Food Chemistry, cilt.505, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Today, there is an urgent need for new molecules because of the increasing development of fungal resistance. Here, novel phenol–thiazole–hydrazone hybrids were designed and synthesized using a mimic-to approach referenced from azole antifungals. After structural confirmation, the compounds were tested against fungi and further evaluated against the NIH/3T3 cells to determine their selectivity index as well as potential genotoxicity. All compounds have inhibitory activity against C. glabrata except 3a , while 3o inhibits C. albicans among others. Inhibition effects on NIH/3T3 cells indicated that 3o had the strongest cytotoxic effect, while 3 h had the least significant toxicity. Scanning-electron-microscope (SEM) analyses indicated that active compounds compromise cell integrity, thereby leading to cell death. The binding modes of lanestrol-demethylase (LDM)– 3o /− 3j complexes were investigated through in silico analysis, and structure–activity relationships (SAR) were established. Compounds 3b , 3g , 3i , 3j , 3k , and 3o are identified as potential preservative agents.