Bioactive substances produced by Burkholderia sp. with antifungal action in Candida spp

Yeasts of the genus Candida are commensals, colonizing the gastrointestinal and genital tract. Accounting for 15% of hospital acquired infections, they are considered a pathogen of clinical importance. The emergence of fungal infections and the occurrence of intrinsic and acquired resistance have reflected in the increased search for new antimicrobials. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of extracellular substances produced by Burkholderia sp. strain RV7S3, for yeast control of the genus Candida. The substance responsible for the antifungal activity was identified and characterized biochemically, its activity was evaluated by agar diffusion tests, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), action effect on biofilm formation, and hemolytic activity. The data suggested that the antifungal substance is a hydrolase that exhibits lipolytic activity. The lowest concentration of this enzyme, capable of inhibiting 90% of fungal growth, was 0.38 µg.mL-1. The agar diffusion test showed inhibition halo formation of fungal growth with a diameter of 10 mm or greater, presenting 17.5 ± 0.5 mm. The substance showed low hemolytic activity and reduced biofilm cell viability, demonstrating its potential as an antifungal agent.