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Screening of Basidiomycete Strains Capable of Synthesizing Antibacterial and Antifungal Metabolites

Summary

Researchers tested 18 types of medicinal mushrooms to see if they could produce natural antibiotics. Most of them (16 out of 18) showed antimicrobial properties, with some being particularly effective against dangerous bacteria and fungi. The most promising mushroom strain (Hericium corraloides 4) showed strong activity against multiple disease-causing organisms. This research suggests that mushrooms could be valuable sources for developing new antibiotics to fight drug-resistant infections.

Background

Basidiomycetes represent a large and diverse division of higher fungi with rich secondary metabolism. These fungi have been used in traditional medicine for centuries and are now being investigated for modern pharmaceutical applications, particularly as sources of antimicrobial compounds to combat the growing problem of resistant pathogenic microorganisms.

Objective

To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of 18 submerged cultures of basidiomycetes belonging to the orders Agaricales, Polyporales, and Russulales, identify promising strains producing antimicrobial metabolites, and conduct preliminary assessment of their metabolic profiles.

Results

Of 18 strains tested, 16 demonstrated antimicrobial metabolites. Five strains showed the most promise: Hericium corraloides 4 exhibited both antibacterial and antifungal activity in culture liquid and mycelium extracts, while Fomitopsis betulina 3, F. pinicola 2, H. erinaceus 1, and Laetiporus sulphureus 4 showed high antibacterial activity. HPLC-MS analysis preliminarily identified hericerin in H. erinaceus 1 and sulfureuine H in L. sulphureus 4.

Conclusion

Basidiomycetes are promising sources of antimicrobial metabolites, with 89% of tested strains showing activity. Strains from Polyporales and Russulales orders demonstrated higher activity than Agaricales. The study establishes a foundation for further fractionation, isolation, and characterization of individual bioactive compounds with potential pharmaceutical applications.
  • Published in:International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
  • Study Type:Screening Study,
  • Source: PMID: 41097066, DOI: 10.3390/ijms26199802
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