Cultures Of Aspergillus Niger Research Articles

Spatial Diversity in Aspergillus niger and Yeast Cultures in Terms of Starch Saccharification and Bioethanol Production

Spatial Diversity in Aspergillus niger and Yeast Cultures in Terms of Starch Saccharification and Bioethanol Production

Aspergillus niger Culture Filtrate (ACF) Mediated Biocontrol of Enteric Pathogens in Wastewater

Robust control of pathogens in sewage facilitates safe reuse of wastewater rich in valuable nutrients for potential valorization through biological means. Aspergillus niger is widely reported in bioremediation of wastewater but studies on control of enteric pathogens in sewage are very sparse. So, this study aimed at exploring the antibacterial and nematicidal activity of A. niger culture filtrate (ACF). Antibacterial activity of ACF on enteric pathogens (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella enterica, Shigella dysenteriae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella variicola) was determined by spectrophotometric growth analysis, resazurin based viability assay and biofilm formation assay. ACF showed inhibition against all enteric pathogens except Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Nematicidal studies on Caenorhabditis elegans showed 85% egg hatch inhibition and 52% mortality of L1 larvae. Sewage treatment with ACF at 1:1 (v/v) showed 2–3 log reduction in coliforms, Klebsiella, Shigella, Salmonella, S. aureus and Vibrio except Pseudomonas, indicating significant alteration of complex microbial dynamics in wastewater. Application of ACF can potentially be used as a robust biocontrol strategy against infectious microbes in wastewater and subsequent valorization by cultivating beneficial Pseudomonas.

Optimization of Silver Nanoparticles Production using Aspergillus niger and Study of Antimicrobial Activity

Silver nanoparticles have attracted high attention worldwide for their various applications. The physiochemical parameters such as temperature, media, mixing ratio affect the rate of synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their yield. Thus, optimization of these physiochemical parameters is needed to enhance the production of silver nanoparticles. In this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using Aspergillus niger culture supernatant. The produced silver nanoparticles were characterized using UV-visible Spectrophotometer at 200 nm to 700 nm, which had a peak at 450 nm, indicates the formation of silver nanoparticles. It was found that Sabouraud Dextrose Broth (SDB) as optimum media, 40 ml of supernatant and 10 ml of silver nitrate as optimum mixing ratio and 65°C as optimum temperature to produce silver nanoparticles. The optimized silver nanoparticles were subjected to antimicrobial activity, and it was found that it is highly effective towards gram-negative bacteria than gram-positive bacteria where the zone of inhibition for Escherichia coli was 7 ± 2.7 mm and 5.3 ± 2.1 mm for Staphylococcus aureus.

Biological production of citric acid in submerged culture of Aspergillus niger using cassava pulp wastes

Utilization of cassava pulp wastes for citric acid production was investigated using Aspergillus niger in a submerged culture. A series of experiments were designed on various fermentation parameters to establish the optimal conditions for citric acid production from cassava pulp. This study revealed that production parameters such as cassava pulp concentration, initial pH, incubation temperature, agitation, and nitrogen source and fermentation period had effect on the amount of citric acid produced from cassava pulp. Citric acid concentration increased as the concentration of cassava pulp increases up to 20% with maximum citric acid concentration of 14.9 ± 0.413 g/l after 120 hours of fermentation. pH 5.5 was the optimum with maximum citric acid concentration of 16.8 ± 0.23 g/l after 120 hours of fermentation. Incubation temperature at 300 C was the optimum, with citric acid concentration of 19.15 ± 0.43 g/l. Increased in agitation speed from 100 to 225 rpm gave the maximum citric acid concentration of 25.2 ± 0.32 g/l after 120 hours of fermentation. Soybean meal supplementation was the best maximum citric acid concentration of 28.2 ± 0.51 g/l. Evaluating the effect of different concentration of soybean meal shows that 0.3 % supplementation was the optimum with maximum concentration of 31.2 ±0.35g/l from cassava pulp after 120 hours of fermentation. The result suggested that citric acid can be accumulated using cassava pulp by Aspergillus niger in submerged culture during fermentation. Cassava pulp if well harnessed can be used for large scale citric acid production.

