Antibacterial boosting effect of combined antibiotics and wild mushroom (Langermannia bicolor) reduces the survival of multidrug-resistant bacteria

This study set out to evaluate how effective the unexplored macrofungi Langermannia bicolor is in providing a biomolecular repertoire capable of optimizing the action of antibacterials available on the market. Extract and fractions (obtained by fractionation with acetone) of L. bicolor were quantified for the presence of proteases and hemagglutinin, and the composition of carbohydrates, proteins, and phenolic and flavonoid compounds; then, they were tested against multidrug-resistant gram-positive and gram-negative strains combined with conventional antibiotics from different classes. Fraction 2 (F2) stood out for its high proteolytic and hemagglutinating capacities, and could reduce the therapeutic dosage of all the antibiotics in the different pathogens tested. The samples – especially Fraction 2 – showed promising results in optimizing the action of antibiotics, thus potentially mitigating the escalation of resistance in bacteria. This project is the first to investigate the medicinal properties of L. bicolor, focusing on its major biomolecules, and potential as an antibiotics enhancer.