Exploration and Evaluation of Secondary Metabolites from Trichoderma harzianum: GC-MS Analysis, Phytochemical Profiling, Antifungal and Antioxidant Activity Assessment

Abstract

In this study, we investigated in vitro the potential of Trichoderma harzianum to produce bioactive secondary metabolites that can be used as alternatives to synthetic compounds. The study focused on analyzing two extracts of T. harzianum using ethyl acetate and n-butanol solvents with different polarities. The extracts were examined using phytochemical analysis to determine the content of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, and alkaloids. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis were used to profile volatile organic metabolites (VOCs) present in the extracts. Furthermore, the extracts were tested for their antifungal ability using the poison food technique. For measuring antioxidant activity, the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) test was used. Trichoderma harzianum was shown to have a significantly high content of tannins and alkaloids, with a noticeable difference between the two extracts. GC-MS analysis identified 33 potential compounds with numerous benefits that could be used in agriculture and the medicinal industry. Moreover, strong antifungal activity was identified against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum by 94.44%, Alternaria sp. by 77.04%, and Fusarium solani by 51.48; similarly, the IC50 of antioxidant activity was estimated for ethyl acetate extract by 71.47% and n-butanol extract by 56.01%. This leads to the conclusion that Trichoderma harzianum VOCs play a significant role as an antifungal and antioxidant agent when taking into account the advantageous bioactive chemicals noted in the extracts. However, to our knowledge, this is the first study in Algeria presenting detailed phytochemical analysis and GC-MS profiling of Trichoderma harzianum for two extracts, ethyl acetate and n-butanol.

Trichoderma afroharzianum TRI07 metabolites inhibit Alternaria alternata growth and induce tomato defense-related enzymes

“…The development of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and A. alternata is inhibited by the T. koningiopsis T2 strain through the production of metabolites derived from VOCs and non-VOCs 110 . The presence of bioactive chemicals in the extract suggests that the VOCs emitted by T. harzianum have a significant role as both an antioxidant and an antifungal agent, as indicated by Lakhdari et al 111 .…”

Antibacterial and antioxidant activity of endophytic fungi extracts isolated from the petiole of sungkai plant (Peronema canescens)

“…Studies have shown that T. harzianum contains lactone (Lakhdari et al 2023;Xiao et al 2023). Lactone substances can stop bacteria from growing and lessen oxidative stress.…”

Screening of the Biocontrol Efficacy of Potent Trichoderma Strains against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri and Scelrotium rolfsii Causing Wilt and Collar Rot in Chickpea

“…GC-MS analysis showed that biocontrol agents like Trichoderma produced various volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including alcohols, acids, esters, sesquiterpenes, and ketones. These compounds provide specific benefits in various biological mechanisms, like competition, symbiosis, metal transportation, growth differentiation, signaling, and mycoparasitic behavior [55], and also show antifungal and antibacterial activities against various phytopathogens like Fusarium spp. and Sclerotium spp.…”