Bioleaching of metals from cellphones batteries by a co-fungus medium in presence of carbon materials

Today, the increased rate of electronic portable devices has led to an unprecedented amount of electronic waste. The mass production of the new generation of batteries, such as lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer batteries used in the electronic devices releases a high volume of toxic metals to the environment, causing pollution and affecting human health. Additionally, the release of vinasse from the ethanol industry causes negative and irrecoverable effects on humans and the environment. In this paper, we investigate an innovative and eco-friendly procedure for recycling metals in lithium-ion polymer batteries in the presence of a mixed fungal culture of Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus tubingensis and pure sucrose, impure sucrose, and vinasse in three different methods: one step bioleaching, two-step bioleaching, and spent medium bioleaching. A variety of analyses, done during this investigation, indicated that the metals were recycled successfully and with high efficiency through spent medium bioleaching.

Selective fungal bioprecipitation of cobalt and nickel for multiple-product metal recovery.

SummaryThere are a need for novel, economical and efficient metal processing technologies to improve critical metal sustainability, particularly for cobalt and nickel which have extensive applications in low‐carbon energy technologies. Fungal metal biorecovery processes show potential in this regard and the products of recovery are also industrially significant. Here we present a basis for selective biorecovery of Co and Ni oxalates and phosphates using reactive spent Aspergillus niger culture filtrate containing mycogenic oxalate and phosphate solubilized from struvite. Selective precipitation of oxalates was achieved by adjusting phosphate‐laden filtrates to pH 2.5 prior to precipitation. Co recovery at pH 2.5 was high with a maximum of ~96% achieved, while ~60% Ni recovery was achieved, yielding microscale polyhedral biominerals. Co and Ni phosphates were precipitated at pH 7.5, following prior oxalate removal, resulting in near‐total Co recovery (>99%), while Ni phosphate yields were also high with a recovery maximum of 83.0%.

Isolation and Identification of Natural Colorant Producing Soil-Borne Aspergillus niger from Bangladesh and Extraction of the Pigment.

Natural colorants have been used in several ways throughout human history, such as in food, dyes, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and many other products. The study aimed to isolate the natural colorant-producing filamentous fungi Aspergillus niger from soil and extract pigments for its potential use specially for food production. Fourteen soil samples were collected from Madhupur National Park at Madhupur Upazila in the Mymensingh district, Bangladesh. The Aspergillus niger was isolated and identified from the soil samples by following conventional mycological methods (cultural and morphological characteristics), followed by confirmatory identification by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of conserved sequences of ITS1 ribosomal DNA using specific oligonucleotide primers. This was followed by genus- and species-specific primers targeting Aspergillus niger with an amplicon size of 521 and 310 bp, respectively. For pigment production, a mass culture of Aspergillus niger was conducted in Sabouraud dextrose broth in shaking conditions for seven days. The biomass was subjected to extraction of the pigments following an ethanol-based extraction method and concentrated using a rotary evaporator. Aspergillus niger could be isolated from three samples. The yield of extracted brown pigment from Aspergillus niger was 0.75% (w/v). Spectroscopic analysis of the pigments was carried out using a UV–VIS spectrophotometer. An in vivo experiment was conducted with mice to assess the toxicity of the pigments. From the colorimetric and sensory evaluations, pigment-supplemented products (cookies and lemon juice) were found to be more acceptable than the control products. This could be the first attempt to use Aspergillus niger extracted pigment from soil samples in food products in Bangladesh, but for successful food production, the food colorants must be approved by a responsible authority, e.g., the FDA or the BSTI. Moreover, fungal pigments could be used in the emerging fields of the food and textile industries in Bangladesh.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of principal lipid-soluble components of Pinellia ternate fermented with Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger and Meyerozyma guillermondii

