3-Methylcatechol mediates anti-fecundity effect by inhibiting estrogen-related receptor-induced glycolytic gene expression in Myzus persicae.

Aphids are a major problem in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry by feeding on leaves and stems, causing discoloration, leaf curling, yellowing, and stunted growth. Although urushiol, a phenolic compound containing a catechol structure, is known for its antioxidant and anticancer properties, using small molecules to control aphids via catechol-mediated mechanisms is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of 3-methylcatechol (3-MC) on Myzus persicae fecundity. Our results showed that treatment with 3-MC significantly reduced the intrinsic transcriptional activity of the aphid estrogen-related receptor (MpERR), which regulates the expression of glycolytic genes. Additionally, 3-MC treatment suppressed the promoter activity of MpERR-induced rate-limiting enzymes in glycolysis, such as phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase, by inhibiting MpERR binding. Finally, 3-MC also suppressed MpERR-induced glycolytic gene expression and reduced the number of offspring produced by viviparous female aphids. Overall, our findings suggest that 3-MC has the potential to be used as a new strategy for managing aphid populations by controlling their offspring production.

Bamboo Salt and Triple Therapy Synergistically Inhibit Helicobacter pylori-Induced Gastritis In Vivo: A Preliminary Study.

Helicobacter pylori infections are a major cause of gastrointestinal disorders, including gastric ulcers, gastritis, and gastric cancer. Triple therapy, using two antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor, is recommended for the treatment of H. pylori infections. However, antibiotic resistance in H. pylori is an emerging issue. Bamboo salt, a traditional Korean salt made by baking solar sea salt in bamboo barrels, can ameliorate the symptoms of various gastrointestinal diseases. Herein, we compared the anti-H. pylori activity of triple therapy (clarithromycin, metronidazole, and omeprazole), solar salt, and bamboo salt in vivo as a preliminary study. Four-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were inoculated for eight weeks with the H. pylori Sydney Strain 1 (SS-1) and orally administered triple therapy drugs and salts for five days. The transcript levels of the H. pylori-expressed gene CagA and inflammatory cytokines Tnfα and Il-1ß significantly decreased in the bamboo salt treated mice than those in the H. pylori-infected control group. This effect was further enhanced by using triple therapy and bamboo salt together. Solar salt caused modest inhibition of H. pylori-induced inflammation. We also demonstrated the synergistic effects of bamboo salt and triple therapy against H. pylori. Thus, bamboo salt may be a potential candidate agent against the treatment of H. pylori-associated gastritis.

Controlled Drug Release Using Chitosan-Alginate-Gentamicin Multi-Component Beads.

This study aimed to develop improved multi-component beads with controlled, sustained delivery of antibiotics, such as gentamicin (GM). Antibiotic-loaded beads with rapid-release and the sustained-release system can be used for bone restoration. Single and multi-component beads were prepared by gelation using various combinations of chitosan and calcium chloride as cationic components and alginate and citric acid as anions. GM release was also controlled by crosslinking using citric acid. The optimum beads were obtained using 5% or 2% sodium alginate, 3% chitosan, and 0.1 mol/L citric acid. The beads were characterized by FTIR, TG-DTG, swelling behavior, and SEM. All GM-loaded beads revealed good antimicrobial activity. The rate and kinetics of release in the phosphate buffer solution were controlled by changing the amount of chitosan in the calcium chloride solution and using citric acid as the crosslinking agent. Crosslinked beads were prepared for the release of about 80% of the loaded drug within 24 h. The study concluded that the chitosan-alginate beads provided faster GM release but crosslinking with citric acid was efficient for sustained-release beads containing gentamicin.

