Diversity of filamentous fungi in organic layers of two forests in Zijin Mountain

A study was conducted to evaluate the cultivable filamentous fungal diversity in organic layers (L, F, and H layers) and A1 layer of two main forest types, Pinus massoniana and Liguidambar formasana mixed forest and Quercus variabilis forest, in Zijin Mountain(325?N, 11848?E), Nanjing, China. A total of 67 taxa comprising 56 Deuteromycetes, 3 Zygomycetes, 5 Asco-mycetes and 3 unidentified fungi were recognized from samples from the forest floor of the two forest types. The most abundant group was Deuteromycetes. The dominant genera in both forests were Alternaria sp., Aspergillus sp., Cladosporium sp., Mucor sp., Penicillium sp., Rhizopus sp., Gliocladium sp. and Trichoderma spp. The fungal diversity was higher in the mixed forest than that in Q. variabilis forest. For both forest types, the maximum fungal diversity was found in layer F and there existed significantly different in fungal diversity between layer F and layer L. In the mixed forest, richness of fungi isolated from needle litter (P. massoniana) was lower than that from leaf litter (L. formasana). The richness of fungi from needle litter increased with the in-crease of forest floor depth, but for leaf litter, the fungal diversity decreased with the depth of forest floor. The co-species of fungi from the two forest types, as well as from two kinds of litters in mixed forest, increased with the depth of the forest floor. The succession of fungi along with the process of decomposition was discussed here. The results also showed that litter quality was a critical factor affecting fungal diversity.

Approaches to functional genomics in filamentous fungi

The study of gene function in filamentous fungi is a field of research that has made great advances in very recent years. A number of transformation and gene manipulation strategies have been developed and applied to a diverse and rapidly expanding list of economically important filamentous fungi and oomycetes. With the significant number of fungal genomes now sequenced or being sequenced, functional genomics promises to uncover a great deal of new information in coming years. This review discusses recent advances that have been made in examining gene function in filamentous fungi and describes the advantages and limitations of the different approaches.

Isolation of Filamentous Fungi from the Caatinga Region and Production of Amylolytic Enzymes of Great Industrial Interest

The industrial importance and the high cost of the commercial amylase require the study of microorganisms that produce these enzymes. For this reason, the objective of this work was to isolate filamentous fungi from a region of the caatinga and evaluate their potential for the production of amylase. Four soil samples were collected from a deactivated dump located in the city of Diamantina, MG, in a region of the caatinga. The analysis of amylolytic production in a submerged medium at the ideal temperature of each microorganism was performed using the saccharification method, and the reducing sugars formed were quantified by DNS. Fourteen filamentous fungi were isolated, which had different morphological aspects. Regarding amylase production, a mean activity of 0.477 U·mL-1 was obtained with the isolates I 1.2.1 and I 4.4.1. These results bring important information regarding the biodiversity of the caatinga, in addition to the isolation of microorganisms that can be used as biological machinery to obtain metabolites with high biotechnological and industrial potential.

Spectrum of Filamentous Fungi from Sputum of Tuberculosis Relapse and Retreatment Patients in Tuberculosis Reference Facilities

Background: Fungal infections represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised individuals. Pulmonary fungal infection may be missed or misdiagnosed as tuberculosis (TB) hence complicating management of these patients. The current study reports the spectrum of filamentous fungi isolated from sputum of TB relapse and retreatment cases at selected reference facilities in Kenya. Methods: A total of 340 sputum samples collected during the period of June 2018 to June 2019 were subjected to mycological investigations. The samples were mucolysed and inoculated on sabourauds dextrose agar (SDA) and incubated at 30°C for 7 days and checked daily for fungal growth. Moulds were identified by macroscopic and microscopic morphological features and the species were confirmed by sequencing. Results: The diversity of fungi out of the 340 sputum samples analyzed was as follows;16% (n = 53) were positive for moulds with Aspergillus species being the predominant constituting 68 % (n = 36). Among the Aspergilli, A. flavus and A. niger were the most frequently isolated adding up to 23%, (n = 12) and 15% (n = 8) respectively. Additionally, Paecillomyces variotii (9%, n = 5), Scedosporium aspiospermum (6%, n = 3), Mucor racemosus (8%, n = 4) and Penicillium spp. (9%, n = 5) were also recovered. Conclusion: The isolated fungi represented potential respiratory pathogens that could be responsible for persistent TB like symptoms despite treatment that could be misdiagnosed as relapse requiring treatment. Fungal investigation of all presumptive TB relapse cases should be advocated before treatment. This will reduce unnecessary retreatment, delayed antifungal intervention and unwarranted morbidity and mortality associated with misdiagnosis.

