma corticale was recovered from three different ash trees. These isolated strains were the first report of C. corticale on ash and the first proof of an association of this plant pathogen with woody tissues of other tree species than Acer spp. in Germany. To test the pathogenicity of C. corticale against F. excelsior and to fulfil Koch's postulates, inoculation tests in planta with strains isolated from Acer pseudoplatanus and F. excelsior were conducted according to Henle–Koch's postulates in a greenhouse located in Göttingen. The pathogenicity tests were performed with apparently healthy ash saplings from June 2021 until January 2022. After three and seven months, neither necroses or lesions due to C. corticale nor disease symptoms were observed. Mostly, the inoculation wounds healed over, and C. corticale could not be re-isolated from the ash woody tissue. In an attempt to re-isolate the inoculated strains, the filamentous fungal endophytes of the ash woody tissues were isolated and identified. A total of 32 taxa of the Ascomycota were found, where the most common species was Boeremia exigua. Most frequently observed orders were Pleosporales (58.4%), followed by Sordariales (13.5%), Hypocreales (9.4%), and Diaporthales (8.7%). On average, 3.7 endophytic species were recorded on each sapling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing emergence of multi-drug resistant microbial strains has kept the scientific world searching for novel bioactive compounds with specific chemical characteristics. Accordingly, researchers have started exploring the understudied metabolites from endophytes as a new source of bioactive compounds. In this context, the current study was designed to evaluate the bioactive properties of endophytic fungi from the Mokrzański forest in Wrocław, Poland that have not yet been fully researched. Forty-three endophytic fungi were isolated from twelve distinct plants. Following their cultivation, fungal extracts were separately prepared from biomass and cell-free filtrates, and their antibacterial, antifungal (against human and plant pathogens), and antioxidant properties were examined. Five promising fungi after screening were identified to possess all of these activities. These strains and their respective plant hosts were Trichoderma harzianum BUK-T (Fagus sylvatica), Aspergillus ochraceus ROB-L1 (Robinia pseudoacacia), Chaetomium cochliodes KLON-L1, Fusarium tricinctum KLON-L2 (Acer platanoides), and Penicillium chrysogenum SOS-B2 (Pinus sylvestris). Moreover, gamma irradiation at several doses (Gy) was separately applied to the fungal cultures to study their effects on the recorded activities. Finally, compounds after preparative thin-layer chromatography fractionation of the five fungal strains were identified by GC-MS. These findings suggest that the isolated endophytic fungi could serve as novel sources of bioactive metabolites with antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties, potentially paving the way for future research and the development of new bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search for natural product-based biopesticides from endophytic fungi is an effective tool to find new solutions. In this study, we studied a pre-selected fungal endophyte, isolate YCC4, from the paleoendemism Persea indica, along with compounds present in the extract and the identification of the insect antifeedant and nematicidal ones. The endophyte YCC4 was identified as Phyllosticta sp. by molecular analysis. The insect antifeedant activity was tested by choice bioassays against Spodoptera littoralis, Myzus persicae, and Rhopalosiphum padi, and the in vitro and in vivo mortality was tested against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica. Since the extract was an effective insect antifeedant, a strong nematicidal, and lacked phytotoxicity on tomato plants, a comprehensive chemical study was carried out. Two new metabolites, metguignardic acid (4) and (-)-epi-guignardone I (14), were identified along the known dioxolanones guignardic acid (1), ethyl guignardate (3), guignardianones A (5), C (2), D (7), and E (6), phenguignardic acid methyl ester (8), the meroterpenes guignardone A (9) and B (10), guignarenone B (11) and C (12), (-)-guignardone I (13), and phyllomeroterpenoid B (15). Among these compounds, 1 and 4 were effective antifeedants against S. littoralis and M. persicae, while 2 was only active on the aphid M. persicae. The nematicidal compounds were 4, 7, and 8. This is the first report on the insect antifeedant or nematicidal effects of these dioxolanone-type compounds. Since the insect antifeedant and nematicidal activity of the Phyllosticta sp. extract depend on the presence of dioxolanone components, future fermentation optimizations are needed to promote the biosynthesis of these compounds instead of meroterpenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entomopathogenic fungi belonging to the Order Hypocreales are renowned for their ability to infect and kill insect hosts, while their endophytic mode of life and the beneficial rhizosphere effects on plant hosts have only been recently recognized. