Biological Activities of Aspergillus niger MF6: Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Potential of Marine-Derived Fungus Metabolites.

Marine-derived fungi have emerged as a promising source of bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential. This study investigates the biological activities of Aspergillus niger MF6, a fungal isolate derived from coral reefs along the Hurghada coast in the Red Sea, Egypt. The isolate demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity, with broad-spectrum inhibition against pathogens, including E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans, achieving inhibition zones up to 20 mm. Ethyl acetate was identified as the most effective solvent for extracting bioactive compounds, facilitating the isolation of metabolites responsible for antimicrobial activity. Antioxidant assays revealed robust activity, with dose-dependent scavenging effects across multiple mechanisms. Furthermore, cytotoxicity assays against HepG-2 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines demonstrated moderate cytotoxic activity, with IC₅₀ values of 177.25 ± 5.42 µg/ml and 256.97 ± 7.45 µg/ml, respectively. GC-MS analysis identified key bioactive compounds, including hexadecenoic acid and 9-octadecenoic acid, likely contributing to these effects. This study underscores the therapeutic promise of coral-associated fungi as a sustainable source of antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer agents.