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

Abstract 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 S. westeri larvae. Furthermore, only VC4 and AC001 proteases showed a significant effect ( P P 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.