• Mycobiology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.53-58
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• 2012

This research is concerned with the fungicidal properties of nano-size silver colloidal solution used as an agent for antifungal treatment of various plant pathogens. We used WA-CV-WA13B, WA-AT-WB13R, and WA-PR-WB13R silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) at concentrations of 10, 25, 50, and 100 ppm. Eighteen different plant pathogenic fungi were treated with these AgNPs on potato dextrose agar (PDA), malt extract agar, and corn meal agar plates. We calculated fungal inhibition in order to evaluate the antifungal efficacy of silver nanoparticles against pathogens. The results indicated that AgNPs possess antifungal properties against these plant pathogens at various levels. Treatment with WA-CV-WB13R AgNPs resulted in maximum inhibition of most fungi. Results also showed that the most significant inhibition of plant pathogenic fungi was observed on PDA and 100 ppm of AgNPs.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.156-163
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• 2011

Antifungal activity of three Myxococcus spp., KYC 1126, 1136, and 2001, was tested in vitro against three phytopathogenic fungi (Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum acutatum, and Pyricularia grisea). Spore germination and mycelial growth of the three pathogenic fungi were completely inhibited by bioactive substances from a myxobacterium KYC 1126. In addition, the activity of KYC 1126 was fungicidal, but liquid culture filtrate of KYC 1126 did not affect protoplast reversion in C. acutatum. A bioassay of KYC 1126 filtrate against anthracnose in hot pepper was conducted in the greenhouse and field at 2009 and 2010. The incidence of anthracnose in control seedlings was 74%, but was reduced to 29% after KYC 1126 treatment. The control value with KYC 1126 was 60% while that with the fungicide dithianon was 42%. In the greenhouse, disease incidence with KYC 1126 was consistentely 10-35% lower than with fungicide as a positive control. The control value with KYC 1126 was 13.4% and 41.0%, whereas that with the fungicide was 52.3% and 63% in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Although anti-anthracnose activity of KYC 1126 was not maintained for long time in the field, the bacteriolytic myxobacterium KYC 1126 could be a prospective biocontrol agent.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.296-304
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• 1994

Antibiotic substances were produced by Bacillus subtilis YB-70, a potential biocontrol agent found to suppress root-rot of eggplant (Solanum melonggena L) caused by Fusarium solani, in a dextrose glutamate medium and isolated by isoelectric precipitation. Partial purification was performed by column chromatography on silica gel with two solvent systems: chloroform-methanol and methanol-chloroform-water as eluting solvents, This active fraction YBS-1 s contained antifungal activity were soluble in ethanol, methanol, and water, but were not soluble in other solvents including acetone, butanol, ethyl ether, dimethylformamide, propanol, and etc. High performance liquid chromatography and thin layer chromatographic separation of YBS-1s showed that they have been composed of three biological active bands that were named YBS-1A, -1B, and -1C. The substances were stable to heat and resistant to protease. YBS-1s were active against a wide range of plant pathogenic fungi but did not inhibit the growth of bacteria and yeasts. They were not only fungicidal but also fungistatic against chlamydospores of F. solani. The $ED_{50}$ values for the chlamydospore germination and the germ-tube growth of F. solani were $O.725\mu\textrm{m}/ml\;and\;O.562\mu\textrm{m}/ml$, respectively. Microscopic observations proved the substances restricted the growth of phytopathogenic fungus F. solani by spore burst followed by dissolving of its germ-tube, and caused abnormal hyphal swelling after application to chlamydospores or growing hyphae. Cultural filtrate of B; subtilis YB-70 also suppressed the development of root-rot of eggplant in pot tests.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2010

