The known phenanthrenone trigonostemone (1), along with a new phenanthrenone, 9-O-demethyltrigonostemone (2), and two new phenanthropolones, 3,6,9-trimethoxyphenanthropolone (3) and 4,6,9-trimethoxyphenanthropolone (4), were isolated from the roots of Strophioblachia fimbricalyx. Compound 2 showed cytotoxicity against NCI-H187, KB, and MCF7 cancer cells with IC50 values of 0.8, 0.8, and 2.9 microg/mL, respectively, while 3 and 4 showed reduced cytotoxicity. Compounds 2 and 3 displayed antiplasmodial activity in vitro (IC50 values of 2.7 and 3.2 microg/mL, respectively) against Plasmodium falciparum (K1, resistant strain). In addition, the antioxidant activity of 1-4 toward DPPH radicals was determined, but only compound 2 showed any discernible activity.

The bacteria of PDMCd0501, PDMCd2007, and PDMZnCd2003 were isolated from a Zn/Cd contaminated soil. They were classified as salt-tolerant bacteria in this experiment. The bacteria had indole-3-acetic acids (IAA) production, nitrogen fixation, and phosphate solubilization, under 8% (w/v) NaCl condition. Biochemical test (API 20E) and 16S rDNA sequencing identified PDMCd2007 and PDMCd0501 as Serratia sp. and PDMZnCd2003 was Pseudomonas sp. The effect of Pseudomonas sp. PDMZnCd2003 on the germination and seedlings of Oryza sativa L.cv. RD6 was determined under a salinity of 0-16 dS/m. The salinity levels of 4-16 dS/m affected to decrease germination and seedlings of rice. Comparison between uninoculated and inoculated system, however, Pseudomonas sp. PDMZnCd2003 had a negative impact on the rice growth. This unexpected effect was a case that should be concerned and studied further before application as a plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB).

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The entomopathogenic fungus Cod-MK1201 was isolated from a dead cicada nymph. Three regions of ribosomal nuclear DNA, the internal transcribed spacers of nuclear ribosomal DNA repeats (ITS), the partial small subunit of rDNA (nrSSU) , and the partial large subunit of rDNA (nrLSU), and two protein-coding regions, the elongation factor 1α (EF-1α), and the largest subunit of the RNA polymerase II (rpb1) gene, were sequenced and used for fungal identification. The phylogenetic analysis of the ITS and the combined data set of the five genes indicated that the fungal isolate Cod-MK1201 is a new strain of Cordyceps sp. that is closely related to Cordyceps nipponica and C. kanzashiana. Crude extracts of mycelium-cultured Cod-MK1201 were obtained using distilled water and 50% (v/v) ethanol, and the antibacterial activity of each was determined. Both extracts had activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, but the ethanol extract was the more potent of the two. The antibacterial activity of the protein fractions of these extracts was also determined. The protein fraction from the ethanol extract was more antibacterial than the protein fraction from the aqueous extract. Three antibacterial constituents including adenosine, the total phenolic content (TPC), and the total flavonoid content (TFC) was also determined. The results showed that the adenosine content, the TPC, and the TFC of the ethanol extract were more active than those of the aqueous extract. Moreover, synergism was detected between these antibacterial constituents. In conclusion, the entomopathogenic fungal isolate Cod-MK1201 represents a natural source of antibacterial agents.

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Purpose: To investigate the antifungal effect of the mycelial extracts and crude proteins of the medicinal mushroom, Ophiocordyceps sobolifera on Candida albicans. Methods: The antifungal activities of the mycelial extracts and crude proteins of seven strains of the entomopathogenic fungus, Ophiocordyceps sobolifera, were screened against Candida albicans strain NCYC854 using an agar well diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were determined using broth microdilution method. The kinetics of fungal death was elucidated via time-kill assays, and while ultrastructural alteration changes to fungal cells were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: The antifungal activities of the mycelial extracts were superior to those of the crude proteins. Among the isolates, Cod-KK1643 exhibited the highest activity with the lowest MIC against the test strains. Therefore, it was chosen for further investigations. The isolate Cod-KK1643 exhibited concentration-and time-dependent fungistatic activity in the time kill assay. However, these activities were absent in the crude protein of the isolate. Moreover, Cod-KK1643 mycelial extract induced morphological alterations in fungal cells, such as decreased cell size, and crushed or cracked appearance. Slight alterations in cell morphology (decreased cell size or crushed appearance) were observed in the crude protein treatment. Conclusion: The mycelial extracts of the fungus, O. sobolifera (especially isolate Cod-KK1643) exert potent antifungal activity against human pathogenic fungus, C. albicans.

The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of replacement of Crude Protein (CP) from Soybean Meal (SBM) with CP from Wolffia meal [Wolffia globosa (L). Wimm.] on performance and carcass quality in Japanese quails. Using Completely Randomize Design (CRD), two hundred eighty-eight quails were divided into four treatments. Each treatment consisted of six replicates and each replicate contained twelve quails. The dietary treatments were T1: control diet, T2, T3 and T4: CP from SBM was replaced by CP from Wolffia meal at 25, 50 and 75%, respectively. The results showed that the feed intake of quails significantly decreased (p<0.05) when over 50% of CP from SBM was replaced by CP from Wolffia meal in the diet. However, replacement of CP from SBM with CP from Wolffia meal in the diets did not alter (p>0.05) feed efficiency, performance and carcass quality of quails. Skin pigmentation increased (p<0.05) with increasing CP replacement from Wolffia meal. In conclusion, 50% of CP from Wolffia meal could appropriately replace CP from SBM in the diet of quail.