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying their different lifestyles could optimize their potential as both biocontrol and biofertilizer agents, as well as the wider appreciation of niche plasticity in fungal ecology. This study describes the comprehensive whole genome sequencing and analysis of one of the most effective entomopathogenic and endophytic EPF strains, Metarhizium brunneum V275 (commercially known as Lalguard Met52), achieved through Nanopore and Illumina reads. Comparative genomics for exploring intraspecies variability and analyses of key gene sets were conducted with a second effective EPF strain, M. brunneum ARSEF 4556. The search for strain- or species-specific genes was extended to M. brunneum strain ARSEF 3297 and other species of genus Metarhizium , to identify molecular mechanisms and putative key genome adaptations associated with mode of life differences. Genome size differed significantly, with M. brunneum V275 having the largest genome amongst M. brunneum strains sequenced to date. Genome analyses revealed an abundance of plant-degrading enzymes, plant colonization-associated genes, and intriguing intraspecies variations regarding their predicted secondary metabolic compounds and the number and localization of Transposable Elements. The potential significance of the differences found between closely related endophytic and entomopathogenic fungi, regarding plant growth-promoting and entomopathogenic abilities, are discussed, enhancing our understanding of their diverse functionalities and putative applications in agriculture and ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The swnN gene in the endophytic fungus Alternaria oxytropis OW 7.8 isolated from Oxytropis glabra was identified, and the gene knockout mutant ΔswnN was first constructed in this study. Compared with A. oxytropis OW 7.8, the ΔswnN mutant exhibited altered colony and mycelia morphology, slower growth rate, and no swainsonine (SW) in mycelia. SW was detected in the gene function complementation strain ΔswnN/swnN, indicating that the function of the swnN gene promoted SW biosynthesis. Six differentially expressed genes (DEGs) closely associated with SW synthesis were identified by transcriptomic analysis of A. oxytropis OW 7.8 and ΔswnN, with P5CR, swnR, swnK, swnH2, and swnH1 down-regulating, and sac up-regulating. The expression levels of the six genes were consistent with the transcriptomic analysis results. Five differential metabolites (DEMs) closely associated with SW synthesis were identified by metabolomic analysis, with L-glutamate, α-ketoglutaric acid, and L-proline up-regulating, and phosphatidic acid (PA) and 2-aminoadipic acid down-regulating. The SW biosynthetic pathways in A. oxytropis OW 7.8 were predicted and refined. The results lay the foundation for in-depth elucidation of molecular mechanisms and the SW synthesis pathway in fungi. They are also of importance for the prevention of locoism in livestock, the control and utilization of locoweeds, and the protection and sustainable development of grassland ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, nine endophytic fungi capable of producing multiple phenolic compounds were screened and identified from 152 fungi isolated from pigeon pea in a natural habitat (Honghe, Yunnan Province, China). Talaromyces neorugulosus R-209 exhibited the highest potential for phenolic compound production. L-phenylalanine feeding was used to enhance phenolic compound production in T. neorugulosus R-209 cultures. Under the optimal feeding conditions (l-phenylalanine dose of 0.16 g/L and feeding phase of 6 days), the yields of genistein, apigenin, biochanin A, and cajaninstilbene acid increased by 15.59-fold, 7.20-fold, 25.93-fold, and 10.30-fold over control, respectively. T. neorugulosus R-209 fed with l-phenylalanine was found to be stable in the production of phenolic compounds during ten successive subcultures. Moreover, bioactivities of extracts of T. neorugulosus R-209 cultures were significantly increased by l-phenylalanine feeding. Overall, l-phenylalanine feeding strategy made T. neorugulosus R-209 more attractive as a promising alternative source for the production of health-beneficial phenolic compounds in the nutraceutical/medicinal industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management and treatment of cancer and related disorders is still a challenging goal for the scientists. The current global scenario of cancer mortality is demanding to discover and develop new, safe, cost effective and potent anticancer medications. The anticancer drugs vinblastine and vincristine are solely produced by medicinal herb Catharanthus roseus. These drugs are second most widely consumed anticancer drugs after Taxol in the