Strategy of selection for species and strains of the genus Pleurotus, producers of antiparasitic and antifungal metabolites

Introduction. The search for new antiparasitic and antifungal agents is becoming increasingly relevant due to the widespread occurrence of helminthiasis and invasive mycoses, as well as the increasing resistance of pathogens. Mushrooms of the genus Pleurotus are considered as a promising source of biologically active metabolites.

The aim of the work was to evaluate the spectrum of antifungal activity of metabolites of eight strains of the genus Pleurotus grown in a submerged culture.

Materials and methods. Ethyl acetate extracts of culture liquid and ethanol extracts of mycelium were studied. Antifungal activity was assessed by the diffusion method in relation to ten clinically significant test objects, including pathogens from the priority list of the World Health Organization (Candida albicans, Candidozyma auris, Aspergillus fumigatus and others).

Results. Ethyl acetate extracts of the culture fluid exhibit higher and broader antifungal activity compared to mycelium extracts. The most active strains were Pleurotus ostreatus M-37 and Pleurotus citrinopileatus 1 against critically important pathogens C. albicans, C. auris and A. fumigatus.

Conclusion. The most promising producers of antifungal compounds among the studied strains were P. ostreatus M-37 and P. citrinopileatus 1. The revealed antifungal activity, combined with the known nematocidal properties of oyster mushrooms, allows them to be considered as a universal platform for the search for new remedies against mycoses and parasitoses.

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