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Isolation and biological activities of an endophytic Mortierella alpina strain from the Antarctic moss Schistidium antarctici

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Abstract

The Antarctic endophytic fungus (strain ITA1-CCMA 952) was isolated from the moss Schistidium antarctici found in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica. Strain ITA1-CCMA 952 was assigned to the specie Mortierella alpina by phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rRNA gene sequences. This strain produces high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including y-(gamma) linolenic acid and arachidonic acid, which when combined represents 48.3 % of the total fatty acid content. Fungal extracts demonstrated strong antioxidant activity with the EC50 value of 48.7 μg mL−1 and also a strong antibacterial activity, mainly against the following bacteria: Escherichia coli, with a MIC of 26.9 μg mL−1 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis, both with a MIC of 107 μg mL−1. A GC–MS analysis of the chloroform fraction obtained from the crude extract revealed the presence of potential antimicrobials (Pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione, hexahydro-3-(2-methylpropyl) and Pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione, hexahydro-3-(phenylmethyl)) as the major compounds. Therefore, the M. alpina strain ITA1-CCMA 952 is a promising fungus for the biotechnological production of antibiotics, antioxidant substances and PUFAs. This study highlights the need for more research in extreme environments, such as Antarctica.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Débora Renata Cassoli de Souza for the GC–MS analysis of compounds obtained in this study and INCT Criosfera for their support and assistance in collecting the samples in Antarctica.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology, Embrapa Environment, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation-EMBRAPA, Rodovia SP 340, Km 127,5, P.O. Box 69, Jaguariúna, SP, 13820-000, Brazil

    Itamar S. Melo, Suikinai N. Santos, Marcia M. Parma, Leonardo J. Silva & Sonia C. N. Queiroz

  2. Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP 31270-901, Brazil

    Luiz H. Rosa

  3. University of São Paulo, Praça do Oceanográfico, n°191, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, 05508-900, Brazil

    Vivian H. Pellizari

Authors
  1. Itamar S. Melo
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  2. Suikinai N. Santos
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  3. Luiz H. Rosa
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  4. Marcia M. Parma
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  5. Leonardo J. Silva
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  6. Sonia C. N. Queiroz
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  7. Vivian H. Pellizari
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Correspondence to Itamar S. Melo.

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Communicated by H. Atomi.

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Melo, I.S., Santos, S.N., Rosa, L.H. et al. Isolation and biological activities of an endophytic Mortierella alpina strain from the Antarctic moss Schistidium antarctici . Extremophiles 18, 15–23 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00792-013-0588-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00792-013-0588-7

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