O mofo verde é causado por Penicillium digitatum, a doença afeta 90% da produção no período pós-colheita resultando em perda total dos frutos. O objetivo consistiu em isolar o Penicillium sp. e submetê-lo aos ensaios in vitro e in vivo com a kombucha. O fungo foi caraterizado morfologicamente, a gelatina foi uma alternativa conjunta a kombucha, testada nos ensaios in vitro (1%, 2%, 3%, 4% e 5%). A kombucha foi submetida aos ensaios nas concentrações de 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% e 100%, no controle positivo (CP) usou-se água destilada autoclavada e no controle negativo (CN) utilizou-se, Tiofanato metílico (2%). Nos testes in vivo, fez-se, o uso das mesmas concentrações de kombucha testadas in vitro. No teste de confronto direto, utilizou-se, a kombucha (50% e 100%), mais os frutos controle. Os resultados da metagenômica indicaram os gêneros Komagotaeibacter e Pichiaceae sp. como dominantes na kombucha. Nos testes in vitro, a kombucha apresentou inibição sobre Penicillium sp., sendo este efeito evidente a partir do quarto dia de avaliação. A gelatina exerceu efeito inibitório sobre Penicillium sp., com inibição significativa no décimo dia, com crescimento inferior ao controle positivo. A kombucha com gelatina (1%) foi eficaz em inibir o crescimento de Penicillium sp., o efeito inibitório foi estatisticamente significativo em comparação com os controles positivo e negativo. No teste in vivo, todas as concentrações resultaram em uma supressão total da progressão da doença, diferindo do Controle Positivo e Controle Negativo, que apresentou uma progressão intermediária da doença. No ensaio de confronto direto, a kombucha foi altamente eficaz, sendo, a progressão da doença zero sob essas condições de tratamento. O estudo demonstrou resultados que revelam o potencial da kombucha como biofungicida no controle de Penicillium sp., sendo, uma alternativa sustentável e promissora em controlar 100% o desenvolvimento do mofo verde em frutas de laranja.

The global oversupply of crude glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel production, needs innovative strategies for its sustainable utilization. In this study we isolated and characterized oleaginous yeast strains from fruit surfaces in the Brazilian Cerrado biome, a biodiversity hotspot, to assess their potential for converting crude glycerol into microbial lipids suitable for biodiesel. From 150 fruits, 45 yeast strains were isolated, with six identified as oleaginous (intracellular lipids > 20

Objective: To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of propolis extracts derived from family farming against pathogens associated with oropharyngeal, gastrointestinal, and skin infections, as well as dental caries and candidiasis. Theoretical Framework: Beekeeping, an economically viable and environmentally strategic activity, can be sustainably carried out in Permanent Preservation Areas and Legal Reserves, promoting biodiversity conservation, native species pollination, and the strengthening of ecologically based production systems. Additionally, propolis—one of its main by-products—can contribute to production diversification, income generation, and the development of products with therapeutic and cosmetic applications. Method: An initial screening of the antimicrobial activity of ethanolic propolis extracts (one commercial and three from family farming) was conducted using the well diffusion method, with antimicrobial activity assessed by measuring inhibition halos. Subsequently, broth microdilution assays were performed in 96-well microplates to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of each extract. Results/Discussion: The tested extracts inhibited the growth of the evaluated microorganisms and presented satisfactory MICs when compared to the commercial extract. Research Implications: The laboratory analysis provides practical contributions to the bioeconomy by strengthening beekeeping as a driver of socio-environmental development. Originality/Value: This study highlights the promising potential of propolis extracts in controlling both bacterial and fungal infections, thereby promoting the valorization of sustainable production systems, contributing to production diversification, and reinforcing the local economy.

