Identification of an antifungal peptide from Trapa natans fruits with inhibitory effects on Candida tropicalis biofilm formation

► Tn-AFP1, a small peptide of 1230 Da was purified from the fruits of Trapa natans, showed antifungal activity against human pathogen, Candida tropicalis. ► The MIC and IC50 values were 32 μg/ml and 16 μg/ml against C. tropicalis. ► Sequence of the peptide was determined by tandem mass spectrometry and found to contain eleven amino acid residues, showed a single coil structure attached by a unique disulphide bond anticipated by in silico analysis. ► Tn-AFP1 downregulated MDR1 and ERG11 gene expression level and disrupted bioflim formation of C. tropicalis. ► In summary, this peptide could be used as a promising candidate for the development of more effective antimycotic compounds.