Phytoncide, essential oil of trees, has microbicidal, insecticidal, acaricidal, and deodorizing effect. The present study was performed to examine the effect of phytoncide on Candida albicans, which is a commensal colonizer of the mucous membranes but has become an opportunistic pathogen. C. albicans was incubated with or without phytoncide extracted from Hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa Sieb. et Zucc.; Japanese cypress) and then changes were observed in its optical density, cell viability and morphology. As concentrations of phytoncide added to the culture medium increased, optical density and cell viability of C. albicans decreased. Minimum inhibitory concentration of phytoncide for C. albicans was observed to be 0.25%, and minimum fungicidal concentration was 0.5%. Numbers of morphologically atypical cells with electron-dense cytoplasm and granules and increased with increasing concentration of the phytoncide. At higher concentrations of phytoncide, compartments and organelles in the cytoplasm became indistinguishable. The overall results indicate that the phytoncide used for this study has a strong antimicrobial activity against C. albicans. Therefore, the phytoncide may be used as a candidate for prevention and therapeutic agent against oral candidiasis.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2012

Large patch caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG2-2 (IV) is one of the most serious diseases in zoysiagrass. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the in vitro fungicidal effect and in field control of large patch disease of Paraffin oil. In the field experiments, paraffin oil was applied with 1 L/$m^2$ after diluted at 5 ml to 20 ml of oil/1 L of water for the control of large patch on Zoysia japonica in golf course. The same material was tested for inhibition of mycelial growth in vitro. Paraffin oil at 0.5% and 2.0% had a fungicidal effect by 43 to 67% on R. solani AG2-2 (IV) in vitro. In two locations of the field experiments, the paraffin oil provided moderate protection of large patch. It was effective in suppressing large patch development by 48.0% in comparison with a water check after one time application on mid-September in golf course. Paraffin oil may be used as an alternative control agent for environment friendly management of large patch on Zoysiagrass in golf course.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.265-270
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• 1993

In order to retain the freshness of fruits and vegetables and to reduce the rate of disease damage, grafruit seed extract (GPSE), natural microorganism control agent, was applied during the preservation process of fresh fruits and vegetables. GFSE showed an effective inhibitory action against plant putrefactive bacteria and fungi which were involved in the decay of fruits and vegetables. Minimal inhibitory concentrations for GFSE against the microbes were in the range of 50 to 2,000 ppm. Direct observation of microbial cells and spores using electron microscopy showed their function was destroyed by the treatment of the dilute solutions of GFSE. Fresh Welsh onions, onions and red peppers treated with GFSE and stored in polyethylene film (0.1 mm) retained better quality in color and texture than the non-treated control. GFSE was efficient in controlling the germination of potatoes. It was observed that GFSE would reduce disease damages and have bactericidal and fungicidal properties during the storage of such fruits and vegetables as zucchinis, cucumbers, tomatoes and mandarin oranges.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.308-315
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• 2005

Aflatoxin contamination is a major problem in several food crops. Aflatoxin, a mycotoxin, produced by Aspergillus flavus has gained immense concern in the scientific world because of its tremendous harmful effects. The study was focused to see the effect of oil and aqueous extract of neem (Azadirachta indica) seeds on the growth of Aspergillus and production of aflatoxin by the mold. Various amounts of neem oil $(5\;-\;50\;{\mu}l/ml)$ and aqueous extract of neem (5 - 50 mg/ml) were used both in the broth as well as the solid medium. Fungistatic (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentrations (MFC) were found to be $10\;{\mu}l/ml$ and $50\;{\mu}l/ml$ respectively for neem seed oil. At the concentration of $5\;{\mu}l/ml$ neem oil and 5 mg/ml of aqueous extract, a significant decrease in the aflatoxin content was found in broth medium. Aflatoxin production was totally inhibited at $50\;{\mu}l/ml$ and 50 mg/ml for neem oil and aqueous extract of neem respectively, in both treatments. There was significant inhibition of mycelium dry weight by the neem seed oil. Mycelial growth was totally inhibited at $20\;{\mu}l/ml$ of neem seed oil concentration in broth, whereas it was not affected at all by aqueous extract. It can therefore be inferred that the oil and extract from the neem seed leads to inhibition of aflatoxin production while neem seed oil also significantly inhibits the mycelial growth. Neem seed oil thus can be used as potent, natural and easily available anti-aflatoxigenic agent.

