Identification and characterization of compounds from Chrysosporium multifidum, a fungus with moderate antimicrobial activity isolated from Hermetia illucens gut microbiota

Abstract

The gut microbiota of insects is composed of a wide range of microorganisms which produce bioactive compounds that protect their host from pathogenic attack. In the present study, we isolate and identify the fungus Chrysosporium multifidum from the gut of Hermetia illucens larvae. Extract from C. multifidum culture broth supernatant showed moderate activity against a strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Bioguided isolation of the extract resulted in the characterization of six α-pyrone derivatives (1–6) and one diketopiperazine (7). Of these compounds, 5,6-dihydro-4-methoxy-6-(1-oxopentyl)-2H-pyran-2-one (4) showed the greatest activity (IC50 = 11.4 ± 0.7 μg/mL and MIC = 62.5 μg/mL) against MRSA.

Staphylococcus aureus in Substrates for Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens) and Its Dynamics during Rearing

“…Currently, research is focusing on insects and their microbiota in the search for new antimicrobials, such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) ( 71 ). So far, two different fungal species isolated from the BSFL gut with antimicrobial activity have been described in the literature; Chrysosporium multifidum exhibits moderate activity against S. aureus ( 72 ), and Trichosporon asahii was found to inhibit the growth of the yeasts Candida glabrata and Candida lusitaniae ( 42 ). Trichosporon is known as a “killer yeast” and produces the antifungal AMP oranicin P16 ( 42 , 73 , 74 ).…”

Dramatic effect of black soldier fly larvae on fungal community in a compost

“…The fungal component is assumed to enrich the substrate with sterols, which flies use as precursors of steroid hormones 13 . Of no less importance is the ability of fungi to synthesize antimicrobial agents that affect both the microbiome of the BSFL gastrointestinal tract and the environment 14 . However, fungi are also known as producers of various toxins that can be harmful for animals and humans 15 .…”

“…13 Of no less importance is the ability of fungi to synthesize antimicrobial agents that affect both the microbiome of the BSFL gastrointestinal tract and the environment. 14 However, fungi are also known as producers of various toxins that can be harmful for animals and humans. 15 They are capable of adversely affecting environments by increasing the presence of toxins and allergens and causing the organoleptic properties of those environments to deteriorate.…”

An Overview of Antimicrobial Compounds from African Edible Insects and Their Associated Microbiota

“…As shown below, these molecules include six pyrone derivatives ( 1 – 6 ) and one diketopiperazine ( 7 ) ( Figure 2 ). The epoxy moiety containing α-pyrone ( 5 ) was found to have moderate antibacterial activity against 43,300 ATCC strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) [ 10 ]. Thus, AMPs and small molecules from H. illucens are still understudied, despite the fact that they have strong antibacterial properties.…”

“…Additionally, insect meals can be used effectively in rearing of animals, such as poultry, to enhance animal health, intestinal morphology, and the composition of the intestinal microbiota [ 8 ], with an effect close to that of plant bioactive substances [ 9 ]. These insects’ gut microbiota comprises a diverse range of microorganisms that produce bioactive compounds that, among other things, protect their host from pathogenic assault [ 10 ]. However, little is known about these bioactive compounds, often rich in peptides and other classes of natural products.…”