Rice production experiences significant losses due to fungal diseases, particularly rice sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani. Despite the intensive and continuous use of synthetic fungicides, diseases severity has not reduced and control has become increasingly challenging; therefore, the search for environmentally friendly and sustainable products has intensified. Here, we conducted a chemical characterization of Xylopia frutescens and using in silico analysis evaluated the interaction of their two major compounds with lectin protein site of R. solani. In vitro tests using increasing concentrations of essential oil against R. solani were performed. Subsequently, in four varieties of rice, five concentrations of X. frutescens essential oils were applied and evaluated the phytotoxicity effect as well the potential of Xylopia frutescens essential oil for controlling, both preventively and curatively, rice sheath blight. We further investigate the selectivity of this essential oil towards the non-target organism, Trichoderma asperellum. Our analysis revealed that trans-pinocarveol and myrtenal are the main compounds of X. frutescens essential oil and interact with the lectin of R. solani, supporting the antifungal properties of X. frutescens essential oil. In in vitro conditions, the highest tested concentrations of X. frutescens essential oil inhibited the pathogen’s sclerotia and mycelial growth. Under greenhouse conditions, the treatments caused low phytotoxicity and effectively reduced disease severity when applied, both preventively and curatively. Furthermore, the biocontrol agent T. asperellum exhibited tolerance to X. frutescens essential oil. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the potential of X. frutescens essential oil for the development of botanical fungicides capable of controlling R. solani without harming beneficial non-target organisms such as T. asperellum.

A Antártida, por abrigar um dos ecossistemas mais extremos da Terra, representa um cenário privilegiado para o estudo de microrganismos capazes de sobreviver a baixas temperaturas, elevada radiação e limitações nutricionais. Os resultados parciais das análises moleculares revelaram a presença de espécies já conhecidas, como Candida parapsilosis, Leucosporidium creatinivarum e Candida glaebosa, confirmando a capacidade adaptativa dessas leveduras ao ambiente polar. No entanto, a amostra 64 apresentou um índice de similaridade inesperadamente baixo, sugerindo possível divergência taxonômica e levantando a hipótese de se tratar de uma espécie ainda não descrita..

The use of yeasts has been explored as an efficient alternative to fungicide application in the treatment and prevention of post-harvest fruit deterioration. Here, we evaluated the biocontrol abilities of the Antarctic yeast strain Debaryomyces hansenii UFT8244 against the post-harvest phytopathogenic fungi Botrytis cinerea and Rhizopus stolonifer for the protection and preservation of strawberry fruit. The strongest inhibition of germination of B. cinerea (57%) was observed at 0 °C, followed by 40% at 25 °C. In addition, germ tubes and hyphae of B. cinerea were strongly surrounded and colonized by D. hansenii. Production of the enzymes β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase and protease by D. hansenii was detected in the presence of phytopathogenic fungus cell walls. The activity of β-1,3-glucanase was highest on day 12 of incubation and remained high until day 15. Chitinase and protease activities reached their highest levels on the day 15 of incubation. D. hansenii additionally demonstrated the ability to resist oxidative stress. Our data demonstrated that the main biocontrol mechanisms displayed by D. hansenii were the control of phytopathogenic fungal spore germination, production of antifungal enzymes and resistance to oxidative stress. We conclude that isolate D. hansenii UFT8422 should be further investigated for use at commercial scales at low temperatures.