• Journal of Mycology and Infection
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.91-98
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• 2018

Background: Malassezia, a lipophilic yeast, is a causative agent for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Many biological agents have been studied for anti-Malassezia effect but further studies are needed for their clinical application. Objective: The study was conducted to evaluate the inhibitory effect of different natural essential oils and a fruit extract on Malassezia species in an in vitro study and a clinical trial. Methods: The antifungal effects of natural essential oils and a fruit extract on Malassezia species (M. furfur and M. sympodialis) were evaluated by measuring the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) and using the disc diffusion method. Natural essential oils of citron seed, lavender, and rosemary and citrus junos fruit extract were used for the in vitro study. The clinical trial was conducted with a shampoo containing four ingredients. A total of 22 subjects used the shampoo every day for 4 weeks and were evaluated using clinical photography, trichoscopy, and sebumeter at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after treatment. Results: Antifungal activity of agents was relatively lower in lavender and rosemary essential oils at MIC and MFC. Disc diffusion method revealed same results. In the clinical trial, the amount of sebum decreased statistically significantly and erythema, dandruff, and lesion extent also improved. Conclusion: The natural essential oils and fruit extract are effective for suppressing Malassezia activity, therefore these might be used as an alternative for treatment of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.533-542
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• 2021

Chitosan has been considered an environmental-friendly polymer. However, its use in agriculture has not been extended yet due to its relatively low solubility in water. N-Methylene phosphonic chitosan (NMPC) is a water-soluble derivative prepared by adding a phosphonic group to chitosan. This study demonstrates that NMPC has a fungicidal effect on the phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium solani f. sp. eumartii (F. eumartii) judged by the inhibition of F. eumartti mycelial growth and spore germination. NMPC affected fungal membrane permeability, reactive oxygen species production, and cell death. Also, this chitosan-derivative exerted antifungal effects against two other phytopathogens, Botrytis cinerea, and Phytophthora infestans. NMPC did not affect tomato cell viability at the same doses applied to these phytopathogens to exert fungicide action. In addition to water solubility, the selective biological cytotoxicity of NMPC adds value in its application as an antimicrobial agent in agriculture.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1671-1679
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• 2024

Aspergillus flavus, the primary mold that causes food spoilage, poses significant health and economic problems worldwide. Eliminating A. flavus growth is essential to ensure the safety of agricultural products, and extracellular compounds (ECCs) produced by Bacillus spp. have been demonstrated to inhibit the growth of this pathogen. In this study, we aimed to identify microorganisms efficient at inhibiting A. flavus growth and degrading aflatoxin B₁. We isolated microorganisms from soil samples using a culture medium containing coumarin (CM medium) as the sole carbon source. Of the 498 isolates grown on CM medium, only 132 bacterial strains were capable of inhibiting A. flavus growth. Isolate 3BS12-4, identified as Bacillus siamensis, exhibited the highest antifungal activity with an inhibition ratio of 43.10%, and was therefore selected for further studies. The inhibition of A. flavus by isolate 3BS12-4 was predominantly attributed to ECCs, with a minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal concentration of 0.512 g/ml. SEM analysis revealed that the ECCs disrupted the mycelium of A. flavus. The hydrolytic enzyme activity of the ECCs was assessed by protease, β-1,3-glucanase, and chitinase activity. Our results demonstrate a remarkable 96.11% aflatoxin B1 degradation mediated by ECCs produced by isolate 3BS12-4. Furthermore, treatment with these compounds resulted in a significant 97.93% inhibition of A. flavus growth on peanut seeds. These findings collectively present B. siamensis 3BS12-4 as a promising tool for developing environmentally friendly products to manage aflatoxin-producing fungi and contribute to the enhancement of agricultural product safety and food security.