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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
Measuring Volatile and Non-volatile Antifungal Activity of Biocontrol Products
Published on: December 5, 2020
Lipolytic activity of chromoblastomycosis agents measured by infrared spectroscopy and chemometric methods
Valeriano Antonio Corbellini1, Maria Lúcia Scroferneker, Mariana Carissimi
1Graduate Program in Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. valer@unisc.br
Abstract:
The lipase activity of nine strains of six chromoblastomycosis agents (Fonsecaea pedrosoi, Phialophora verrucosa, Cladophialophora bantianum, Cladophialophora carrionii, Rhinocladiela aquaspersa and Exophiala jeanselmei) grown on solid medium was investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and hierarchical clustering analysis. The data was quantified by p-nitrophenyl palmitate assay using partial least squares (PLS) regression. These methods allowed the correlation of six genera and species within the 1230-1650 and 2800+3000 cm(-1) spectral ranges among strains grown for 14 days from their respective lipolytic activity with RMSEV=0.048 and R2val=0.95 and ten latent variables. The lipolytic activity also was predicted using PLS models with 1230-1650 and 2800-3000 cm(-1) and 900-1450 cm(-1) spectral ranges for strains grown for 21 days. The separate analysis of F. pedrosoi strains yielded a prediction model for biomass at 21 days with RMSEV=0.065 and R2val=0.95 with eight latent variables using (1100-1300)+(1330-1460)+(1550-1650) cm(-1) spectral regions The best model obtained with the clustering of P. verrucosa, C. bantianum, C. carrionii, R. aquaspersa and E. jeanselmei strains was constructed with the same spectral ranges, but with RMSEV=0.074 and R2val=0.94 and ten latent variables. Infrared spectroscopy is suitable for the quantitation of extracellular lipase activity linked to the biomass of chromoblastomycosis agents.
Insights
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy quantifies lipase activity in chromoblastomycosis agents. This method accurately links extracellular lipase activity to fungal biomass, aiding in disease diagnosis and understanding.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Biochemistry
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic fungal infection caused by several species of dematiaceous fungi.
- Accurate quantification of fungal lipase activity is crucial for understanding disease pathogenesis and developing diagnostic tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the lipase activity of nine strains from six chromoblastomycosis-causing agents.
- To assess the suitability of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for quantifying extracellular lipase activity and its correlation with fungal biomass.
Main Methods:
- Utilized FTIR spectroscopy combined with hierarchical clustering analysis.
- Quantified lipase activity using p-nitrophenyl palmitate assay and partial least squares (PLS) regression.
- Analyzed spectral data in specific ranges (e.g., 1230-1650 cm⁻¹, 2800-3000 cm⁻¹) for correlation and prediction models.
Main Results:
- FTIR spectroscopy successfully correlated lipase activity with fungal biomass across different strains and growth periods (14 and 21 days).
- Developed accurate PLS regression models with high R² values (up to 0.95) for predicting lipolytic activity and biomass.
- Demonstrated the method's efficacy for both combined species analysis and separate strain analysis (e.g., Fonsecaea pedrosoi).
Conclusions:
- FTIR spectroscopy is a suitable and accurate method for quantifying extracellular lipase activity in chromoblastomycosis agents.
- The technique effectively links lipase activity to fungal biomass, offering a valuable tool for mycological and clinical research.
