Mollusk and Fungi: A New Source of Antibacterial and Antifungal Compounds

Mollusks are more than just soft-bodied animals with shells that inhabit seas, rivers, and land. Hidden within them lies a fascinating partnership—with fungi that live in symbiosis with these invertebrates. This unique relationship turns out to hold great potential for human health, particularly in the search for new antibacterial and antifungal compounds.

A recent study by Josua Gabriel Lumban Gaol, Delianis Pringgenies, and Wilis Ari Setyati from the Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Diponegoro University, revealed that fungi associated with mollusks can produce secondary metabolites with promising antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Exploring the Potential of Symbiotic Fungi

The researchers conducted screening tests to evaluate the ability of mollusk-associated fungi to inhibit the growth of several important pathogens, including:

• Bacteria: Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

• Pathogenic fungi: Candida albicans and Trichoderma harzianum

The tests were carried out over 36 hours, and the results were noteworthy:

• 12 fungal isolates exhibited antibacterial activity against the tested bacterial pathogens.

• Among them, 4 isolates also showed antifungal activity.

These findings were confirmed by the formation of clear inhibition zones in the test medium, indicating the fungi’s ability to suppress pathogen growth.

Antibacterial and Antifungal Screening Results of Mollusk-Associated Fungal Isolates (source: JMI)

Why This Discovery Matters

The global threat of antibiotic resistance is pushing scientists to search for alternative sources of bioactive compounds. Natural sources, such as mollusk-associated fungi, could provide novel substances effective against dangerous pathogens. In other words, the ocean is not just a source of food—it is also a natural laboratory brimming with potential solutions for human health challenges.

Conclusion

This research paves the way for bioprospecting bioactive compounds from fungi living in association with mollusks. The next steps include identifying the active compounds, testing their toxicity, and exploring their potential applications in pharmaceuticals and agriculture.

Reference

Lumban Gaol, J. G., D. Pringgenies, and W. Ari Setyati. “Screening for Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity in Fungi Associated With Molluscs”. Jurnal Moluska Indonesia, vol. 9, no. 1, Apr. 2025, pp. 1-7, doi:10.54115/jmi.v9i1.114.