Antifungal activity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons against Ligninolytic fungi

Abstract

Environmental contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has caused increasing concern because of their known, or suspected, carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons occurring in the environment are usually the result of the incomplete combustion of carbon containing materials. The main sources of severe PAHs contamination in soil come from fossil fuels, i.e. production or use of fossil fuels or their products, such as coal tar and creosote. Creosote is used as a wood preservation for railway ties, bridge timbers, pilling and large-sized lumber. It consists mainly of PAHs, phenol and cresol compounds that cause harmful health effects. Research on biodegradation has shown that a special group of microorganisms, the white-rot fungi and brown-rot fungi, has a remarkable potential to degrade PAHs. This paper presents a study of the antifungal activity of 12 selected PAHs against two ligninolytic fungi Hypoxylon fragiforme (white rot) and Coniophora puteana (brown rot). The antifungal activity of PAHs was determined by the disc-diffusion method by measuring the diameter of the zone of inhibition. The results showed that the antifungal activity of the tested PAHs (concentration of 2.5 mmol/L) depends on the their properties such as molar mass, solubility in water, values of log Kow, ionization potential and Henry’s Law constant as well as number of aromatic rings, molecule topology or pattern of ring linkage. Among the 12 investigated PAHs, benzo(k) fluoranthene with five rings, and pyrene with four cyclic condensed benzene rings showed the highest antifungal activity

Extraction and identification of bioactive compounds (eicosane and dibutyl phthalate) produced by Streptomyces strain KX852460 for the biological control of Rhizoctonia solani AG-3 strain KX852461 to control target spot disease in tobacco leaf

“…These compounds were antimicrobial and antifungal. Volatile organic compounds and polycyclic aromatic derivatives have the antifungal potential (Müller et al 2009 ; Memić et al 2011 ).…”

New Alkali-tolerant and Halo-tolerant Nocardiopsis Strain B20 from Algerian Saharan Soil: Isolation, Taxonomy, and Antifungal Activity

“…Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic compounds composed of multiple fused aromatic rings [48]. Memic et al unveiled the potential of PAHs as antifungal agents against ligninolytic fungi [49]. This discovery opens new possibilities for their use in various industries, including agriculture, forestry, wood preservation, and the paper industry, where ligninolytic fungi can cause significant damage.…”