ABSTRACT
This work was to find out the dominant secondary metabolites derived from the fungus Trichoderma and to test them against skin cancer protein. The metabolites were extracted in 80% methanol from the fungal biomass of Trichoderma isolated from mangrove sediment. The crude methanol extract was purified and analysed for the secondary metabolites by GC-MS. Three predominant compounds (heptadecanoic acid, 16 methyl-, methyl ester; 9,12-octadecadienoic acid; cis-9-octadecenoic acid) identified in the extracts were screened against the skin cancer protein (Hsp90) by in-silico docking method. Of the compounds, heptadecanoic acid, 16 methyl, methyl ester was the most potent having the docking score of -11.4592 Kcal/mol. This value was better than the standard drug "dyclonine". This work recommends the heptadecanoic acid, 16 methyl, methyl ester for further in vitro and in vivo studies towards its development as anticancer drug.
ABSTRACT
The present study investigated the extracellular biosynthesis of antimicrobial silver nanoparticles by Escherichia coli AUCAS 112 and Aspergillus niger AUCAS 237 derived from coastal mangrove sediment of southeast India. Both microbial species were able to produce silver nanoparticles, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction spectrum. The nanoparticles synthesized were mostly spherical, ranging in size from 5 to 20 nm for E. coli and from 5 to 35 nm for A. niger, as evident by transmission electron microscopy. Fourier transform spectroscopy revealed prominent peaks corresponding to amides I and II, indicating the presence of a protein for stabilizing the nanoparticles. Electrophoretic analysis revealed the presence of a prominent protein band with a molecular mass of 45 kDa for E. coli and 70 kDa for A. niger. The silver nanoparticles inhibited certain clinical pathogens, with antibacterial activity being more distinct than antifungal activity. The antimicrobial activity of E. coli was more pronounced than that of A. niger and was enhanced with the addition of polyvinyl alcohol as a stabilizing agent. This work highlighted the possibility of using microbes of coastal origin for synthesis of antimicrobial silver nanoparticles.