Inhibitory Effects of Acetyloctadecadienediynoic Acid Isolated from Leaves of Dendropanax morbiferus on Viability and Self-Renewal Activity of Glioma Stem-Like Cells.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most dangerous brain tumors in humans. The median survival of patients with GBM is <18 months. Glioma stem-like cells (GSCs), a small subpopulation of cells with stem cell-like characteristics found within GBM, are regarded as the main cause of GBM malignancy. Therefore, targeting GSCs presents an important therapeutic strategy for reducing the aggressiveness of tumors. In this study, we examined effects of (9Z,16S)-16-O-acetyl-9,17-octadecadiene-12,14-diynoic acid (AODA), a diacetylenic carboxylic acid isolated from leaves of Dendropanax morbiferus, on viability and self-renewal activity of GSCs. AODA substantially decreased GSC growth, causing apoptotic cell death as assessed by Annexin V/PI staining and morphological alterations by optical diffraction tomography. Interestingly, treatment with AODA suppressed ''stem-like features'' in vitro by limiting dilution assays and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. In addition, Western blotting revealed that AODA treatment decreased expression levels of phosphorylated AKT and phosphorylated ERK in GSC11 cells. Taken together, our results indicate that AODA could be considered a new therapeutic candidate to target GSCs.

Identification of a candidate gene responsible for the G locus determining chartreuse bulb color in onion (Allium cepa L.) using bulked segregant RNA-Seq.

KEY MESSAGE: A gene encoding a laccase responsible for chartreuse onion bulb color was identified. Markers tagging this gene showed perfect linkage with bulb colors among diverse germplasm. To identify a casual gene for the G locus determining chartreuse bulb color in onion (Allium cepa L.), bulked segregant RNA-Seq (BSR-Seq) was performed using yellow and chartreuse individuals of a segregating population. Through single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and differentially expressed gene (DEG) screening processes, 163 and 143 transcripts were selected, respectively. One transcript encoding a laccase-like protein was commonly identified from SNP and DEG screening. This transcript contained four highly conserved copper-binding domains known to be signature sequences of laccases. This gene was designated AcLAC12 since it showed high homology with Arabidopsis AtLAC12. A 4-bp deletion creating a premature stop codon was identified in exon 5 of the chartreuse allele. Another mutant allele in which an intact LTR-retrotransposon was transposed in exon 5 was identified from other chartreuse breeding lines. Genotypes of molecular markers tagging AcLAC12 were perfectly matched with bulb color phenotypes in segregating populations and diverse breeding lines. All chartreuse breeding lines contained inactive alleles of DFR-A gene determining red bulb color, indicating that chartreuse color appeared when both DFR-A and AcLAC12 genes were inactivated. Linkage maps showed that AcLAC12 was positioned at the end of chromosome 7. Transcription levels of structural genes encoding enzymes in anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway were generally reduced in chartreuse bulk compared with yellow bulk. Concentrations of total quercetins were also reduced in chartreuse onion. However, significant amounts of quercetins were detected in chartreuse onion, implying that AcLAC12 might be involved in modification of quercetin derivatives in onion.

Aphid estrogen-related receptor controls glycolytic gene expression and fecundity.

Aphids, the major insect pests of agricultural crops, reproduce sexually and asexually depending upon environmental factors such as the photoperiod and temperature. Nuclear receptors, a unique family of ligand-dependent transcription factors, control insect development and growth including morphogenesis, molting, and metamorphosis. However, the structural features and biological functions of the aphid estrogen-related receptor (ERR) are largely unknown. Here, we cloned full-length cDNA encoding the ERR in the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) (MpERR) and demonstrated that the MpERR modulated glycolytic gene expression and aphid fecundity. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the MpERR originated in a unique evolutionary lineage distinct from those of hemipteran insects. Moreover, the AF-2 domain of the MpERR conferred nuclear localization and transcriptional activity. The overexpression of the MpERR significantly upregulated the gene expression of rate-limiting enzymes involved in glycolysis such as phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase by directly binding to ERR-response elements in their promoters. Moreover, ERR-deficient viviparous female aphids showed decreased glycolytic gene expression and produced fewer offspring. These results suggest that the aphid ERR plays a pivotal role in glycolytic transcriptional control and fecundity.

