Arthrinium Phaeospermum Research Articles

Effect of fungal species involved in the olive fruit rot on the qualitative properties of olive oil

Olive oil is the most important product of olive fruits with worldwide consumption, particularly in Mediterranean countries. Olive oil is generally extracted mechanically from the olive fruits. Some biotic and abiotic factors may affect the quality of oil extracted from olive fruit. Contamination with fungi during growth period in the garden or during the conservation of the harvested crop under storage condition may leave negative effects on the quality of olive oil. However, there is no data available on the effects of fungal infections on qualitative properties of olive oil in Iran. In the present study effects of several fungal groups previously isolated from rotten olive fruit in olive orchards including Alternaria alternata, Fusarium nygamai, Aspergillus ochraceus, Arthrinium phaeospermum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Aureobasidium pullulans, Epicoccum nigrum, Penicillium expansum, Truncatella angustata, Trichothecium roseum and Trichoderma harzianum were evaluated on some qualitative properties of olive oil, under laboratory condition on two olive cultivars (Zard & Roghani). For this purpose fresh and healthy fruits of olive, were surface sterilisation with 96% ethanol and rinsed with sterile water and then inoculated with each of the fungal groups separately using spore suspension (106 ml−1). The experiment was carried out in two replicates for each treatment (fungal isolates). The results of this study revealed that fungal infection caused significant increase in the extracted oil acidity and peroxide values. However, there was no significant difference in the acidity and peroxide values among different treatments (fungal isolates).

Purification of Protein AP-Toxin from Arthrinium phaeospermum Causing Blight in Bambusa pervariabilis × Dendrocalamopisis grandis and Its Metabolic Effects on Four Bamboo Varieties

Bambusa pervariabilis × Dendrocalamopisis grandis blight is caused by a toxin produced by the fungus Arthrinium phaeospermum. In this study, a toxin fraction (P1-2-2) with an estimated molecular mass of 31 kDa was purified from a culture filtrate of this fungus by ammonium sulfate precipitation, Sephadex G-50 gel chromatography, Q Sepharose Fast Flow anion exchange resin, and Sephadex G-75 chromatography. The N-terminal amino acid sequence (i.e., H(2)N-Gln-Val-Arg-Asp-Arg-Leu-Glu-Ser-Thr) determined by Edman degradation showed homology to known serine alkaline proteases. The purified protein was named AP-toxin. Effects of the purified protein toxin on total phenol, flavonoid, total nucleic acid, DNA, RNA, soluble protein, and soluble sugar content, as well as DNase and RNase activities and disease index, were analyzed in different bamboo varieties by the impregnation method. The toxin had a significant effect on each parameter tested. In addition, a significant correlation was observed among the metabolic index, treatment time, bamboo resistance, and disease index. These data suggest that AP-toxin plays an important role in mediating the phytotoxic activities of A. phaeospermum. This study also indicates that metabolic indices could reflect the resistance indices of hybrid bamboo to blight.

Sunflower seed for human consumption as a substrate for the growth of mycopopulations

These mycological investigations are implicating samples of protein sunflower seed from regular cultivation in the Vojvodina Province. Samples are examined in different stages of production: reception in the silo, separation of massive fraction on peeler and then peeling, kernel after peeling, hull, final product, i.e. kernels separated from visible impurities on conveyor bel, that are later manually divided in two fractions - a) seemingly whole, undamaged kernels, without change of colour, and b) seemingly damaged kernels, broken, with change of colour. For the determination of viable count of moulds and their isolation, two different media are used in parallel: Sabouraud maltose agar (SMA) and malt/yeast extract with 50% of glucose (MY50G), favourable for growth of xerophilic moulds. All samples tested were contaminated with fungi. Total viable mould count per seed varied from 1.6 (SMA) respecting 1.3 (MY50G) on reception, to 5.6 (SMA) and 7.5 (MY50G) cfu/seed in visually damaged sunflower kernels (final product). From seeds, kernels and hull, numerous moulds were isolated, belonging to 8 genera and 13 species (Alternaria alternata, Arthrinium phaeospermum, Aspergillus candidus, A. flavus, A. niger, A. ochraceus, A. versicolor, A. wentii, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Eurotium herbariorum, Penicillium aurantiogriseum, Rhizopus stolonifer and Trichoderma harzianum). Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, A.ochraceus, A. versicolor and Eurotium herbariorum were isolated on both media. Aspergillus candidus, A. versicolor, C. Cladosporioides, P. aurantiogriseum and T. harzianum were isolated only on SMA, while A. niger, A. wentii and R. stolonifer were exclusively isolated on MY50G. Most ubiquitous species is A. alternata, which is isolated from all tested samples, while A. candidus, C. cladosporioides and T. harzianum were isolated from sunflower seed on reception in silo, using SMA medium.

