Trichoderma asperelloides ethanolic extracts efficiently inhibit Staphylococcus growth and biofilm formation

PLoS One. 2018 Aug 24;13(8):e0202828. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202828. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Fungi from the widely distributed genus Trichoderma are of great biotechnological interest, being currently used in a vast range of applications. Here, we report that high-molecular weight fraction (HWF) derived from Trichoderma asperelloides ethanolic extract exhibits antibiotic activity against staphylococcal biofilms. The antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties of T. asperelloides extracts were evaluated by well-established assays in Staphylococcus aureus ATCC strains (29213 and 6538) and in one clinical isolate from bovine mastitis. The HWF from T. asperelloides eradicated S. aureus by causing substantial matrix de-structuring and biomass reduction (p < 10-5) at concentrations as low as 2.3 μg mL-1. Additionally, we present ultra-structure analysis by the use of scanning electron microscopy as well as transmission microscopy, which showed that T. asperelloides killed cells through cell wall and membrane disturbance. Remarkably, the HWF from T. asperelloides killed S. aureus and eradicated its biofilms in a greater performance than gentamicin (p < 10-5), a known potent antibiotic against S. aureus. Our results indicate that extract from T. asperelloides may represent a promising candidate for the development of new antibiotics against gram-positive bacteria.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Biofilms / growth & development
  • Cell Wall / drug effects
  • Cell Wall / metabolism
  • Ethanol / chemistry*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / cytology
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / physiology*
  • Trichoderma / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Ethanol

Grants and funding

The work was supported by the following: Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia - J.L.S.; and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - S.S.S.