Antimicrobial activity of extracts of the lichen Xanthoparmelia pokornyi and its gyrophoric and stenosporic acid constituents

The antimicrobial activity of the diethyl ether, acetone, chloroform, petroleum ether, and ethanol extracts of the lichen Xanthoparmelia pokornyi and its gyrophoric acid and stenosporic acid constituents has been screened against some foodborne bacteria and fungi. Both the extracts and the acids showed antimicrobial activity against Aeromonas hydrophila, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Yersinia enterocolitica, Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. The extracts were inactive against the tested filamentous fungi. The MIC values of the extracts and the acids for the bacteria have also been determined.     

Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of certain Chinese plants used in folkloric medicine

Six selected plants, belonging to 3 families from Nanjing of China, were extracted with the solvent 95% (v/v) ethanol to yield 11 extracts. The extracts were evaluated for their effects on the growth of eight clinical bacteria, two fungi and one yeast using a modified agar diffusion method. The results showed that the majority of the extracts investigated showed greater activities against the Gram-positive bacteria than against the Gram-negative bacteria, the fungi and the yeast. The strongest antimicrobial activity was exhibited by the stem extracts of Mahonia fortunei against multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus strains, followed by the stem extracts of Mahonia bealei, while Bacillus thuringiensis was the most sensitive to all extracts.     

Antimicrobial activity of Wedelia trilobata crude extracts.

A biological screening of activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, and fungi of crude extracts from Wedelia trilobata is reported. The n-hexane extract showed antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis (Gram-positive bacteria); along with Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella group C, Salmonella paratyphi, and Shigella sonnei (Gram-negative bacteria). The ethyl acetate extract was active only against Salmonella group C; and the aqueous extract was inactive against the tested bacteria. None of the tested extracts showed biological activity against the yeasts (Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Rhodotorula rubra) or the fungi (Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Mucor sp., Trichophyton rubrum).     

Natural products of Alternaria sp., an endophytic fungus isolated from Salvadora persica from Saudi Arabia

This study is to evaluate the potential of endophytic fungi of Salvadora persica for the production of bioactive compounds against pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Forty-two fungal isolates were obtained from 135 young and old stem and 125 root segments. Those 42 isolates representing ten fungi include: Trichoderma sp. (the most common), two species of Alternaria, Rhizopus arrhizus and 6 sterile mycelia. The ten fungi were grown in liquid culture and their crude extracts were tested against pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Nine crude extracts gave positive reactions against pathogenic bacteria of which Alternaria sp. (A8) was chosen further study. The fungal isolate was growing as sterile mycelium and was identified by phylogenetic analyses based on LSU rDNA sequence data and it might represent undescribed species of Alternaria. Sixty-two bioactive chemical compounds were identified from the ethyl acetate crude extracts of Alternaria sp., of which the following were recorded as major compounds in the active sub-fractions. These compounds showed strong antibacterial activity in combination.     

Antimicrobial Activities of Selected Cyathus Species

Twelve selected Cyathus species were tested for their abilities to produce antimicrobial metabolites. Most of them were found to produce secondary exo-metabolites that could induce morphological abnormalities of rice pathogenic fungi Pyricularia oryzae. Some extracts from the cultivated liquid obviously inhibited human pathogenic fungi Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. Activities against six human pathogenic bacteria were also obtained from some of these extracts.     

The antimicrobial activity of extracts of the lichen Cetraria aculeata and its protolichesterinic acid constituent

In this study, the antimicrobial activity of the acetone, diethyl ether and ethanol extracts of the lichen Cetraria aculeata has been investigated. The extracts were tested against twelve bacteria and eight fungi and found active against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Aeromonas hydrophila, Proteus vulgaris, Streptococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes. No antimicrobial activity against the fungi was detected. It was determined that only one substance in the extracts has antimicrobial activity and it was characterized as protolichesterinic acid. The MICs of the extracts and protolichesterinic acid were also determined.     

