Search Results (308)

This study demonstrated that application of the particular plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains Erwinia sp. and Serratia sp. (named C15 and C20, respectively) significantly enhanced tea plant resilience in Zn (zinc)-, Pb (lead)-, and Zn + Pb-contaminated soils by the improving survival rates (over 60%) and chlorophyll content of tea plants, and by reducing the accumulation of these metals in tea plants’ tissues (by 19–37%). The PGPRs elevated key soil nutrients organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TH), hydrolysable nitrogen (HN), and available potassium (APO) and phosphorus (APH) contents. Compared to non-PGPR controls, both strains consistently increased microbial α-diversity (Chao1 index: +28–42% in Zn/Pb soils; Shannon index: +19–33%) across all contamination regimes. PCoA/UniFrac analyses confirmed distinct clustering of PGPR-treated communities, with strain-specific enrichment of metal-adapted taxa, including Pseudomonas (LDA = 6) and Bacillus (LDA = 4) under Zn stress; Rhodanobacter (LDA = 4) under Pb stress; and Lysobacter (LDA = 5) in Zn + Pb co-contamination. Fungal restructuring featured elevated Mortierella (LDA = 6) in Zn soils and stress-tolerant Ascomycota dominance in co-contaminated soils. Multivariate correlations revealed that the PGPR-produced auxin was positively correlated with soil carbon dynamics and Mortierellomycota abundance (r = 0.729), while the chlorophyll content in leaves was closely associated with Cyanobacteria and reduced by Pb accumulation. These findings highlighted that PGPR could mediate and improve in tea plant physiology, soil fertility, and stress-adapted microbiome recruitment under heavy metal contaminated soil and stress. Full article

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) represent a growing global health threat, particularly for immunocompromised populations, with mortality exceeding 1.5 million deaths annually. Despite their clinical and economic burden—costing billions in healthcare expenditures—fungal infections remain underprioritized in public health agendas. This review examines the current landscape of antifungal therapy, focusing on advances, challenges, and future directions. Key drug classes (polyenes, azoles, echinocandins, and novel agents) are analyzed for their mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, and clinical applications, alongside emerging resistance patterns in pathogens like Candida auris and azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus. The rise of resistance, driven by agricultural fungicide use and nosocomial transmission, underscores the need for innovative antifungals, rapid diagnostics, and stewardship programs. Promising developments include next-generation echinocandins (e.g., rezafungin), triterpenoids (ibrexafungerp), and orotomides (olorofim), which target resistant strains and offer improved safety profiles. The review also highlights the critical role of “One Health” strategies to mitigate environmental and clinical resistance. Future success hinges on multidisciplinary collaboration, enhanced surveillance, and accelerated drug development to address unmet needs in antifungal therapy. Full article

Viticulture is vital to Italy’s agricultural sector, since it significantly contributes to the global wine industry. Microflora and microfauna are considered important factors for soil quality, improving grapevine growth, and promoting resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. This study examined the impact of selected Trichoderma strains (T. harzianum M10 and T. afroharzianum T22) and their secondary metabolite 6-pentyl-α-pyrone (6PP) on the soil microbiome, the metabolome, and physiological changes of grapevines. Before treatment application, low levels of plant-parasitic nematodes (Rotylenchulus spp., Xiphinema pachtaicum) were found in the soil, together with pathogens (Fusarium spp., Neonectria spp.) and beneficial microbes (Clonostachys rosea, Pseudomonas spp.). Metagenomic analysis revealed significant treatment impacts in the soil microbiome, with T22 and 6PP treatments increasing Proteobacteria abundance, while slight variations of fungal communities and no significant differences in nematofauna were found. Metabolomic analysis showed that treatments induced grapevines to produce antioxidant secondary metabolites able to boost plant defense against abiotic and biotic stresses and increase nutraceutical grapes’ value. Finally, T22 treatment increased the grapes’ winemaking value, raising their Brix grade. Our results demonstrate that microbial or metabolite-based treatments could affect the soil microbiome composition, grapevine health and resilience, and grapes’ oenological and nutraceutical properties. Full article

