antimicrobial compounds – Page 2

Ascosphaera apis as a target for the antifungal activity of symbiotic Bifidobacteria in honey bees

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Researchers found that certain beneficial bacteria (Bifidobacterium asteroides) living in honey bee guts can fight the fungus that causes chalkbrood disease, a serious condition affecting bee colonies. These bacteria produce natural compounds, especially propanoic acid and ethanol, that kill the fungus and prevent it from growing. This discovery offers a safe, natural alternative to chemical treatments for protecting honeybees from fungal infections while maintaining colony health.

Microbe Profile: Streptomyces formicae KY5: an ANT-ibiotic factory

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Scientists discovered a special bacterium called Streptomyces formicae living with plant-ants in Africa that produces powerful antibiotics. This bacterium can kill dangerous drug-resistant bacteria and fungi that are hard to treat with current medicines. By using genetic tools, researchers are unlocking the bacterium’s hidden potential to create many more new antibiotics that could help fight infections.

Biocontrol of Aflatoxigenic Maize Molds Using Lactobacillus spp.-Based Formulations

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This study shows that beneficial bacteria called Lactobacillus, found in traditional fermented foods like fura and gapal, can effectively reduce dangerous mold toxins (aflatoxins) in maize. Researchers tested these bacteria on contaminated maize samples and found they could reduce fungal contamination by up to 68% and completely eliminate some toxins. This natural approach offers a safer, cheaper alternative to chemical treatments while preserving food quality and safety.

Interference with sexual mating of Sporisorium scitamineum by verrucarin A isolated from Paramyrothecium sp

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Scientists discovered a fungus from moss that produces a natural compound called verrucarin A, which stops sugarcane smut disease by preventing the sexual mating of its fungal spores. This prevents the disease from developing without harming the sugarcane plants. In greenhouse tests, this natural biocontrol agent reduced disease occurrence by nearly half compared to untreated plants, offering a safe alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting sugarcane crops.

The polyphasic approach reveals two new species and two new records of Nigrospora (Apiosporaceae, Amphisphaeriales) associated with Aquilaria sinensis from China

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Researchers discovered two new types of fungi (Nigrospora guangxiensis and N. pubeiensis) living inside agarwood trees in southern China. These fungi, along with two previously known species, were identified using both microscopic observations and genetic analysis. The findings help us better understand which fungi live in agarwood trees and how they might contribute to producing the valuable aromatic resin known as agarwood, which is highly prized in traditional medicine and perfumery.

Novel secondary metabolite from a new species of Hypoxylon saxatilis sp. nov. for suppressing bacterial wilt in tomato

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Researchers discovered a new fungus species (Hypoxylon saxatilis) living inside medicinal plants that produces a novel compound called tetrahydrofuran. This compound kills the bacterium that causes tomato wilt disease by damaging bacterial cell walls. In greenhouse tests, extract from this fungus reduced wilt disease severity by over 83%, suggesting it could be developed as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting tomato crops.

Microbe Profile: Streptomyces formicae KY5: an ANT-ibiotic factory

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Scientists have discovered a special bacterium called Streptomyces formicae that lives with ants in African acacia trees and produces powerful antibiotics. This bacterium naturally makes compounds called formicamycins that can kill dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria like MRSA, as well as antifungal compounds. Researchers are using advanced gene-editing techniques to unlock more hidden antimicrobial compounds from this bacterium’s genome, which could lead to discovering new medicines to treat infections.

Inhibition of RNase to Attenuate Fungal-Manipulated Rhizosphere Microbiome and Diseases

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Fusarium fungi cause major crop diseases by using a protein called Fg12 that kills helpful bacteria in plant roots, making it easier for the fungus to infect crops. Scientists discovered that a compound called GMP blocks Fg12’s harmful activity and restores beneficial bacteria, reducing disease symptoms in soybeans and alfalfa by 47-75%. This discovery offers a new chemical strategy to protect crops from fungal infections by disarming this key fungal weapon.

Screening of Basidiomycete Strains Capable of Synthesizing Antibacterial and Antifungal Metabolites

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Researchers tested 18 different types of wood-decay fungi (basidiomycetes) to see if they could produce natural antibiotics and antifungal compounds. They found that 16 of the 18 strains successfully produced antimicrobial substances. Five strains were particularly promising, showing strong activity against dangerous bacteria including antibiotic-resistant strains. The study identified specific chemical compounds from these fungi that could potentially be developed into new medicines.

Antimicrobial and Antifungal Activities of Proline-Based 2,5-Diketopiperazines Occurring in Food and Beverages and Their Synergism with Lactic Acid

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Researchers synthesized special cyclic peptides called 2,5-diketopiperazines (found naturally in fermented foods like bread and cheese) and tested their ability to kill harmful molds and bacteria. When combined with lactic acid (a natural preservative), these compounds worked extremely well together, achieving nearly complete mold inhibition. This research suggests that using special starter cultures that naturally produce these compounds could help keep food fresh longer without artificial preservatives.

Research Keyword: antimicrobial compounds