world; however, the plant is well recognised to produce very modest levels of these important compounds (0.0002–0.0005 %). To address this issue, the review delves into the promising alternative of using endophytic fungi which reside within the healthy plant tissues and have ability to produce host-specific bioactive compounds including vinblastine and vincristine. An endophytic fungus Talaromyces radicus is reported to produce vincristine up to 670 µg/L while Curvularia verruculosa is able to secret vinblastine at a concentration of 182 µg/L in liquid cultures respectively. Some other fungal species reported to produce either vincristine or vinblastine includes Fusarium, Alternaria, Chaetomium, Nigrospora and Eutypella. The review begins by discussing the therapeutic importance of vinblastine and vincristine, highlighting their mechanisms of action and their critical roles in chemotherapy regimens for various types of cancer. Next, the review also provides an in-depth analysis of various endophytic fungi producing vinblastine and vincristine detailing their identification, characterization, biosynthetic ability and strain improvement processes. It aims to contribute to the ongoing efforts to develop more effective and sustainable strategies for producing these critical anticancer agents, ultimately enhancing cancer treatment options and outcomes. [Display omitted] • Vinblastine and vincristine are among the major anticancer compounds used worldwide for treatment of various cancers. • Natural production of these anticancer drugs is limited because of the very low yield in Catharanthus plant. • The endophytic fungi isolated from Catharanthus roseus are reported to produce vinblastine and vincristine in sufficient quantities. • The challenge in fungal production of these drugs is related with optimization and sustainable yield at commercial level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symbiotic organisms may contribute to a host plant's success or failure to grow, its ability to maintain viable populations, and potentially, its probability of establishment and spread outside its native range. Intercellular and intracellular microbial symbionts that are asymptomatic in their plant host during some or all of their life cycle – endophytes – can form mutualistic, commensal, or pathogenic relationships, and sometimes novel associations with alien plants. Fungal endophytes are likely the most common endosymbiont infecting plants, with life‐history, morphological, physiological, and plant‐symbiotic traits that are distinct from other endophytic guilds. Here, we review the community dynamics of fungal endophytes during the process of plant invasion, and how their functional role may shift during the different stages of invasion: transport, introduction (colonisation), establishment, and spread. Each invasion stage presents distinct ecological filters that an alien plant must overcome to advance to the subsequent stage of invasion. Endophytes can alternately aid the host in overcoming stage‐specific filters, or contribute to the barriers imposed by filters (e.g. biotic resistance), thereby affecting invasion pathways. A few fungi can be transported as seed endophytes from their native range and be vertically transmitted to future generations in the non‐native range, especially in graminoids. In other plant groups, alien plants mostly acquire endophytes via horizontal transmission from the invaded plant community, and the host endophyte community is shaped by host filtering and biogeographic factors (e.g. dispersal limitation, environmental filtering). Endophytes infecting alien plants (both those transported with their host and those accumulated in the non‐native range) may influence invasion success by affecting plant growth, reproduction, environmental tolerance, and pathogen and herbivory defences; however, the direction and magnitude of these effects can be contingent upon the host identity, life stage, ecological conditions, and invasion stage. This context dependence may cause endophytic fungi to shift to a non‐endophytic (e.g. pathogenic) functional life stage in the same or different hosts, which can modify alien–native plant community dynamics. We conclude by identifying paths in which alien hosts can exploit the context dependency of endophyte function in novel abiotic and biotic conditions and at the different stages of invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Aegle marmelos tree holds immense religious significance in India. Not only do indigenous communities use it, but so do the general populace. Traditional medicine makes use of the whole plant. In addition to its analgesic and antioxidant effects, the plant also possesses antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial capabilities. The term "Epiphytes" describes the fungal colonies that many endophytic fungi establish on the outside of their host plants. However, there are species that nest in the interstitial