Optimization of the cultivation conditions for the production of an antimicrobial compound by Trichosporon japonicum QU139

Abstract

Strain Trichosporon japonicum QU139 showed antimicrobial activity against several pathogenic fungi, and has good potential for being used in the development of a new antimicrobial agent. The objective of this work was to optimize the conditions for the production and detection of the antimicrobial compound produced by this strain. The antimicrobial effect was evaluated by the well method against sensitive cells of Cryptococcus gattii C20 in GYP and YM media at different pH values. GYP medium at pH 4.5 ± 0.5 and 24h of incubation, at 25ºC and 150 rpm, were defined as the best medium and cultivation conditions. The methodologies employed for the isolation and concentration of the antimicrobial compound were negative for antimicrobial activity, suggesting that it may not have a protein nature. The nature of the compound needs to be fully explored, and other methodologies, especially the ones for purification of glycolipids, must be employed in order to obtain a purified compound for biotechnological purposes.