3-Pentylcatechol, a Non-Allergenic Urushiol Derivative, Displays Anti-Helicobacter pylori Activity In Vivo.

We previously reported that 3-pentylcatechol (PC), a synthetic non-allergenic urushiol derivative, inhibited the growth of Helicobacter pylori in an in vitro assay using nutrient agar and broth. In this study, we aimed to investigate the in vivo antimicrobial activity of PC against H. pylori growing in the stomach mucous membrane. Four-week-old male C57BL/6 mice (n = 4) were orally inoculated with H. pylori Sydney Strain-1 (SS-1) for 8 weeks. Thereafter, the mice received PC (1, 5, and 15 mg/kg) and triple therapy (omeprazole, 0.7 mg/kg; metronidazole, 16.7 mg/kg; clarithromycin, 16.7 mg/kg, reference groups) once daily for 10 days. Infiltration of inflammatory cells in gastric tissue was greater in the H. pylori-infected group compared with the control group and lower in both the triple therapy- and PC-treated groups. In addition, upregulation of cytokine mRNA was reversed after infection, upon administration of triple therapy and PC. Interestingly, PC was more effective than triple therapy at all doses, even at 1/15th the dose of triple therapy. In addition, PC demonstrated synergism with triple therapy, even at low concentrations. The results suggest that PC may be more effective against H. pylori than established antibiotics.

New caryophyllene-type sesquiterpene and flavonol tetraglycoside with sixteen known compounds from sword bean (Canavalia gladiata).

Eighteen compounds including new caryophyllene-type sesquiterpene and flavonol tetraglycoside were purified and isolated from sword beans (Canavalia gladiata). Two new compounds, (Z,1R,7S,9S)-7-hydroxy-11,11-dimethyl-8-methylenebicyclo[7.2.0]undec-4-ene-4-carboxylic acid (2) and kaempferol-7-O-α-l-dirhamnopyranosyl(1 → 2;1 → 6)-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl(1 → 2)-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (9), were identified. Other known compounds including methyl gallate (1), (2S,3S,4E,8E)-2-aminooctadeca-4,8-diene-1,3-diol 1-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (3), (2S,3S,4E,8Z)-2-aminooctadeca-4,8-diene-1,3-diol 1-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (4), lupeol (5), trilinolein (6), 1,6-di-O-galloyl ß-d-glucopyranoside (7), N-(2-methoxybenzoyl)homoserine (8), dihydrophaseic acid (10), dillenetin (11), kaempferol-7-O-[2-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-6-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl]-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (12), canavalioside (13), kaempferol-3-O-[2-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-6-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl]-ß-d-glucopyranoside (14), kaempferol-3-O-(2,6-O-α-l-dirhamnopyranosyl)-ß-d-glucopyranoside (15), kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (16), gladiatoside A1 (17), and gladiatoside B1 (18) were identified. The chemical structures of these compounds were determined by ESI-MS and NMR analyses.

Coffee residue as a valorization bio-agent for shelf-life extension of lactic acid bacteria under cryopreservation.

The present work describes the feasibility of coffee residue extracts as cryoprotective agents in the storage stability of freeze-dried lactic acid bacteria. Coffee residue extracts were extracted from coffee residue, produced after coffee extraction for coffee powder and instant coffee preparation, using an autoclave. Leuconostoc mesenteroides WiKim32 was selected to evaluate the ability of coffee residue extracts to protect bacteria during freeze-dried storage. The storage stability of freeze-dried Leu. mesenteroides WiKim32 with coffee residue extracts was comparable to those with commercial cryoprotective agents. Coffee residue extracts contributed to storage stability immediately after freeze-drying (61.2%) and subsequent storage (48.7%). Our data indicate that the protective effect of the coffee residue extracts is associated with ions, carbohydrates, and phenolic compounds. Coffee residue extracts are feasible materials, which can reduce the storage and distribution costs compared to commercial agents currently available.