Inhibition of the development of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) by extracts of marine algae from Brittany, France

The inhibitory effects of aqueous, ethanolic and dichloromethane fractions from 16 marine algae from the Atlantic shores of North-East Brittany, France, have been investigated against microorganisms frequently associated with immersed surfaces. The extracts were tested in vitro against isolates of marine fungi, bacteria and yeasts potentially involved at different stages in the formation of biofilms in the sea. The high levels of inhibitory activity of nine extracts against marine fungi and Gram-positive bacteria and their apparent absence of toxicity against larvae of oysters and sea urchins suggests a potential for novel active ingredients. Received: 30 December 1998 / Received revision: 25 April 2000 / Accepted: 1 May 2000     

Antimicrobial Activity of Leaf Extracts of Polyalthia longifolia

Leaf extracts of P. longifolia with different solvents of increasing polarity were tested against some pathogenic fungi and bacteria. The nature of the active compound is briefly discussed in view of the observed activity in methanol extracts.     

Antimicrobial activity of extracts of the lichen Parmelia sulcata and its salazinic acid constituent

The antimicrobial activity of the acetone, chloroform, diethyl ether, methanol, and petroleum ether extracts of the lichen Parmelia sulcata and its salazinic acid constituent have been screened against twenty eight food-borne bacteria and fungi. All of the extracts with the exception of the petroleum ether extract showed antimicrobial activity against Aeromonas hydrophila, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Yersinia enterocolitica, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Penicillium notatum. Salazinic acid did not show antimicrobial activity against L. monocytogenes, P. vulgaris, Y. enterocolitica, and S. faecalis but showed activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhimurium as well. The MIC values of the extracts and the acid for the bacteria and fungi have also been determined.     

Screening of Brazilian basidiomycetes for antimicrobial activity

A total of 103 isolates of basidiomycetes, representing 84 species from different Brazilian ecosystems, were evaluated for their antifungal and antibacterial activity in a panel of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms. Tissue plugs of the fruiting bodies were cultivated in liquid media and the whole culture extracted with ethyl acetate. Crude extracts from Agaricus cf. nigrecentulus, Agrocybe perfecta, Climacodon pulcherrimus, Gloeoporus thelephoroides, Hexagonia hydnoides, Irpex lacteus, Leucoagaricus cf. cinereus, Marasmius cf. bellus, Marasmius sp., Nothopanus hygrophanus, Oudemansiella canarii, Pycnoporus sanguineus, Phellinus sp., and Tyromyces duracinus presented significant activity against one or more of the target microorganisms. Eight isolates were active only against bacteria while three inhibited exclusively the growth of fungi. Two extracts presented wide antimicrobial spectrum and were active against both fungi and bacteria. Differences in the bioactivity of extracts obtained from isolates from the same species were observed.     

Heat stable antimicrobial activity of Allium ascalonicum against bacteria and fungi

To study antimicrobial activity of shallot in comparison with that of garlic and onion against 23 strains of fungi and bacteria, water extracts of garlic, shallot and onion bulbs were prepared. Each extract was studied in different forms for their antimicrobial activity viz., fresh extract, dry extract and autoclaved extract. Minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal lethal concentrations of these extracts were determined against all organisms by broth dilution susceptibility test. Fresh extract of garlic showed greater antimicrobial activity as compared to similar extracts of onion and shallot. However, dried and autoclaved extracts of shallot showed more activity than similar extracts of onion and garlic. Fungi were more sensitive to shallot extract than bacteria. Amongst bacteria, B. cereus was most sensitive (MIC=5 mg ml(-1)). The lowest minimum bactericidal concentration of shallot extract amongst bacteria tested was 5 mg ml(-1) for B. cereus. Amongst fungi, Aureobasidium pullulans and Microsporum gypseum were most sensitive (MIC= 0.15 mg ml(-1)). The lowest minimum lethal concentration was 2.5 mg ml(-1) for Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. It was therefore, expected that the antimicrobial principle of shallot was different than the antimicrobial compounds of onion and garlic. In addition, the antimicrobial component of the shallot extract was stable at 121 degrees C.     

Bioactivity of secondary metabolites and thallus extracts from lichen fungi

Fungal secondary compounds and total extracts are known to affect growth of bacteria, fungi, and plants. This study tested the effects of purified compounds and total extracts from three lichens on the growth of two plant pathogens, Ophiostoma novo-ulmi ssp. americana and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Usnic acid showed no reduction in relative growth rates (RGR), whereas vulpinic acid reduced RGR for both fungi and atranorin reduced RGR of S. sclerotiorum only. However, purified vulpinic acid showed stronger effects than total extracts on fungal growth. The results suggest that these lichens show further promise as a source for bioactive compounds against fungi.     