and intracellular regions of their host plants; these are known as endophytic species. Endophytes, after interacting with the Bael plant as a host, confer stress tolerance and the capacity to produce bioactive chemicals. It is known that Aegle marmelos include several endophytes. In this study, we detailed the process of isolating ten fungal endophytes from various plant tissues, including bark, roots, fruits, stems and leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The swnH1 gene in the endophytic fungus Alternaria oxytropis OW 7.8 isolated from Oxytropis glabra was identified, and the gene knockout mutant ΔswnH1 was first constructed in this study. Compared with A. oxytropis OW 7.8, the ΔswnH1 mutant exhibited altered colony and mycelium morphology, slower growth rate, and no swainsonine (SW) in mycelia, indicating that the function of the swnH1 gene promoted SW biosynthesis. Five differential expressed genes (DEGs) closely associated with SW synthesis were identified by transcriptomic analysis of A. oxytropis OW 7.8 and ΔswnH1, with sac, swnR, swnK, swnN, and swnH2 down-regulating. Six differential metabolites (DEMs) closely associated with SW synthesis were identified by metabolomic analysis, with P450, PKS-NRPS, saccharopine, lipopolysaccharide kinase, L-PA, α-aminoadipic, and L-stachydrine down-regulated, while L-proline was up-regulated. The SW biosynthetic pathways in A. oxytropis OW 7.8 were predicted and refined. The results lay the foundation for in-depth exploration of the molecular mechanisms and metabolic pathways of SW synthesis in fungi and provide reference for future control of SW in locoweeds, which would benefit the development of animal husbandry and the sustainable use of grassland ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of fast-growing, economically valuable woody plants with strong stress resistance, such as poplar and willow, to revegetate severely metal-contaminated mine tailings not only offers a productive and profitable use of abandoned polluted soil resources but also facilitates the phytoremediation of these polluted soils. This study examines the diversity and functional roles of endophytic fungi naturally colonizing the roots of an artificially established Populus yunnanensis forest and the naturally reclaimed pioneer species Coriaria sinica on an abandoned tailing dam in southwest China. Culture-independent analyses revealed that the root systems of both plant species were abundantly colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and endophytic fungi, forming rich and diverse endophytic fungal communities predominantly represented by the genera Ilyonectria, Tetracladium, Auricularia, and unclassified members of Helotiales. However, the composition of root endophytic fungal communities differed significantly between the two plant species. Using a culture-dependent approach, a total of 192 culturable endophytic fungal strains were isolated from the roots. The dominant genera included Cadophora, Cladosporium, Cyphellophora, and Paraphoma, most of which were previously identified as dark septate endophytes (DSE). Six representative DSE strains were selected for further study, and significant cadmium tolerance and various plant growth-promoting traits were observed, including the solubilization of insoluble inorganic and organic phosphorus, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, and siderophore synthesis. In greenhouse experiments, inoculating two DSE strains mitigated the inhibitory effects of metal-polluted tailing soil on the growth of P. yunnanensis. This was achieved by reducing heavy metal uptake in roots and limiting metal translocation to the above-ground tissues, thereby promoting plant growth and adaptability. Our findings suggest that as plants reclaim metal-polluted tailings, root-associated endophytic fungal communities also undergo natural succession, playing a critical role in enhancing the host plant's tolerance to stress. Therefore, these restored root-associated fungi, particularly DSE, are essential functional components of the root systems in plants used for tailing reclamation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dubas bug is a serious and widespread pest of date palms in several countries in the Middle East. Chemical pesticides are widely used for managing this pest; however, most pesticides fail due to the continuous development of pesticide resistance. The primary goal of this research was to isolate endophytic fungi and test their entomopathogenic activity against Dubas bug nymphs and adults. A total of 27 fungal isolates were obtained and identified using the nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS) region. These strains represent 16 species, belonging to 10 genera of seven different families, Ascomycota with six families and Basidiomycota with a single family, Quambalariaceae. Due to its remarkable biological control ability against insect pests, Clonostachys rosea was further studied for its entomopathogenic activity against Ommatissus lybicus nymphs and adults in comparison to a commercial strain of Beauveria bassiana. The concentration of 1 × 108 conidia/mL of the selected endophytic isolate was used in lab experiments targeting Dubas bug healthy nymphs and adults. After 7 days of C. rosea treatment, the isolate caused significant mortality rates of 85% in the adult insects, while the mortality rates were moderate in the nymphs (33%). The commercial strain of B. bassiana resulted in 100% mortality levels in nymphs and adults of the Dubas bug. