An antifungal peptide from the coconut

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Mycology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Coconut flesh is a potential source of bioactive compounds.
• Antifungal peptides are crucial for developing novel therapeutic agents against plant and human pathogens.
• Understanding the purification and activity of such peptides is essential for their application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and characterize a novel antifungal peptide from coconut flesh.
• To evaluate the antifungal efficacy of the purified peptide against plant pathogenic fungi.
• To assess the peptide's inhibitory activity against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

Main Methods:

• A multi-step chromatographic purification process including DEAE-cellulose ion exchange, Affi-gel blue gel affinity, CM-cellulose ion exchange, and Superdex 75 gel filtration (Fast Performance Liquid Chromatography).
• Antifungal activity assays against Fusarium oxysporum, Mycosphaerella arachidicola, and Physalospora piricola.
• Determination of IC50 values for mycelial growth inhibition and HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibition.

Main Results:

• A 10 kDa peptide with significant antifungal properties was successfully isolated from coconut flesh.
• The peptide demonstrated potent inhibitory activity against Fusarium oxysporum, Mycosphaerella arachidicola, and Physalospora piricola.
• The isolated peptide exhibited IC50 values of 1.2 microM against M. arachidicola mycelial growth and 52.5 microM against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

Conclusions:

• Coconut flesh harbors a promising 10 kDa antifungal peptide with broad-spectrum activity against plant pathogens.
• The peptide's dual activity against fungal pathogens and HIV-1 reverse transcriptase warrants further investigation for therapeutic development.
• This study highlights the potential of plant-derived peptides as a source for novel antimicrobial and antiviral agents.