Evaluation of the antimicrobial potential of extracts obtained from an sample of Ophiocordyceps buquetii isolated from Brazilian Funga

• Grant number: 25/14405-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Douglas Moraes Mendel Soares
• Grantee: Diego Marques Pendenza
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The secondary metabolism of fungi encompasses various biochemical pathways that can lead to the production of bioactive molecules, holding promising potential for human therapeutics. However, the biosynthesis of these compounds in fungi remains underexplored. Cordyceps has shown promise in the search for bioactive molecules, which produces compounds with anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, cardioprotective, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, hypocholesterolemic, and antimicrobial activities. Nonetheless, the production of secondary metabolites under laboratory conditions is often low. One alternative is the use of elicitors, such as nicotinamide, which inhibits histone deacetylase activity and can ultimately lead to increased global gene expression. In this way, cultivating fungi in media supplemented with elicitors may enhance efficiency and result in extracts richer in bioactive metabolites. In this scenario, this project aims at performing the genetic characterization and evaluating the antimicrobial potential of Ophiocordyceps buquetii extracts, an entomopathogenic fungus collected in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. Given the global demand for new antimicrobials, this study contributes to expanding knowledge about the native fungal biodiversity of the country, exploring the chemical diversity of macrofungi, and promoting the biotechnological and sustainable use of fungal genetic resources. (AU)