Aspergillus Ficuum Research Articles

Catalytic activities of tannase covalently linked to amino-functionalized carbon nanotubes

Immobilized Aspergillus ficuum tannase on amino-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (A-MWCNT) was assembled through glutaraldehyde-mediated covalent coupling to produce a stable biocatalyst nanocomposite. The effective binding of tannase on the surface of A-MWCNT was evaluated and authenticated by spectroscopic signature signals and morphological differences, before and after enzyme coupling. Both free- and immobilized tannase showed optimal catalytic activities at pH 5.0 and 35 °C, with the immobilized tannase exhibiting enhanced thermostability compared to the soluble enzyme. The immobilized tannase preparation was also found to be reusable up to five cycles, with 66% of initial enzyme activity retained thereafter. The enzyme-carbon nanotube composite preparation allows for bioconversion to be accomplished in a bioreactor with a smaller footprint.

The Efficacy of Encapsulated Phytase Based on Recombinant Yarrowia lipolytica on Quails' Zootechnic Features and Phosphorus Assimilation.

In this study, we used the Manchurian golden breed of quails. We assessed the efficacy of the food additives of the phytase from Obesumbacterium proteus encapsulated in the recombinant Yarrowia lipolytica yeast, which was supplied at a concentration of 500 phytase activity units per kg of the feed. One hundred fifty one-day-old quails were distributed into six treatment groups. The results showed that adding the O. proteus encapsulated phytase to the quails' diets improved live weight, body weight gain, and feed conversion compared to those in the control groups and the groups using a commercial phytase from Aspergillus ficuum. The results obtained during the experiments indicate a high degree of assimilation of phytate-containing feeds if the encapsulated phytase was fed by the quails compared to that in the other groups. We can conclude that the class D encapsulated phytase is an expedient additive to the diets possessing better kinetic features compared to the PhyA and PhyC classes phytases when it acts inside the quail's chyme.

The specificity of interactions between endoinulinase from Aspergillus ficuum and mono-, diand polysaccharides

The aim of this study was to analyze the peculiarities of spatial organization of an endoinulinase molecule from Aspergillus ficuum after its binding to mono-, di-, and polysaccharides. This study examined changes in volume and number of internal cavities upon binding of inulinase to mono- (glucose, fructose), di- (sucrose, mannose), and polysaccharides (inulin). Transformations in the quantity and length of tunnels and pores were described, and the reorganization of the composition and localization of charged and hydrophobic amino acid residues clusters on the surface of the enzyme molecule was analyzed. It was shown that the models of inulinase in the complex with sucrose (an alternative substrate) and mannose (an activator) exhibit the same types of internal structures. The similar pattern was found in the formation of complexes with fructose (a reaction product) and glucose (an inhibitor). In addition, it was established that both charged and hydrophobic clusters do not undergo significant changes in chemical composition after the binding of inulinase to mono-, di-, and polysaccharides, i.e., the interaction between inulinase and carbohydrates mentioned above primarily affects the internal structures of the enzyme. The specificity of the binding of inulinases to various ligands should be taken into account while developing modern industrial biocatalysts based on inulinase.

Biological investigations of Aspergillus ficuum via in vivo, in vitro and in silico analyses

Serious human health impacts have been observed worldwide due to several life-threatening diseases such as cancer, candidiasis, hepatic coma, and gastritis etc. Exploration of nature for the treatment of such fatal diseases is an area of immense interest for the scientific community. Based on this idea, the genus Aspergillus was selected to discover its hidden therapeutic potential. The genus Aspergillus is known to possess several biologically active compounds. The current research aimed to assess the biological and pharmacological potency of the extracts of less-studied Aspergillus ficuum (FCBP-DNA-1266) (A. ficuum) employing experimental and bioinformatics approaches. The disc diffusion method was used for the antifungal investigation, and the MTT assay was performed to assess the anticancer effects. Mice were employed as an in vivo model to evaluate the antispasmodic effects. A standard spectrophotometric technique was applied to gauge the urease inhibitory activity. The antifungal studies indicate that both n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts were significantly active against Candida albicans (C. albicans) with their zone of inhibitions (ZOI) values reported as 19 ± 1.06 mm and 25 ± 0.55 mm, respectively at a dose of 30 µg.mL−1. In vitro cytotoxicity assay against HeLa, fibroblast 3T3, prostate PC3, and breast MCF-7 cancer cell lines was performed. The ethyl acetate extract of A. ficuum was found to be significantly active against MCF-7 with its IC50 value of 43.88 µg.mL−1. However, no substantial effects on the percent cell death of HeLa cancer cell lines were observed. In addition, the A. ficuum extracts also inhibited the urease enzyme compared to standard thiourea. The antispasmodic activity of A. ficuum extract was assessed by an in vivo model and the results demonstrated promising activity at 150 mg.kg−1. Molecular docking results also supported the antifungal, anticancer, and antiurease potency of A. ficuum extract. Overall, the results display promising aspects of A. ficuum extract as a future pharmacological source.

