Molecular and functional characterisation of Bacillus lipopeptides: cytotoxicity, antioxidant potential, and mechanistic antimicrobial action
International Journal of Food Science and Technology, cilt.61, sa.2, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 61 Sayı: 2
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1093/ijfood/vvag196
- Dergi Adı: International Journal of Food Science and Technology
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, Compendex, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, INSPEC, Directory of Open Access Journals, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Engineering Source (EBSCO), Materials Science & Engineering Collection (ProQuest), Technology Collection (ProQuest)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: antibacterial activity, Bacillus, biosurfactants’ structures, cytotoxicity, lipopeptides
- Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Microbial lipopeptides (LPs) are promising bioactive compounds with potential applications in the food, nutraceutical, and therapeutic fields due to their biological activities. In this study, we evaluated two LP-producing strains, H6 and S15, focusing on their cytotoxic, antioxidant/pro-oxidant behaviour, and antimicrobial effects against bacterial and fungal pathogens. HT-29 and Caco-2 cell models were employed to assess cytotoxicity, revealing minimal effects at low concentrations (≤20 μg/ml) and dose-dependent reductions in cell viability at higher doses, accompanied by marked increases in intracellular reactive oxygen species. Cellular antioxidant activity evaluated in human erythrocytes (using the cellular antioxidant activity-red blood cells assay) demonstrated that both compounds exhibit membrane-protective antioxidant effects at noncytotoxic concentrations, with S15 showing superior activity. Antibacterial assays indicated strong, concentration-dependent activity preferentially against Gram-positive bacteria, while molecular docking revealed that fengycin homologues interact with β-tubulin and bacterial gyrase B, suggesting additional intracellular targets. Antifungal docking studies further demonstrated that shorter-chain fengycins (C13–C15) have higher binding affinities and optimal interactions with β-tubulin. Collectively, these results highlight the dual pro-oxidant and antioxidant nature of H6 and S15, their potent antimicrobial effects, and the importance of structural features in determining bioactivity. These results highlight the potential of these biosurfactants for use as functional food additives, nutraceutical ingredients, and antimicrobial agents.