Phenolic Compounds Synthesized by <i>Trichoderma longibrachiatum</i> Native to Semi-Arid Areas Show Antifungal Activity against Phytopathogenic Fungi of Horticultural Interest
Fungal diseases are a major threat to the horticultural industry and cause substantial postharvest losses. While secondary metabolites from <i>Trichoderma</i> sp. have been explored for their antifungal properties, limited information exists on the phenolic compounds produced by less stu...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-08-01
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| Series: | Microbiology Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7481/15/3/96 |
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| Summary: | Fungal diseases are a major threat to the horticultural industry and cause substantial postharvest losses. While secondary metabolites from <i>Trichoderma</i> sp. have been explored for their antifungal properties, limited information exists on the phenolic compounds produced by less studied species like <i>Trichoderma longibrachiatum</i>. In this study, phenolic compounds were extracted from a liquid culture of <i>T. longibrachiatum</i> using various solvents and methods (conventional and ultrasonic-assisted). Phenolic compounds were quantified by spectrophotometry and identified by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). The antifungal activity against <i>Alternaria alternata</i> and <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i> was determined by mycelial growth inhibition assays, maximum growth rate (µ<sub>max</sub>) by the Gompertz equation, and spore germination tests. Although no significant differences (<i>p</i> ≥ 0.05) were found between the extraction methods, the type of solvent significantly influenced the phenolic content (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05). Extraction with 70% ethanol showed the highest content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. More than eight phenolic compounds were detected. Further, this is the first report of the phenolics ferulic, chlorogenic and p-coumaric acids identification in <i>T. longibrachiatum</i>, along with flavonoids such as epicatechin and quercetin, among others. The 70% ethanolic extracts notably inhibited the mycelial growth of <i>A. alternata</i> and <i>F. oxysporum</i>, reducing their maximum growth rate by 1.5 and 1.4 mm/h, respectively. Furthermore, p-coumaric and ferulic acids significantly inhibited spore germination of both pathogens, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.5 mg/mL and a minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of 2 mg/mL. These findings demonstrate the potential of <i>T. longibrachiatum</i> and its phenolic compounds as viable alternatives for biological control in horticulture and postharvest disease management. |
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| ISSN: | 2036-7481 |