The Specificity of Interactions between Endoinulinase from Aspergillus ficuum and Mono-, Di-, and Polysaccharides

The Specificity of Interactions between Endoinulinase from Aspergillus ficuum and Mono-, Di-, and Polysaccharides

Thermodynamic and Kinetic Investigation on Aspergillus ficuum Tannase Immobilized in Calcium Alginate Beads and Magnetic Nanoparticles

Tannase from Aspergillus ficuum was immobilized by two different techniques for comparison of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters. Tannase was either entrapped in calcium alginate beads or covalently-immobilized onto magnetic diatomaceous earth nanoparticles. When immobilized on nanoparticles, tannase exhibited lower activation energy (15.1 kJ/mol) than when immobilized in alginate beads (31.3 kJ/mol). Surprisingly, the thermal treatment had a positive effect on tannase entrapped in alginate beads since the enzyme became more solvent exposed due to matrix leaching. Accordingly, the proposed mathematical model revealed a two-step inactivation process. In the former step the activity increased leading to activation energies of additional activity of 3.1 and 26.8 kJ/mol at 20–50 °C and 50–70 °C, respectively, while a slight decay occurred in the latter, resulting in the following thermodynamic parameters of denaturation: 14.3 kJ/mol activation energy as well as 5.6–9.7 kJ/mol standard Gibbs free energy, 15.6 kJ/mol standard enthalpy and 18.3–29.0 J/(K·mol) standard entropy variations. Conversely, tannase immobilized on nanoparticles displayed a typical linear decay trend with 43.8 kJ/mol activation energy, 99.2–103.1 kJ/mol Gibbs free energy, 41.1–41.3 kJ/mol enthalpy and −191.6/−191.0 J/(K·mol) entropy of denaturation. A 90-day shelf-life investigation revealed that tannase immobilized on nanoparticles was approximately twice more stable than the one immobilized in calcium alginate beads, which suggests its use and recycling in food industry clarification operations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comparative study on kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of a tannase produced by A. ficuum in its free and immobilized forms.

Mycoremediation of pretilachlor and its metabolite by Aspergillus ficuum

Pretilachlor is one of the widely used chloroacetamide herbicides in Asian countries to control weeds in the rice field. The extensive use of herbicides has caused major concern among scientists throughout the world. Therefore, it is essential to develop an efficient method for the remediation of pretilachlor and its harmful by-products from contaminated surfaces. Mycoremediation is known to play a key role in the removal of various environmental contaminants. Hence, in the present study, strain AJN2 Aspergillus ficuum was isolated from a paddy field that was in continuous exposure to pretilachlor for over a decade. The degradation studies showed that the strain was efficiently able to degrade 73% of pretilachlor in an aqueous medium within 15 days of incubation and 70% of its major metabolite PME (2-methyl-6-ethylalanine). The GC/MS profile revealed the formation of aldehyde as the end product of degradation which was confirmed through the infrared fingerprint of the degradation sample. The ligninolytic enzyme activity studies showed that the lignin peroxidase enzyme system could be responsible for the degradation of pretilachlor and its major metabolite. The results highlight that the strain AJN2 A. ficuum could be a potential strain for the bioremediation of pretilachlor from the contaminated areas.

Biomineralization of pretilachlor by free and immobilized fungal strains isolated from paddy field.

The excessive use of pretilachlor (a chloroacetamide herbicide) has raised concern throughout the world as it has been reported as highly toxic. The present study deals with isolating and screening pretilachlor degrading fungal strains. The strains Aspergillus ficuum (AJN2) and Aspergillus sp. (PDF1) isolated using enrichment technique were able to degrade 79% and 73% of pretilachlor respectively as analyzed using HPLC. Further, the immobilization technique was used in the study the pretilachlor degradation ability of the isolated strains. The immobilized spores of the strains AJN2 and PDF1 mineralized 84% and 95% of pretilachlor respectively. The degradation dynamics study revealed that the DT50 value of the herbicide was reduced to 2.4 d in aqueous medium due to the enhanced enzymatic activity. The enzymatic study showed high lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase activity by the strains AJN2 and PDF1 respectively. The study confirmed the efficient degradation of pretilachlor by Aspergillus ficuum (AJN2).