We assessed soil fungal and fungal-like diversity using metabarcoding in ornithogenically influenced soils around nests of the bird species Phalacrocorax atriceps, Macronectes giganteus, Pygoscelis antarcticus, and Pygoscelis adelie on the South Shetland Islands, maritime Antarctic. A total of 1,392,784 fungal DNA reads was obtained and assigned to 186 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs). The dominant fungal phylum was Ascomycota, followed by Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Rozellomycota, Mortierellomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Aphelidiomycota, Basidiobolomycota, Mucoromycota, and the fungal-like Oomycota (Stramenopila), in rank order. Antarctomyces sp., Blastocladiomycota sp., Pseudogymnoascus pannorum, Microascaceae sp., Mortierella sp., Lobulomycetales sp., Sordariomycetes sp., Fungal sp., Rhizophydiales sp., Pseudeurotiaceae sp., Chytridiomycota sp. 1, Filobasidiella sp., Tausonia pullulans, Betamyces sp., and Leucosporidium sp. were the most abundant assigned taxa. The fungal assemblages present in the different ornithogenically influenced soils displayed different diversity indices. However, in general, we detected high fungal diversity and few taxa shared between the samples. Despite the polyextreme environmental conditions experienced in these Antarctic soils, the metabarcoding approach detected a rich and complex fungal community dominated by saprophytes, but with some pathogenic taxa also present. The community was dominated by psychrophilic and psychrotolerant taxa, some apparently endemic to Antarctica, and those identified only at higher taxonomic levels, which may represent currently undescribed fungi. The mycobiome detected included taxa characterized by different ecological roles, including saprotrophic, human- and animal-associated, phytopathogenic, mutualistic, and cosmopolitan. These fungi may potentially be dispersed by birds or in the air column over great distances, including between different regions within Antarctica and from South America, Africa, and Oceania.

Avaliou a divergência genética em cultivares milho, na produtividade de espigas verdes. Foram instalados dois ensaios, o delineamento experimental foi de blocos casualizados, com três repetições, e os tratamentos em parcelas subsubdivididas, sendo nas parcelas os processos (C Az) e (S Az) inoculação das sementes com Azospirillum brasilense, nas subparcelas alocadas duas doses de nitrogênio (30 e 120 kg ha-1 N), baixo e alto N, e nas subsub parcelas oito cultivares de milho. Avaliou-se seis características: altura de plantas (AP), comprimento de raízes (CR), largura de raízes (LR), peso de raízes (PR), comprimento de espigas despalhadas (CED), diâmetro de espigas despalhadas (DED), e produtividade de espigas verdes (PREV). Nos processos utilizou-se a distância de Mahalanobis (D2) como medida de dissimilaridade e, o agrupamento, foi pelo método de otimização de Tocher, e o critério de Singh para quantificar a contribuição relativa das variáveis estudadas. O Azospirillum brasiliense e as doses de N influenciaram na expressão da variabilidade genética. O BM3061, em alto N, e AG1051, em baixo N, foram os mais divergentes em ambos os processos de inoculação, sendo promissores como progenitores em futuros trabalhos. A característica PREV poderá ser útil para novos estudos, visando à seleção de genótipos contrastantes.

Introduction: This article proposes a comprehensive systematic review to analyze the potential of Clitoria guianensis as an anti-inflammatory and wound healing agent. The emphasis on diversifying research methods aims to deepen understanding of its medicinal properties, especially in the context of anti-inflammatory and wound healing activities. The plant, belonging to the genus Clitoria and native to Brazil, is recognized for its aphrodisiac properties and is used as a sexual stimulant, tonic, and energizer. Studies highlight the presence of bioactive compounds, such as isoflavones, which contribute to its medicinal properties. Methodology:The study was based on the Systematic Literature Review Protocol (SLRP), establishing a framework for comprehensively reviewing scientific literature. The objective was to identify the medicinal properties of C. guianensis in Brazil, focusing on its potential anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties. Results: The results of this scientific review aim to substantiate the consideration of C. guianensis as a potentially beneficial plant in tissue regeneration processes.

Four yeast isolates collected from flowers from different ecosystems in Brazil, one from fruit of Nothofagus alpina in Argentina, three from flowers of Neltuma chilensis in Chile and one obtained from the proventriculus of a female bumblebee in Canada were demonstred, by analysis of the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene, to represent two novel species of the genus Starmerella. These species are described here as Starmerella gilliamiae f.a, sp. nov. (CBS 16166T; Mycobank MB 851206) and Starmerella monicapupoae f.a., sp. nov. (PYCC 8997T; Mycobank MB 851207). The results of a phylogenomic analysis using 1037 single-copy orthogroups indicated that S. gilliamiae is a member of a subclade that contains Starmerella opuntiae, Starmerella aceti and Starmerella apicola. The results also indicated that S. monicapupoae is phylogenetically related to Starmerella riodocensis. The two isolates of S. monicapupoae were obtained from flowers in Brazil and were probably vectored by insects that visit these substrates. Starmerella gilliamiae has a wide geographical distribution having been isolated in flowers from Brazil and Chile, fruit from Argentina and a bumblebee from Canada.

