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Published on: December 5, 2020
Antimicrobial metabolites of the intestinal fungus Trichoderma sp. QTYC44 from Pantala flavescens larvae
Kun Kong1, Lijun Liu1, Xueyan Bai1
1School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
Background:
Insect gut fungi are increasingly recognized as specialized microbial reservoirs of bioactive compounds, yet the insect-associated microbes of Pantala flavescens larvae remain understudied.
Results:
In this study, the intestinal fungus Trichoderma sp. QTYC44, previously isolated from P. flavescens larvae, was further characterized and its antimicrobial metabolites were investigated. QTYC44 exhibited significant inhibitory effects on Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum with inhibition rates exceeding 80% and effectively suppressed cucumber wilt disease in a pot experiment, achieving 72.58% control efficacy. Chemical analysis of QTYC44 cultures led to the identification of 11 metabolites, including trichopyrone (1), bisvertinolone (2), vertinolide (3), (22E)-5a,8a-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3b-ol (4), dihydrobisvertinolone (5), trichodimerol (6), bisorbibutenolide (7), ergosterol (8), uracil (9), adenosine (10), and palmitic acid (11). Antibacterial tests showed that compound 2 exhibited strong activity against Micrococcus tetragenus, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola, and X. oryzae pv. oryzae, with inhibition zone diameters of 26.8, 17.7, and 22.0 mm, respectively, which were comparable or better than those of positive gentamicin sulfate. Further, compound 2 significantly reduced symptoms of bacterial leaf blight, achieving a control efficacy of 74.9% at 500 ng/ml, demonstrating strong in vivo antibacterial activity comparable to positive kasugamycin. SEM analysis revealed that treatment with compound 2 induced perforations in cell envelopes of X. oryzae pv. oryzae. In addition, compound 2 significantly enhanced lettuce growth, increasing aerial fresh weight by 70.8%.
Conclusion:
The results indicate that QTYC44 exhibits significant antimicrobial activity and holds great promise as a natural source of bioactive compounds for agricultural applications.
Insights
This study highlights the potential of insect gut fungi, specifically Trichoderma sp. QTYC44 from Pantala flavescens larvae, as a source of novel antimicrobial compounds for agriculture. Compound 2 demonstrated potent activity against plant pathogens and enhanced crop growth.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Mycology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Insect gut fungi are recognized reservoirs of bioactive compounds.
- The microbial communities within Pantala flavescens larvae are underexplored.
- This research focuses on characterizing fungi isolated from P. flavescens larvae.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antimicrobial properties of Trichoderma sp. QTYC44, isolated from P. flavescens larvae.
- To identify and characterize bioactive metabolites produced by QTYC44.
- To evaluate the potential of QTYC44 and its metabolites in agricultural applications.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of Trichoderma sp. QTYC44 from P. flavescens larvae.
- Antimicrobial assays against plant pathogenic fungi and bacteria.
- Chemical analysis (e.g., HPLC, NMR) for metabolite identification.
- Pot experiments for disease control efficacy and plant growth promotion.
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for mechanism of action studies.
Main Results:
- QTYC44 demonstrated significant inhibition (>80%) of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum, controlling cucumber wilt disease (72.58% efficacy).
- Eleven metabolites were identified, including trichopyrone, bisvertinolone (compound 2), and ergosterol.
- Compound 2 showed potent antibacterial activity against Micrococcus tetragenus and Xanthomonas oryzae strains, comparable to gentamicin sulfate.
- Compound 2 effectively controlled bacterial leaf blight (74.9% efficacy) and induced cell envelope perforations in X. oryzae pv. oryzae.
- Compound 2 significantly enhanced lettuce aerial fresh weight by 70.8%.
Conclusions:
- Trichoderma sp. QTYC44 possesses significant antimicrobial activity against key plant pathogens.
- Bisvertinolone (compound 2) is a potent bioactive metabolite with potential for agricultural use.
- This fungus and its metabolites represent a promising natural resource for sustainable agriculture and crop protection.
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