Evaluation of antibacterial activity of extracts of five species of wood-colonizing fungi

Screening new organisms for antibacterial activity and searching for new antibacterial drugs is important due to the constant generation of new antibiotic-resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria. An E. coli broth microdilution test was used to evaluate the results of the Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence test in five of the most antibacterially active species of wood-colonizing fungi. Serpula lacrymans was found to be a potential source of thermostable antibiotic(s) and the Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence test was confirmed to be a useful method for screening for antibacterial activity.