Does 3-pentadecylcatechol, an urushiol derivative, get absorbed in the body? A rat oral administration experiment.

Urushiols are important active compounds found in the sap of the lacquer tree (Rhus verniciflua Stokes). Recently, various biological effects of urushiols, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities, have been reported. However, urushiols can also induce skin allergies. Nevertheless, the lacquer tree has traditionally been used in Korea as a folk medicine. In this study, we evaluated the absorption and metabolism of 3-pentadecylcatechol (PDC), a natural urushiol. PDC (48.0 mg/kg body wt.) in 1 mL propylene glycol was orally administered to rats (Sprague-Dawley, male, 6 weeks old). Blood plasma, urine, and feces were collected, separately. PDC was not detected in the extracts from rat blood plasma and urine. However, 89.4 ± 5.2% of the orally administered PDC was detected in the feces extracts, indicating that PDC was predominantly excreted and not absorbed.

Ionization Neutralizes the Allergy-Inducing Property of 3-Pentadecylcatechol: A Urushiol Derivative.

Urushiols are amphipathic compounds found in Rhus verniciflua Stokes that exhibit various biological activities. However, their practical use is very restricted due to their contact dermatitis-inducing property. Therefore, we applied the ionization method to remove the allergenic properties of the urushiols and to increase their usability. One of the natural urushiols, 3-pentadecylcatechol (PDC), was heated for 30 min with a solution of H2O and sodium carbonate (Na2CO3). The reaction product was analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Ionized PDC with an m/z value of 316.9 and complexed PDCs with Na+ of 1 - 3 atoms with m/z values of 340.8, 365.2, and 380.8 were detected. PDC and ionized PDC (3 µmol/3 mg of Vaseline) treatments were applied on the rear of left ear of Sprague-Dawley rats once daily for 10 days. Erythema and swelling were observed on the ear skin treated with PDC, but not in case of ionized PDC. Compared with control, contact hypersensitivity-related biomarkers (neutrophils, eosinophils, immunoglobulin E, and histamine) in the blood were significantly higher only in the PDC-treated group. In addition, Il-1b, Il-6, Tnfα, and Cox-2 mRNA expression levels were dramatically increased in the ear tissue of PDC-treated rats, but in the ionized PDC-treated group, they were similar to those in the control group. Overall, it was confirmed that the allergenic property of the urushiol PDC was removed by ionization. This method is expected to be useful for preventing allergy induction in cooking and food processing using R. verniciflua Stokes.

New 8-C-p-Hydroxylbenzylflavonol Glycosides from Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) Tendril and Their Osteoclast Differentiation Inhibitory Activities.

Six new 8-C-p-hydroxybenzylflavonol glycosides were isolated from a hot water extract of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) tendril and elucidated as 8-C-p-hydroxybenzylquercetin 3-O-rutinoside, 8-C-p-hydroxybenzoylquercetin 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, 8-C-p-hydroxybenzylkaempferol 3-O-(α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→6)-ß-D-galactopyranoside, 8-C-p-hydroxybenzoylkaempferol 3-O-rutinoside, 8-C-p-hydroxybenzylisorhamnetin 3-O-rutinoside, and 8-C-p-hydroxybenzylisorhamnetin 3-O-(α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→6)-ß-D-galactopyranoside. Their chemical structures were determined using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometer (ESIMS) analyses. The 8-C-p-hydroxybenzylflavonol glycosides were found to inhibit the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation of bone marrow derived macrophage (BMDM), an osteoclast progenitor. Additionally, 8-C-p-hydroxybenzylflavonol glycosides effectively reduced the expression of osteoclast-related genes, such as tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, cathepsin K, nuclear factor activated T-cell cytoplasmic 1, and dendritic cell specific transmembrane protein in RANKL-treated BMDMs. These results indicate that the 8-C-p-hydroxybenzylflavonol glycosides may be the main components responsible for the osteoclast differentiation inhibitory effect of pumpkin tendril.