Enhancement of Essential Oil Yield from Melaleuca Leucadendra L.Leaves by Lignocellulose Degradation Pre-Treatment Using Filamentous Fungi

The essential oil from Melaleuca leucadendra L.leaves has been widely used as a perfume and traditional remedy,cosmetics and pharmaceutical products ingredient since many years ago.The common technology to recover the oil is hydro-distillation and steam-distillation.However,all oil can not be fully extracted from the leaves by this method due to the recalcitrant structure of leaves that hindrance the access of the solvent.Adding a submerged fermentation as a pretreatment step prior to the extraction process helped to loosen the lignocellulose structure and enhance oil release in the extraction process.In this study,the raw materials were collected from the natural forest in Buru Island,Maluku,Indonesia.The biological agents applied in these processes were Phanerochaete chrysosporium ITBCC136 and Trichoderma viride ITBCC143.The oil extraction process was conducted by method of steam-distillation,the oil was analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy(GC-MS),and the lignocellulose content in the biomass was measured by the fractionation method.The treatment using T.viride provided the highest increase in yield percentage up to 3.47%as compared with control of 1.45%,with the lowest percentages of the remained cellulose,while the fermentation with the presence of P.chrysosporium did not affect the oil yield even the lignin content was decrease as much as 21%.The percentages of 1,8-cineole in the oil were almost unchanged,which was about 20%of the oil.

Rapid Preparation of Filamentous Fungal DNA for PCR Analysis by Ultrasonic Treatment

A simple method to prepare of DNA template suitable for PCR amplification from filamentous fungi will be valuable for improving experimental efficiency.Here,a method was developed which just needed ultrasonic treatment of the mycelium at usual condition,and the produced solution could directly be used as DNA template for internal transcribed spacer(ITS)amplification successfully.The PCR could be improved by additional treatment of 60℃water baths,but was not centrifugation.When the template amount was 0.5-2μL and the ultrasonic time was 7-11 min,there was no distinctly influences on PCR.The method was commonly used for M.purpureus,I.cicadae,Lentinula sp.,Flammul sp.and Dictyophora sp.etc.to detect target sequences of ITS,hygromycin resistance gene(Hyg),CRISPR-associated protein 9(Cas9),Citrinin gene C(CtnC),Citrinin gene D(CtnD),large subunit rRNA gene(NL),and so on.The method could provide a simple,rapid,safe and economic approach to prepare the DNA template for large-scale PCR of the special filamentous fungi materials.

Biocidal Effect of Gamma Radiation on the Ecology of Filamentous Fungal Populations Associated with Stone Deterioration

This study focused on the identification of the filamentous fungi associated with soapstone samples exposed to outdoor conditions and the biocidal effect of gamma radiations on isolated fungal populations in Minas Gerais State in Brazil. Two soapstone blocks were placed outdoors under tropical environmental conditions for 12 months. A total of 9 filamentous fungal populations were identified on their surfaces, namely Acremomium （cf.） alternatum, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillusfumigatus, Calcarisporium （cf.） arbuscula, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Curvularia lunata, Epicoccum nigrum, Fusarium equiseti and Penicillium citrinum. The gamma radiation assay was then carried out as a test of biocidal action by exposing all fungal populations to the ionizing radiation. The results showed that only the C. cladosporioides species was resistant to this biocidal agent, since it was able to increase its population post exposure. Scanning electron microscopy images identified the microbial colonization on the soapstone blocks and the stone elementar composition was analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. After treatment, there was no structural and aesthetic alteration in the soapstone samples, and evidencing that gamma radiation can be used as a biocidal agent. However, the resistance of the black fungal population indicates caution in the choice of gamma irradiation as biocidal treatment.

Isolation,Screening and Primary Identification of a Keratin-degrading Fungus

[Objective] The paper was to provide new germplasm sources for efficient and economical degradation and utilization of animal keratin.[Method] The keratin-degrading fungus was isolated,screened and primarily identified by using the combination method of traditional isolation and screening,solid culture-medium degradation and animal test.[Result] A strain of non-pathogenic filamentous fungi with high degradation efficiency was obtained,which was preliminarily identified to be a species in Mucoraceae.[Conclusion] The discovery of the strain enriched the family members of keratin-degrading fungus,and provided new germplasm resources for degradation and utilization of animal keratin.

