What does the published scientific research say about Purpureocillium lilacinum?

Eight PubMed articles reference Purpureocillium lilacinum — also known by its earlier name Paecilomyces lilacinus — in plant-input contexts. The dominant thread in the published research is biocontrol against plant-parasitic nematodes: studies report that P. lilacinum directly penetrates Meloidogyne incognita eggs and contacts juveniles, reducing egg hatch rates and root-knot gall formation in a dose-dependent manner, with results demonstrated in both in vitro assays and pot trials on eggplant.

Peer-reviewed research also reports plant growth-promoting effects independent of nematode suppression. Greenhouse trials cited in the literature document improvements in plant height, dry mass, and soil phosphorus and nitrogen availability when strains selected for phosphorus solubilization and indoleacetic acid production were inoculated into maize, bean, and soybean — though the authors note that in vitro screens did not always predict in planta outcomes.

Whole-genome annotation in peer-reviewed literature identifies large gene sets for serine proteases, glycoside hydrolases, and secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways consistent with its nematophagous and entomopathogenic lifestyle. Published research also documents activity against leaf-cutter ant cultivar fungi. One published case report describes cutaneous mycosis in an immunocompromised patient, a human-safety signal the literature flags for this organism.