Associations between Fungal Species and Water-Damaged Building Materials

Fungal growth in damp or water-damaged buildings worldwide is an increasing problem, which has adverse effects on both the occupants and the buildings. Air sampling alone in moldy buildings does not reveal the full diversity of fungal species growing on building materials. One aim of this study was to estimate the qualitative and quantitative diversity of fungi growing on damp or water-damaged building materials. Another was to determine if associations exist between the most commonly found fungal species and different types of materials. More than 5,300 surface samples were taken by means of V8 contact plates from materials with visible fungal growth. Fungal identifications and information on building material components were analyzed using multivariate statistic methods to determine associations between fungi and material components. The results confirmed that Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus versicolor are the most common fungal species in water-damaged buildings. The results also showed Chaetomium spp., Acremonium spp., and Ulocladium spp. to be very common on damp building materials. Analyses show that associated mycobiotas exist on different building materials. Associations were found between (i) Acremonium spp., Penicillium chrysogenum, Stachybotrys spp., Ulocladium spp., and gypsum and wallpaper, (ii) Arthrinium phaeospermum, Aureobasidium pullulans, Cladosporium herbarum, Trichoderma spp., yeasts, and different types of wood and plywood, and (iii) Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus melleus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus ochraceus, Chaetomium spp., Mucor racemosus, Mucor spinosus, and concrete and other floor-related materials. These results can be used to develop new and resistant building materials and relevant allergen extracts and to help focus research on relevant mycotoxins, microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs), and microparticles released into the indoor environment.

A new strain of Arthrinium phaeospermum isolated from Carex kobomugi Ohwi is capable of gibberellin production

Plant growth-promoting endophytic fungi with gibberellin-producing ability were isolated from the roots of Carex kobomugi Ohwi, a common sand-dune plant, and bioassayed for plant growth-promotion. A new strain, Arthrinium phaeospermum KACC43901, promoted growth of waito-c rice and Atriplex gemelinii. Analysis of its culture filtrate showed the presence of bioactive GA(1) (0.5 ng/ml), GA(3) (8.8 ng/ml), GA(4) (4.7 ng/ml) and GA(7) (2.2 ng/ml) along with physiologically inactive GA(5) (0.4 ng/ml), GA(9) (0.6 ng/ml), GA(12) (0.4 ng/ml), GA(15) (0.4 ng/ml), GA(19) (0.9 ng/ml) and GA(24) (1.8 ng/ml). The fungal isolate was identified through sequence homology and phylogenetic analysis of 18S rDNA (internal transcribed region).

Arthrinic Acid, a Novel Antifungal Polyhydroxyacid from Arthrinium phaeospermum

Arthrinic acid was isolated from solid state fermentations of the fungus Arthrinium phaeospermum. The structure of arthrinic acid was determined to be (6E,10E,14E,18E,20E)-2,3,5,9,13,17-hexahydroxy-20-(hydroxymethyl)-14,16,18,22,24-pentamethylhexacosa-6,10,14,18,20-pentaenoic acid from NMR spectroscopic studies.

Infection of wintering pupae of horse-chestnut leafminer Cameraria ohridella Deschka et Dimić. by Verticillium lecanii(Zimmerman)Viégas

The population dynamics of the horse-chestnut leafminer Cameraria ohridella Deschka et Dimić. was investigated in 1997–2000. The mortality of wintering pupae and the rate of fungal infections were also examined. The mortality of the horse-chestnut leafminer was nearly 40% at the end of spring. The spectrum of fungi on examined dead pupae was as follows: Verticillium lecanii (Zimmerman) Viégas, Cladosporium herbarum (Persoon: Fries) Link, Cladosporium cladosporioides (Fresen.) de Vries, Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler, Acremonium strictum W. Gams, Rhizopus stolonifer (Ehrenberg: Fries) Lind., Arthrinium phaeospermum (Corda) Ellis and Acremonium sp. 1. Verticillium lecanii was the only identified fungus with an entomophagous status. The fungus is, however, a well documented entomopathogen of Homoptera, particularly of aphids, scale insects and whiteflies in tropical and subtropical regions.

In vitro conidial germination in Arthrinium aureum and Arthrinium phaeospermum.

