Antimicrobial Activity of Fomitopsis Officinalis (Vill.) Bondartsev & Singer in Pure Culture

Background. According to the World Health Organization antibiotic resistance is among the top ten threats to human health, food safety and development. Today antibiotic resistance has reached alarmingly high levels all over the world. Meanwhile, the increase in the synthetic drugs' production has led to the pathogenic mycobiota's rapid adaptation to the created chemicals, which have a narrow focus of application. That is why in modern biotechnology and pharmacology much attention is paid to natural producers of biologically active compounds, in particular – to xylotrophic fungi. It has been experimentally proven that the xylotrophic macromycete Fomitopsis officinalis or tinder fungus can be considered to be a promising producer of pharmacological substances with a broad spectrum of action. Studies of active metabolites, contained in the mycelial mass, culture fluid of the medicinal xylotrophic macromycete F. officinalis, and determination of their biological action remain relevant. Objective. The objective was to determine the antimicrobial activity of culture fluid and mycelial mass of F. officinalis different strains from the mushrooms collection (IBK Mushroom Culture Collection of the M.G. Kholodny Institute of Botany, NAS of Ukraine) against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria species. Methods. An in vitro study of the antimicrobial activity of ethyl acetate extracts of culture fluid and aqueous-ethyl extracts of mycelial mass for F. officinalis strains IBK-5004, IBK-2497, IBK-2498 against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (B-918), Bacillus subtilis (В-901) and gram-negative Escherichia coli (B-906), Bacillus subtilis (B-900), Klebsiella pneumoniae (M-123) bacteria by disc-diffusion method was conducted. Results. High antimicrobial activity of tinder fungus culture fluid and mycelial mass extracts against Staphylococcus aureus was established after the 21st day of cultivation, while on the 28th day the zone of growth retardation was maximal (15–25 mm). The highest indices were recorded in F. officinalis IBK-5004 (20–25 mm) and IBK-2498 (20–24 mm) strains. Antimicrobial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae in culture fluid extracts was manifested on the 21st and 28th days of cultivation. The highest antimicrobial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae was observed in the culture fluid of the strain F. officinalis IBK-5004, the diameter of the growth retardation zone was 18 mm on the 28th day of cultivation. Mycelial mass's extracts showed moderate activity on the 14th day of cultivation (7-8 mm); maximal activity was recorded on the 28th day (12–22 mm). The most active strain was Fomitopsis officinalis IBK-2498. No antimicrobial activity against test organisms was detected in the following studied strains: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis. Conclusions. It has been established that the mycelial mass and culture fluid extracts of F. officinalis IBK-5004, IBK-2497, IBK-2498 strains have high antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and moderate antimicrobial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae on the 21st and 28th day of cultivation.

Antimicrobial Activity of Snake β-Defensins and Derived Peptides

β-defensins are antimicrobial peptides presenting in vertebrate animals. They participate in innate immunity, but little is known about them in reptiles, including snakes. Although several β-defensin genes were described in Brazilian snakes, their function is still unknown. The peptide sequence from these genes was deduced, and synthetic peptides (with approximately 40 amino acids and derived peptides) were tested against pathogenic bacteria and fungi using microbroth dilution assays. The linear peptides, derived from β-defensins, were designed applying the bioisosterism strategy. The linear β-defensins were more active against Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Citrobacter freundii, and Staphylococcus aureus. The derived peptides (7–14 mer) showed antibacterial activity against those bacteria and on Klebsiella pneumoniae. Nonetheless, they did not present activity against Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Trychophyton rubrum, and Aspergillus fumigatus showing that the cysteine substitution to serine is deleterious to antifungal properties. Tryptophan residue showed to be necessary to improve antibacterial activity. Even though the studied snake β-defensins do not have high antimicrobial activity, they proved to be attractive as template molecules for the development of antibiotics.

