Antimicrobial Potential of Australian Macrofungi Extracts Against Foodborne and Other Pathogens

Abstract

Basidiomycetous macrofungi have therapeutic potential due to antimicrobial activity but little information is available for Australian macrofungi. Therefore, the present study investigated 12 Australian basidiomycetous macrofungi, previously shown to have promising activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, for their antimicrobial potential against a range of other clinically relevant micro-organisms. Fruiting bodies were collected from across Queensland, Australia, freeze-dried and sequentially extracted with water and ethanol. The crude extracts were tested at 10 mg/mL and 1 mg/mL against six pathogens including two Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria along with two fungi using a high throughput 96-well microplate bioassay. A degree of specificity in activity was exhibited by the water extract of Ramaria sp. (Gomphaceae) and the ethanol extracts of Psathyrella sp. (Psathyrellaceae) and Hohenbuehelia sp., which inhibited the growth of the two fungal pathogens used in the assay. Similarly, the ethanol extract of Fomitopsis lilacinogilva (Fomitopsidaceae) was active against the Gram-positive bacteria B. cereus only. Activity against a wider range of the microorganisms used in the assay was exhibited by the ethanol extract of Ramaria sp. and the water extract of Hohenbuehelia sp. (Pleurotaceae). These macrofungi can serve as new sources for the discovery and development of much needed new antimicrobials.

Review on Natural Preservatives for Extending Fish Shelf Life

“…The mechanisms of sulphated polysaccharides and algal polysaccharides may be related to glycoprotein receptors on the cell surface of polysaccharides which bind with compounds in the cell wall, cytoplasmic membrane, and DNA, increasing the cytoplasmic membrane permeability, protein leakage, and binding of bacterial DNA [189]. The antimicrobial activities of mushrooms may be related to a variety of secondary metabolites with biological activity, such as gallic acids, some phenols, volatile compounds, free fatty acids, and their derivatives [190]. Considering the wide biodiversity of mushrooms, they could easily become accessible sources of natural preservatives.…”

A novel ribonuclease with HIV‐1 reverse transcriptase inhibitory activity purified from the fungus Ramaria formosa

“…Nouhra et al [6] performed morphological and molecular characterization of selected Ramaria mycorrhizae. Antibacterial and antifungal activities in Ramaria mushrooms have been noted [7][8][9][10].…”

Anti-Contamination Strategies for Yeast Fermentations

“…Since herbs and spices such as cinnamon, cassia, garlic, basil, ginger, and mustard possess antibacterial activities as well as unique flavors [94], herb extracts may be utilized as natural substitutes for antibiotics and flavoring agents in beer production. A similar antibacterial activity can also be found in fungi belonging to the family Basidiomycota, i.e., mushrooms [95,96]. They produce many bioactive compounds including flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolics, and terpenoids that can be used as ingredients for functional foods, medicines, and cosmetics, as well as acting as food preservatives [97,98].…”