Isolation of Bioactive Metabolites from Soil Derived Fungus-Aspergillus fumigatus

Abstract

Fungi produce numerous secondary metabolites with intriguing biological properties for the health, industrial, and agricultural sectors. Herein, we report the high-yield isolation of phenolic natural products, N-formyl-4-hydroxyphenyl-acetamide 1 (~117 mg/L) and atraric acid 2 (~18 mg/L), from the ethyl acetate extract of the soil-derived fungus, Aspergillus fumigatus. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were elucidated through the detailed spectroscopic analysis of NMR and LCMS data. These compounds were assayed for their antimicrobial activities. It was observed that compounds 1 and 2 exhibited strong inhibition against a series of fungal strains but only weak antibacterial properties against multi-drug-resistant strains. More significantly, this is the first known instance of the isolation of atraric acid 2 from a non-lichen fungal strain. We suggest the optimization of this fungal strain may exhibit elevated production of compounds 1 and 2, potentially rendering it a valuable source for the industrial-scale production of these natural antimicrobial compounds. Further investigation is necessary to establish the veracity of this hypothesis.

GC-MS Based Characterization, Antibacterial, Antifungal and Anti-Oncogenic Activity of Ethyl Acetate Extract of Aspergillus niger Strain AK-6 Isolated from Rhizospheric Soil

“…Aspergillus is a ubiquitous and fast-growing fungus. The World Data Centre for Micro-organisms (WDCM) reports about 378 species of Aspergillus, of which approximately 180 fungal species are of pharmaceutical and commercial importance [18][19][20]. Due to its diversity, Aspergillus undoubtedly remains one of the most significant contributors to interesting secondary metabolites that exhibit anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant and antibacterial activities [21].…”

Application of microbial agents in organic solid waste composting: a review

“…In 2010, researchers screened the soil samples collected to obtain a bioactive Aspergillus fumigatus at 50 °C, and in 2013, Trichoderma kongensis growing at 28 °C was isolated from soil and straw. [35][36][37] In 2015, researchers screened several strains of Trichoderma harziensis in tobacco, and in the same year isolated Streptomyces violaceorubidus growing at 50 °C in soil. 38 In 2018, researchers collected samples from paddy soil and understory and isolated and purified Penicillium donkii at 28 °C, Aspergillus fumigatus and Bacillus subsubspecies growing at 55-60 °C.…”

“…Since then, the screening of strains has been carried out among bacteria, fungi, molds, Spore bacteria and other bacteria genera, and has been widely used in agriculture, food and other fields. In 2010, researchers screened the soil samples collected to obtain a bioactive Aspergillus fumigatus at 50 °C, and in 2013, Trichoderma kongensis growing at 28 °C was isolated from soil and straw 35‐37 . In 2015, researchers screened several strains of Trichoderma harziensis in tobacco, and in the same year isolated Streptomyces violaceorubidus growing at 50 °C in soil 38 .…”