Characterization of an Endophytic Strain Talaromyces assiutensis, CPEF04 With Evaluation of Production Medium for Extracellular Red Pigments Having Antimicrobial and Anticancer Properties

Abstract

Considering the worldwide demand for colorants of natural origin, the utilization of ascomycete fungi as a prolific pigment producer unfolds a novel way to obtain these pigments for various applications, including food, cosmetic, and medical use. The presence of very few natural red pigment alternatives in the market also attracts research and industry priorities to unearth novel and sustainable red pigment producers. The present work is an attempt to identify a novel source of red color obtained from endophytic fungi isolated from terrestrial and marine habitats. Based upon the fungal capacity for pigment production, seven isolates of endophytic fungi were recognized as prospective pigment producers. Out of all, fungal isolate CPE04 was selected based upon its capacity to produce profuse extracellular red pigment. The isolate was identified as Talaromyces assiutensis, employing morphological features and phylogenetic characterization by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. To understand the chemical behavior of pigment molecules, an investigation of the chemical profile of fungal culture filtrate dried powder (CFDP) was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-mass spectrometry (UPLC–DAD–MS). In total, eight compounds having pigment and pharmaceutical application were tentatively identified using UPLC–DAD–MS. Considering the commercial aspect of the stated work, an effort was also made for standardizing the upscaling of the pigment molecule. Investigations were performed for optimum medium and culturing conditions for maximum pigment production. CFDP was found to have a significant antibacterial activity against the bacterial pathogens Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC737), Vibrio cholerae (N16961), and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) (ATCC BAA811). The CFDP showed a minimum inhibitory concentration at 64, 128, and 256 μg/ml against S. aureus, MRSA, and V. cholerae. A concentration-dependent (50–400 μg/ml) anticancer effect on HeLa cancer line was also observed, having a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) at 300 μg/ml. The antioxidant potential of CFDP has also been proven with the help of an antioxidant assay against 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical (IC50, 32.01 μg/ml); DNA nicking assay and reactive oxygen species were generated in HeLa cancer line cells. The CFDP was also found to have no cytotoxicity toward HEK 293 T cell line using alamar blue (resazurin), a cell metabolic activity reagent.

Bio-Synthesis of Aspergillus terreus Mediated Gold Nanoparticle: Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antifungal and In Vitro Cytotoxicity Studies

“…A high-definition mass spectrometry SYNAPT G2 instrument and an ultra-performance ACQUITY LC (WATERS, Bangalore, India), 2.1 × 50 mm column, ACQUITY UPLC, C 18 II column (WATERS, Bangalore, India) was employed to perform the high-resolution LC-ESI-MS, as previously demonstrated [ 24 ]. Briefly, for the dried methanolic extract of A. terreus AREF023 isolate; water (0.1% formic acid)—acetonitrile gradient system: 2% acetonitrile, linearly increased to 90% in 30 min, with a holding time of 5 min, starting from 2% acetonitrile for 2 min and increasing to 100% in 30 min, keeping it for 5 min, was employed for the MS system at a positive ESI mode.…”

“…Antioxidant activity of the gold nanoparticles GNP023 was, also, determined with the DNA nicking assay, performed in accordance with our previously described method [ 24 ], with slight modifications. Briefly, pBSK DNA and GNP023, in varying concentration (25–200 μg/mL), as well as AREF023 methanol extract at concentrations (100–300 μg/mL), were incubated for 10 min at 25 °C, with the subsequent addition of an equal volume of Fenton’s reagent.…”

Endophytic fungi and their potential in controlling white root disease of cashew

“…in the dual culture plates. Some endophytic fungi produced natural pigments such as melanins by Spissiomyces endophytica (Suwannarach et al 2019), red pigments by Aspergillus versicolor (Sibero et al 2017) and Talaromyces assiutensis (Mishra et al 2021). These pigments are linked to important functions such as antimicrobial activity.…”

Characterization of the Red Biochromes Produced by the Endophytic Fungus Monascus purpureus CPEF02 with Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities

“…In the present study, the endophytic fungus Monascus purpureus isolated from Avicennia marina roots from Alibaug coastal area, Maharashtra, India [10], was optimized in different growth media and extracted with different solvents for studying maximum extracellular red pigment production. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the pigments were tested against human pathogenic bacteria and phytopathogenic fungi.…”