Qualitative analysis of biosurfactants from Bacillus species exhibiting antifungal activity

PLoS One. 2018 Jun 4;13(6):e0198107. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198107. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Bacillus spp. produce a broad spectrum of lipopeptide biosurfactants, among which surfactin, iturin and fengycin are widely studied families. The goals of this study were to characterize the biosurfactant activity of Bacillus spp. and to investigate their motility and biofilm formation capabilities. In addition, we extracted lipopeptides from these bacteria to assess their antifungal activities and analyzed these products by mass spectrometry (MS). B. amyloliquefaciens FZB42, Bacillus sp. NH 217 and B. subtilis NH-100 exhibited excellent biosurfactant and surface spreading activities, whereas B. atrophaeus 176s and Paenibacillus polymyxa C1225 showed moderate activity, and B. subtilis 168 showed no activity. Strains FZB42, NH-100, NH-217, 176s and CC125 exhibited excellent biofilm formation capabilities. Lipopeptide extracts displayed good antifungal activity against various phytopathogens and their associated diseases, such as Fusarium moniliforme (rice bakanae disease), Fusarium oxysporum (root rot), Fusarium solani (root rot) and Trichoderma atroviride (ear rot and root rot). Lipopeptide extracts of these strains also showed hemolytic activity, demonstrating their strong potential to produce surfactants. LCMS-ESI analyses identified the presence of surfactin, iturin and fengycin in the extracts of Bacillus strains. Thus, the strains assayed in this study show potential as biocontrol agents against various Fusarium and Trichoderma species.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / analysis*
  • Antifungal Agents / isolation & purification
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacillus / chemistry*
  • Bacterial Adhesion / drug effects
  • Lipopeptides / analysis
  • Lipopeptides / isolation & purification
  • Lipopeptides / pharmacology
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Peptides, Cyclic / analysis
  • Peptides, Cyclic / isolation & purification
  • Peptides, Cyclic / pharmacology
  • Surface Tension / drug effects
  • Surface-Active Agents / analysis*
  • Surface-Active Agents / isolation & purification
  • Surface-Active Agents / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Lipopeptides
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Surface-Active Agents

Grants and funding

The authors are thankful to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan for the financial support provided by Indigenous fellowship #112-22996-2BM1-183 (50022627) and HEC project #2511; the International research support initiative program (IRSIP) by HEC; Dr. Angela Sessitsch for providing AIT Lab facility; and Dr. Mazhar Iqbal (National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, NIBGE) for LCMS-ESI analysis. The authors are also thankful to AJE (American Journal Experts) services for improving the English and readability of the manuscript.