Purpose: To study the differences in lipid-soluble compounds from naturally-fermented Rhizoma Pinelliae fermentata (BXQ) samples, and fermentation products of BXQ using pure cultures of Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger, and Meyerozyma guillermondii.
 Methods: First, unfermented BXQ (CTFJ-Q), traditional, naturally-fermented BXQ (CTFJ-H), and fermentation products of BXQ using pure cultures of Bacillus subtilis (XJFJ), Aspergillus niger (MJFJ), and Meyerozyma guillermondii (JMJFJ) were obtained. Their lipid-soluble components were then analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technology and principal component analysis (PCA).
 Results: GC-MS results showed that there were 26, 24, 27, 31 and 32 types of chemical components in CTFJ-Q, CTFJ-H, XJFJ, MJFJ and JMJFJ, respectively. Furthermore, PCA revealed that samples obtained using fermentation with pure cultures of the three microorganisms had unique chemical components.
 Conclusion: These results suggest that the microorganisms used for fermentation greatly influence the lipid-soluble components of BXQ. This finding is considered beneficial for the optimization of BXQ fermentation process.

Solid-State Cultivation of Aspergillus niger-Trichoderma reesei from Sugarcane Bagasse with Vinasse in Bench Packed-Bed Column Bioreactor.

Solid-state cultivation (SSC) is microbial growth on solid supports under limited water conditions. Citric acid is a microbial aerobic metabolic product with several industrial applications, with production potential that can be obtained by SSF. Several wastes from agro-industries are used in SSF, such as sugarcane bagasse and vinasse. Cultures of mixed fungi or co-cultures are used in this SSF in order to complement the inoculum's xylanolytic enzymes for action on the lignocellulosic material (bagasse). Thus, this study aims to evaluate the effect of inoculum (Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma reesei consortium) in the production of citric acid from sugarcane bagasse impregnated with vinasse using bench packed-bed reactors (PBR). The results show the importance of T. reesei and A. niger in inoculum at a ratio of 50:50 and 25:75, suggesting the use of solid support due to the complementation of the hydrolytic enzymes. The highest concentration of citric acid, approximately 1000mgL-1, was obtained for 100mm of bed height in 48 and 72h, with maximum glucose yield in citric acid (2.2mg citric acid mg glucose-1). kLa indicates that maintaining solid moisture and liquid film thickness is important to keep the oxygen transfer in SSC.

A green K-fertilizer using mechanical activation to improve the solubilization of a low-reactivity potassium mineral by Aspergillus niger

Here, we investigated process engineering strategies to improve the biological solubilization of K-feldspar, a low-reactivity potassium mineral, aiming to obtain a green K-fertilizer for agricultural applications. The results using submerged cultivation of Aspergillus niger showed that the biological K-solubilization of pristine K-feldspar rock released up to 15.87% (reaching 220 mg L−1 after 3 days) when using 5% glucose as carbon source and initial pH 4, without a preculture step. Besides medium acidification, the microorganism-mineral physical interaction played a key role in promoting K-solubilization. Furthermore, prior mechanical activation of the K-feldspar led to substantial increases of up to 172% in K release (reaching 326.86 mg L−1), compared to the original mineral, and reduced the K-solubilization cultivation time to only 24 h. The results demonstrated the potential of integrating mechanical activation with biological solubilization to advance on the use of low-solubility potassium minerals as K-fertilizers, thus contributing to a more sustainable agriculture.

Bioremediation of cardboard recycling industry effluents using mixed fungal culture