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is a globally important economic crop valued for its nutritional and commercial significance. However, its growth is frequently challenged by various biotic and abiotic stresses. To enhance strawberry root development and resilience, we engineered a Trichoderma guizhouense NJAU4742 strain to overexpress the TgSWO gene, which encodes a plant cell-wall-loosening protein known to facilitate fungal penetration and colonization. Strawberry seedlings treated with the TgSWO-overexpressing T. guizhouense NJAU4742 strain (S-OE) exhibited significant improvements in shoot and root fresh weights, root surface area, and number of root tips, showing 1.37- to 2.00-fold increases compared with the strawberry seedlings inoculated with the wild-type T. guizhouense NJAU4742 (S-WT) and 2.00- to 3.44-fold increases compared with the uninoculated strawberry seedlings (S-CK). Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the S-OE roots revealed denser hyphal colonization. Transcriptome analysis of S-OE showed a decrease in genes related to defense and detoxification, while genes for cell-wall growth and hormone signaling increased, shifting focus from defense to growth. Metabolomic profiling identified cysteine as a key metabolite associated with induced growth, which was further validated through exogenous cysteine application experiments. This study highlights the potential of genetically enhanced Trichoderma for improving strawberry growth and provides new insights into root–microbe interactions and metabolite-mediated plant development. Full article

Salvia miltiorrhiza is a traditional herbal remedy for cardiovascular diseases and is in high demand in the market. Excessive chemical fertilizer application, resulting from unscientific fertilization practices, reduced the tanshinone content in S. miltiorrhiza roots. This study investigated how different fertilization types alter the endophytic microbial community composition of S. miltiorrhiza through field experiments, aiming to understand how fertilization affects its medicinal quality. The results showed that root fertilizers (F1) significantly increased root biomass and tanshinone I content, whereas foliar fertilizers (F2) increased tanshinone IIA content. High-throughput sequencing further revealed that F2 treatment significantly decreased the Shannon index of endophytic bacteria while significantly increasing the Shannon index of endophytic fungi. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed that fertilization significantly altered fungal community complexity and modularity, with F1 increasing network nodes and edges. Variance partitioning analysis indicated fungal diversity more strongly influenced medicinal compound levels under F2 and a combination of both (F3) than bacterial diversity. Septoria and Gibberella were positively correlated with tanshinone I and cryptotanshinone content under F2 treatment, respectively. Notably, the unique strains were isolated from different fertilization treatments for subsequent bacterial fertilizer development. These findings elucidate microbial responses to fertilization, guiding optimized cultivation for improved S. miltiorrhiza quality. Full article

Solid-state microbial fermentation (SSMF) has been established as an effective bioprocessing strategy to augment the nutritional value of plant-derived feed substrates while reducing anti-nutritional factors (ANFs). However, there have been limited studies on the effects of microbial solid-state fermentation on the nutritional value and potential functional components in cottonseed hulls. This study investigated the nutritional enhancement of cottonseed hulls through anaerobic solid-state fermentation mediated by Candida utilis CU-3, while exploring the functional potential of the fermented feed by analyzing fungal community dynamics and metabolite profiling. The laboratory-preserved free gossypol-degrading strain Candida utilis CU-3 was inoculated into unsterilized, crushed, and screened cottonseed hulls for solid-state fermentation at room temperature for 10 days. The results demonstrated that, compared to the control group, the experimental group achieved a 61.90% increase in free gossypol degradation rate, a 27.78% improvement in crude protein content, and a 5.07% reduction in crude fiber, while crude fat showed no significant difference. During the fermentation process, microbial diversity decreased, and Candida utilis CU-3 became the dominant species. Untargeted metabolomics data revealed that cottonseed hulls inoculated with Candida utilis CU-3 produced functional bioactive compounds during fermentation, including chrysin, myricetin (anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities), and ginsenoside Rh2 (anticancer, antibacterial, and neuroprotective properties). This study demonstrates that inoculating Candida utilis CU-3 into cottonseed hulls enhances their health-promoting potential through the biosynthesis of diverse functional metabolites, providing a theoretical foundation for improving the nutritional profile of cottonseed hull-fermented feed. Full article

