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Endophytic Fungi and Their Role in Achieving the UN Sustainable...
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Endophytic Fungi and Their Role in Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Microbial Biotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2024) | Viewed by 16088

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim El-Batal

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Center for Radiation Research and Technology, NCRRT, Cairo, Egypt
Interests: applied microbiology; nanotechnology; biotechnology
Dr. El-Sayed R. El-Sayed

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Plant Research Department, Nuclear Research Center, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt
Interests: endophytic fungi; natural products; fermentation; nanotechnology; bioactives
Dr. Gharieb S. El-Sayyad

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Drug Radiation Research Department, National Centre for Radiation Research and Technology, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt
Interests: medical microbiology; nano-drug; infectious diseases
Dr. Shaimaa A. Mousa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Plant Research Department, Nuclear Research Center, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt
Interests: endophytic fungi; nanotechnology; biocontrol

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue will explore the role of endophytic fungi in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2, 3, 6, 13, and 15. Fungal endophytes include any fungus living within any part of the plant without any apparent symptoms. Fungal endophytes have been recognized by the pharmaceutical, food, and agricultural sectors due to their distinctive metabolic and genetic diversity and their producing capability of several new and novel secondary metabolites and nanoparticles with promising applications. Topics relating to the UN Sustainable Development Goals will include all research areas of using endophytic fungi in agriculture, food, natural products, production and sustainability, biotransformation, waste and biomass valorization, bioremediation, biocontrol, and nanotechnology.

Prof. Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim El-Batal
Dr. El-Sayed R. El-Sayed
Dr. Gharieb S. El-Sayyad
Dr. Shaimaa A. Mousa
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • endophyte
  • bioactives
  • fermentation
  • food
  • biotransformation
  • waste and biomass
  • environment
  • agriculture
  • mycorrhizae
  • biocontrol
  • bioremediation
  • nanoparticles
  • secondary metabolites
  • pharmaceutical