New lignan tyramide, phenolics, megastigmanes, and their glucosides from aerial parts of New Zealand spinach, Tetragonia tetragonoides.

Twenty compounds, including a new lignan amide, were isolated from the aerial parts of New Zealand spinach, Tetragonia tetragonoides (Pall.) Kuntze, which is an edible halophyte. These compounds were identified by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance experiments to be N-2,3-dihydroxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenol)tyramine (new compound), methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, syringaldehyde, ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, coniferyl alcohol, methyl caffeoate, trans- and cis-coumaroyl-ß-d-glucopyranosides, trans- and cis-feruloyl-ß-d-glucopyranosides, caffeic acid, staphylionoside E, canabiside D, apocyanol A, megastima-5,7-diene-3,4,9-triol, 1-O-oleoyl-3-O-ß-d-galactopyranosyl-sn-glycerol, 5,5'-dimethyl-lariciresinol, and kaempferol 3-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside. These compounds were identified in New Zealand spinach for the first time.

Three new decenynol glucosides from Artemisia scoparia (Asteraceae).

Three new decenynol glucosides were isolated from the aerial parts of Artemisia scoparia. Their structures were determined to be 6E,8Z-decadien-4-yn-ol 1-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside, 6E,8E-decadien-4-yn-ol 1-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside, and 6E-decen-4-yn-ol 1-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside based on extensive spectroscopic (NMR and MS) analysis. [Formula: see text].

Epigallocatechin Exerts Anti-Obesity Effect in Brown Adipose Tissue.

Catechins in green tea are well-known to be effective in reducing the risk of obesity. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of catechins present in green tea on adipocyte differentiation and mature adipocyte metabolism. Treatment of 3T3-L1 mouse adipocyte during differentiation adipocytes with (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC) and gallic acid (GA) resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of adipogenesis. Specifically, EGC increased adiponectin and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) transcription in mature adipocytes. Transcription levels of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) were not significantly impacted by either of the compounds. These results suggest that the EGC is the most effective catechin having anti-obesity activity. Finally, EGC is an attractive candidate component for remodeling obesity.

Pear Extract and Malaxinic Acid Reverse Obesity, Adipose Tissue Inflammation, and Hepatosteatosis in Mice.

SCOPE: Obesity and diabetes are major public health problems and are emerging as pandemics. Considerable evidence suggests that pear fruit consumption is associated with a lower risk of obesity-related complications. Thus, the present study is conducted to investigate the therapeutic potential of pear extract (PE) for reversing obesity and associated metabolic complications in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: Obesity is induced in male C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet for 11 weeks. After the first 6 weeks on the diet, obese mice are administered vehicle or PE for 5 weeks. PE treatment decreases body weight gain, expands white adipose tissue (WAT), and causes hepatic steatosis in obese mice, as well as inhibits adipogenesis and lipogenesis. Impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance are improved by PE. In addition, PE reduces macrophage infiltration and expression of pro-inflammatory genes and deactivates mitogen-activated protein kinases in WAT. Finally, malaxinic acid is identified as an active component responsible for the anti-obesity effects of PE in mice. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that PE supplementation ameliorates diet-induced obesity and associated metabolic complications and suggest the health-beneficial effects of both pear fruits and malaxinic acid in counteracting these diseases.

Identification for the First Time of Cyclo(d-Pro-l-Leu) Produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Y1 as a Nematocide for Control of Meloidogyne incognita.