甘草根茎乙醇提取物抗菌活性研究

本实验采用琼脂扩散法和微量肉汤稀释法,研究了甘草根茎乙醇提取物对5种细菌(表皮葡萄球菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、枯草芽孢杆菌、大肠杆菌和绿脓杆菌)和2种真菌(白色念珠菌和黑曲霉)的抗菌活性。结果表明,甘草根茎乙醇提取物对革兰氏阳性菌非常敏感,而对革兰氏阴性菌和真菌不敏感,80%乙醇提取物对革兰氏阳性菌的MIC范围为0.156～0.312 mg·mL^-1,而10%乙醇提取物对革兰氏阳性菌的MIC范围为0.625～1.250 mg·mL^-1,表明甘草根茎抗菌活性成分在高浓度乙醇中溶解度较大,为临床上应用甘草根茎醇提物作为抗菌制剂提供了科学依据。     

Antimicrobial activity and phytochemical analyses of Polygonum aviculare L. (Polygonaceae), naturally growing in Egypt

Polygonum aviculare (Polygonaceae) is an herb commonly distributed in Mediterranean coastal regions in Egypt and used in folkloric medicine. Organic and aqueous solvent extracts and fractions of P. aviculare were investigated for antimicrobial activities on several microorganisms including bacteria and fungi. Phytochemical constituents of air-dried powered plant parts were extracted using aqueous and organic solvents (acetone, ethanol, chloroform and water). Antimicrobial activity of the concentrated extracts was evaluated by determination of the diameter of inhibition zone against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and fungi using paper disc diffusion method.Results of the phytochemical studies revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids and sesquiterpenes and the extracts were active against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Chloroform extract gave very good and excellent antimicrobial activity against all tested bacteria and good activity against all tested fungi except Candida albicans. Structural spectroscopic analysis that was carried out on the active substances in the chloroform extract led to the identification of panicudine (6-hydroxy-11-deoxy-13 dehydrohetisane).Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of panicudine indicated significant activity against all tested Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms. Panicudine displayed considerable activity against the tested fungi with the exception of C. albicans. Antimicrobial activity of the extracts was unaffected after exposure to different heat treatments, but was reduced at alkaline pH. Studies of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of panicudine on the tested organisms showed that the lowest MIC and the MBC were demonstrated against Salmonella paratyphi, Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella typhi and the highest MIC and MBC were against Staphylococcus aureus.     

The antimicrobial activity of extracts of the lichen Cladonia foliacea and its (-)-usnic acid, atranorin, and fumarprotocetraric acid constituents

The antimicrobial activity of the chloroform, diethyl ether, acetone, petroleum ether, and ethanol extracts of the lichen Cladonia foliacea and its (-)-usnic acid, atranorin, and fumarprotocetraric acid constituents against 9 bacteria and fungi has been investigated. The extracts and pure compounds alone were found active against the same bacteria and the same yeasts. Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Proteus vulgaris, Listeria monocytogenes, Aeromonas hydrophila, Candida albicans, and Candida glabrata growth were inhibited. In addition, the MICs of the extracts, (-)-usnic acid, atranorin and fumarprotocetraric acid were determined.     

Tests of the antibiotic properties of the invasive vine Vincetoxicum rossicum against bacteria, fungi and insects

We tested extracts of Vincetoxicum rossicum for inhibition of bacterial and fungal growth and for anti-insect activities that may account for the invasive characteristics of this introduced species in North America. Bioassay-guided fractionation was used to identify (−)-antofine as the principle inhibitor of bacteria and fungi in root extracts. This compound had especially pronounced antifungal activity, inhibiting the growth of diverse taxa that include yeast-like and filamentous fungi and, notably, broad-host-range plant pathogens. A second compound(s), that is as yet uncharacterized but distinct from (−)-antofine, was detected as having antifeedant activity against a larval hymenopteran, rose sawfly (Allantus cinctus), and toxicity to two larval lepidopterans, the masked birch caterpillar (Drepana arcuata) and the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis). That V. rossicum contains potent inhibitors of plant pathogenic fungi, diverse bacteria, and herbivorous insects likely contributes to its success as an invasive species.     

