Plant extracts effect on the cell fungal surface hydrophobicity and acid-base properties

Abstract

In this study, the effect of different Thymus vulgaris extract fractions on Cell Surface Hydrophobicity (CSH) and acid-base properties of three fungal strains (Penicillium commune (PDLd10), Penicillium commune (PDLd”) and Thielavia hyalocarpa (PDLb3)) using contact angle measurement method was investigated. The main results demonstrated that all fractions tested are able to influence fungal cell physicochemical properties. Indeed, the methanolic and ethyl acetate fractions were effective in reducing CSH and made the cells more hydrophilic and highly electron donor (p<0.05) compared to the untreated ones. Whereas, the hexane-ethyl acetate treatment was found made them more hydrophobic and weakly donor electron compared to the control (p<0.05). It is also noted that the modification degree of microbial cell surface properties was fraction-dependent.