The aim of the current study was to describe the role and mechanism of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Y1 against the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Initially, the exposure of the bacterial culture supernatant and crude extract of Y1 to M. incognita significantly inhibited the hatching of eggs and caused the mortality of second-stage juveniles (J2), with these inhibitory effects depending on the length of incubation time and concentration of the treatment. The dipeptide cyclo(d-Pro-l-Leu) was identified in B. amyloliquefaciens culture for the first time using chromatographic techniques and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR ¹H, 13C, H-H COSY, HSQC, and HMBC) and recognized to have nematocidal activity. Various concentrations of cyclo(d-Pro-l-Leu) were investigated for their effect on the hatching of eggs and J2 mortality. Moreover, the in vivo nematocidal activity of the Y1 strain was investigated by conducting pot experiments in which tomato plants were inoculated with M. incognita. Each and every pot was amended 50 mL of fertilizer media (F), or Y1 culture, or nematicide (N) (only once), or fertilizer media with N (FN) at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 weeks after transplantation. The results of the pot experiments demonstrated the antagonistic effect of B. amyloliquefaciens Y1 against M. incognita as it significantly decreases the count of eggs and galls per root of the tomato plant as well as the population of J2 in the soil. Besides, the investigation into the growth parameters, such as the length of shoot, shoot fresh and dry weights of the tomato plants, showed that they were significantly higher in the Y1 strain Y1-treated plants compared to F-, FN- and N-treated plants. Therefore, the biocontrol repertoire of this bacterium opens a new insight into the applications in crop pest control.

3-Decylcatechol induces autophagy-mediated cell death through the IRE1α/JNK/p62 in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

The natural, phenolic lipid urushiol exhibits both antioxidant and anticancer activities; however, its biological activity on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been previously investigated. Here, we demonstrate that an urushiol derivative, 3-decylcatechol (DC), induces human HCC Huh7 cell death by induction of autophagy. DC initiates the autophagic process by activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway via Unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1, leading to autophagosome formation. The autophagy inhibitor, chloroquine, suppressed autolysosome formation and cell death induction by DC, indicating an autophagic cell death. Interestingly, DC also activated the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response that promotes autophagy via p62 transcriptional activation involving the inositol-requiring enzyme 1α/c-Jun N-terminal kinase/c-jun pathway. We also show that cytosolic calcium mobilization is necessary for the ER stress response and autophagy induction by DC. These findings reveal a novel mechanism by which this urushiol derivative induces autophagic cell death in HCC.

Protocatechuic Acid from Pear Inhibits Melanogenesis in Melanoma Cells.

Despite the critical role of melanin in the protection of skin against UV radiation, excess production of melanin can lead to hyperpigmentation and skin cancer. Pear fruits are often used in traditional medicine for the treatment of melasma; therefore, we investigated the effects of pear extract (PE) and its component, protocatechuic acid (PCA), on melanogenesis in mouse melanoma cells. We found that PE and PCA significantly suppressed melanin content and cellular tyrosinase activity through a decrease in the expression of melanogenic enzymes and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (Mitf) in α-melanocyte stimulating hormone-stimulated mouse melanoma cells. Moreover, PCA decreased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels and cAMP-responsive element-binding protein phosphorylation, which downregulated Mitf promoter activation and subsequently mediated the inhibition of melanogenesis. These results suggested that pear may be an effective skin lightening agent that targets either a tyrosinase activity or a melanogenic pathway.

Isolation and characterization of metabolites from Bacillus licheniformis MH48 with antifungal activity against plant pathogens.

In this study, we isolated Bacillus licheniformis MH48 from rhizosphere soil and demonstrated that this strain shows significant antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and Phytophthora capsici. Our results showed that a 50% concentration of bacterial cell-free culture filtrate of B. licheniformis MH48 shows strong activity against fungal pathogens. Benzoic acid produced by B. licheniformis MH48 was purified by various chromatographic techniques and identified by nuclear magnetic resonance and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Benzoic acid displayed antifungal activity against R. solani and C. gloeosporides with minimum inhibitory concentration of 128 µg/mL against mycelial growth. Microscopic examination revealed that benzoic acid (50 µg/mL and 100 µg/mL) transformed C. gloeosporioides conidial morphology and inhibited conidial germination. In addition, benzoic acid (100 µg/mL and 200 µg/mL) degraded R. solani mycelia. Therefore, our results demonstrate that B. licheniformis MH48 strain shows potential for utility as a biological agent for the control of various fungal pathogens of plants.