Statistical experimental design to assess the influence of enzymes of nematophagous fungi versus helminths

•Plackett-Burman design was used to assess the destructive significance of enzymes.•We used Duddingtonia flagrans and Pochonia chlamydosporia proteases and chitinases.•All tested enzymes had a significant effect on the destruction of Strongyloides westeri larvae.•VC4 and AC001 proteases had a significant effect on trichostrongylides larvae.•Chitinases of VC4 showed the highest significance on Platynosomum fastosum eggs destruction.

The present work used Plackett-Burman experimental design to assess the influence of enzymes of nematophagous fungi versus Strongyloides westeri and trichostrongylides larvae and Platynosomum fastosum eggs. The variables studied in the Plackett-Burman design were the proteases and chitinases of AC001 or VC4 as destructive agents of S. westeri and trichostrongylides larvae, and P. fastosum eggs. All tested enzymes had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on the destruction of S. westeri larvae. Furthermore, only VC4 and AC001 proteases showed a significant effect (P < 0.05) on the destruction of trichostrongylides larvae. On the other hand, chitinases of VC4 showed the highest significance (P < 0.05) on the destruction of P. fastosum eggs. It is proposed that statistical planning for the use of enzymes derived from nematophagous fungi is a viable way to elucidate some questions about their mechanism of action.