Skip to main content
Kent Academic Repository

Investigating the use of natural products as potential antifungals

Shaw, Daisy (2023) Investigating the use of natural products as potential antifungals. Master of Science by Research (MScRes) thesis, University of Kent,. (doi:10.22024/UniKent/01.02.100605) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:100605)

PDF
Language: English

Restricted to Repository staff only until March 2026.

Contact us about this Publication
[thumbnail of 134DShaw_MSc-R_Thesis_Sept22.pdf]
Official URL:
https://doi.org/10.22024/UniKent/01.02.100605

Abstract

Rhizopus microsporusis a spore-forming filamentous fungus of the order Mucorales. Rhizopus species, are responsible for post-harvest rot of many soft fruits and vegetables, and are one of the aetiological agents causing the fatal disease mucormycosis. Given that Rhizopus spp. are naturally resistant to several commercial antifungal therapies, it is important that we find novel approaches to control the growth of these fungi. Here we investigate the antifungal activity ofsecreted metabolites from the Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the plant derived compound madecassic acid from the medicinal herb Centella asiatica, against R. microsporus. Both P. aeruginosa (PA01 and PA14) cells and supernatants displayed significant antifungal activity, killing 96% of the fungal spores, suggest that the bacterium secretes a molecule(s) with significant antifungal potential. Although P. aeruginosa secreted siderophores inhibited fungal growth via iron chelation, these siderophores were fungistatic, not fungicidal in the PA14 strain. Screening bacterial mutants in key secondary metabolites including phenazines, rhamnolipids, quinolones and polyhydroxyalkanoates, did not relieve the antifungal activity of the bacterium, suggesting these key virulence factors are not required for this effect. Pre-incubation of supernatant with spores before use as treatment against fresh spores showed removal of antifungal activity, suggesting that the fungus might metabolise or sequester the antifungal molecule. The plant-based molecule, madecassic acid exhibited antifungal activity against R. microsporus, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans with concentrations of 250 µM inhibiting growth for all three fungi. Our findings show that both P. aeruginosa and madecassic acid have potential for use as antifungal treatments alternative to those currently commercially available.

Item Type: Thesis (Master of Science by Research (MScRes))
Thesis advisor: Hall, Becky
DOI/Identification number: 10.22024/UniKent/01.02.100605
Uncontrolled keywords: Anifungal, Mucormycosis, Rhizopus microsporus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Biosciences
Funders: University of Kent (https://ror.org/00xkeyj56)
SWORD Depositor: System Moodle
Depositing User: System Moodle
Date Deposited: 24 Mar 2023 16:00 UTC
Last Modified: 27 Mar 2023 10:41 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/100605 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.