Endophytic fungi are promising producers of phenolic compounds; however, the process of extracting these molecules from the culture medium is a crucial step for obtaining these metabolites. In this context, the best conditions for extracting phenolic compounds produced by Cophinforma mamane CF2-13, isolated from an Amazonian plant, were evaluated. The fungus was cultivated in a liquid medium to obtain its metabolites. The effects of the solvent, time, and temperature were investigated, as well as the use of ultrasound. The total phenolics and the antioxidant activity were assessed to define the best extraction conditions. The optimized extract was chemically characterized and used to analyze its potential in protecting olive oil from lipid oxidation. The best results were found using ethyl acetate at 20 °C for 2 h. These conditions led to 61.61 mg GAEq/g of extract of total phenolics, and an antioxidant capacity of 0.47, 0.45, and 0.29 mmol TEq/g of extract using the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods, respectively. In addition, the optimized extract presented caffeic acid and was able to delay the lipid oxidation of olive oil. The potential of endophytic fungi to produce phenolic compounds is promising for the food industry since natural bioactive compounds have many benefits for human health.

Background/Objectives: The emergence of antimicrobial resistance represents a critical global health threat, requiring the discovery of novel bioactive compounds. Fungi from Amazonian biodiversity are promising sources of secondary metabolites with potential antimicrobial activity. This study aimed to investigate the production of antimicrobial compounds by two Amazonian fungal strains using the OSMAC (One Strain–Many Compounds) approach. Methods: Two fungal strains, Talaromyces pinophilus CCM-UEA-F0414 and Penicillium paxilli CCM-UEA-F0591, were cultivated under five distinct culture media to modulate secondary metabolite production. Ethyl acetate extracts were prepared and evaluated for antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as pathogenic yeasts. Chemical characterization was performed using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Ultraviolet–Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, and Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode Array Detection (uHPLC-DAD). Results: The extracts exhibited significant antimicrobial activity, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 78 to 5000 µg/mL. Chemical analyses revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, particularly caffeic and chlorogenic acids. Variations in the culture media substantially affected both the metabolite profiles and antimicrobial efficacy of the extracts. Conclusions: The OSMAC strategy effectively enhanced the metabolic diversity of the Amazonian fungal strains, leading to the production of bioactive metabolites with antimicrobial potential. These findings support the importance of optimizing culture conditions to unlock the biosynthetic capacity of Amazonian fungi as promising sources of antimicrobial agents.

Polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) are highly valuable across various industries due to their advantageous properties, including biocompatibility and enhanced release control, which are particularly important for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. Fungi, through secondary metabolism, are capable of producing biosurfactants (BSs)—amphiphilic molecules that reduce surface tension and can therefore substitute synthetic surfactants in PNP stabilization. In this study, we investigated the production of biosurfactants by the endophytic fungus Aspergillus welwitschiae CG2-16, isolated from the Amazon region, as well as its use as a PNP stabilizer. The fungus exhibited a 36% reduction in the surface tension of the culture medium during growth, indicative of BS production. The partially purified biosurfactant demonstrated an emulsification of 24%, a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 280 mg/L, and an FTIR spectrum suggesting a lipopeptide composition. The biosurfactant was employed in the synthesis of poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles via nanoprecipitation and emulsion/diffusion methods. Nanoprecipitation yielded spherical nanoparticles with a low polydispersity index (0.14 ± 0.04) and a high zeta potential (−29.10 ± 8.70 mV), indicating suspension stability. These findings highlight the significant role of biosurfactants in polymeric nanoparticle formation and stabilization, emphasizing their potential for diverse applications in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and other industrial sectors.