Alternaria Research Articles

Incidence of dermatophytes and other keratinophilic fungi in the schools and college playground soils of Jaipur, India

A total of 50 soil samples collected from school and college playgrounds soil of Jaipur, India were examined for the prevalence of keratinophilic fungi and related dermatophytes. Two keratinous fragments, human hair and nails were used for the growth of fungi by hair-baiting technique. A total number of 25 species belonging to 16 genera were recovered, 8 of which were common to both the school and college playgrounds soil. Dermatophytes and closely related species were represented by 25 species; of which the following were the most commonly found species in soil:Chrysosporium tropicum (26%), Chrysosporium indicum (22%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (16%), Microsporum gypseum (14%), etc. Some of the isolates of these related and dermatophytes like Trichophyton verrucosum, Trichophytontonsurans, Cladosporium sp., Paecilomyces sp., Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillusversicolar, Alternaria sp., Fusarium moniliforme, etc, were first isolated from playgrounds soil of Jaipur. The selection of certain keratinolytic isolates could become useful in managing polluted soil of playgrounds by students and people. To our knowledge, This appears to be the first report concerning the isolation of T. tonsurans, A. versicolar, Cladosporium sp., Trichophyton verrucosum, Alternaria sp.,Paecilomyces sp., F. moniliforme and A. nidulans as keratinolytic fungi from soil samples of Jaipur (India). Key words: Playgrounds soil, keratinophilic fungi, dermatophytes, Jaipur.

APICAL NECROSIS OF PERSIAN (ENGLISH) WALNUT (JUGLANS REGIA): AN UPDATE

In recent years, a new disease of Persian (English) walnut (Juglans regia L.) causing premature fruit drop and important yield losses has been observed in orchards of Mediterranean walnut-growing regions. Characteristic disease symptoms consist of an apical necrosis originating at the stigmatic end of the hull. In early stages of fruit development, differentiation of “apical necrosis” from “blight”, another walnut disease, requires a detailed observation of externally and internally affected tissues. Different approaches have been used to characterize disease symptoms in affected walnut-growing areas and to identify the causal agents and predisposing factors. Recent studies indicate that the bacterium Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis is the microorganism most frequently associated with apical necrosis and may produce the initial infections in young nuts. Fusarium spp. and Alternaria spp. seem also to be involved in the induction of apical necrosis, causing secondary infections, or growing as saprophytes on bacterial- infected tissues, thus enhancing disease symptoms and severity. Nutritional problems and soil characteristics could be partially related to apical necrosis, in addition to microbial infection. Many aspects of apical necrosis are, however, still unknown and management strategies cannot be defined, so the disease is not readily controlled. Etiological and epidemiological studies on apical necrosis are discussed in this review in order to integrate information and contribute to a better understanding of the disease and its predisposing factors.

Local IgE production in nonatopic nasal polyposis.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) represents an eosinophilic T-helper 2 inflammatory response. Local production of IgE within nasal polyps (NPs) has been demonstrated, suggesting a role for local IgE in the pathogenesis of NP in atopic CRS patients. We hypothesized that local IgE specific to inhalant allergens may also play a role in the genesis of NP in nonatopic CRS patients. Sinus and inferior turbinate tissue was obtained from nonatopic CRSwNP patients (n = 7), chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) patients (n = 15), and healthy controls (n = 9) at the time of surgery. ImmunoCAP analysis (Phadia AB, Portage, MI) for 14 common inhalant antigens was performed on tissue homogenates to determine the antigen-specific response. Total IgE levels did not differ in sinus or turbinate tissue between CRSwNP, CRSsNP, or control patients. CRSwNP sinus tissue had higher levels of specific IgE for cockroach and plantain (p = .03) than other groups and elevated Alternaria IgE levels when compared with CRSsNP sinus tissue (p < .05). No significant differences were found for any of the other antigen-specific IgE levels. Fifty-seven percent of CRSwNP polyps demonstrated a polyclonal IgE response, whereas the other 43% had no demonstrable antigen-specific IgE. In contrast, only 17% of CRSsNP patients demonstrated a polyclonal response within sinus tissue, whereas 67% had no detectable antigen-specific IgE. There was no significant difference in levels of IgE in inferior turbinate tissue between the groups (p > .05). Localized mucosal IgE specific to common inhalant allergens appears to play a role in a subset of CRSwNP patients without evidence of systemic atopy.

