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Updated: May 14, 2026
Measuring Volatile and Non-volatile Antifungal Activity of Biocontrol Products
Published on: December 5, 2020
In vitro antimicrobial activity of volatile organic compounds from Muscodor crispans against the pathogenic oomycete
Theerapong Krajaejun1, Tassanee Lowhnoo, Wanta Yingyong
1Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. mr_en@hotmail.com
Abstract:
Pythium insidiosum is an oomycete capable of causing a life-threatening disease in humans, called pythiosis. Conventional antifungal drugs are ineffective against P. insidiosum infection. A synthetic mixture of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the endophytic fungus Muscodor crispans strain B23 demonstrates antimicrobial effects against a broad range of human and plant pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, and oomycetes. We studied the in vitro effects of B23 VOCs against 25 human, 1 animal, and 4 environmental isolates of P. insidiosum, compared with a no-drug control. The B23 synthetic mixture, at amounts as low as 2.5 microl, significantly reduced growth of all P. insidiosum isolates by at least 80%. The inhibitory effect of the B23 VOCs was dose-dependent. The growth of all isolates was completely inhibited by a dose of 10.0 microl of B23 VOCs, and all isolates were killed by a dose of 20.0 microl. Synthetic B23 VOCs of M. crispans had inhibitory and lethal effects against all P. insidiosum isolates tested. Further studies are needed to evaluate this mixture for treatment of pythiosis.
Insights
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the fungus Muscodor crispans B23 show potent antimicrobial activity against Pythium insidiosum. This discovery offers a promising avenue for treating pythiosis, a dangerous infection resistant to conventional drugs.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Oomycete Pathogenesis
- Antimicrobial Discovery
Background:
- Pythium insidiosum causes life-threatening pythiosis in humans, resistant to standard antifungal treatments.
- Endophytic fungi, like Muscodor crispans, produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with known antimicrobial properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro efficacy of synthetic VOCs from Muscodor crispans strain B23 against clinical and environmental isolates of Pythium insidiosum.
- To determine the dose-dependent inhibitory and lethal effects of these VOCs on Pythium insidiosum.
Main Methods:
- Testing a synthetic mixture of VOCs from Muscodor crispans B23 against 30 isolates of Pythium insidiosum (25 human, 1 animal, 4 environmental).
- Evaluating growth inhibition and lethality at varying VOC concentrations (2.5, 10.0, and 20.0 microl), with a no-drug control group.
Main Results:
- The B23 VOC mixture significantly inhibited growth (≥80%) of all Pythium insidiosum isolates at low doses (2.5 microl).
- Complete growth inhibition was observed at 10.0 microl, and lethality was confirmed at 20.0 microl, demonstrating a dose-dependent effect.
- The synthetic B23 VOCs exhibited both inhibitory and lethal effects across all tested Pythium insidiosum isolates.
Conclusions:
- Synthetic VOCs from Muscodor crispans B23 possess significant in vitro inhibitory and lethal activity against Pythium insidiosum.
- These findings suggest a potential novel therapeutic strategy for pythiosis, warranting further investigation.
- The study highlights the potential of fungal VOCs as an alternative treatment for infections caused by drug-resistant oomycetes.
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