Soil-borne fungal pathogens such as Sclerotium spp., Rhizoctonia spp., and Macrophomina spp. pose significant threats to global agriculture, with soybean crops among the most severely affected due to damping-off disease. These pathogens cause substantial yield losses, making their management a critical concern. In this study, we investigated the potential of Bacillus siamensis BCL, a novel Neotropical strain, as an eco-friendly solution for managing Sclerotium, Rhizoctonia, and Macrophomina species. The strain exhibited strong antifungal activity, significantly inhibiting fungal growth in vitro, with the greatest suppression observed against Macrophomina spp., reaching up to 81%. In vivo assays further confirmed the biocontrol potential of B. siamensis. When applied at 10⁶ colony-forming units (CFU)/mL, the strain reduced disease symptoms and improved plant growth parameters—including root length, shoot biomass, and leaf number—compared to untreated, infected controls. The protective effect varied by pathogen, with the most significant recovery in root length observed against Macrophomina spp. (85%) and Sclerotium spp. (78%). In preventive treatments, fermentation extracts of the B. siamensis strain suppressed disease progression, although they did not promote seedling growth. A genomic analysis of B. siamensis BCL revealed genes encoding antimicrobial secondary metabolites, including terpenes, fengycins, and surfactins. These findings highlight B. siamensis BCL as a promising candidate for sustainable crop protection and a valuable resource for developing novel antimicrobial strategies in agriculture. Full article

Background/Objectives: Candidiasis, an opportunistic fungal infection caused by Candida species, is a major health problem, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Increasing resistance of yeasts such as Candida spp. to pharmacological antifungal agents makes it necessary to explore alternative treatments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal potential of Gomortega keule essential oil (GKEO) against Candida spp. by assessing growth and development at 24 and 48 h. Encapsulation and characterization of a stable nanoemulsion were carried out to enhance efficacy. Methods: The anti-yeast activity of both free GKEO and the nanoemulsion against Candida albicans, C. glabrata, and C. guilliermondii was evaluated using a microdilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) at 24 and 48 h. Results: GC-MS/MS analysis identified forty-one components in GKEO, the main ones being eucalyptol (21.41%), 4-terpineol (19.62%), and α-terpinyl acetate (13.89%). Antifungal assays revealed that both free and nanoemulsion-formulated GKEO inhibited the growth of all tested Candida strains. At 48 h, the nanoformulated GKEO achieved a MIC value of 32 µg/mL and an MFC of 64 µg/mL for C. albicans and C. glabrata and showed higher antifungal activity compared to the free oil, in particular against C. albicans, exhibiting a four-fold lower MFC value. The activity of the nanoformulation was comparable to or better than fluconazole against C. glabrata and C. guilliermondii. Conclusions: The GKEO nanoemulsion potentiated anti-yeast activity against Candida spp. The formulation improved the efficacy of GKEO, suggesting its potential as an alternative or adjunctive treatment for candidiasis. Full article

Background/Objectives: The clinical forms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vary widely in severity, ranging from asymptomatic or moderate cases to severe pneumonia that can lead to acute respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and death. Our main objective was to determine the prevalence of bacterial and fungal secondary infections in an intensive care unit (ICU). Secondary objectives included analyzing the impact of these infections on mortality and medical resource utilization, as well as assessing antimicrobial resistance in this context. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study that included critically ill severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) patients treated in an ICU and analyzed the prevalence of co-infections and superinfections. Results: A multivariate analysis of mortality found that the presence of superinfections increased the odds of death by more than 15-fold, while the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and C-reactive protein (adjusted for confounders) increased the odds of mortality by 51% and 13%, respectively. The antibiotic resistance profile of microorganisms indicated a high prevalence of resistant strains. Carbapenems, glycopeptides, and oxazolidinones were the most frequently used classes of antibiotics. Among patients, 27.9% received a single antibiotic, 47.5% received two from different classes, and 24.4% were treated with three or more. Conclusions: The incidence and spectrum of bacterial and fungal superinfections are higher in critically ill ICU patients, leading to worse outcomes in COVID-19 cases. Multidrug-resistant pathogens present significant challenges for ICU and public health settings. Early screening, accurate diagnosis, and minimal use of invasive devices are essential to reduce risks and improve patient outcomes. Full article

