antifungal – Page 5

Streptomyces-Based Bioformulation to Control Wilt of Morchella sextelata Caused by Pestalotiopsis trachicarpicola

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Morels are valuable mushrooms threatened by fungal wilt disease in China. Researchers isolated two beneficial bacteria (Streptomyces) from morel soil that naturally fight the fungal disease. When applied to morel fields, these bacteria reduced disease and increased mushroom yield by 30% compared to untreated fields. This represents a natural, eco-friendly solution to protect morel crops and boost production without chemical fungicides.

Inhibitive effect of Urginea epigea methanolic extract and silver/zinc oxide nanoparticles on Aspergillus and aflatoxin production

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Researchers tested whether a plant called Urginea epigea could stop the growth of a dangerous fungus (Aspergillus flavus) that produces aflatoxins, which can harm humans and animals. The plant extract completely stopped fungus growth at high concentrations and significantly reduced the production of toxins by turning off the genes responsible for toxin production. This suggests that plant-based treatments could offer a natural alternative to synthetic chemical fungicides for protecting food from contamination.

Chilean Aloysia Essential Oils: A Medicinal Plant Resource for Postharvest Disease Control

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Researchers tested essential oils from two Chilean herbs, Aloysia citriodora and Aloysia polystachya, against fungi that cause fruit rot after harvest. They found that oil from Aloysia citriodora, especially a compound called farnesol, effectively killed the disease-causing fungi in laboratory tests. These natural oils could replace synthetic fungicides that are becoming less effective and harmful to the environment, offering farmers a safer way to protect their fruit during storage and transport.

Antifungal potential of Rhinacanthus nasutus extracts against the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans

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Researchers studied snake jasmine (Rhinacanthus nasutus), a plant used in traditional Thai medicine, to see if it could fight fungal infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, a dangerous pathogen that kills many people worldwide. They found that extract from the plant’s roots effectively slowed fungal growth and weakened the pathogen’s defenses by reducing its ability to produce protective melanin and capsules. Importantly, when combined with amphotericin B, a common antifungal drug, the plant extract worked even better together, suggesting it could enhance existing treatments.

Verticillium-like Anamorphic Fungi in Sordariomycetes from Southwestern China: Two New Taxa and a New Record

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Researchers discovered two new fungal species in southwestern China’s rainforests: Leptobacillium gasaense and Ovicillium yunnanense. They also documented the asexual reproductive structures of Muscodor coffeanus, an endophytic fungus known for producing antibiotic compounds. These findings expand our understanding of beneficial fungi that can control pests and diseases in agriculture and forestry.

New wine in old skins: Scopoletin biosynthesis in cotton

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Cotton farmers face significant crop losses from a soil-dwelling fungus called Verticillium dahliae. Scientists discovered that cotton plants can protect themselves by producing a compound called scopoletin, which damages and kills this fungus. By understanding how cotton activates the genes that make scopoletin, researchers may be able to genetically engineer more disease-resistant cotton varieties, providing farmers with a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides.

Diversity and functions of fungal VOCs with special reference to the multiple bioactivities of the mushroom alcohol

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Fungi release various volatile compounds (VOCs) that have different effects on organisms and the environment. The most notable fungal VOC is 1-octen-3-ol, also called mushroom alcohol, which gives mushrooms their distinctive smell. This compound can inhibit fungal growth, repel insects, and help control plant diseases, but at high concentrations it may be toxic to humans and trigger immune responses. Scientists use fruit flies as a model to study how these fungal compounds affect health.

Functional analysis of a novel endo-β-1,6-glucanase MoGlu16 and its application in detecting cell wall β-1,6-glucan of Magnaporthe oryzae

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Scientists discovered and studied a special enzyme called MoGlu16 from rice blast fungus that breaks down a key component of fungal cell walls called β-1,6-glucan. This enzyme can be used to visualize where this cell wall component is located in the fungus at different stages of its life cycle. When applied to fungus spores, the enzyme prevents them from sprouting and forming infection structures, making it a promising candidate for developing new ways to control rice blast disease.

Essential Oils as an Antifungal Alternative to Control Several Species of Fungi Isolated from Musa paradisiaca: Part III

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This research tested six common cooking and medicinal herbs to see which could stop the growth of fungi that spoil bananas after harvest. Scientists found that thyme oil was the most effective, followed by cinnamon and oregano, successfully preventing fungal growth at practical concentrations. These natural oils could replace synthetic chemical fungicides that harm the environment, offering a safer way to keep bananas fresh and healthy during storage and transport.

An Efficient Microwave Synthesis of 3-Acyl-5-bromoindole Derivatives for Controlling Monilinia fructicola and Botrytis cinerea

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Scientists created new chemical compounds based on indole structures that can kill harmful fungi that destroy fruit crops. These compounds were made more efficiently using microwave heating and tested against two major crop pathogens that cause billions of dollars in losses annually. The most promising compound (A) proved even more effective than commercial fungicides at stopping fungal growth and spore germination. This research could lead to better, safer alternatives for protecting crops from fungal diseases.

Research Keyword: antifungal