O conhecimento dos efeitos diretos e indiretos entre as características são de grande importância para auxiliar nas relações entre características, e tem sido de grande relevância para programas de melhoramento vegetal. Assim o presente trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de estudar a análise de trilha entre as características morfoagronômicas de cultivares de milho, na presença ou não de inoculação das sementes com Azospirillum brasilense, associada a baixo e alto N, para a produtividade de espigas verdes. Foram instalados dois ensaios, nos anos agrícolas 2019/20 e 2020/21 em semeaduras realizadas em 04/12/2019 e 10/12/2020, na Universidade Federal do Tocantins, Palmas-TO. Em cada ensaio, o delineamento experimental foi de blocos casualizados, com três repetições, sendo os tratamentos dispostos em parcelas subsubdivididas, onde foram alocados nas parcelas os tratamentos envolvendo os processos com e sem a bactéria Azospirillum, nas subparcelas foram alocadas duas doses de nitrogênio e nas subsub parcelas oito cultivares de milho. Foram estimados os coeficientes de correlação de Pearson (r) entre as características com a produtividade de espigas verdes e a análise de trilha. Houve efeito da adubação nitrogenada e da bactéria Azospirillum na magnitude dos efeitos diretos e indiretos das características sobre a produtividade de espigas verdes.

Objetivo: Analisar o potencial terapêutico dos extratos das plantas medicinais no controle de patógenos frequentemente associados a infecções causadas por alimentos. Referencial teórico: O Ministério da Saúde aderiu a políticas públicas que permitem a inserção de plantas medicinais no Sistema Único de Saúde. O intuito visa a prevenção, promoção e recuperação da saúde por meio da utilização consciente de plantas medicinais, por possuírem potencial terapêutico para direcionar pesquisas e desenvolvimento de novos produtos de relevância do SUS. São espécies com atividade antimicrobiana, efetivas no controle de microrganismos de interesse alimentar. Método: Para o embasamento e realização deste artigo, realizou-se um levantamento bibliográfico em bases de dados científicas, tendo por finalidade apresentar as abordagens quanto a eficácia dos extratos vegetais frente a bactérias de interesse alimentar. Esta metodologia consiste em uma pesquisa por temas relevantes sobre o assunto escolhido, possibilitando a reflexão a partir de estudos já existentes. Resultados e conclusão: O levantamento bibliográfico demonstrou que as plantas medicinais possuem compostos eficientes com atividade antimicrobiana e que, portanto, podem ser utilizados como alternativas terapêuticas, considerando os patógenos de interesse alimentar, bem como, sua eficácia como aditivos alimentares. Implicações da pesquisa: Contribuir com informações para a comunidade científica e para a população, acerca da diversidade terapêutica a partir de extratos vegetais. Originalidade/valor: A relevância deste estudo consiste na viabilização de alternativas eficazes, sustentável e natural. A utilização das plantas medicinais também está associada a um apelo social, visto ser um tratamento mais acessível, de baixo custo e concomitantemente a isto, garantirá também a promoção da biodiversidade.