Antimicrobial Activity Derivatives 2H-pirano[2,3-c]piridines against Pathogens of Intestinal Yersiniosis

Background: An important aspect in the treatment of patients with intestinal yersiniosis is the administration of effective antibiotic therapy. Performed research aimed to determine the spectrum and level of antimicrobial activity of 2H-pyrano[2,3- c]pyridine derivatives on the museum and clinical strains of gram-negative microorganisms Yersinia enterocolitica. Methodology: The object of the study was 28 synthetic derivatives of 2H-pyrano[2,3- c]pyridine. The compounds were studied according to their chemical structure. We used the method of serial dilutions in Muller-Hinton liquid nutrient medium with a museum’s and clinical strains of Y.enterocolitica. Results: Studies indicate the promise of further study of the properties of 2H- pyrono[2,3-c]pyridine to create an effective antimicrobial medicine. According to the results of studies on action of antimicrobial compounds synthesized on the basis of 2H-pyrano[2,3-с]pyridine derivatives, it was found that the MIC of compounds for all Y. enterocolitica strains was 100.0 μg/ml. The MBCC of most cultures of Yersinia (72.3 %) was 200.0 μg/ml. Compound 2{3} had a pronounced antiyersiniotic activity, the inhibitory effect of which was manifested at a concentration of 25.0 μg/ml. Retarding the growth of most Yersinia strains (95.3%) with a MIC of 50.0 μg/ml, the MIC of compounds ranged from 50.0 to 200.0 μg/ml. After statistical data processing, pyridine derivatives (compounds 2{3} and 3{5}) were identified, possessing an effective bacteriostatic and bactericidal effect on Y. enterocolitica strains. Conclusions: The results of the research showed a high antimicrobial activity of 2H- pyrano[2,3-c]pyridine derivatives. The highest activity against Y. enterocolitica was found for 2-N2-arylimino-5-hydroxy-methyl-8-methyl-2H-pyrano[2,3-c]pyridine-3-N1- aricarboxamide derivatives.

Investigation of probiotic potential of yeasts isolated from sourdoughs from different regions of Turkey

In this study, 14 yeast cultures from 62 isolates from traditional sourdoughs collected from 6 different regions of Turkey were selected by FT-IR identification and characterised to reveal their probiotic properties. Four yeast strains were genotypically identified and compared with FT-IR identification. In all analyses, it was observed that mostly Saccaromyces cerevisiae strain exhibited high hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation feature, and all yeast isolates in this study showed tolerance to 0.3%, even salt concentration. In addition, all yeast strains were susceptible to anti-yeasts agents, although they were resistant to all antibiotics used in the study. All selected yeast isolates exhibited high antimicrobial activity against the Staphylococcus aureus. In conclusion, this study investigated the potential probiotic properties of yeast strains isolated from sourdough.

Key Physicochemical Determinants in the Antimicrobial Peptide RiLK1 Promote Amphipathic Structures

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a skilled class of new antibiotics, due to their broad range of activity, rapid killing, and low bacterial resistance. Many efforts have been made to discover AMPs with improved performances, i.e., high antimicrobial activity, low cytotoxicity against human cells, stability against proteolytic degradation, and low costs of production. In the design of new AMPs, several physicochemical features, such as hydrophobicity, net positive charge, propensity to assume amphipathic conformation, and self-assembling properties, must be considered. Starting from the sequence of the dodecapeptide 1018-K6, we designed a new 10-aminoacid peptide, namely RiLK1, which is highly effective against both fungi and Gram-positive and -negative bacteria at low micromolar concentrations without causing human cell cytotoxicity. In order to find the structural reasons explaining the improved performance of RiLK1 versus 1018-K6, a comparative analysis of the two peptides was carried out with a combination of CD, NMR, and fluorescence spectroscopies, while their self-assembling properties were analyzed by optical and atomic force microscopies. Interestingly, the different spectroscopic and microscopic profiles exhibited by the two peptides, including the propensity of RiLK1 to adopt helix arrangements in contrast to 1018-K6, could explain the improved bactericidal, antifungal, and anti-biofilm activities shown by the new peptide against a panel of food pathogens.

New Water-Soluble Condensed Heterocyclic Compounds with Antimicrobial Activity Based on Annulation Reactions of 8-Quinolinesulfenyl Halides with Natural Products and Alkenes

The annulation reactions of 8-quinolinesulfenyl halides with natural products and alkenes affording new water-soluble [1,4]thiazino[2,3,4-ij]quinolin-4-ium derivatives in high or quantitative yields are developed in this study. The reactions with styrene derivatives and terminal alkenes including allyl arenes proceed in a regioselective manner but with the opposite regiochemistry. The reactions with terminal alkenes including allyl arenes occur in an anti-Markovnikov fashion (regarding addition of the 8-quinolinesulfenyl electrophile to the double bond) to give 2-organyl-2Н,3Н-[1,4]thiazino[2,3,4-ij]quinolin-4-ium halides, while the reactions with styrene derivatives proceed in a Markovnikov fashion, leading to 3-substituted condensed heterocyclic compounds. In general, styrene derivatives demonstrate higher reactivity in the annulation reactions compared to the terminal alkenes. Antimicrobial activity of novel water-soluble compounds against Enterococcus durans, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli are evaluated. The compounds with high antimicrobial activity are found. The annulation products of the reactions of 8-quinolinesulfenyl halides with 1H-indene, eugenol, methyl eugenol and 1-heptene, are superior in their activity compared to the antibiotic gentamicin.

