Different Environmental Applications Of Peptaibols

Peptaibols ( a subgroup of peptaibiotics) (1) are a group of small peptides (2) characterized by short linear chain lengths (20 residues), C-terminal alcohol residues, and high levels of non-standard amino acids, principally-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib), isovaline (Iva), and the imino acid hydroxyproline (Hyp). Naturally occurring peptaibols have been isolated from soil fungi mostly from the genus Trichoderma (teleomorph Hypocrea) that is a group of filamentous ubiquist fungi in soil and they are capable of protecting crops from root-invading fungi, parasitizing mushrooms and other fungi, and in some instances being opportunistic human pathogens (3,4). Thus, these fungi occupy important roles in agriculture, medicine as well as industry (5,6). In this work was tested the activity of secondary metabolites produced from Trichoderma harzianum (strain T-22) and Trichoderma asperellum (strain B1) either against typic phytopathogen agents of crops ( Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium ultimum and Fusarium oxysporum) or against fungi and bacteria colonies founded on the cultural heritage. In fact the bio-cleanig is a challenge and it is considered a promising alternative to synthetic pesticides. The antifungal and antimicrobial activities were performed by agar diffusion assay and the diameter of inhibition zones was measured and compared. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used for screening, identification and elucidation of amino acid sequences of peptaibols. These results open interesting perspectives on the possibility of using derivatives of fungal for the formulation of new commercial products can protect the plants and the environment. These formulations have the advantage of being less harmful to the health of humans and animals, have no negative environmental impact