The relationship between the genotype and clinical factors of filamentous fungus causing-keratitis

Background The study on the classification of fungi is very important for the diagnosis and treatment of fungal keratitis.Identifying the different species of filamentous fungi is a critical factor for the application of anti-fungal drug in treating keratitis.ObjectiveThis report studies the relationship between the genotype of filamentous fungi and the clinical factors.MethodsFifty-two patients with filamentous fungal keratitis determined by clinical and laboratory examination were recruited in Tongren Hospital from January 2006-December 2006.The lesions were graded on the severity of the corneal ulcer and the presence of hypopyon.The filamentous fungal keratitis was treated with topical and systemic administration of anti-fungal drugs or corneal transplantation.The isolates were cultured in potato culture and identified by morphological characteristics based on the Nelson criterion and genotyped by the rDNA ITS method.The clinical data was retrospectively analyzed.ResultsForty-eight species (eubacteria are bacteria,not fungi)of fungus were identified by morphological characteristics,and the filamentous fungi were divided into 4 types based on the phylogenetic relationships within the rDNA ITS of the 52 filamentous fungi.The morphological characteristics and genotype were confirmed in 48 strains of eubacteria and 31 strains of 52 filamentous fungi (90.3%).The 4 groups of fungi were classified by genotype as follows:group 1 represents 22 strains including 20 strains of Fusarium solani and 2 strains of Fusarium oxysporum;group 2 represents 12 strains including 8 strains of Fusarium moniliformis,3 strains of Fusarium proliferatum and 1 strain of Fusarium incarnatum;group 3 represents 5 strains including 1 strain of Fusarium moniliformis and 4 unknown strains;group 4 represents 13 strains including 10 strains of Aspergillus spp.and 3 strains of Alternaria spp.Significant differences were found in the disease duration (P=0.00),inducing cause (P=0.03),ulcer grade (P=0.01)and outcome of the anti-fungal treatment (P=0.035)when compared between group 1 and 2 with group 3 and 4.Conclusion Filamentous fungi that cause keratitis could be correctly identified by sequencing the internal tanscribed spacer of rDNA.There are significant clinical differences among the groups classified by genotype. Key words: filamentous fungus; keratitis; genotype

Health implications of toxigenic fungi found in two Nigerian staples: guinea corn and rice

A total of one hundred and forty eight fungi isolated from both guinea corn (67) and rice (81) in a previous fungal and mycotoxin survey in Niger State, Nigeria, were tested for toxicity potential in white albino mice. Of all these, 64.2% were found to produce toxic metabolites that were lethal to mice and were mainly species of Aspergillus spp, Fusarium spp, Penicillium spp and Trichoderma spp. Others include Syncephalastrum spp, Alternaria spp, Phoma spp, Curvularia lunata, Colletotrichum spp, Geotrichum candidum and Helminthosporium spp, Cladosporium werneckil, and Mucor spp and the bacteria Cryptococcus neoformis. The novel, most toxigenic fungi found contaminating these two staples were Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.) Nirenberg, previously known as F.moniliforme Sheldon (CABI Biosciences is IMI 392668).The extract of the fungus caused lethality to mice at 40 mg /kg b. wt. The health implications of these toxic microbes in our diets were discussed.

Relationship between &lt;i&gt;Alternaria radicina&lt;/i&gt; soil population density and carrot black rot

Alternaria radicina is a seed and soilborne pathogen that causes black rot of carrot tap roots and black rings on the root crown The A radicina population density in spring was determined in carrot field soils to investigate the relationship between soil conidial populations and black rot levels in summer In each of 15 carrot fields four randomly selected 30 m2 plots were used for soil sampling to a depth of 5 cm in September Alternaria radicina population densities (cfu/g soil) were determined using a soil dilution method and selective agar Black rot disease incidence was expressed as the number of infected plants/m of row and severity was assessed using a 0 to 4 rating scale Alternaria radicina soil population density (33233 cfu/g soil) correlated positively (P

Antifungal effect of some plant extracts on Alternaria alternata and Fusarium oxysporum

In vitro studies were carried out to test the antifungal activity of 5 plant extracts;Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Cinnamon), Cymbopogon proximus (Halfa barr),Laurus nobilis (Laurel), Persea americana (Avocado) and Zingiber officinale(Ginger) performed with either cold distilled water (CDW) or boiling (BDW) on two pathogenic fungi, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium oxysporum. The results revealed that plants extracts especially those performed with CDW had a strong antifungal activity with significant inhibition on the growth of the 2 tested fungi and their hydrolytic enzymes, β-glucosidase, pectin lyase and protease. Extracts of Halfa barr and ginger were the most effective to inhibit the growth of the tested fungi followed by avocado, cinnamon and laurel. Findings from this study confirmed that plant extracts can be used as natural fungicides to control pathogenic fungi, thus reducing the dependence on the synthetic fungicides. Halfa barr, which was found to be the most efficient extract (75% inhibition), might be a promising material for controlling these fungi. Key words: Antifungal agents, Alternaria alternate, Fusarium oxysporum, plant extracts, pectin lyase, β-glucosidase, protease.