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 3696 KiB  
Article
Anti-Cancer and Anti-Oxidant Bioactive Metabolites from Aspergillus fumigatus WA7S6 Isolated from Marine Sources: In Vitro and In Silico Studies
by Mervat G. Hassan, Waleed A. Elmezain, Dina M. Baraka, Sabah A. AboElmaaty, Ahmed Elhassanein, Riyad Mohammed Ibrahim and Ahmed A. Hamed
Microorganisms 2024, 12(1), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12010127 - 8 Jan 2024
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2813
Abstract
Cancer is a huge global disease burden. Every year, tens of millions of people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer, and more than half of them die as a result of it. The great biodiversity of the marine environment has increasingly piqued the interest [...] Read more.
Cancer is a huge global disease burden. Every year, tens of millions of people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer, and more than half of them die as a result of it. The great biodiversity of the marine environment has increasingly piqued the interest of experts, especially in the field of drug discovery. The marine fungus Aspergillus fumigatus WA7S6 has been selected among a group of fungi isolated from marine sponges as it exhibits a pronounced antimicrobial activity toward a group of pathogenic microbes. The fungus has been identified genetically by amplification and analysis of its 18srRNA gene. The fungus crude extract has been obtained by cultivation of the fungus on rice media. The crude extract was tested for antibacterial activity against a variety of pathogenic microorganisms. The results demonstrated a pronounced antimicrobial action against P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, A. niger, and Candida albicans. Furthermore, we tested the antioxidant potential of the Aspergillus fumigatus WA7S6 crude extract using three different methods: ATBS, DPPH, and lipid peroxidation assays. Results showed that the crude extract WA7S6 had an IC50 value of 21.35 µg/mL. The anticancer potential of the crude extract was also evaluated against cancer cell lines such as Hela, MCF, and WI-38. The chemical profiling of the fungus extract was identified via GC-mass and in silico molecular docking of the identified compounds on heme oxygenase, as a stress protein included in cellular protection, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities, suggesting that some compounds, such as 9-Tetradecynoic acid, 11-Hexadecynoic acid, methyl ester, and dehydromevalonic lactone, could be relevant for antioxidant purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endophytic Fungi and Their Role in Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals)
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22 pages, 3722 KiB  
Article
Effect of Epichloë Endophyte on the Growth and Carbon Allocation of Its Host Plant Stipa purpurea under Hemiparasitic Root Stress
by Peng Zhang, Siyu Meng, Gensheng Bao, Yuan Li, Xiaoyun Feng, Hainian Lu, Jingjuan Ma, Xiaoxing Wei and Wenhui Liu
Microorganisms 2023, 11(11), 2761; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11112761 - 13 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1221
Abstract
Epichloë endophytes not only affect the growth and resistance of their host plants but also confer nutrient benefits to parasitized hosts. In this study, we used Pedicularis kansuensis to parasitize Stipa purpurea, both with and without endophytic fungi, and to establish a [...] Read more.
Epichloë endophytes not only affect the growth and resistance of their host plants but also confer nutrient benefits to parasitized hosts. In this study, we used Pedicularis kansuensis to parasitize Stipa purpurea, both with and without endophytic fungi, and to establish a parasitic system. In this study, endophytic fungal infection was found to increase the dry weight of the leaf, stem, and leaf sheath, as well as the plant height, root length, tiller number, aboveground biomass, and underground biomass of S. purpurea under root hemiparasitic stress. Meanwhile, the 13C allocation of the leaf sheaths and roots of S. purpurea increased as the density of P. kansuensis increased, while the 13C allocation of the leaf sheaths and roots of E+ S. purpurea was lower than that of E− S. purpurea. The 13C allocation of the stem, leaf sheath, and root of E+ S. purpurea was higher than that of its E− counterpart. Furthermore, the content of photosynthetic 13C and the 13C partition rate of the stems, leaves, roots, and entire plant of S. purpurea and P. kansuensis transferred from S. purpurea increased as the density of P. kansuensis increased. These results will generate new insights into the potential role of symbiotic microorganisms in regulating the interaction between root hemiparasites and their hosts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endophytic Fungi and Their Role in Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals)
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15 pages, 4040 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Fermentation Conditions and Product Identification of a Saponin-Producing Endophytic Fungus
by Qiqi Chen, Jingying Wang, Yuhang Gao, Xiujun Gao and Peisheng Yan
Microorganisms 2023, 11(9), 2331; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11092331 - 16 Sep 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2213
Abstract
Background: Some fungal endophytes isolated from P. ginseng may present a new method of obtaining saponins. This experiment aimed to optimize the total saponin yield produced through in vitro fermentation by an endophytic fungus and analyze its saponin species in the fermented extract. [...] Read more.
Background: Some fungal endophytes isolated from P. ginseng may present a new method of obtaining saponins. This experiment aimed to optimize the total saponin yield produced through in vitro fermentation by an endophytic fungus and analyze its saponin species in the fermented extract. Methods: Fermentation protocols were optimized with a uniform design and verified through regression analysis to maximize the total saponin yield. The saponin types under optimal fermentation conditions were then identified and analyzed using Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry. Results: The Trametes versicolor strain NSJ105 (gene accession number: OR144428) isolated from wild ginseng could produce total saponins. The total saponin yield could be increased more than two-fold through the optimization of fermentation conditions. The concentration of the total saponins achieved by the verified protocol 105-DP was close to the predicted value. The fermentation conditions of the 105-DP protocol were as follows: potato concentration 97.3 mg/mL, glucose concentration 20.6 mg/mL, inoculum volume 2.1%, fermentation broth pH 2.1, fermentation temperature 29.2 °C, and fermentation time 6 d. It was detected and analyzed that the fermented extract of 105-DP contained the ginsenosides Rf and Rb3. Conclusion: The endophytic fungus Trametes versicolor strain NSJ105 has potential application value in saponin production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endophytic Fungi and Their Role in Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals)