Invitro Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Salvadora persica (Meswak) Roots, Leaves and Stems Extracts

As microorganisms have developed the inherent ability to develop and adopt a mechanism of resistance against antibiotic. The harmful side effect of antibiotic including their cost of drug development have slowly shifted toward the plant derived phytochemical based medicines. Screening of antimicrobial property of medicinal plants S. persica gives a positive result against the different species of bacteria (S. aureus, P. aeruginosa) and fungi (A.niger, Fusarium). Firstly, a study of phytochemicals shows that the important part to prevent and protect the plant against the microorganisms. Secondly, the importance of phytochemicals of S.perica provide the information about the compound which are responsible for the antimicrobial activity like alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids etc. Finally, an antioxidant activity involves in the prevention of plant cell tissue damage. Antioxidant activity is measured by DPPH. The total phenolics content of this plant was good and there for this, has high antimicrobial activity. The S.persica has many applications in mouth associated problems, useful to produce antiplaque, analgesic, anticonvulsant, antimycotic, cytotoxic, antifertility, deobstruent, carminative, diuretic, and also applicable in rheumatism.

Novel moisturized and antimicrobial hand gel based on zinc-aminoclay and Opuntia humifusa extract

The high antimicrobial ability and low toxicity of zinc-aminoclay (ZnAC) are claimed in our previous reports. In this study, we formulate a novel hand gel based on ZnAC and Opuntia humifusa (O. humifusa) extract, which is a high moisturizing agent. The antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity, moisturizing effect, and clinical skin irritation of the hand gel are evaluated. The hand gel with 0.5 wt.% ZnAC and 1.0 v/v% O. humifusa extract can kill more than 99% Escherichia coli (gram-negative bacteria) and Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive bacteria) after 24 h. Toxicity evaluation shows that, the hand gel does not affect the viability of mammalian HaCaT cells. Additionally, skin moisture is increased by applying the hand gel while its viscosity is at the standard level of commercial products. The hand gel has a skin irritation index of 0.0 and is classified as a non-irritating product. We successfully formulated hand gel from ZnAC, glucomannan, glycerol, and O. humifusa extract. Owing to the high antimicrobial activity and skin protection of hand gels, they are suitable to be used as hand sanitizers in restaurants, hospitals, and homes effectively.

The Revival of Aztreonam in Combination with Avibactam against Metallo-β-Lactamase-Producing Gram-Negatives: A Systematic Review of In Vitro Studies and Clinical Cases

Infections caused by metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas are increasingly reported worldwide and are usually associated with high mortality rates (>30%). Neither standard therapy nor consensus for the management of these infections exist. Aztreonam, an old β-lactam antibiotic, is not hydrolyzed by MBLs. However, since many MBL-producing strains co-produce enzymes that could hydrolyze aztreonam (e.g., AmpC, ESBL), a robust β-lactamase inhibitor such as avibactam could be given as a partner drug. We performed a systematic review including 35 in vitro and 18 in vivo studies on the combination aztreonam + avibactam for infections sustained by MBL-producing Gram-negatives. In vitro data on 2209 Gram-negatives were available, showing the high antimicrobial activity of aztreonam (MIC ≤ 4 mg/L when combined with avibactam) in 80% of MBL-producing Enterobacterales, 85% of Stenotrophomonas and 6% of MBL-producing Pseudomonas. Clinical data were available for 94 patients: 83% of them had bloodstream infections. Clinical resolution within 30 days was reported in 80% of infected patients. Analyzing only patients with bloodstream infections (64 patients), death occurred in 19% of patients treated with aztreonam + ceftazidime/avibactam. The combination aztreonam + avibactam appears to be a promising option against MBL-producing bacteria (especially Enterobacterales, much less for Pseudomonas) while waiting for new antimicrobials.