Antifungal Activity of Earthworm Coelomic Fluid Obtained from Eisenia andrei, Dendrobaena veneta and Allolobophora chlorotica on Six Species of Phytopathogenic Fungi

Abstract

The functioning of soil ecosystems greatly depends on the interactions occurring between soil biota communities. It is well known that earthworms are an important soil component that substantially affects its function, including their meaningful impact on the development of different phytopathogenic soil fungi. Phytopathogenic fungi are responsible for crop disease and cause great economic damage. It has previously been established that earthworms’ coelomic fluid can suppress the growth of phytopathogenic fungi, but the exact molecular mechanism is unknown. The present study aimed at broadening the proof of this observed phenomenon by investigating the effects of the coelomic fluid extract of three different earthworm species (Eisenia andrei, Dendrobaena veneta and Allolobophora chlorotica) on the growth of six different phytopathogenic fungi species (Berkeleyomyces basicola, Fusarium culmorum, Globisporangium irregulare, Rhizoctonia solani, Macrophomina phaseolina, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum). Coelomic fluid extract was obtained by electrostimulation or usage of extraction buffer (only in case of A. chlorotica) and prepared in three different concentrations by diluting the obtained coelomic fluid with physiological saline. The coelomic fluid extract of the three investigated earthworm species had an inhibitory effect on the growth of all six phytopathogenic fungi species. The greatest inhibitory effect was achieved with the E. andrei coelomic fluid extract reducing the growth of R. solani fungi. The findings of this research confirm the antifungal activity of coelomic fluid obtained from earthworm species belonging to different ecological categories and may be of potential use in crop protection against phytopathogenic fungi.

Vermicompost and Its Derivatives against Phytopathogenic Fungi in the Soil: A Review

“…Researchers have evaluated the effects of coelomic fluid of three species of earthworms (Allolobophora chlorotica, Dendrobaena veneta, and Eisenia andrei) against six species of phytopathogenic fungi, including Fusarium culmorum, Berkeleyomyces basicola, Rhizoctonia solani, Globisporangium irregulare, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and Macrophomina phaseolina. The inhibitory effect of the coelomic fluid of Eisenia andrei against Rhizoctonia solani was higher than that of other earthworm species [43].…”

“…The CF of different species of earthworm displays different anti-fungal activities [43]. Researchers have evaluated the effects of coelomic fluid of three species of earthworms (Allolobophora chlorotica, Dendrobaena veneta, and Eisenia andrei) against six species of phytopathogenic fungi, including Fusarium culmorum, Berkeleyomyces basicola, Rhizoctonia solani, Globisporangium irregulare, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and Macrophomina phaseolina.…”

Autophagy of Candida albicans cells after the action of earthworm Venetin-1 nanoparticle with protease inhibitor activity

“…The antifungal effect of earthworm CF has been described mainly in relation to fungi attacking plants 8 , 22 , 114 . When CF is used against plant pathogens, the cytotoxicity of the fluid is irrelevant and it can be used in its raw form.…”

“…such enzymes as proteases 9 – 11 , lysozymes 12 , 13 , metalloenzymes 14 , and fibrinolytic enzymes 15 as well as polysaccharides 16 , proteins 17 – 19 , and nutrients, etc. These factors have antibacterial 20 , 21 , antifungal 8 , 22 , anti-inflammatory 23 , antioxidant 23 , 24 , and anticancer 10 , 11 , 25 – 27 effects.…”

Antibiofilm Potential of Coelomic Fluid and Paste of Earthworm Pheretima posthuma (Clitellata, Megascolecidae) against Pathogenic Bacteria

“…For example, in Burma, China, and India, earthworms are widely used for curing certain illnesses such as pyorrhea, postpartum weaknesses, arthritis, inflammation, wound healing, gastric ulcer, hepatoprotective, carcinoma, antipyretic, and nervous system disorders [ 12 ]. Earthworms’ tissue extracts, coelomic fluid, and body paste possess various agents (i.e., proteins) that have been well-documented as antiulcer [ 13 ], antiviral [ 14 ], anti-coagulant [ 15 ], antifungal [ 16 ], antibacterial [ 13 ], anti-inflammatory [ 17 ], antitumor [ 18 ], antipyretic [ 19 ], analgesic agents [ 20 ], and cytotoxic [ 21 ].…”