Os fungos endofíticos vivem em simbiose com a planta hospedeira, sendo que muitos podem apresentar a capacidade de produzir os mesmos metabólitos ativos que seus hospedeiros, tornando-se um reservatório de uma infinidade de produtos naturais. Esta pesquisa investigou a planta Mirindiba (Buchenavia tomentosa) e a atividade antimicrobiana exercida pela planta e por fungos endofíticos isolados de suas folhas. Extratos aquosos da Planta e dos fungos foram testados contra bactérias e um fungo filamentoso, sendo que os extratos do vegetal e dos fungos apresentaram inibição das seguintes bactérias patogênicas: Salmonella Typhimurium, Staphylococcus epidermidis e Shigella flexneri e do fungo fitopatogênico Rhizopus stolonifer, demonstrando seu potencial biotecnológico como produtores de substâncias antimicrobianas. As concentrações inibitórias mínimas (CIMs) dos fungos que apresentaram propriedades antimicrobianas foram determinadas. Dois fungos (FC12 e FC31) inibiram as 3 bactérias testadas. Todas as bactérias foram inibidas por pelo menos um fungo na concentração de 25 µg/ml. Uma atividade antifúngica também foi observada pela difusão de substâncias produzidas pelo isolado (FC123), que inibiu em 53% o crescimento de Rhizopus stolonifer, causador da podridão mole em frutos. Este é o primeiro relato de isolamento e avaliação das propriedades antimicrobianas de fungos endofíticos da B. tomentosa.

Food losses, defined as a reduction in the quantity and quality of food during production and storage, impact food safety and security. Losses caused by plant pathogens are among the most significant. Chemical pesticides have been extensively used to prevent microbial diseases. Their toxicity and reduced efficacy, however, have encouraged investigators to develop alternatives. Alternatives based on microbial biopesticides tend to be safer and more environmentally benign than conventional pesticides. In recent years, formulations based on biopesticides have progressively increased in number and diversity and have attracted commercial interest. Understanding the mechanisms by which biopesticides control the disease is fundamental to achieving optimal disease control. Biocontrol mechanisms can be divided into two main categories: those related to the ability to inhibit pathogens or their virulence factors, and those that enhance host plant fitness and induce disease resistance. Here, the first type of strategy is reviewed, which is directly mediated by physical contact between biocontrol agents and pathogens or indirectly by exposure of a pathogen to antimicrobial or microbial-inhibiting compounds produced by the microbial antagonist. Mechanisms involving physical contact include mycophagy, destruction of pathogenic bacteria by bacteriophages or predation, and disease inhibition by topical applications of specific dsRNA. Indirect mechanisms that do not involve direct contact with a pathogen include the production of antimicrobial compounds, competition, and virulence factor suppression by quorum quenching. These topics are reviewed and discussed.

The postharvest disease popularly known as gray mold is considered one of the most limiting factors strawberry fruit production. The most effective way to control this disease is still the use of chemical fungicides. However, other alternative sources of control are being explored. Among these, psychrophilic yeasts adapted to extreme conditions, such as those found in the Antarctic region, may have great potential for use as biocontrol agents. Thus, the present study aimed to select psychrotolerant yeasts obtained from Antarctic region and to evaluate their potential for biocontrol under gray mold, caused by Botrytis cinerea in strawberries stored at low temperature. For this, 20 potential antagonist yeasts were evaluated in vitro (thermotolerance and enzymatic) assays. Debaryomyces hansenii, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Dioszegia hungarica were selected for growing in strawberry juice. However, only D. hansenii was selected for in vivo studies and showed a reduction in the incidence of gray mold by 82% for the tests performed on injury and 86% for the tests on non-injured fruits treated by immersion bath. Thus, demonstrating that the selection of this cold-adapted Antarctic yeast can be a promising strategy as a biocontrol agent used to curb the development of gray mold in strawberry fruits.

