The three Bacillus species isolated from petroleum refinery waste were examined for antifungal activity on brewery effluents and molasses for biotechnological applications. Bacillus strains were identified by three different methods: 16S rRNA gene sequences, BIOLOG system and fatty acid analysis (FAME). The results demonstrated the ability of all three Bacillus strains cultured on brewery effluents and molasses to inhibit mycelial growth of the 10 tested fungi to varying degrees measured by agar plate inhibition assays. Fungi inhibited to the greatest degree as measured by the zones of inhibition were Botrytis cinerea A 258, Phomopsis viticola W 977, Septoria carvi K 2082, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides A 259, Phoma complanata A 233 and Phoma exigua var. exigua A 175. It was also observed that the fungal mycelial growth was inhibited by the cell-free supernatants, indicating lipoprotein-like activity of antifungal agents (mainly biosurfactants). Tested fungi were most sensitive to the Bacilli supernatants obtained from the molasses cultures including: B. cinerea A 258, R. solani W 70, S. sclerotiorum K 2291, Phomopsis diachenii K 657, C. dematium K 425, P. complanata A 233, P. exigua var. exigua A 175. In the previous study it was shown that Bacillus species produced biosurfactants. Application of natural products such as these Bacillus species or their byproducts may be a new approach to phytopathogen control therefore reducing the need for fungicides.

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