Anti fungal activity of shallot, Allium ascalonicum Linn. (Liliaceae), in vitro

The aim of the present study was to investigate anti fungal activities of the fresh extract of Allium ascalonicum Linn. (Liliaceae) against clinically important yeast, dermatophytes and some saprophytic fungi in vitro. The anti fungal effects of fresh crude juice of shallot were determined against 11 isolates of Candida albicans, three species of dermatophytes (Microsporum gypseum, Trichophytonmentagrophytes and Epidermophyton floccosum) and Syncephalastrum,Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp., Paecilomyces sp., Scopulariopsis sp.,Cladosporium sp., Alternaria sp., Drechslera sp. by agar well diffusion method.Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the fresh extract of A. ascalonicum was 0.25% for most tested fungi; however extract show remarkable activity against saprophytic fungi followed by Candida species and dermatophytes. It is concluded that fresh extract of A. ascalonicum has more anti-saprophytes effect at 0.25% with a mean diameter of inhibition zone 21.83 mm. Key words: Candida albicans, saprophytic fungi, dermatophyte, Allium ascalonicum, anti fungal.

Semi-selective media for the isolation of Phaeomoniella chlamydospora from soil and vine wood.

Two semi-selective culture media, F10S (PDA + folpet 10 ppm + streptomycin sulphate 1 g l -1 ) and RB150S (PDA + rose bengal 150 ppm + streptomycin sulphate 1 g l -1 ), were developed for the isolation of the phytopathogenic fungus Phaeomoniella chlamydospora from soil samples and vine tissues. The media were selected so that they would allow proper growth of the pathogen and would partially inhibit eleven other common fungal genera. Eight antifungal agents were tested: Folpan (a.i. folpet), Captazel (a.i. captan), Benlate (a.i. benomyl), Chipco (a.i. iprodione), Switch (a.i. cyprodinil + fl udioxonil), rose bengal, and the bactericidal antibiotic streptomycin sulphate at several doses. Recovery of Pa. chlamydospora from wood samples was 40% better on RB150S and 50% better on F10S than on PDA, while the contaminants were reduced by 42% with RB150S, and by 48% with F10S. Pathogen reisolation from artificially contaminated soil samples was improved with F10S, while RB150S facilitated pathogen detection in samples containing moderate amounts of Rhizopus, Trichoderma, Penicillium, Alternaria or Trichoderma or in soils heavily contaminated with bacteria. F10S and RB150S improved the isolation of Pa. chlamydospora from wood and soil and can be used as alternatives to current culture media.

Pathogens diversity and in vitro drug sensitivity test in fungal keratitis

Objective To analyze the distribution, diversity, and the sensitivity of common pathogen species to antifungal drugs in fungal keratitis during 2000 - 2006 in Shandong province. Methods Samples from corneal serapings and corneal buttons from keratoplasties were used for fungal culture and identification. The distribution and diversity of the pathogens in different years were analyzed. The sensitivity of some common species to antifungal drugs were tested. Results A total of 898 patients were diagnosed as fungal keratitis, in which 770 (85.7%) were positive in fungal culture. Pathogens in 748 cases caused by fungal infection were identified, of which 547 cases were caused by Fusarium (71.0%). The prevelence of Fusarium from 2000 to 2006 was 75.5%, 72.8%, 71.5%, 75.2%, 76%, 68. 8% and 56.4% respectively. Eighty-four cases were caused by Aspergillus( 10.9% ) , which accounted for 15.1% , 15.2% , 13.1%, 10. 2%, 10. 4% , 8.0% and 6. 9% of the cases from 2000 to 2006, respectively. Seventy-four eases were caused by Alternaria (9. 6% ), the percentage of which during 2000 -2006 was 1. 9%, 3.3%, 3.7%, 6. 6%, 8. 8%, 12. 0 and 29. 7% respectively. In genus Fusarium, 10 species were found and the most common species were Fusarium Solani ( 33. 8% ), Fusarium oxysporum ( 28.2% ) and Fusarium moniliforme( 27.4% ). Six species were identified in genus Aspergillus, with Aspergillus flavus (53.6%) and Aspergillus fumigatus (39.3% ) being the most common species. The geometric mean MICs of amphotericin B, terbinafin, itraconazole, 5-flucytosine and fluconazole against the common species were 0. 647, 0. 714, 1. 624, 15. 108 and 27. 070 μg/ml, respectively. The mean MICs of the above five antifungal drugs against Fusarium were 0. 899, 0. 893, 3.077, 37. 124 and 21. 687 μg/ml, respectively, and for Aspergillus, the mean MICs of these agents were 0.794, 0.591, 0.416, 23.973 and 7.127 μg/ml, respectively; for Alternaria,the MICs were 0. 409,0. 479,0. 433,11. 655 and 7. 104 μg/ml ,respectively. Conclusions Genus Fusarium, Aspergillus and Alternaria were the predominant pathogens in fungal keratitis in Shandong Province. During 2000 -2006, Fusarium was the most common one, followed by Aspergillus. The percentage of Aspergillus decreased annually. The third most common pathogen, Alternaria increased during the period. The geometric mean MICs of amphotericin B and terbinafin against Fusarium were lower than those of itraconazole, 5-flucytosine and fluconazole. The MICs of these five anti-fungal drugs against Aspergillus and Alternatia were lower than those for Fusarium. Key words: Keratitis; Eye infections,fungal; Microbial sensitivity tests