Supplementary materials for "Biological Activities of Fungus Aspergillus ficuum: In vivo, In vitro, and In silico Analyses"

Supplementary materials for "Biological Activities of Fungus Aspergillus ficuum: In vivo, In vitro, and In silico Analyses"

Broiler's Responses to Containing Fermented Soybean Milk Waste with a Combination of Neurospora crassa and Aspergillus ficuum

Broiler's Responses to Containing Fermented Soybean Milk Waste with a Combination of Neurospora crassa and Aspergillus ficuum

Enhancement study for production, extraction, and characterization of fungal species chitosan

Fungi and their derivatives such as chitosan able to influence the content of ores highlight the complex and dynamic nature of mineral biogeochemistry. Understanding the role of fungi in ore extraction can help to develop more sustainable and efficient mining practices in the future. Chitosan is a biopolymer is naturally originated product that can be derived from the exoskeleton of crustaceans and insects, respectively, and can also be obtained from fungal sources. Chitosan is a versatile hydrophilic polysaccharide derived from chitin. The extraction and characterization of this biopolymer from fungal isolates involves a series of chemical and physical processes to purify and modify the material. The study of the productive applications of chitosan encompasses a wide range of fields, including agriculture, medicine, and environmental management. This biopolymer has been found to have various properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and antimicrobial activity, making it useful in various industries and applications. The extraction and characterization of chitosan from fungal sources and the study of their productive applications is an ongoing area of research with the potential for significant technological advancements and contributions to sustainability. Finally, applications of chitosan-based biomaterials, such as antifungal effects of were estimated by plate well diffusion method against Aspergillus ficuum, Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium oxysporum.

Adsorption of Tannase from Aspergillus ficuum to carboxyl-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes

The immobilization of cross-linked tannase onto carboxyl-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH) was achieved via physical adsorption. Glutaraldehyde was used to cross-link the enzyme molecules. Spectroscopic and morphological characterizations of the enzyme-nanotubes composite were carried out, which authenticated the successful adsorption event. Enzyme composite is proven equal to, or even superior than free tannase, in terms of catalytic activities and stabilities, when measured under different thermal, pH and recycling conditions. Whilst both free and immobilized tannase preparations exhibited optimum catalysis at pH 5.0 and 35?C, tannase-nanotubes composite possesses better thermal stability. The immobilized preparation retained 75 % of its initial catalytic activity following ten consecutive uses. The study demonstrated a facile method to produce catalytically efficient nanobiocatalyst composite for biotechnological applications.

Insights into metabolic and pharmacological profiling of Aspergillus ficuum through bioinformatics and experimental techniques

Recently, numerous novel bioactive fungal metabolites have been identified that possess broad therapeutic activities including anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antioxidant, and antitumor. The fungal mycochemicals as well as extracts have increased the interest of the scientific community in drug discovery research through a combination approach such as, molecular metabolic, pharmacological and computational techniques. Therefore, the natural fungus Aspergillus ficuum (A. ficuum) (FCBP-DNA-1266) was selected for metabolic and pharmacological profiling in this study. The metabolic profile of A. ficuum was explored for the first time and revealed the presence of bioactive compounds such as choline sulfate, noruron, hydroxyvittatine, aurasperone D, cetrimonium, kurilensoside, heneicosane, nonadecane and eicosane. Similarly, a pharmacological screen of A. ficuum was performed for the first time in in vivo and in vitro models. Interestingly, both the ethyl acetate and n-hexane fractions of A. ficuum were found to be more active against Bacillus subtilis among five tested bacteria with their zone of inhibition (ZOI) values of 21.00 mm ±1.00 and 23.00 mm ±1.00, at a concentration of 150 μgmL-1 respectively. Similarly, a significant decrease (P<0.001) and (P<0.01) in paw edema was observed in A. ficuum-treated animals at doses of 50 and 150 mgkg-1, respectively, reflecting its potent anti-inflammatory effect. Furthermore, the docking results supported the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of A. ficuum. In addition, the crude extract demonstrated no acute toxicity and the highest percent radical scavenging was recorded for both n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts. The metabolic profile of A. ficuum indicated the presence of biological relevant compounds. A. ficuum extract exhibited potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects supported by docking results. Furthermore, A. ficuum extract demonstrated the highest percentage of radical scavenging activity along with no acute toxicity.