具抗菌及乙酰胆碱酯酶抑制活性珊瑚真菌的筛选

为开发利用珊瑚真菌资源,以徐闻珊瑚保护区珊瑚样品中分离鉴定的43株海洋真菌为研究对象,采用双层平板法和Ellman法分别对其进行抗菌和乙酰胆碱酯酶（AChE）抑制活性筛选。结果显示,43株菌株至少对一种指示菌有抑制作用,且有12株菌株对革兰阳性菌和革兰阴性菌均表现出不同程度的抗菌活性,抗菌谱较广;当浓度为1 mg/mL时,有8株菌株的发酵液提取物对乙酰胆碱酯酶的抑制率达到50%以上。其活性菌株中曲霉属(Aspergillus)为优势属。     

Screening for antibacterial and antifungal activities in marine benthic invertebrates from northern Norway

Benthic marine invertebrates collected from sub-Arctic regions of northern Norway, were found to be a promising source of novel bioactive compounds against human and fish pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Lyophilized material from seven species of ascidians, six sponges and one soft alcyonid coral were extracted with 60% acidified acetonitrile (ACN). After separation into an ACN-rich phase (ACN-extract) and an aqueous phase, and subsequent solid-phase extraction of the aqueous phase, fractions differing in polarity were obtained and screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities, along with the more lipophilic ACN-extracts. Antimicrobial activity was determined against two Gram-negative, two Gram-positive bacteria, and two strains of fungi. Notably, all the invertebrate species in the study showed activity against all four strains of bacteria and the two strains of fungi. In general, the aqueous fractions displayed highest antimicrobial activity, and the most potent extracts were obtained from the colonial ascidian Synoicum pulmonaria which displayed activity against bacteria and fungi at a concentration of 0.02 mg/ml; the lowest concentration tested.     

Influence of foliar application of pesticides on leaf extracts and phylloplane microflora of corn

The effect of foliar application of captan, dithane, carbaryl and atrataf on the quantity of total carbohydrates, total amino acids and total nitrogen leached from corn leaves and on the phylloplane counts of fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes was studied. Leaf extracts were analyzed for amino acids, carbohydrates and nitrogen and were correlated with microbial counts. Generally the microbial counts were less than the control in treated samples and a significant change in Gram-negative bacteria in all treatments was recorded. All treated leaf extracts showed less total amino acids and total nitrogen though they were rich in carbohydrates as compared with the control.     

Contrasting effects of extracts from invasive Reynoutria japonica on soil microbial biomass,activity, and community structure

Invasive plants may modify soil properties through the release of phenolic compounds. The effects of phenolics produced by a noxious invader, Reynoutria japonica, on soil microorganisms have rarely been studied in experimental conditions. We performed a laboratory experiment to assess the influence of extracts from R. japonica on soil microbial activity, biomass, and community structure. Two types of extracts (shoots and rhizomes) were added in four concentrations (control—no extract, low—extract diluted 100 times, medium—extract diluted ten times, and high—undiluted extract) to soil collected under native plant species. Concentrations of 12 phenolic compounds, namely catechin, chlorogenic acid, emodin, epicatechin, hyperoside, quercetin, physcion, piceatannol, polydatin, procyanidin B3, resveratrol, and resveratroloside were analyzed in the extract and soil. We measured the activity of five enzymes, namely acid and alkaline phosphatases, β-glucosidase, phenoloxidase, peroxidase, the activity of bacteria on Biolog Ecoplates, as well as the biomass of bacteria, saprotrophic fungi, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and microbial community structure using phospholipid (PLFA) and neutral (NLFA) fatty acid analysis. Many microbial parameters, namely phosphatase activities, total microbial, AMF, and G?+?bacterial biomass, were reduced following the addition of extracts. This was likely related to phenolics as concentrations of these compounds in soil increased with the concentration of extract added. In contrast, saprotrophic fungi and G- bacteria were largely positively affected by extract addition. Shoot and rhizome extracts had relatively similar effects on the soil properties. The changes in soil biota caused by R. japonica invasion may have implications for restoration of invaded areas.