This paper describes the microscopic details of conidial germination and the influence of pH, sodium chloride concentration, 3% glucose, 3% saccharose and ultraviolet irradiation on the conidial germination in Arthrinium species. Under laboratory conditions, germination started after an incubation period of 90 minutes in 2% malt extract broth at 25 degrees C. In vitro, the conidia of Arthrinium species have a very low percentage of germination (A. phaeospermum: 7.9%; A. aureum: 15.8%). Conidia of this genus have a characteristic equatorial slit. Conidia may break spontaneously at this slit, releasing their cytoplasmic contents. Arthrinium phaeospermum attains its optimum germination percentage when its conidia are suspended in a sterile saline solution (pH 3.5) in a water bath at 20 degrees C for 15 minutes before being inoculated on 2% malt extract agar. Conidial suspensions of A. aureum may be held in the same conditions, but for 30 minutes.

Arthrichitin. A New Cell Wall Active Metabolite from Arthrinium phaeospermum

Arthrichitin (1), C(33)H(46)N(4)O(9), is a new cell wall active depsipeptide isolated from the fermentation broth of Arthrinium phaeospermum (HIL Y-903022). Its structure was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical degradation studies. Arthrichitin consists of serine, beta-keto tryptophan, glutamic acid, and 2,4-dimethyl-3-hydroxydodecanoic acid units.

Distribution of microfungi in the transitional zone of a subtropical lake in India

Counts of CFU of microfungi, percent carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and calcium content, and pH were determined in upland, transect, and bottom soils, the transitional zone of Gujar Lake, a subtropical and eutrophic lake in India (25°58′N, 82°39′E). Microfungi in all zones were distributed in aggregate pattern, as evidenced by significant t values (P > 0.001) and F ratios (P > 0.001) of the variance–mean test and Morisita's index. A qualitative survey revealed that Alysidium sp., Arthrinium phaeospermum, Gliomastix murorum, Pythium sp., Tliermomyces sp., Thielavia terricola, Westerdykella multispora, and Varicosporium elodae were found specific to bottom soil of the lake. Key words: distribution, microfungi, transitional zone, subtropical, correlation.

Effect of additives on the quality of big-bale silage

Big-bale silages were prepared from grass swards at 25, 35 and 50% dry matter (DM) after infection with spoilage flora. The bales were either inoculated with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (10 6 LAB g −1) or treated with formic acid (4 or 81 t −1). The spoilage flora inocula consisted of spores of Clostridium tyrobutyricum and Aspergillus flavus. Chemical and microbial characteristics were determined after 120 days of storage, while hydrogen gas was monitored during storage. Wilting and additives increased silage quality; i.e. reduced pH and the contents of ammonia-N, butyric acid and clostridial spores. Neither the formic acid treatment nor inoculation with LAB had any significant effect on the number of clostridia. Strains of Clostridium tyrobutyricum isolated from late-blown cheeses grew well in big-bale silage. The LAB were apparently more effective than formic acid when used to preserve silage; i.e. the former treatment led to a significantly lower pH, higher amounts of organic acids and less growth of moulds on the surface of the bales. Formic acid treatment favoured growth of moulds like Fusarium spp. and Arthrinium phaeospermum. Penicillium roqueforti was the dominating mould species in LAB-inoculated and control bales. No Aspergillus flavus growth was observed. Inoculation with LAB favoured yeasts such as Hansenula anomala and Candida lambica.

A Simple Technique for Time-Lapse Photomicrography of Microfungi in Plate Culture

Developmental characters have recently gained the ascendancy in hyphomycete taxonomy, and this laboratory has undertaken detailed analyses of the diverse methods of conidiophore and conidium ontogeny exhibited by these fungi. Cole and Kendrick (1968a) described an ultra-thin culture chamber which has subsequently been used with considerable success in time-lapse photomicrographic studies (Kendrick, Cole and Bhatt, 1968; Kendrick and Cole, 1968, 1969; Cole and Kendrick, 1968b, 1969). Unfortunately, some hyphomycetes do not lend themselves to this technique. Three problems have been encountered. (i) Sporogenous cells which normally produced long chains of conidia in plate culture would form only one or a few spores in the culture chamber before succumbing [e.g., Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (Sacc.) Bainier, and Deightoniella torulosa (Syd.) M. B. Ellis]. (ii) Profuse vegetative mycelium developed before sporulation began, thus obscuring the subsequent events of conidium ontogeny [e.g., Arthrinium phaeospermum (Corda) M. B. Ellis]. (iii) In some fungi which normally produced two kinds of spores sequentially, only the first developed; or, if the second did form, previously differentiated elements hid its ontogeny from the camera [e.g., chlamydospores of Thielaviopsis paradoxa (de Seynes) Hohnel were obscured by earlier formed phialides and phialospores, while those of T. basicola (Berk. and Br.) Ferr. failed to develop]. These problems necessitated an exploration of alternative techniques. Since those fungi which did not adapt well to the culture