Alternaria Peritonitis after Contact with a Cat

Alternaria Peritonitis after Contact with a Cat

Studies on the Fungi Associated with Soft Rot of Carrot ( Daucus Carota ) in Ilorin, North Central Nigeria

A study was carried out on the fungi associated spoilage of carrot in Ilorin, north central Nigeria. Carrot samples were collected from five locations in the city, namely; Ipata market, Challenge area, Adewole Estate, Sango, Kwara Hotel area and Sawmill. These were subjected to conventional fungal isolation procedures. Altogether, six different fungi were isolated and included were Aspergillus niger, Mucor racemosus, Penicillium italicum, Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium sp . and Alternaria sp . The most frequently occurring isolate was M. racemosus (58%) followed by A. niger , (45%) and P. italicum (38%). Carrot samples from the Ipata market were the most infested and yielded all types of the six fungi isolated. Artificial inoculations of healthy carrot roots singly with each of the isolates revealed that only P. italicum and Alternaria sp . caused rot in artificially inoculated carrot under the conditions of this study. Keywords : Carrot, fungi, soft rot, spoilage, Nigeria

DON DETECTION FROM CEREALS USED IN ALIMENTATION, BY RAPID IMMUNOCHROMATOGRAPHIC TESTS

The mycotxins are natural chemical compounds (toxic metabolites) produced by different species of fungi, which contaminates the aliments. The principal mycotxicogenic species (known over 110.000), developing in the animal feed and human food, are framed in five species: Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Claviceps, Alternaria. In the aliments security, the mycotxins with risks are grouped in 6 families: Aflatoxins, Ochratoxins, Fumonisins, Tricothecene, Patulin, Zearalnenone. The FAO data evaluated about two decades that about 25 % of the cereals world crops was affected by mycotoxins. Their proportion increased, so that today the alimentary risks of the mycotoxins are considered a major problem for the public health.

MYCOLOGICAL AND MYCOTOXICOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS ON MAIZE SAMPLES COMING FROM CLUJ AND ALBA COUNTIES

A number of 36 samples from Alba - and 34 from Cluj counties obtained in the 2001 and 2002 harvests were randomly collected in October 2002 and analysed for mycotic load and for zearalenone and ergosterol as fungal mass indicator. Following the mycological examination, there has been found a moderate mycotic charge with a number of 14 samples and intense mycotic load with 11 samples. The highest mycetes occurence have belonged Fusarium, Rhisopus, Alternaria, Aspergillus genera. Ergosterol was detected with all samples with a maximium value of 72 mg/kg, zearalenone was found in 54% of the total of analysed maize samples reaching values of up to 2250μg/kg, indicating a high degree of fungal contamination as well as a severe zearalenone contamination

The Effect of Nitrogen on Insect and Disease Pests of Onions, Carrots, and Cabbage

ABSTRACT Mineral nutrition may affect the ability of plants to resist harmful insects or diseases. The effects of nitrogen (N) nutrition on pests of onions (Allium cepa L.), carrots (Daucus carota L.), and cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) were evaluated on organic and mineral soils in Ontario, Canada in 2000 and 2001. Onions (cvs. Norstar and Winner) and carrots (cvs. Indiana, Idaho, and Annapolis) were grown on both soil types, and cabbage (cv. Atlantis) was grown on mineral soil. Nitrogen was applied at 0,50,100,150, and 200% (carrots and cabbage) and 0, 100, and 200% (onions) of the rate recommended by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs using calcium ammonium nitrate preplant and potassium nitrate for sidedress applications. In cabbage, onion thrips (Thrips tabaci L.) damage was rated at harvest. Onion thrips (OT) populations were monitored in onions weekly. In carrots, the combined leaf blight symptoms caused by Cercospora carotae and Alternaria dauci was evaluate...

