ABSTRACT. Fungi belonging to the Colletotrichum genus can be categorized as endophytic or phytopathogenic. These fungi can be infected by viruses, termed mycoviruses, which are known to promote hypovirulence in infected fungi. However, there are few studies that have described mycoviral infections of endophytes. The production of secondary metabolites by endophytes with antimicrobial potential in inhibiting numerous pathogens has gained increasing attention. The aim of the current study was to investigate the presence of mycoviruses in endophytic and phytopathogenic fungi of the Colletotrichum genus, as well as to analyze the antimicrobial activity of crude extracts obtained from these samples. To detect the presence of mycoviruses in the samples, dsRNA was extracted, treated with enzymes, and analyzed following electrophoresis in agarose gel. Furthermore, isometric mycoviral particles were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Serial microdilution methodology was used to test crude extracts of Colletotrichum spp for antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and antifungal activity against Fusarium solani. The results of the molecular and microscopic analyses indicated that a phytopathogenic strain presented infection by mycovirus. The antibacterial activity analysis revealed that the minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal concentrations were low for the fungal extracts of the two endophytes, indicating that these extracts were effective antibacterial agents. However, their antifungal activity against F. solani was not statistically different compared to that of the negative control.

The environment diversity is directly related to environmental balance, which is directly affected by industrial and municipal waste release. Some species of microorganisms can act as decomposers in bioremediation process, aiding in contaminated areas recovery. The Maringá city, located in state of Paraná -Brazil, have been demonstrated rapid population growth and excelling in the construction sector, textile, and others, resulting in an increase of waste generated, necessitating the deployment of new technologies for waste treatment, in order to reduce them, so that decrease the socio-economic and environmental impact. The city counts with the Plan for Waste Manager (PGR, by its initials in Portuguese) that aims at controlling the waste produced and the proper disposal thereof. Aiming to improve the treatment of waste generated, we made a survey to relate the industrial and domestic waste produced in Maringá with possible ways of treatment, in sustainable processes, using the bioremediation potential of microorganisms. Keywords RESUMOA diversidade do meio ambiente está diretamente relacionada com equilíbrio ambiental, o qual é diretamente afetado pela liberação de resíduos industriais e urbanos. Algumas espécies de microrganismos podem atuar como decompositores, em processos de biorremediação, auxiliando na recuperação de áreas contaminadas. O município de Maringá, localizado no estado do Paraná -Brasil, vem apresentando rápido crescimento populacional e se destacando principalmente nos setores de construção civil, têxtil, entre outros. Como consequência, há o aumento de resíduos gerados e, desta forma, a necessidade de implantação de novas tecnologias de tratamentos de resíduos à fim de reduzilos, de maneira a diminuir o impacto sócio-econômico-ambiental. A cidade conta com o Plano de Gerenciamento de Resíduos (PGR), que visa o controle dos resíduos produzidos e a sua destinação correta. Com o intuito de melhorar e buscar alternativas para o tratamento dos resíduos gerados, o objetivo deste trabalho foi relacionar os dejetos industriais e domésticos produzidos no município de Maringá com possíveis formas de tratamento utilizando, de maneira sustentável, o potencial biorremediador de microrganismos.