Encapsulated Phytase Produced by Recombinant Yarrowia lipolytica Exhibits High Efficiency on Broiler Chickens in Low Dosage

Phytases are the largest group of feed enzymes increasing the accessibility of organic phosphorus for the animals. Feed phytases are usually sold as dried powder of secreting producers, mainly micellar fungi. We proposed a new technology for producing phytase from Obesumbacterium proteus (OPP) in yeast Yarrowia lipolytica as cytosolic protein (encapsulated OPP), where the capsule (yeast cell) protects the enzyme from unfavourable factors (acid medium and active proteolysis in stomachs) and releases it along with the substrate in the duodenum only. Here we report results of testing the encapsulated OPP on the model of a broiler chicken in comparison to a conventional phytase from Aspergillus ficuum. The encapsulated OPP at a dosage of 30 FYT/kg provided the maximum body weight of the chicken in the end of experiment equal or somewhat higher than in the control group, where the available phosphorus deficit was complemented with a mineral phosphorus supply. In contrast, the conventional soluble phytase at a dosage of 100 or 1000 FYT/kg was not able to compensate for the phosphorus deficit in the diet, although chemical analysis demonstrated much phosphorus in the diet in a non-accessible form. The encapsulated OPP decreased the residual Pi in the chicken faeces by 2.1 times in comparison to the control when added to the diet, whereas the conventional phytases negligibly affected this parameter regardless of the dosage.

Evaluasi Lama Fermentasi Ampas Sari Kedelai dengan Aspergillus Ficuum Terhadap Kandungan Bahan Kering, Protein Kasar dan Serat Kasar

This study aims to determine the effect of the length of fermentation time of soybean juice with Aspergillus ficuum on the dry matter, crude protein, and crude fiber content. Completely Randomized Design with 4 treatments and 5 replications for each treatment, used in this research. The treatments consisted of P0 fermentation for 0 days, P1 fermentation for 7 days, P2 fermentation for 9 days, and P3 fermentation for 11 days. The parameters measured were dry matter content, crude protein content, and crude fiber content. The results of the analysis of diversity showed that the length of fermentation of soybean juice with Aspergillus ficuum had a very significant effect (P&lt;0.01) on dry matter content, crude protein content, and crude fiber content. From the results of the study, it can be concluded that the fermentation time of soybean juice with Aspergillus ficuum for 11 days gave optimum results seen from the dry matter content of 95.95%, crude protein content of 35.27% and crude fiber content of 10.99%.

Supplementry Materials for "Metabolic Profiling, Molecular Docking and Pharmacological Investigation of Aspergillus ficuum Extracts"

Supplementry Materials for "Metabolic Profiling, Molecular Docking and Pharmacological Investigation of Aspergillus ficuum Extracts"

Nutrient content and quality of soybean meal waste fermented by Aspergillus ficuum and Neurospora crassa

Present research aimed to increase soybean meal waste quality and nutrient by fermentation using different ratio of mixed fungus inoculum (Aspergillus ficuum and Neurospora crassa) and fermentation time. The primary materials were soybean meal waste (SMW), fungus Aspergillus ficuum and Neurospora crassa. The experiment applied a completely randomized design (CRD) with a 3 × 3 factorial pattern and three replications. Two treatments were given in this study, factor A (combination of A. ficuum and N. crassa), comprising of A1 (3:1), A2 (3:2), and A3 (3:3). Factor B (fermentation time) comprising of B1 (5 days), B2 (7 days), and B3 (9 days). The variance analysis exposed a highly significant interaction between factor A and factor B, and those factors also exposed a highly significant effect. The correlation between SMW crude protein and broiler nitrogen retention showed a positive trend, contrary SMW crude fiber content negatively affected crude fiber digestibility. In conclusion, the combination of A. ficuum and N. crassa (3:2) and seven days fermentation period showed optimal results as seen from 28.25% crude protein, 13.77% crude fibre, 61.16 nitrogen retention and 58.76% crude fibre digestibility of fermented SMW. Keywords: Aspergillus ficuum, Crude protein, Digestibility, Fermentation, Neurospora crassa.

