Isolation and characterization of mangrove fungi and prospecting for bioactive polypeptides

• Grant number: 24/00041-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Biochemical and Molecular Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Leandro Mantovani de Castro
• Grantee: Felipe Ricardo de Mello
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB-CLP). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus Experimental do Litoral Paulista. São Vicente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Mangroves are one of the most productive and important ecosystems on the planet, considered a nursery for many species. However, these environments are constantly under threat due to anthropogenic pressures, such as pollution and disorderly urban occupation. Despite this issue, few studies are directed towards these environments, especially concerning the local microbiota. The microorganisms present play a crucial ecological role, as the environment is rich in organic matter, although it has low rates of available nutrients. Thus, the main contributors to degradation and nutrient release are microorganisms, especially filamentous fungi, capable of producing a wide variety of enzymes, secondary metabolites, and bioactive compounds that enable their survival. Due to these characteristics, these organisms are of great interest for bioprospecting studies aiming to find molecules with biotechnological potential and, especially, compounds with biological activity, such as antimicrobial, antitumor, antiviral, anti-inflammatory peptides, among others. In light of this context and the pharmaceutical potential involved, the present work aims to isolate and identify fungi from mangrove sediments on the southeast coast of São Paulo and conduct bioprospecting through the characterization of protein and peptide profiles along with antimicrobial and antitumor evaluation assays, exploring the therapeutic potential of local biodiversity.