Evaluation of fungal potentiality for bioconversion of domestic wastewater sludge

This study was undertaken to screen the filamentous fungi isolated from its relevant habitats(wastewater, sewage sludge and sludge cake) for the bioconversion of domestic wastewater sludge. A total of 35 fungal strains were tested against wastewater sludge (total suspended solids, TSS 1%—5% w/w) to evaluate its potentiality for enhancing the biodegradability and dewaterability using liquid state bioconversion(LSB) process. The strains were divided into five groups i.e. Penicillium, Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Basidiomycete and Miscellaneous, respectively. The strains WWZP1003, SCahmA103, SCahmT105 and PC-9 among their respective groups of Penicillium, Aspergillus, Trichoderma and Basidiomycete played potential roles in terms of separation(formation of pellets/flocs/filaments), biodegradation(removal of COD) and filtration(filterability) of treated domestic wastewater sludge. The Miscellaneous group was not considered due to its unsatisfactory results as compared to the other groups. The pH value was also influenced by the microbial treatment during fermentation process. The filterability of treated sludge was improved by fungal treatment, and lowest filtration time was recorded for the strain WWZP1003 and SCahmA103 of Penicillium and Aspergillus groups respectively compared with other strains.

Screening of Cellulase Producing Fungus ZDTJ097-1-(7) from Bohai Bay and Its Yielding Conditions

Abstract [ Objective ] This study aimed to screen a marine-derived cellulase producing filamentous fungus and to investigate the yielding conditions and celluase activity. [ Method] A total of 25 marine-derived filamentous fungus were screened out of from Bohai Bay, and one producing cellulase was obtained through Congo red transparent circle method and cellulase activity assay. After that, optimum conditions were examined for cellulase producing and catalyzing. [ Result] CMC-Na could induce ZDTJ097-1-（7 ） strain to produce filter paper cellulase, CMC cellulase and 13-glucosidase. The optimum conditions for ZDTJ097-1-（7） to produce en- zymes were 0.5% CMC-Na, 0. 2% NH4NO3 , pH 6.0 at 25 ℃. [ Conclusion] This study provided reference for furfller development and utilization of cellulase produ-cing fungus ZDTJ097-1-（7）.

The formation kinetics and control of biofilms by three dominant fungi species isolated from groundwater

Filamentous fungi can enter drinking water supply systems in various ways,and exist in suspended or sessile states which threatens the health of individuals by posing a high risk of invasive infections.In this study,the biofilms formation kinetics of the three genera of fungal spores,Aspergillus niger(A.niger),Penicillium polonicum(P.polonicum)and Trichoderma harzianum(T.harzianum)isolated fromthe groundwater were reported,as well as the effects of water quality parameters were evaluated.In addition,the efficiency of low-concentrations of chlorine-based disinfectants(chlorine,chlorine dioxide and chloramine)on controlling the formation of fungal biofilms was assessed.The results showed that the biofilms formation of the three genera of fungi could be divided into the following four phases:induction,exponential,stationary and sloughing off.The optimum conditions for fungal biofilms formation were found to be neutral or weakly acidic at 28°C with rich nutrition.In fact,A.niger,P.polonicum,and T.harzianum were not observed to form mature biofilms in actual groundwater within 120 hr.Carbon was found to have the maximum effect on the fungal biofilms formation in actual groundwater,followed by nitrogen and phosphorus.The resistance of fungal species to disinfectants during the formation of biofilms decreased in the order:A.niger>T.harzianum>P.polonicum.Chlorine dioxide was observed to control the biofilms formation with maximum efficiency,followed by chlorine and chloramine.Consequently,the results of this study will provide a beneficial understanding for the formation and control of fungal biofilms.

Fungi for future foods

The rapid growth of human civilizations has 1ed to imminent pressures to develop new food products with increased nutitiona1 characteristics and decreased environmenta1 footprints.Filamentous fungi,a class of microorganisms that have been utilized in a wide variety of foods for thousands of years,have recently gamered widespread attention in research communities and commercia1 ventures seeking to explore new and innovative applications in a diverse aray of food products including,but not 1imited to,their more established applications as alterative proteins.Technological advances in the cultivation and processing of flamentous fungi have created new frontiers in the control of textures,flavors,and nutritional properties of fungi-based foods.This review highlights technological advances in the production of fungi-based foods from cultivation to product manufacturing,presents the current state of the ant in fungi-based food products,and offters thoughts on their future trajectories.Emphasis is given to circular bioprocessing concepts for the sustainable utilization of agricultural and food processing byproducts.