Micrographical Analysis of Growth Deformities in Common Pathogens Induced by Voucher Fungi from India

Author: mycolabadmin
2016-04-11
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Summary

This research examined wild mushrooms used as food by tribes in Northeast India to determine if they could fight harmful bacteria. The study found these mushrooms contain natural compounds that effectively kill or inhibit the growth of disease-causing bacteria, including some that are resistant to conventional antibiotics. The researchers used powerful microscopes to show how the mushroom extracts physically damage bacterial cells. Impacts on everyday life: • Provides scientific validation for traditional mushroom use in tribal medicine • Offers potential new sources of antibiotics to fight resistant infections • Demonstrates the value of preserving traditional knowledge about medicinal mushrooms • Suggests mushrooms could be cultivated as natural antimicrobial sources • Shows promise for developing new drugs from natural sources

Background

Infectious diseases remain a major global concern, with increasing antibiotic resistance among clinical pathogens driving the need for novel antimicrobial sources. While fungi have historically provided important antibiotics like penicillin and streptomycin, the antimicrobial potential of imperfect fungi and macrofungi remains largely unexplored. These organisms contain bioactive compounds including phenolics, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and alkaloids that show promise against microbial infections.

Objective

This study aimed to identify diverse basidiomycetes from the subtropical forests of Northeast India and screen them for antimicrobial activity against common clinical bacterial pathogens. The research also sought to correlate electron micrographs of subcellular deformities in pathogens induced by mushroom extracts.

Results

The mushroom extracts showed antimicrobial activity with inhibition zones ranging from 9-22mm for Gram-negative and 16-24mm for Gram-positive bacteria. Trichaptum bioforme showed the highest activity, followed by Russula variata and Baorangia pseudocalopus. SEM revealed cellular deformities including cavity formation, shrinkage, and membrane disruption in treated pathogens. Effects were more pronounced against Gram-positive bacteria.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated that mushrooms used as food by local tribes have significant antimicrobial properties against clinical pathogens. The electron microscopy evidence of cellular damage supports their potential as novel antimicrobial agents. This represents the first report on antimicrobial properties of macrofungi consumed by ethnic tribes from Northeast India.

Published in:Journal of Microscopy and Ultrastructure,
Study Type:Laboratory Research,
Source: 10.1016/j.jmau.2016.04.001