Lactic acid fermentation has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the functional and health-promoting qualities of plant-based foods. This study evaluates the impact of lactic acid fermentation on the antioxidant capacity, microbial viability, and chemical stability of freeze-dried peaches, aiming to develop a functional food with probiotic potential. Two bacterial strains—Fructilactobacillus fructivorans (P_FF) and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (P_LP)—were used to assess strain-dependent effects on microbial and bioactive compound profiles. Microbiological analyses included total viable count (TVC), fungal count (TFC), and total lactic acid bacteria (TCLAB). Chemical analyses comprised polyphenol, flavonoid, anthocyanin, carotenoid, sugar, and vitamin C content, as well as antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, reducing power). Thermal and structural stability were examined via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Fermentation significantly increased the counts of lactic acid bacteria, achieving 8.38 and 7.86 log CFU/g after freeze-drying, respectively. While total polyphenols slightly decreased (by 9.5% and 1.1% for L. plantarum and F. fructivorans, respectively), flavonoid content increased notably by 16.1% in F. fructivorans-fermented samples. Antioxidant activities, assessed by ABTS and DPPH assays, were largely maintained, although a reduction in reducing power was observed. Additionally, fermentation led to sucrose hydrolysis, resulting in higher glucose and fructose contents, and increased water content in the final products. Minor increases in total fungal counts were noted after freeze-drying but remained within acceptable limits. Overall, the combination of fermentation and freeze-drying processes preserved key antioxidant properties, enhanced microbial safety, and produced functional peach-based products with improved bioactivity and extended shelf life. These findings highlight the potential of fermented freeze-dried peaches as innovative, health-oriented alternatives to traditional fruit snacks. Full article

Human pathogenic fungi are the source of various illnesses, including invasive, cutaneous, and mucosal infections. One promising solution is using nanoparticles (NPs) as an antifungal agent. The current study aims to assess the antimicrobial and antifungal effects of drug-loaded silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with previously reported mebeverine analogue (MA) as a potential drug candidate targeting gut microbiota and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were conducted to identify possible mechanisms by which AgNPs could prevent microorganisms from growing. In vitro and ex vivo anti-inflammatory, in vitro antimicrobial, ex vivo spasmolytic activities, and in vitro hepatic cell morphology and proliferation of drug-loaded AgNPs were assessed. The drug-loaded AgNPs were considered to have promising antifungal activity against all tested fungal strains, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Fusarium moniliforme, and yeasts, Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and good antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. The results of in vitro and ex vivo determination of anti-inflammatory activity indicated that the drug-loaded AgNPs preserved MA’s anti-inflammatory activity and decreased inflammation. A similar effect was observed in spasmolytic activity measurements. Drug-loaded AgNPs also influenced the morphology and proliferation of hepatic cells, indicating a potential for improved gut and liver therapeutic efficacy. Each test was performed in triplicate, and the results were reported as mean values. Based on the results, drug-loaded AgNPs might be a promising antimicrobial agent, maintaining the MA’s potential as a spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory agent. Future in vivo and preclinical experiments will contribute to establishing the in vivo properties of drug-loaded AgNPs. Full article

Metarhizium anisopliae, a well-known species of entomopathogenic fungi with great potential as a biological control agent, is vulnerable to UV damage, which restricts its use in the field. To improve the fungal resistance to UV irradiation, UV-induced mutant strains of M. anisopliae s. l. were screened and compared with the wild-type (WT) strain for heat resistance, growth rate, conidial yield, and virulence. Comparative transcriptomic analysis between the selected UV-resistant mutants and the WT was carried out. The results showed that the five mutants exhibited significantly higher heat resistance and growth rates, while the conidial production remained unchanged. Among them, the mutant MaUV-22 exhibited enhanced tolerance to heat, oxidative, osmotic, and SDS stresses as well as increased virulence against Galleria mellonella. Moreover, the transcriptome analysis of MaUV-22 revealed that the expression of genes associated with the heat shock protein pathway, glutathione S-transferase, and thioredoxin reductase were increased dramatically, while the expression of genes related to the catalase and superoxide dismutase pathways was downregulated. The UV-induction technique is an effective strategy to improve fungal resistance to environmental stresses and affords some other beneficial traits such as better control efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi against pests in the field. Full article

