Oregano essential oil can effectively prevent blue mold rot in pears without compromising fruit quality. The oil works by damaging the fungal cell membrane, causing it to leak and die. Additionally, the treatment helps pears stay fresher longer by reducing water loss and maintaining firmness, while naturally boosting the fruit’s own defense systems against damage.
This study tested whether Ganoderma lucidum, a medicinal mushroom used in traditional Asian medicine, could treat denture stomatitis as effectively as the standard treatment clotrimazole. Both treatments reduced pain and improved symptoms equally well over two weeks. The results suggest that Ganoderma lucidum could be a useful alternative for patients who don’t respond well to standard antifungal drugs.
Baicalein, a natural compound from a traditional medicinal plant, is significantly more effective at fighting Candida albicans infections than its parent compound baicalin. When combined with the common antifungal drug fluconazole, baicalein creates a powerful synergistic effect that is especially useful against drug-resistant fungal strains. Scientists discovered that a beneficial probiotic bacterium, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, can efficiently convert the abundant baicalin into baicalein, providing a sustainable and safe way to produce this potent antifungal compound at scale.
Researchers discovered that oil extracted from leaves of a Brazilian plant called Xylopia frutescens effectively kills the fungus that causes rice sheath blight, a serious disease that can destroy rice crops. The oil contains two main compounds that work against the fungus and can be applied before or after infection to prevent or treat the disease. Importantly, the oil doesn’t harm beneficial fungi like Trichoderma asperellum that farmers use as natural pest control, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fungicides.
Researchers discovered that saponins from a Brazilian soap tree effectively kill harmful fungi and repel insects and snails, offering a natural alternative to chemical pesticides. These plant compounds work by disrupting the cell membranes of fungi and deterring herbivores from feeding. The findings suggest saponins could be used as environmentally friendly pest management tools in agriculture.
Researchers have developed a natural product that protects wood from fungal decay by combining oils from rosemary and cedar trees and encapsulating them in Gum Arabic using specialized techniques. This nanoencapsulation process creates tiny protective particles that are much more stable and effective than the oils alone. When tested against wood-damaging fungi, this product showed remarkable antifungal power comparable to commercial fungicides. This innovation offers a safe, environmentally-friendly alternative to synthetic wood preservatives for building and construction applications.
This review shows how thin-layer chromatography (TLC), a simple laboratory technique, is invaluable for analyzing plant materials. TLC helps scientists identify which plants are related to each other, find beneficial compounds in herbs, ensure herbal medicines are pure and safe, and track illegal psychoactive plants. Despite being less glamorous than modern equipment, TLC remains practical, affordable, and effective for everyday botanical analysis.
Researchers developed tiny copper particles coated with chitosan (a natural compound from shellfish) that effectively kill a destructive fungus called Macrophomina phaseolina, which damages hundreds of plant species worldwide. When used at the right concentration, these nanoparticles completely stopped the fungus from growing while causing minimal damage to plants. This innovation offers a promising natural alternative to traditional chemical fungicides for protecting crops while being more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
This research evaluated a naturally occurring bacterium called Streptomyces sporoverrucosus B-1662 as a biological alternative to chemical fungicides for controlling fungal diseases on red peppers and apples. Laboratory and field tests demonstrated that this bacterium can reduce disease symptoms by over 90%, making it a promising option for organic farmers seeking to protect their crops without synthetic chemicals. The study identified the specific compound responsible for the bacterium’s effectiveness and provided detailed information about its genetic makeup.
Researchers tested extracts from three wild edible mushroom species found in Mexican forests for their ability to fight harmful bacteria and fungi. The extracts showed promise against disease-causing microorganisms, with one species particularly effective against agricultural plant pathogens. While the extracts showed moderate toxicity at high doses, the results suggest these mushrooms could be developed into natural pesticides or medicines.