PurposeThis paper aims to evaluate the bioremediation [chemical oxygen demand (COD) and color removal] of the effluent from the cardboard recycling industry in Yazd, central province of Iran, using mixed fungal culture.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the effluent samples from the cardboard recycling industry were cultured on potato dextrose agar medium to isolate native fungal colonies. The grown colonies were then identified using morphological macroscopic and microscopic characteristics to choose the dominant fungi for bioremediations. The mixed cultures of Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium digitatum were finally used for bioremediation experiments of the cardboard recycling industry. A suspension containing 1 × 106 CFU/ml of fungal spores was prepared from each fungus, separately and their homogenous mixture. Sewage samples were prepared and sterilized and used at 25%, 50% and 90% dilutions and pH levels of 5, 7 and 8 for bioremediation tests using mixed fungal spores. Following that, 10 ml of the mixed fungal spores were inoculated into the samples for decolorization and COD removal and incubated for 10 days at 30°C. The amount of COD removal and decolorization were measured before incubation and after 3, 6 and 10 days of inoculation. In this research, the color was measured by American Dye Manufacturer Institute and COD by the closed reflux method. The results of the present study were analyzed using SPSS 21 statistical software and one-way ANOVA tests at p-value < 0.05.FindingsThe results of this research showed that the mean decolorization by mixed fungal culture over 10 days at pH levels of 5, 7 and 8 were 44.40%, 45.00% and 36.84%, respectively, and the mean COD removal efficiency was 71.59%, 73.54% and 16.55%, respectively. Moreover, the mean decolorization at dilutions of 25%, 50% and 90% were 45.00%, 31.93% and 30.53%, respectively, and the mean COD removal efficiency was 73.54%, 62.38% and 34.93%, respectively. Therefore, the maximal COD removal and decolorization efficiency was obtained at dilution of 25% and pH 7.Originality/valueGiven that limited studies have been conducted on bioremediation of the effluent from the cardboard recycling industry using fungal species, this research could provide useful information on the physicochemical properties of the effluent in this industry.

ABILITY OF SOME FUNGI TO BIOGEGRADE CARBENDAZIM FUNGICIDE

This study was amid to isolate soil fungi from agriculture soil and study their roles in the biodegradation of carbendazim fungicide at different concentrations were explored for two periods of incubation. Results showed the highest degradation rates of carbendazim at 4 part per million (ppm) concentration were observed by using single culture of Aspergillus niger (69.66% and 99.96% after 10 and 20 days, respectively).In the mixed cultures of Exerohilum sp., Fusarium sp., and A. niger, the maximum degradation rate (98.34%) was achieved at the same concentration after 10 days. The mixed culture of Exerohilum sp. and Fusarium sp. demonstrated the highest degradation rates of (92.14% and 55.74%) at 8 and 12 ppm concentrations, respectively, after 10 days of incubation.

ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТИ НОВЫХ ФУНГИЦИДНЫХ СОЕДИНЕНИЙ НА ОСНОВЕ МОДИФИЦИРОВАННОГО ПОЛИСЕПТА ДЛЯ ЗАЩИТЫ ПОЛИМЕРНЫХ МАТЕРИАЛОВ ОТ МИКРОБИОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ ПОВРЕЖДЕНИЙ

In order to protect polymer materials in particular polyurethanes and similar materials from biodeterioration by microscopic fungi, seven fungicidal compounds of the guanidine series were synthesized and their effectiveness was investigated in various concentrations. Among the tested compounds, the most effective is the first fraction of polyhexamethylene guanidine n-octylphosphonate (code B1), which completely suppresses the growth of all studied micromycetes at a minimum concentration of 0.01 % by weight. At a lower concentration of 0.001 % by weight, compound the first fraction of polyhexamethylene guanidine n-octylphosphonate inhibits the growth of most of the studied micromycetes, with the exception of the Aspergillus niger culture.

A model-based strategy for scaling-up traditional packed-bed bioreactors for solid-state fermentation based on measurement of O2 uptake rates

• O 2 uptake profiles are used to obtain the kinetics of metabolic heat generation. • The kinetics are incorporated in a two-phase heat and mass transfer model. • The model is validated with temperature profiles in a pilot-scale bioreactor. • The model is then used to explore packed-bed design and operation at large scale. • The approach is superior to previously published scale-up strategies for packed-beds. Model-based strategies for scaling up traditional packed-bed bioreactors used in solid-state fermentation have been available for over two decades. However, these strategies are theoretical, not being based on experimental data. A recently proposed strategy did use experimental data; however, it was based on data from a slow-growing fungus and also considered heat transfer in both the axial and radial directions, ignoring the fact that radial heat transfer is negligible in large-scale packed-bed bioreactors. The current work demonstrates a scale-up strategy based on a model describing heat transfer only in the axial direction. The strategy is demonstrated for the cultivation of Aspergillus niger , a fast-growing filamentous fungus. In the model, the kinetics of production of metabolic heat are based on an experimental time-course profile for the O 2 uptake rate. The model is validated by comparing its predictions for temperature profiles in the bed with temperatures measured experimentally in a pilot-scale bioreactor. Finally, the validated model is used to explore strategies for optimizing the performance of large-scale traditional packed-bed bioreactors. We conclude that a key strategy is to decrease the temperature of the inlet air during periods of peak heat generation.