Fungal species secrete various enzymes and are considered the primary sources of industrially important cellulases. Cellulases are essential natural factors for cellulose degradation and have attracted significant interest for multiple applications. However, reducing the cost and enhancing cellulase production remains a significant challenge. Mutagenesis has opened a new window for enhancing enzyme secretion by modifying the organism’s genome. In this study, cellulases from Alternaria citri were produced and characterized, and the optimization for ideal fermentation conditions was performed for three types of cellulases (endoglucanase, exoglucanase, and β-glucosidase) by a wild-type (A. citri) and a mutant strain (A. citri 305). Ethyl methanesulfonate, a chemical mutagen, was used to enhance cellulase production by A. citri. The results demonstrate the improved cellulolytic ability of the mutant strain A. citri 305 utilizing lignocellulosic waste substances, particularly, orange-peel powder, wheat straw, sugarcane bagasse, and sawdust, making this study economically valuable. This evokes the potential for multi-dimensional applications in enzyme production, waste degradation, and biofuel generation. This study highlights that the activity of cellulases to hydrolyze various lignocellulosic substrates is enhanced after mutagenesis. Full article

Background/Objectives: Voriconazole (VRCZ) use requires accurate monitoring to avoid suboptimal drug levels and adverse effects. In addition, the appearance of resistant fungal strains is a problem that needs attention. Blood concentration measurement is the monitoring technique of choice; however, it is slow, limiting its clinical application. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of rapid therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for VRCZ using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) compared to conventional outsourced liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) testing in outpatient care. Methods: VRCZ blood concentrations were measured using HPLC-UV and LC-MS/MS. Reporting times, accuracy, and clinical outcomes were assessed for outpatients receiving VRCZ treatment. Safety was monitored for renal, hepatic, and visual toxicities. Results: HPLC-UV significantly reduced reporting times (0.433 h vs. 74.3 h, p < 0.001), and Deming’s regression analyses showed a strong correlation with LC-MS/MS results (Pearson’s r = 0.988). Bland–Altman analysis showed an average difference of 0.025 μg/mL between HPLC-UV and LC-MS/MS. Prospective monitoring of three outpatients revealed no adverse events, enabling safe and effective VRCZ dosing. Conclusions: Rapid VRCZ TDM using HPLC-UV is a cost-effective and feasible approach for outpatient care, significantly improving reporting times and patient safety. Further studies and cross-facility collaboration are needed to expand its application. Full article

Litter decomposition dynamics are largely governed by microbial interactions. While the involvement of endophytic fungi in early-stage decomposition and microbial succession is well established, their species-specific contributions to decomposer community assembly remain insufficiently understood. This study investigated the effects of single-strain endophytic colonization using dominant species (Tubakia dryina, Tubakia dryinoides, Guignardia sp.) and rare species (Neofusicoccum parvum, Penicillium citrinum) on Quercus acutissima leaf decomposition through a controlled field experiment in a karst ecosystem. Endophytes accelerated decomposition rates across treatments but paradoxically reduced transient CO₂ emissions, linked to intensified microbial carbon and phosphorus limitations in late stages. Contrary to expectations, decomposition efficiency was governed by endophytic fungal species traits rather than colonization abundance, with rare species outperforming dominant taxa. Endophytes induced significant fungal community restructuring, reducing Ascomycota while enriching lignin-degrading Basidiomycota, but minimally affected bacterial composition. Co-occurrence networks revealed endophyte-driven fragmentation of microbial connectivity, with only two keystone fungal hubs (Trechispora sp. and Russula carmesina) identified compared to natural communities. Endophytic colonization improved fungal community assembly, mediated by an increase in lignin-degrading Basidiomycota and the suppression of pathogenic Leotiomycetes lineages. Our findings demonstrate that endophytes hierarchically regulate decomposer communities through phylogenetically conserved fungal interactions, prioritizing functional trait selection over competitive dominance, thereby stabilizing decomposition under nutrient constraints. This mechanistic framework advances predictions of litter decay dynamics in forest ecosystems undergoing microbial community perturbations. Full article