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Secretion of antifungal metabolites contributes to the antagonistic activity of Talaromyces oaxaquensis

Summary

Researchers discovered that a fungus called Talaromyces oaxaquensis, found naturally in banana plants, produces powerful antifungal chemicals that kill the banana disease pathogen Fusarium oxysporum. The study identified specific compounds, particularly one called 15G256α, that damage the fungal cell wall of the pathogen. This discovery suggests a natural way to protect banana crops from a devastating disease that threatens global banana production.

Background

Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) is a critical threat to banana production worldwide. Endophytic microbes from banana plants may serve as natural antagonists to this pathogen. Talaromyces is a fungal genus known for producing diverse secondary metabolites with antimicrobial properties.

Objective

To characterize the antagonistic mechanisms of three Talaromyces oaxaquensis strains isolated from banana pseudostems against the banana pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense M5. To identify the antifungal metabolites responsible for this antagonistic activity and determine their molecular targets.

Results

T. oaxaquensis strains inhibited Foc M5 growth through secretion of diffusible antifungal molecules, with metabolite profiling identifying the penicillide Vermixocin A and polyester 15G256α. Extracts caused hyphal swellings in Foc M5, suggesting interference with cell wall biosynthesis. Molecular docking predicted that 15G256α binds to the catalytic pocket of Foc chitin synthase 1, targeting residues critical for substrate recognition.

Conclusion

T. oaxaquensis constitutively secretes antifungal metabolites that suppress Foc M5 growth and cause hyphal morphological abnormalities, likely through inhibition of chitin synthesis. These findings represent the first report of Talaromyces from banana plants as a potential biological control agent and support development of novel strategies to control fusarium wilt in banana production.
  • Published in:Current Research in Microbial Science,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40496374, DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100402
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