Control of Wilt and Blight Diseases of Cumin through Antagonistic Fungi under in Vitro and Field Conditions

The experiment was carried out to assess their possible use as bio-agents for several antagonistic fungi on growth of two cumin fungal pathogens under in vitro and field conditions. Under in vitro conditions maximum inhibition (82.86%) of radial growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cumini was observed with the treatment of Trichoderma harzianum strain I, whereas maximum inhibition (85.45%) of the mycelial growth of Alternaria burnsii was observed in the presence of Trichoderma harzianum strain II. The antagonists who showed maximum inhibition of the pathogen in laboratory conditions were applied in field conditions as soil treatment/seed treatment or as foliar spray. The incidence of wilt disease was found to be lowest (PDI 27.40%) when soil was treated with Trichoderma harzianium strain I at the rate of 24g / 6m2 (weight of fungus with sorghum seeds). Minimum blight disease incidence was observed when T. harzianum strain II was applied to the soil at the rate of 24g / 6m2 (36.15%) or when 10% spore suspension of T. harzianum strain II was applied as seed treatment at the time of sowing and as spray at the time of flowering (PDI 35.10%). Thus treatments of Trichoderma harzianum strain I for wilt and Trichoderma harzianum strain II for blight diseases of cumin under both the conditions @ 24g / 6m2 or 40kg / ha seems promising for sustainable management of crop diseases.

Studies on the cost-effective management of Alternaria blight of rapeseed-mustard (Brassica spp.)

Three systemic fungicides: Topsin-M (Thiophanate methyl, 70%WP), Ridomil MZ (Mancozeb, 64% + Metalaxyl, 8%WP), and Bavistin (Carbendazim, 50%WP) alone and in combination with four non-systemic fungicides Captaf (Captan, 50%WP), Indofil M-45 (Mancozeb, 75%WP), Indofil Z-78 (Zineb, 75%WP), and Thiram (Thiram, 75%WP) were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo for their effectiveness to manage Alternaria blight of rapeseedmustard caused by Alternaria brassicae. A pure culture of the pathogenic fungus was applied in the field at 2 g colonized sorghum seeds kg-1 soil. All the fungicides were evaluated for their efficacy at various concentrations, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 500 ppm, and were sprayed in the field at 0.2% a.i. l-1. All fungicides significantly reduced the severity of the disease but Ridomil MZ was most effective. Topsin-M at a concentration of 500 ppm was the most effective in reducing radial growth of the pathogenic fungi (74.2%). Ridomil MZ reduced disease severity by 32% and was followed in effectiveness by the combination Bavistin+Captaf (26.5%). Maximum yield was obtained in plots sprayed with Bavistin+Captaf (1198 kg ha-1) followed by Bavistin+Indofil Z-78 (1172 kg ha-1). It was worth noting that the highest net profit as well as the highest cost-benefit ratio was obtained with Bavistin+Indofil Z-78 (1:3.2), followed by Bavistin+Captaf (1:1.3).

The clinical and pathogenic characteristics of keratitis caused by Alternaria alternata

