LAUSR

AIM To investigate antifungal potential of Xylaria sp. BIOTEC culture collection (BCC) 1067 extract against the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. MATERIALS & METHODS Antifungal property of extract, reactive oxygen species levels and cell survival were determined, using selected deletion strains. RESULTS Extract showed promising antifungal effect with minimal inhibitory concentration100 and minimal fungicidal concentration of 500 and 1000 mg/l, respectively. Strong synergy was observed with fractional inhibitory concentration index value of 0.185 for the combination of 60.0 and 0.5 mg/l of extract and ketoconazole, respectively. Extract-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species levels in some oxidant-prone strains and mediated plasma membrane rupture. Antioxidant regulator Yap1, efflux transporter Pdr5 and ascorbate were pivotal to protect S. cerevisiae from extract cytotoxicity. CONCLUSION Xylaria sp. BCC 1067 extract is a potentially valuable source of novel antifungals.