Functional diversity and biotechnological potential of newly isolated culturable Antarctic fungi

Antarctic fungal communities play key roles in plant-microbe interactions under extreme conditions. In this study, the functional potential of culturable populations was explored. Fungi were isolated from bulk soil, rhizosphere, and endophytic compartments associated with the plant Colobanthus quitensis collected near the H. Arctowski Antarctic Research Station, across four sites differing in environmental conditions and in distance from the coastline. A total of 73 fungal isolates were screened for extracellular activities: their functional profiles revealed widespread metabolic versatility. 29 representative strains were identified by genome sequencing using a novel DNA extraction protocol, developed for Antarctic fungi, and further characterized by microscopy. In addition, fungal metabolite extracts were tested for their ability to modulate the aggregation of a protein involved in Parkinson disease, revealing promising anti-amyloid activity. These findings highlight Antarctic fungi as functionally diverse and metabolically interesting microorganisms with significant biotechnological potential. Their enzymes and bioactive metabolites represent promising resources for biocatalysis, sustainable nutrient mobilization, and biomedical applications