Biotechnological Evaluation of Fungal Strains Isolated from Extreme Habitats Based on Their Enzymatic and Antimicrobial Properties

This scientific investigation focuses on obtaining, cataloging in a culture collection, and biotechnologically evaluating fungal isolates retrieved from diverse ecological niches characterized by extreme environmental stress in Azerbaijan. These habitats encompass petroleum-contaminated soils, high-salinity terrains, mineralized thermal springs, and humid subtropical forest ecosystems. A total of 76 fungal isolates (comprising 64 micromycetes and 12 macromycetes) were successfully derived into pure cultures using approved protocols and methods. The enzymatic potential of these isolates—specifically hydrolytic (endo-1,4-β-glucanase, protease, pectinase, amylase, xylanase, lipase) and oxidative (laccase, peroxidase) activities—was evaluated. The enzymatic activities were assessed using spectrophotometric methods, while antimicrobial effects were evaluated through agar block and disc diffusion assays. Furthermore, their antagonistic effects against clinically relevant human pathogens (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans) were thoroughly examined, leading to the identification of potent producing strains. Systematic optimization of environmental factors and growth media parameters yielded an 11–20% enhancement in target metabolite biosynthesis.