Fungi naturally produce many compounds that kill harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This review explores how these fungal compounds could replace antibiotics that no longer work due to drug resistance. These natural substances could be used not only as medicines but also in cosmetic products to prevent bacterial growth and improve skin health.
Researchers studied bacteria called Streptomyces that were isolated from high mountains in Nepal to see if they could produce useful compounds. They grew these bacteria in four different types of growth media and tested the resulting extracts for antioxidant properties and ability to block harmful enzymes. They found that the choice of growth medium significantly affected what compounds the bacteria produced, with one medium (R2YE) being especially effective at producing compounds that could help treat diseases like Alzheimer’s and diabetes.
Researchers discovered that removing the Aokap9 gene in the fungus Aspergillus oryzae doubles the production of kojic acid, a valuable chemical used in skin-whitening cosmetics and food preservation. By combining the Aokap9 gene removal with modifications to other genes (kojR and AozfA), they achieved even higher production levels. This research provides a practical pathway for creating high-yield strains that can produce kojic acid more efficiently for commercial applications.