Environmental dynamics of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CCMI 1051 antifungal activity under different nitrogen patterns.

AIMS The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of environmental conditions on the antifungal activity of the Bacillus sp. CCMI 1053 cultures. METHODS AND RESULTS The electrospray ionization mass spectra (ESI-MS) analysis was used to detect the active peptides produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CCMI 1051 cultures in a glucose-containing medium to which four different nitrogen sources were added. The cultures produced different patterns of Bacillus sporulation and distinct antifungal activity of the cell-free culture broths. CONCLUSIONS The highest sporulation obtained corresponds to higher antifungal activity when it is formed after 3 days of microbial growth. The antifungal activity against Trichoderma harzianum CCMI 783 is more influenced by the concentration on the nitrogen source than the culture time of incubation. The association of nitrogen concentration and the time of incubation is particularly relevant in the expression of the antifungal activity. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY The present findings allow the reduction of the use of chemical pesticides and to limit some plant diseases. The association of the nitrogen source and the time of incubation is a novelty, which would improve the production of secondary metabolites. Both economical and environmental benefits arise from the study.