Fine regulation of the starch liquefaction process and its application in the production of citric acid

Citric acid (CA), generally fermented from the starchy material, has attracted intense attention because of its wide applications in many aspects. However, the traditional starchy-liquefaction process based on the dextrose equivalent value and iodine-testing method is inappropriate as it hinders the subsequent CA fermentations. Here, a novel method of evaluating the starch liquefaction in the CA production process was established. Firstly, dextrin samples with the molecular weight (Mw) narrow distribution were prepared by alcohol fractional precipitation. Glucoamylase (GM) from the culture of CA-producing strain Aspergillus niger was purified. Then, the structure-activity relationship between the dextrin and GM was analyzed. Results demonstrated that the Mw of liquefied components aggregated in the range of 1.4–1.9 kDa could improve the efficiency of simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process. CA production rate and total sugar uptake rate were evidently improved with residual total sugar decreasing by 10.8% and fermentation efficiency enhanced by 21.1% in 9 h shorter fermentation time. All these results confirmed that fine regulation of the starch liquefaction based on the Mw characteristics was feasible and effective to improve the CA fermentation. Our proposed strategy could also be useful for other fermentations and sugar industry involving the starchy material.

Preparation of baicalein from baicalin using a baicalin-β-D-glucuronidase from Aspergillus niger b.48 strain

Baicalin-β-d-glucuronidase was produced from a culture of Aspergillus niger b.48 strain using Scutellaria root extract as an enzyme inducer, purified and characterized. The enzyme’s molecular weight was approximately 45 kDa; its optimal operating temperature and pH were 50 °C and 5.0, respectively. The enzyme specifically hydrolysed 7-O-β-d-glucuronide of baicalin into baicalein, weakly hydrolysed β-d-glucuronide of p-nitrophenyl-β-d-glucuronide and p-phenolphthalein-β-d-glucuronide, but did not hydrolyse β-d-glucuronide of glycyrrhizin. The Michaelis constant (Km) was 21.74 mM; Vmax was 11.63 mM/h. Common metallic ions almost did not effect enzyme activity; greater than 10 mM/L Cu2+ and greater 50 mM/L Fe3+ ion strongly inhibited enzyme activity. The use of pure enzyme in baicalin conversion to baicalein was costly, the crude baicalin-β-d-glucuronidase from A. niger b.48 strain was used in the preparation of baicalein from baicalin to keep costs low. The optimum conditions for baicalein production from crude enzyme reaction were 1% baicalin reacting for 20 h–24 h at pH 5.0 and 50 °C. Here, 10.7 g baicalein was obtained from 20 g baicalin using the crude enzyme, and the molar yield was 88.4 %. Therefore, active baicalein was successfully produced at low cost from baicalin using a non-transgenic crude enzyme from A. niger b.48.

Isolation of Aspergillus niger from Deteriorating Sweet Oranges (Citrus Sinensis) and their Effect on Fresh Oranges

Sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis) are the most well-known fruit in the citrus family. It is a good source of vitamin C, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and pectins. Although, fruits are now stored well but concerns for spoilage of fruits particularly due to fungal diseases still present. Fungi can grow on a variety of substrates, and hence responsible for various diseases in humans and are quite harmful to crops and fruits as well. The present study was conducted for isolation, identification and characterization of fungi associated with spoilage of orange fruit (Citrus sinensis). The samples of Citrus sinensis were collected from fruit markets located near Sanda, Lahore. Pure cultures of Aspergillus niger were obtained, after colonial and morphological (shape, structure, color) characterization of the isolates. The isolated fungal strain (Aspergillus niger) was applied on the skin of fresh Citrus sinensis and pathogenicity test was carried out. It was noticed the isolated strain was pathogen and cause disease in fresh specimens of sweet oranges.

