Pestalotiopsis species are endophytic fungi known for the production of diverse bioactive secondary metabolites. In this study, four Pestalotiopsis species (P. magna, P. trachycarpicola, P. camelliae, and Pestalotiopsis sp.) were evaluated for antibacterial activity using volatile-mediated assays and ethyl acetate crude extracts, and their chemical profiles were analysed using GC-MS. The assays revealed that no inhibition occurred when isolates were grown on PDA, whereas strong and selective inhibition of Bacillus subtilis was observed on Sabouraud agar. Cultivation on yeast malt agar broadened the antibacterial spectrum, with the studied species inhibiting Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus to a varying extent, highlighting the influence of culture medium on volatile metabolite production. Crude extracts exhibited a broader antibacterial activity across all tested bacteria, with P. trachycarpicola showing the highest overall activity. GC-MS analysis identified diverse chemical classes, including acids and esters, aromatics, alcohols, ketones, and aldehydes, with isolate-specific variation in abundance that probably underpin the observed antibacterial effects. These findings underscore Pestalotiopsis as a promising source of antibacterial metabolites and emphasise the role of culture conditions and extraction methods in the discovery of bioactive compounds.
Saentaweesuk M., Maharachchikumbura S. S. N., Chukeatirote E. (2026): Antibacterial activity of volatile compounds and crude extracts from Pestalotiopsis species with GC-MS chemical profiling. – Czech Mycology 78(1): 1–12.
