Coprophilous fungi from koala faeces: a novel source of antimicrobial compounds

New antimicrobial compounds are urgently needed to respond to increasing resistance to antibiotics and antifungal agents. Fungi harbour a tremendous capacity to produce diverse and complex bioactive chemicals that can be developed into new drugs. Coprophilous fungi thrive in the highly competitive environment of faeces and, compared to other groups, remain a minimally explored biological niche. This research involved the identification of 31 fungi from koala faeces, preparation of fermentation extracts, screening for antimicrobial activity and identification of active compounds. This thesis broadened our knowledge about coprophilous fungi from koala faeces and provided evidence that they produce antimicrobial compounds.