ABSTRACT
Over the years, natural products have played a major role in the search for novel drugs
or drug candidates. Secondary metabolites from nature especially those of fungal origin
exhibit unique biological activities and research continue to meet the keen interests
which have potential pharmaceutical value. Fungi constitute an important source of
secondary metabolites such as penicillin. The present study analyzed the biological
activities of a variety of compound mixtures from wood decay fungi.
A total of 54 wood decay fungi (WDF) were collected, with majority obtained from the
University of Ghana campus and its surroundings. The WDF were cultured in potato
dextrose broth (PDB) for 48 days and the time course analysis of two selected WDF
were also performed to determine the profile of specific bioactivities. Cultures were
terminated and extracted with ethyl acetate at the end of the 48th day of culture. WDF
extracts were analyzed spectrophotometrically at wavelengths between 200 nm and 900
nm which showed high absorption in the UV region of the spectrum. TLC analyses of
the fungal extracts were done using EtOAc: CH3CN: PetEth (7:2:1) as the solvent
system and different classes of compounds were detected on TLC plates sprayed with
Anisaldehyde reagent. UV detection of compounds on TLC showed unique band pattern
for the different WDF. Assays for biological activities of the fungal extracts were
performed against S. aureus ATCC.2, E. coli NMIMR.3, C. albicans KBTH.2 and A.
niger ATCC.2 using disc diffusion assay method.
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From the primary screening of antimicrobial activity, a total of 40 WDF extracts were
found to exhibit some form antimicrobial activity towards the test organism. Out of total
40 that had an activity, 10 of the WDF extracts were found to have biological activity
selectively (SG+) against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC.2, and 13 extracts were also
found to have a broad spectrum antimicrobial activity (BSAB) against Staphylococcus
aureus ATCC.2 and Escherichia coli NMIMR.3. The number of extracts that had
selective antifungal (SAF) activity towards Candida albicans KBTH.2 was found to be
3. The number of WDF that exhibited a non selective antimicrobial (NSAM) activity
towards the three test organisms, S. aureus ATCC.2, E. coli NMIMR.3and C. albicans
KBTH.2 were recorded to be 11. The time course analysis showed that fungal
metabolites are produced as early as the 7th day of culture, however cultures that were
harvested between 22nd and the 48th day of culture produced potent bioactive
components. . After the secondary screening of 27 WDF, inhibitory activity against only
S. aureus ATCC.2 was found to be possessed by 9 refermented extracts. Inhibitory
activity towards both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria tested was found in 6
extracts. Four (4) refermented extracts also exhibited inhibition towards S. aureus
ATCC.2 and C. albicans KBTH.2. A shift in antimicrobial activity was observed after
the secondary screen. Sephadex LH-20 fractions of the selected WDF extracts showed
the broad spectrum activities of the individual fractions. All the extracts (A4, E2, E9 and
F3) that showed broad spectrum activities against a Gram + and Gram – bacteria had
common fraction/s possessing the biological activities. In those extracts (B6 and B7) that
inhibited a Gram + bacteria and a fungus, the biological activities were seen in different
fractions.
ABOAGYE, S (2021). Analysis Of Low Molecular Weight Compounds Produced By Indigenous Wood Decay Fungi. Afribary. Retrieved from https://tracking.afribary.com/works/analysis-of-low-molecular-weight-compounds-produced-by-indigenous-wood-decay-fungi
ABOAGYE, SAMUEL "Analysis Of Low Molecular Weight Compounds Produced By Indigenous Wood Decay Fungi" Afribary. Afribary, 19 Apr. 2021, https://tracking.afribary.com/works/analysis-of-low-molecular-weight-compounds-produced-by-indigenous-wood-decay-fungi. Accessed 09 Nov. 2024.
ABOAGYE, SAMUEL . "Analysis Of Low Molecular Weight Compounds Produced By Indigenous Wood Decay Fungi". Afribary, Afribary, 19 Apr. 2021. Web. 09 Nov. 2024. < https://tracking.afribary.com/works/analysis-of-low-molecular-weight-compounds-produced-by-indigenous-wood-decay-fungi >.
ABOAGYE, SAMUEL . "Analysis Of Low Molecular Weight Compounds Produced By Indigenous Wood Decay Fungi" Afribary (2021). Accessed November 09, 2024. https://tracking.afribary.com/works/analysis-of-low-molecular-weight-compounds-produced-by-indigenous-wood-decay-fungi