GC-MS based profiling and quantification of bioactive secondary metabolites from Trichoderma harzianum

Abstract

Trichoderma harzianum is well known for its ability to produce a variety of bioactive secondary metabolites, many of which have important antifungal properties. The purpose of the study was to identify and quantify the metabolites produced by T. harzianum using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The T. harzianum was cultivated in potato dextrose broth, and its metabolites were extracted with ethyl acetate and analysed on a Shimadzu GC-MS-QP 2010 system. The analysis revealed a complex profile of volatile and semi-volatile compounds, including 6-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one, hexadecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, and several aromatic and complex organic compounds. These metabolites are known to contribute to membrane disruption, ergosterol biosynthesis inhibition, and oxidative stress in phytopathogenic fungi. Quantitative analysis indicated that the relative abundance of these compounds, with some low-abundance metabolites showing high bioactivity potential. These findings provide valuable insights into the metabolic profile of T. harzianum, supporting its potential role in the development of sustainable, natural antifungal agents.