Find in Library

Candidiasis is one of the most frequent infections worldwide. In this study, the antimicrobial properties of six strains belonging to the <i>Metschnikowia pulcherrima</i> clade were evaluated against twenty <i>Candida</i> and <i>Candida</i>-related <i>Filobasidiella neoformans</i> var. <i>bacillispora</i> (syn. <i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i>) of different origins, employing the agar cross method. The toxic effect of pulcherrimin, a red metabolite that is responsible for the antimicrobial activities of <i>Metschnikowia</i> spp., was evaluated in various experimental models. The results of agar tests showed that the selected <i>M. pulcherrima</i> strains inhibited the growth of the <i>Candida</i> and non-<i>Candida</i> strains. However, inhibition was dependent on the strain and the environment. The presence of peptone, sodium silicate, and a higher incubation temperature decreased the antifungal action of the <i>M. pulcherrima</i> strains. Pulcherrimin showed cytotoxic and antiproliferative activity, with oxidative stress in cells leading to apoptosis. More research is needed on the mechanism of action of pulcherrimin on somatic cells.