A Feed Additive Containing Encapsulated 6-Phytase within Recombinant Yarrowia lipolytica Cells Produced by Cultivation on Fat-Containing Waste

Feed phytases are purchased as a dry culture medium of secreting producers, mostly micellar fungi. These preparations are required to withstand heating up to 75–80 °C because they are intended for mixing with feed components with subsequent granulation by spray drying. For this reason, many phytases that have a high specific activity at 37 °C and correspond to the optimal pH of intestinal chyme are not used in practice. A novel expression system allowing accumulation of the phytase from Obesumbacterium proteus within yeast Yarrowia lipolytica was proposed. Encapsulation increases thermal stability of the enzyme from 55 °C up to 70 °C. The obtained preparation exhibited a high impact on the daily weight gain of a weaned mouse model fed a phosphorus-deficient diet at a dosage 165 phytase activity units (FYT)/kg, whereas a commercial phytase preparation—Ladozyme Proxi derived from Aspergillus ficuum—did not improve the daily weight gain even at the dosage of 15,000 FYT/kg.

Quality evaluation of tithonia (Tithonia diversifolia) with fermentation using Lactobacillus plantarum and Aspergillus ficuum at different incubation times

Abstract. Pazla R, Jamarun N, Zain M, Yanti G, Chandra RH. 2021. Quality evaluation of tithonia (Tithonia diversifolia) with fermentation using Lactobacillus plantarum and Aspergillus ficuum at different incubation times. Biodiversitas 22: 3936-3942. This research aimed to evaluate the nutritional quality of tithonia (Tithonia diversifolia) fermented using Lactobacillus plantarum and Aspergillus ficuum with different incubation times on nutritional content, digestibility, phytase enzyme activity, and characteristics of rumen fluid. The research used an experimental method with a factorial completely randomized design to evaluate the nutritional content and phytase enzyme activity after fermentation (stage 1). A randomized block design was used to evaluate in vitro digestibility and rumen fluid characteristics (stage 2). For factorial completely randomized design, factor A is the type of microbe (L. plantarum and A. ficuum), then factor B is the incubation time (3,5,7 days). Parameters observed were the nutritional content of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), and phytase enzyme activity. For the Randomized Block Design, the research treatments were A = A. ficuum + 5 days of incubation, B = A. ficuum + 7 days of incubation, C = L. plantarum + 3 days of incubation, D = L. plantarum + 5 days of incubation. Parameters measured were the digestibility of dry matter(DMD), organic matter (OMD), crude protein (CPD), crude fiber (CFD), rumen pH, VFA production, and NH3 rumen fluid. The results showed that there was an interaction between the type of microbe and incubation time. The treatment had a significantly different effect (P&lt;0.05) on the content of OM, CP, CF and phytase enzyme activity, but no interaction with the content of DM treatment. In the digestibility, the results showed that the effect was not significantly different (P&gt;0.05) on DMD, OMD, CPD but had a significant effect (P&lt;0.05) on CFD. The treatments also had no significant effect (P&gt;0.05) on VFA but were significantly different (P&lt;0.05) on NH3. From this study, it can be concluded that fermented tithonia using A. ficuum with an incubation period of 7 days could improve the quality of tithonia. It can be seen from the content of CP (31.02%), CF (16.52%), phytase enzyme activity (37.36 U/ml), DMD (66.86%), OMD (67.36%), CFD (81.01%), CPD (70.37%), VFA production 135 mM and NH3 concentration 14.31 mg/100 ml, and pH value 6.72 which is suitable for rumen microbial growth.

Kinetic Studies of Aspergillus ficuum Tannase Enzyme and its Application in Detannification of Grape Juice

This investigation was carried out to study the characterization and kinetics of the partially purified Aspergillus ficuum tannase enzyme for commercial scale application in the clarification and detannification of juices like grape. pH, temperature and optimum substrate concentration were determined for the tannase enzyme activity from Aspergillus ficuum. Also, the Crude and partial purified enzyme were tested for detannification grape juice quality characteristics. Results evidenced that it was found that the optimum partial purified tannase parameters were: temperature 50 oC, PH 5.5 and substrate concentration 1.6% as a tannic acidwith 6.155 specific activities of partial purified tannase enzyme with 225.46% relative activity higher than its control. The tannase enzyme showed a higher temperature and lower pH optima than the soluble enzyme and showed 81.61% and 66.36 % tannin removal from grape juice by crude enzyme and partial purified enzyme treatment, respectively at 37 oC, which has not been reported earlier. Also, maximum velocity of reaction (Vmax) and Michaeli’s constant (Km) values were 0.72 and 1.45 for partially purified tannase enzyme activity, respectively. Overall the quality of grape juice was better in partial pure tannase treated juice compared with untreated and crude enzyme treated juice. The present study exposed thatthis enzyme could demonstrate a valuable tool for a number of biotechnological applications. Also, the application of this enzyme on juice clarification also states that it can be employed in fruit juice processing for removal of tannin efficiently.