Neste estudo, nós investigamos a ocorrência e caracterizamos molecularmente oocistos de Cryptosporidium em fezes de cães sororreativos para Leishmania spp. Nossa hipótese era que o estadiamento clínico da leishmaniose visceral canina (LVC) influenciasse na ocorrência e intensidade de eliminação de oocistos de Cryptosporidium spp. em fezes do hospedeiro canino devido à imunossupressão induzida por Leishmania infantum. Amostras fecais de 101 cães com anticorpos anti-Leishmania spp. detectados pelo teste imunocromatográfico Dual-Path Platform (DPP®) (Biomanguinhos) e/ou ensaio imunoenzimático (Biomanguinhos) foram concentrados pelo método de centrífugo-sedimentação em água-acetato de etila. Os sedimentos foram submetidos à técnica de coloração negativa por verde malaquita e observados ao microscópio óptico (ampliação de 400x). A ocorrência foi de 0,99% (intervalo de confiança de 95%: 0,0 - 2,93%). Um único oocisto de Cryptosporidium foi encontrado em uma das amostras examinadas por microscopia, e o resultado foi confirmado por nested-PCR. A sequência do amplicon apresentou 100% de identidade genética com Cryptosporidium canis. O cão apresentava os seguintes sinais clínicos sugestivos de LVC: caquexia, alopecia generalizada, mucosa gengival pálida, esplenomegalia e onicogrifose. Concluímos que não há evidências de que o estadiamento clínico oligossintomático e sintomático de cães sororreativos para Leishmania spp. influencie na ocorrência e intensidade de excreção de oocistos de C. canis em fezes do hospedeiro canino.

Gliomas are the most common primary malignant brain tumors in adults, and have a poor prognosis, despite the different types of treatment available. There is growing demand for new therapies to treat this life-threatening tumor. Quinone derivatives from plants have received increased interest as potential anti-glioma drugs, due to their diverse pharmacologic activities, such as inhibiting cell growth, inflammation, tumor invasion, and promoting tumor regression. Previous studies have demonstrated the anti-glioma activity of Eleutherine plicata, which is related to three main naphthoquinone compounds—eleutherine, isoeleutherine, and eleutherol—but their mechanism of action remains elusive. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of action of eleutherine on rat C6 glioma. In vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay; morphological changes were evaluated by phase-contrast microscopy. Apoptosis was determined by annexin V–FITC–propidium iodide staining, and antiproliferative effects were assessed by wound migration and colony formation assays. Protein kinase B (AKT/pAKT) expression was measured by western blot, and telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Eleutherine reduced C6 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, suppressed migration and invasion, induced apoptosis, and reduced AKT phosphorylation and telomerase expression. In summary, our results suggest that eleutherine has potential clinical use in treating glioma.

Endophytes are microorganisms that colonize plant tissues and participate in the production of several compounds with biotechnological interest. Available treatments against cancer have inefficiencies, prompting studies on potential alternative sources to the synthesis of metabolites, such as those from fungi. Isolation and study of endophytes is an alternative method to extremely low amounts of active principles extracted from plants, deforestation and difficulty in re-isolation of active ingredients due to changes in environment, season, and geography. The evolution of different morphological, biochemical, and molecular techniques provides a vision capable of directing the biological activity of new secondary metabolites of endophytes, monitoring the progression of cell death under any conditions, demonstrating how these metabolites work.

In this study, we investigated the occurrence and characterized molecularly Cryptosporidium oocysts in feces of dogs seroreactive for Leishmania spp. We hypothesized that the clinical staging of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) influences the occurrence and intensity of Cryptosporidium spp. oocyst shedding in feces from the canine host due to the immunosuppression induced by Leishmania infantum. Fecal samples from 101 dogs with anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies detected by Dual-Path Platform (DPP®) immunochromatographic test (Biomanguinhos) and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Biomanguinhos) were concentrated by the centrifuge-sedimentation method in water-ethyl acetate. The sediments were submitted to the technique of negative staining with malachite green and observed under an optical microscope (400× magnification). The occurrence was 0.99% (95 confidence interval 0.00%- 2.93%). A single Cryptosporidium oocyst was found in one of the samples examined by microscopy, and the result was confirmed by nested-PCR. The amplicon sequence showed 100% genetic identity with Cryptosporidium canis. The dog presented the following clinical signs suggestive of CVL: cachexia, generalized alopecia, pale colored gingival mucosa, splenomegaly, and onychogryphosis. We conclude that there is no evidence that the oligosymptomatic and symptomatic clinical staging of dogs seroreactive for Leishmania spp. influenced the occurrence and intensity of C. canis oocyst shedding in the canine host.