To study the clinical and pathogenic characteristics of keratitis caused by Alternaria alternata and to provide evidence for the diagnose and treatment of mycotic keratitis. The patients with keratitis were examined by lamp microscope; the direct smears of corneal scrapings were stained using 10% potassium hydroxide and Giemsa's staining and the results were observed under microscope. After hypha was found, the samples from corneal were taken for fungal culture and fungal susceptibility test in vitro according to the National Community of Clinical Laboratory Standard (NCCLS) document M38-A at the same time. Ketoconazole, Amphotericin B and Fluconazole eye drops were applied into eyes frequently and alternately. The affectivity of the treatment were also observed. The isolates of Alternaria alternata from patients were used to induce keratitis in rabbits. The rabbits were sacrificed by air after 5 days and 14 days and their corneas were taken for pathology and inoculating for fungi. All the patients have only one eye with Alternaria alternata's keratitis and their average age was 50 years old. The lesions of corneal necrosis in the patients and Alternaria alternata's keratitis in the rabbits were appeared as light grey, shallow and a diffused edge. Alternaria alternata showed as thick transparent hypha and a great of spherical chlamydospores on the top of hypha or cluster one and the other in corneal scraping under microscope. The hypha and spores of Alternaria alternata in the culture medium were all brown and the spores were separated into cells like wall brick and grew on the top of spores linking like chains. Anti-microbial susceptibility testing in vitro showed that Alternaria alternata was susceptible to Voriconazole, Amphotericin B, Ketoconazole, Miconazole, Econazole, Terbinafine and Fluconazole but it was resistant to Clotrimazole, Flucytosine ang Itraconazole. 22 of the patients were cured by dropping Amphotericin B, Ketoconazole and Fluconazole frequently and alternately but surgery was performed in one case. The mean cured time was 34 day. The lesion of rabbits keratitis caused by Alternaria alternata was thin and localized only in the region of lacking epicytes. The isolate from the rabbit's keratitis model was Alternaria alternata. The keratitis caused by Alternaria alternata has its distinct clinical and laboratory characteristics. The virulence of Alternaria alternata is relatively low to cornea and the combination of anti-fungal agents could cure Alternaria alternata keratitis.

Effect of selected aromatic oils on the development of pathogenic fungi colonizing vegetable seeds in the laboratorial conditions.

The goal of this research was to find out effect of the ethereal oils received from tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia L.) and lavender (Lavandula officinalis L.) on the growth of colonies of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum and Alternaria brassicicola in the laboratorial conditions. The ethereal oil from tea tree did limit the growth of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum and Alternaria brassicicola. In the first case, already 0.5% oil completely limited the colony’s growth of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, and 1.5% - Alternaria brassicicola. The two other concentrations: 0.5% and 1.0%, although did not completely limited growth of Alternaria brassicicola, still limited it significantly in comparison with the results of check. The use of oil from lavender limited the growth of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum and Alternaria brassicicola in the laboratorial conditions. The best results were received with the higher concentrations of the oil. In the concentrations of 1.0% it stopped the growth of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum completely and 1.5% - Colletotrichum lindemuthianum and Alternaria brassicicola.

THE ISOLATION OF THE MICROMYCETES PRESENT IN THE CAVE

Some species of mould found on grapes or on the wine installation and in the preservation recipients can lead to losses in the quality and quantity of the production on one hand and on the other hand can product mycotoxins, which affects consumers’ health (2). The present study has regarded the harvest and the isolation in the pure culture of the mould found on the internal side of the cask, on the wall of the cave, the identification and the taxonomic integration of the isolated. The studied material was represented of the pure cultures of mould. The sowing was made MEA (malt-extract-agar) and PDA (potato-dextrose-agar) medium (3). The isolation of the colonies was made trough inundation of the medium surfaces and the spread method trough the plates (1). From the microflora present in the cave of Banu Maracine were isolated 10 mould strains integrated in the 8 species and 7 types. 6 strains were isolated from the external and internal side of the cask, 3 from cave wall and one from the corks’ surfaces. Absidia glauca- was isolated from one side of the wall. On solid ground it has formed a mycelium of white color, which later became gray. The sporangiophores have different sized and are branch out sympodial. Alternaria alternata was isolated from the cask surface and formed colonies, that have a dirty-white color and fluffy aspect, on MEA medium. The micelian hife are thin and separated. The conidies are piriform and are ordered with the sharp part to the conidiophore. Cladosporium herbarum was isolated from the cask surface and formed brow-olive colonies, whase pigment diffuses in the medium. Hyphes are then separated and dilated at the sept level. Gliocladium roseum was isolated from the cask surface and formed thick and white colonies. Merulius domestica was isolated from the surface formed white colonies, little adhesive to the medium. The hyphes have a belt aspect. Penicillium expansum was isolated from the budanelor and wall’s surface. On CYA medium formed green-blue colonies with a brown or orange reverse. Penicillium islandicum was isolated from the wall’s surface and formed brown-orange colonies. Both species have presented biverticilated penicilii. Rhizomucor pussilius was isolated from the crook’s. In conclusion, we can say that the cave generally giving the fact that have proper environmental conditions can permit the development of a grate number of mould species, which are fainded on woody surfaces and walls surfaces and their released spores can mention themselves a limited while in the cave atmosphere.