Latest developments in assessing antifungal activity using TLC-bioautography: a review.

This paper reviews the use of TLC-bioautography in the search for antifungal compounds from natural sources. The main methods used for antifungal screening are presented, with special emphasis on bioautography. Different aspects of the technique, including the latest chromatographic developments such as HPTLC and HPLC microfractionation are presented. The present status and recent advances made in antifungal bioautography are discussed, and a comprehensive review of the applications over the last 6 years is presented. Various strategies applied in the search for antifungal compounds from natural sources are discussed, with a highlight on the challenges faced when screening complex crude mixtures. The activities of approximately 100 antifungal compounds of natural origin are presented with their minimum inhibitory quantity. The most active natural source compounds against Candida, Cladosporium, Colletotrichum, and Fusarium species are highlighted, and the compound activities discussed. In addition, perspectives concerning future improvements in bioautography sensitivity and reproducibility are noted.