Abstract
BACKGROUND: Macrolide polyene antibiotics possess potent broad-spectrum antifungal properties. Use of these agents in the field or in controlled environments is impeded by their poor water solubility and susceptibility to oxidation- and/or light-induced degradation. While typically used for human disease therapy, there is potential to expand the utility of polyene macrolide antibiotics, such as amphotericin B, for control of fungal disease infestation in agricultural settings. Thus, the susceptibility of this antibiotic to exposure-induced activity loss was evaluated. RESULTS: Incubation of the prototype polyene amphotericin B (AMB) with phospholipid vesicles and apolipoprotein A-I results in the formation of nanoscale complexes, termed nanodisks (NDs), capable of solubilizing significant quantities of AMB. To evaluate whether AMB incorporation into NDs conferred protection against light- or oxidation-induced damage, yeast growth inhibition assays were conducted. Compared with AMB solubilized in detergent micelles, AMB incorporated into NDs was protected from damage caused by exposure to UV light as well as by KMnO(4)-induced oxidation. Furthermore, AMB-NDs inhibited growth of the turfgrass fungus Marasmius oreades Fr. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that this water-soluble formulation of a natural, biodegradable, antifungal agent represents a potential cost-effective, non-toxic and environmentally friendly substitute for chemical agents currently employed to control a range of fungal infestations.