Media selection for mycelia growth, antifungal activity against wood-degrading fungi, and GC-MS study by Pycnoporus sanguineus

Abstract

Wood-decaying fungi present a serious threat to items made from rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis). Though conventional chemical control has been a successful method for preserving wood against stain and decay fungi growth, the effects of these chemicals are of concern because they create problems for the environment and public health. Pycnoporus sanguineus (P. sanguineus), is a white-rot fungus that invades wood during its growth, storage, or use, causing decay or other property changes. It was considered in this work as a potential source of bioactive compounds and investigated for its natural antifungal activity using a minimum inhibitory concentration assay against wood-degrading fungi. It was found that media consisting of 10.0 g/L malt extract, yeast extract, dextrose, and maltose, respectively at pH 4.7±0.2 provided the highest biomass production by P. sanguineus. Results showed that the antifungal properties of methanol and water extract of P. sanguineus mycelia and supernatant ranged from MIC values of 0.1 to 5.0 μg/μL. 4HPyran-4-one,2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl- (DDMP) was found to be the major component in the extract of this fungus, based on analysis using gas chromatography - mass spectrometry.