Enhanced bioleaching of Cr and Ni from a chromium-rich electroplating sludge using the filtrated culture of Aspergillus niger

Electroplating sludge is classified by environmental agencies as a hazardous waste, the disposal of which can be a serious environmental concern. In the present study, the recovery of Ni and Cr from chromium-rich electroplating sludge was conducted using the filtrated culture of Aspergillus niger for the first time. Pulp density, leaching temperature, and leaching duration were identified as variables affecting the recovery optimization. Leaching temperature of 66 °C, leaching duration of 1 day, and pulp density of 10 g/L were found as the optimal conditions. Under optimum conditions, Cr and Ni recoveries were 53% and 95.7%, respectively. Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure and Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure tests showed that electroplating sludge was effectively detoxified by bioleaching. The kinetic studies demonstrated that the leaching proceeded with one stage kinetics for Cr and two stages kinetics for Ni. Cr recovery was controlled by interface transfer and diffusion across the product layer. Also, the first stage of Ni leaching was controlled by interface transfer and diffusion across the product layer, and the second stage of Ni leaching was a mixed-control mechanism and both diffusion through the product layer and chemical reaction were involved. Eventually, the results of this study represent the filtrated culture of Aspergillus niger has the ability to recover metals from electroplating sludge and detoxify it.

BIOCONVERSION OF ELLAGITANNINS TO ELLAGIC ACID FROM POMEGRANATE PEELS BY SOLID-STATE FERMENTATION USING ASPERGILLUS NIGER AND RHIZOPUS ORYZAE

Ellagic acid an effective polyphenol antioxidant found in many fruits and vegetables. The antioxidant properties of ellagic acid have incited preliminary research into the impending health benefits of ellagic acid consumption. In the present research, an attempt is made to extract ellagic acid from pomegranate peels using solid state cultures of Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus oryzae and mixed cultures of both. The fungus has the potential to convert ellagitannins in pomegranate to ellagic acid as an intermediary metabolite. Test organisms were isolated from soil, identified and screened for production of tannase enzyme. Solid state fermentation of pomegranate husk (10% w/v) using A. niger, R. oryzae and mixed cultures was performed for the production of ellagic acid. Samples were collected daily from the fermentation broth and physico-chemical analyses like changes in the total tannin content and tannase enzyme assay were performed. After fermentation the production of ellagic acid in the medium was determined using HPLC. The amount of ellagic acid produced was 9.1mg (for A.niger), 79.1mg (for R. oryzae), 69.6mg (for mixed culture of both A. niger and R.oryzae).

THE STUDY OF THE COMPOSITION OF THE EXTRACT AND ANTIMYCOTIC PROPERTIES ANTHEMIS ALTISSIMA L.

The qualitative and quantitative composition of chemical components of ethanol extract of the above-ground part of Anthemis altissima L. (syn. Cota altissima (L.) J.Gay) species (family Asteraceae) collected during flowering phase from the flora of Azerbaijan has been studied. The chemical composition of ethanol extract was analyzed by chromatography-mass-spectrometry methods. 54 components were identified in the extract. As a result of the study, it was found that the A. altissima contained benzene aromatic compounds (77.21%). Among them Benzene, (1-butylheptyl) – 7.84%, Benzene, (1-propyloctyl) – 7.71%, Benzene, (1-pentyloctyl) – 7.03%, Benzene, (1-pentylheptyl) – 5.69%, Benzene, (1-butyloctyl) – 5.37%, Benzene, (1-propylnonyl) – 5.02% were the main components. In addition to the above components in the extract of the aerial part other biological active substances, such as alcohols (6.37% – of them prevail Hop-22(29)-en-3. β.-ol – 1.53%, γ-Sitosterol – 1.32%), esters of acids (5.3% – of them prevail Hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester – 0.88%; Linoleic acid, ethyl ester – 0.63%) and alkanes (1.64% – of them prevail Eicosane – 0.53%; Pentacosane – 0.40%) were also identified. The share of unidentified components was 8.99%. The article also presents the results of the study of the antifungal properties of A. altissima and its aqueous extract against the culture of pathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporium and Aspergillus niger. The aqueous extract of A. altissima, in contrast to the plant itself, shows a fungistatic effect on the fungi Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus niger.