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12 pages, 3507 KiB  
Article
Morphological and Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal Three New Species of Pestalotiopsis (Sporocadaceae, Amphisphaeriales) from Hainan, China
by Zhaoxue Zhang, Jie Zhang, Duhua Li, Jiwen Xia and Xiuguo Zhang
Microorganisms 2023, 11(7), 1627; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11071627 - 21 Jun 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2264
Abstract
Species of Pestalotiopsis were mainly introduced as endophytes, plant pathogens or saprobes from various hosts. In this study, ten strains were isolated from Ficus macrocarpa, Phoebe zhennan and Spatholobus suberectus in China. Based on multilocus phylogenies from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), [...] Read more.
Species of Pestalotiopsis were mainly introduced as endophytes, plant pathogens or saprobes from various hosts. In this study, ten strains were isolated from Ficus macrocarpa, Phoebe zhennan and Spatholobus suberectus in China. Based on multilocus phylogenies from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), the partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene (tef1α) and the partial beta-tubulin gene (tub2), in conjunction with morphological characteristics, we describe three new species, viz., Pestalotiopsis ficicola sp. nov., P. phoebes sp. nov. and P. spatholobi sp. nov. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endophytic Fungi and Their Role in Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals)
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16 pages, 5792 KiB  
Article
Efficient Role of Endophytic Aspergillus terreus in Biocontrol of Rhizoctonia solani Causing Damping-off Disease of Phaseolus vulgaris and Vicia faba
by Amer M. Abdelaziz, Deiaa A. El-Wakil, Amr H. Hashem, Abdulaziz A. Al-Askar, Hamada AbdElgawad and Mohamed S. Attia
Microorganisms 2023, 11(6), 1487; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11061487 - 2 Jun 2023
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3589
Abstract
The wide spread of plant pathogens affects the whole world, threatening national food security. Various fungi including Rhizoctonia solani induce the fungal disease damping-off that negatively affects plant seedlings’ growth. Recently, endophytic fungi are used as safe alternatives to chemical pesticides that harm [...] Read more.
The wide spread of plant pathogens affects the whole world, threatening national food security. Various fungi including Rhizoctonia solani induce the fungal disease damping-off that negatively affects plant seedlings’ growth. Recently, endophytic fungi are used as safe alternatives to chemical pesticides that harm plant and human health. Here, an endophytic Aspergillus terreus was isolated from Phaseolus vulgaris seeds to control damping-off diseases by improving the defense system in Phaseolus vulgaris and Vicia faba seedlings. Endophytic fungus was morphologically and genetically identified Aspergillus terreus, and it is deposited in GeneBank under accession OQ338187. A. terreus demonstrated antifungal efficacy against R. solani with an inhibition zone at 22.0 mm. Moreover, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of ethyl acetate extract (EAE) of A. terreus were between 0.3125 and 0.625 mg/mL to inhibit R. solani growth. Precisely 58.34% of the Vicia faba plants survived when A. terreus was added compared with the untreated infected (16.67%). Similarly, Phaseolus vulgaris achieved 41.67% compared to the infected (8.33%). Both groups of treated infected plants showed reduced oxidative damage (reduced Malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide levels) as compared to untreated infected plants. Reduced oxidative damage was correlated with the increase in photosynthetic pigments and the antioxidant defense system including polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase enzyme activities. Overall, the endophytic A. terreus can be considered an effective tool to control the suppression of Rhizoctonia solani in legumes, especially Phaseolus vulgaris and Vicia faba, as an alternative to synthetic chemical pesticides that harm the environment and human health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endophytic Fungi and Their Role in Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals)
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19 pages, 2063 KiB  
Article
Bioactive Metabolite from Endophytic Aspergillus versicolor SB5 with Anti-Acetylcholinesterase, Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities: In Vitro and In Silico Studies
by Mohamed E. Elawady, Ahmed A. Hamed, Wamedh M. Alsallami, Ebtsam Z. Gabr, Mohamed O. Abdel-Monem and Mervat G. Hassan
Microorganisms 2023, 11(4), 1062; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11041062 - 19 Apr 2023
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 2394
Abstract
Endophytic fungi are a highly unpredictable group of microorganisms that can create a diverse range of secondary metabolites with biological activity. These metabolites enhance the host’s ability to tolerate stress caused by various factors, such as disease, insects, pathogens, and herbivores. The secondary [...] Read more.
Endophytic fungi are a highly unpredictable group of microorganisms that can create a diverse range of secondary metabolites with biological activity. These metabolites enhance the host’s ability to tolerate stress caused by various factors, such as disease, insects, pathogens, and herbivores. The secondary metabolites produced by endophytic fungi may have potential applications in agriculture, pharmacy, and medicine. The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-acetylcholinesterase activity of secondary metabolites extracted from endophytic fungi. Aspergillus versicolor SB5 was one of the many endophytic fungi isolated from Juncus rigidus and identified genetically with accession number ON872302. Our study utilized fermentation and microbial cultivation techniques to obtain secondary metabolites. During the course of our investigation, we isolated a compound called Physcion (C1) from the endophytic fungus Aspergillus versicolor SB5. We subsequently identified that C1 possesses inhibitory activity against COX-2 and LOX-1, with IC50 values of 43.10 and 17.54 µg/mL, respectively, making it an effective anti-inflammatory agent. Moreover, we found that C1 also exhibited potent anticholinesterase activity (86.9 ± 1.21%). In addition to these promising therapeutic properties, our experiments demonstrated that C1 possesses strong antioxidant capacity, as evidenced by its ability to scavenge DPPH, ABTS, O2 radicals, and NO and inhibit lipid peroxidation. To further investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying C1 pharmacological properties, we employed SwissADME web tools to predict the compound’s ADME-related physicochemical properties and used Molecular Operating Environment and PyMOL for molecular docking studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endophytic Fungi and Their Role in Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals)
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