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of O. lybicus adults treated with C. rosea and B. bassiana showed mycelium growing on the eye, antenna, cuticle, and egg oviposition parts of O. lybicus. Mycelium growth of both fungi was also evident on the nymphs. This study reports for the first time the isolation of C. rosea from the Dubas bug, and its high entomopathogenic activity against an adult population of O. lybicus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inonotus hispidus (Bull.) P. Karst., is a medicinal fungus, which parasitizes broad-leaved tree such as Morus alba L., Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr., and Ulmus macrocarpa Hance. To elucidate the internal relationship between I. hispidus and its hosts, this study analyzed endophytic bacteria and fungi in the roots of M. alba and F. mandshurica growing I. hispidus using the 16S rDNA and ITS high-throughput sequencing technologies; and conducted widely targeted metabolomics research using UPLC-MS/MS. The results showed that Cyanobacteria and unidentified chloroplasts had the highest relative abundance at the phylum and genus levels, respectively. For endophytic fungi, Ascomycota was dominant at the phylum level, while Pleosporales gen Incertae sedis and Oncopodiella were the dominant genera in the roots of M. alba and F. mandshurica, respectively. Widely targeted metabolomics identified 562 differential metabolites and 46 metabolic pathways. Correlation analysis revealed that Xanthobacteraceae, Pseudorhodoplanes, and Bauldia were potential regulators of phenolic acids and phenylpropanoids biosynthesis. Additionally, the genus Oncopodiella was primarily associated with the enrichment of lipids, amino acids, sugars, phenolic acids, and other compounds. This result provides significant insights into the size of the fruiting body, resource development, and active ingredients of I. hispidus from different tree sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endophytic fungi are promising producers of phenolic compounds; however, the process of extracting these molecules from the culture medium is a crucial step for obtaining these metabolites. In this context, the best conditions for extracting phenolic compounds produced by Cophinforma mamane CF2-13, isolated from an Amazonian plant, were evaluated. The fungus was cultivated in a liquid medium to obtain its metabolites. The effects of the solvent, time, and temperature were investigated, as well as the use of ultrasound. The total phenolics and the antioxidant activity were assessed to define the best extraction conditions. The optimized extract was chemically characterized and used to analyze its potential in protecting olive oil from lipid oxidation. The best results were found using ethyl acetate at 20 °C for 2 h. These conditions led to 61.61 mg GAEq/g of extract of total phenolics, and an antioxidant capacity of 0.47, 0.45, and 0.29 mmol TEq/g of extract using the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods, respectively. In addition, the optimized extract presented caffeic acid and was able to delay the lipid oxidation of olive oil. The potential of endophytic fungi to produce phenolic compounds is promising for the food industry since natural bioactive compounds have many benefits for human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, the causative agent of pine wilt disease (PWD), is an ever‐increasing threat to Pinus forests worldwide. This study aimed to develop biological control of PWD by the application of endophytic fungi isolated from healthy pine trees. RESULTS: We successfully isolated a novel endophytic fungal strain 1‐24‐2 from branches of healthy Pinus massoniana. The culture filtrates (CFs) of strain 1‐24‐2 exhibited strong nematicidal activity against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, with a corrected mortality rate of 99.00%. Based on the morphological and molecular characteristics, the isolated strain 1‐24‐2 was identified as Chaetomium ascotrichoides. In the in‐planta assay, pine seedlings (2‐years‐old) treated with 1‐24‐2 CFs + pine wood nematode (T2) showed a significant control effect of 80%. A total of 24 toxic compounds were first identified from 1‐24‐2 CFs through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis, from which O‐methylisourea, 2‐chlorobenzothiazole, and 4,5,6‐trihydroxy‐7‐methylphthalide showed robust binding sites at Tyr119 against phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase (PMT) protein of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus by molecular docking approach and could be used as potential compounds for developing effective nematicides. Interestingly, strain 1‐24‐2 produces toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which disturb the natural development process of B. xylophilus, whose total number decreased by up to 83.32% in the treatment group as compared to control and also reduced Botrytis cinerea growth by up to 71.01%. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the potential of C. ascotrichoides 1‐24‐2 as a promising biocontrol agent with solid nematicidal activity against B. xylophilus. This is the first report of C. ascotrichoides isolated from P. massoniana exhibiting strong biocontrol potential against B. xylophilus in the world. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exopolysaccharides (EPS) are bioactive metabolites with high molecular weight and are produced by several microorganisms such as endophytic fungi. Thus, the aim of the present study was designed to explore the biosynthesis and characteristics of EPS by the endophytic fungus Neopestalotiopsis clavispora AUMC15969 and then investigate some environmental and nutritional factors that affect their production. Moreover, we estimated an additional value, namely the production of biodiesel. Maximum production of EPS was 7.86 g/L when N. clavispora was grown on lactose as the sole carbon source and peptone as the nitrogen source, respectively, and pH 7 at 35 °Cfor 10 days. The produced EPS had a total sugar content of 0.93 g/g where protein content was 0.076 g/g. It revealed a strong antioxidant activity that improved with increasing sample concentration, with the optimum concentration of 10 mg/mL producing 83.1% DPPH radical scavenging activity with an IC50 equal to 3.89 mg/mL. The extracted lipid from the fungal mycelia at the end of the fermentation process was 31.76% w/w. The biodiesel produced from the transesterification of lipids was 87.4% total fatty acid methyl esters. The present study demonstrated the potential production of EPS and lipid biopolymers in one-pot fermentation which could use as a resource for industrial technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endophytic fungi are known to be a rich source for anti-infective drugs. In this study, Aptenia cordifolia associated endophytic fungi were explored for the first time. Seven isolates were identified morphologically followed by screening of these fungi by plug diffusion assay which revealed their potential activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 9144), Bacillus cereus (ATCC 14579), Serratia marcescens (ATCC 14756), Fusarium oxysporum (ATCC 48112), and Aspergillus flavus (ATCC 22546). Additionally, the crude ethyl acetate extract of the most potent three isolates in plug diffusion assay showed that Aspergillus sp. ACEFR2 was the most potent as anti-infective in disc diffusion assay; Accordingly, Aspergillus sp. ACEFR2 was investigated using phylogenetic analysis and LC-HR-ESI-MS. The phylogenetic analysis placed the strain into the Aspergillus section Niger close related to few species including A. niger. Whereas the metabolomic profiling revealed the presence of diverse pool of metabolites. Furthermore, in silico molecular docking study was carried out to predict which compounds most likely responsible for the anti-infective activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study revealed the consequences of the interaction of a widely used bioinsecticide and endophyte Metarhizium anisopliae with the hazardous mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEN) as a pure substance and with ZEN as a native component of a crude Fusarium extract. In the environment, microorganisms encounter a mixture of metabolites secreted by other organisms living in the same area, not single substances. The obtained results suggest that M. anisopliae, exposed to a variety of active substances produced by Fusarium graminearum, is able to eliminate ZEN. Within 14 days, M. anisopliae biotransformed 90.8% and 85.8% of ZEN as a pure substance and ZEN as a native component of the F. graminearum extract from Rice Medium (E-Fg-RM), respectively, through reduction predominantly to α-epimers of zearalenols and zearalanols, considered more estrogenic than ZEN, which can raise concerns. Compared to pure ZEN, E-Fg-RM significantly affected the production of Metarhizium secondary metabolites by increasing the destruxins amount by approximately 20–25% and reducing the swainsonine content by 96.2%. All these findings provide a possible picture of the interaction of M. anisopliae with ZEN in the wild, mainly as a result of the use of crude extract from Fusarium, which contained a mixture of different metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]