Basidial Fungi Research Articles

Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Metabolites from Basidiomycetes: A Review

Background/Objectives: The search for new antimicrobial molecules is important to expand the range of available drugs, as well as to overcome the drug resistance of pathogens. One of the promising sources of antibacterial and antifungal metabolites is basidial fungi, which have wide biosynthetic capabilities. Methods: The review summarized the results of studying the antimicrobial activity of extracts and metabolites from basidiomycetes published from 2018–2023. Results: In all studies, testing for antibacterial and antifungal activity was carried out in in vitro experiments. To obtain the extracts, mainly the fruiting bodies of basidiomycetes, as well as their mycelia and culture liquid were used. Antimicrobial activity was found in aqueous, methanol, and ethanol extracts. Antimicrobial metabolites of basidiomycetes were isolated mainly from the submerged culture of basidiomycetes. Metabolites active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and mycelial and yeast-like fungi were identified. Conclusions: Basidiomycete extracts and metabolites have shown activity against collectible strains of bacteria and fungi and multi-resistant and clinical strains of pathogenic bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the most active metabolites ranged from 1 to 16.7 µg/mL.

Потенциал биоразложения пластика базидиальными грибами и актинобактериями (обзор)

With the ever-increasing production and consumption of plastics, inadequate management of plastic waste and its improper disposal pose a significant threat to the environment, affecting all forms of life, natural ecosystems and economies worldwide. In the face of this threat the search for alternative environmentally friendly solutions such as biodegradation instead of traditional recycling is of paramount importance. Currently knowledge about the mechanisms and effectiveness of plastics biodegradation is focused mainly on such groups of microorganisms as Gram-negative bacteria and fungi ascomycetes. The aim of this review is to highlight the ideas available in the literature about the potential decomposition of the most common plastic waste (polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate and polyurethane) as a result of biotic processes. Basidial fungi and actinobacteria have not yet found practical application in the technologies of processing and utilization of synthetic plastics. We discuss the ability of specific representatives of the two above taxonomic groups to decompose various synthetic polymers. The unique strategies of basidial fungi such as a powerful enzymatic system, the ability to absorb and produce natural biosurfactants – hydrophobins, allowed fungi to use plastics as a source of carbon and energy are considered. The possible contribution of mainly thermophilic actinobacteria of the genera Thermobifida, Thermoactinomyces, Thermomonospora, Saccharomonospora, Actinomadura, Microbispora and Streptomyces in improving the plastic waste disposal in order to create effective and sustainable plastic management practices has been characterized.

Floristic research at the Forest Research Institute of the Karelian Research Centre RAS: traditions of studying the species diversity of plants and fungi

Employees of the Forest Research Institute (FRI) KarRC RAS have contributed greatly to the study of the biodiversity of vascular plants, aphyllophoroid, sac and basidial fungi and lichens of the Republic of Karelia. Studies of vascular plants and various groups of fungi have been carried out since the FRI foundation in 1957 and are continuing successfully at present, with new tasks being set and the geographic range of interests expanding to cover the entire Northwest Russia. The lichenofloristic research component appeared at FRI later (in 1985) and is also developing. Prominent scientists such as V. I. Krutov, M. L. Ramenskaya, and V. I. Shubin, Doctors of Biological Sciences who worked at the FRI, made a huge contribution to the study of the biodiversity of Karelia, Eastern Fennoscandia, and the forest zone of European Russia as a whole. The role of these scientists and their students or successors is great not only in advancing the knowledge of the species diversity of Karelia and adjacent regions, but also in treating various issues of nature protection and sustainable use of natural resources, especially forest resources. The Institute’s employees have played a leading role in building the system of protected areas (PAs) in Karelia, especially considering that the republic’s first PA, Kivach Strict Nature Reserve, used to be a FRI unit for quite long. Botanists and mycologists from FRI participated in compiling the inventory of the flora and mycobiota and in preparing scientific substantiation papers for many planned PAs. Research continues in the PAs after their designation. Employees of the FRI prepared the first (unofficial) edition of the regional Red Data Book and then participated as leading authors in the preparation of three official editions of the Red Data Book. At present, many direct students (postgraduates) or successors of the pioneers in the study of the species diversity of vascular plants and fungi V. I. Krutov, M. L. Ramenskaya, and V. I. Shubin continue to work productively at the Institute.

Biotransformation of Wastes of Essential Oil Industry by Strains Agaricus bisporus (J.E. Lange) Imbach, Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler, and Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm

The aim of the present work was to explore insights into the possibility of cultivating the mycelium of the edible basidiomycetes, i.e., Agaricus bisporus (J.E. Lange) Imbach, Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler, and Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm. on wastes produced from lavender, sage, mint, and rose. To achieve this goal, we assessed the growth and development of strains on various substrates, a component analysis of the biomass of strains, initial essential oil raw materials after processing, and raw materials after exposure to the mycelium of basidial fungi strains. The wastes of essential oil production can be transformed with the help of edible basidiomycetes (A. bisporus, L. edodes, P. ostreatus) into a valuable fodder product enriched with proteins and vitamins and with good organoleptic properties. The best of the tested substrates was the green mass of mint after successive distillation and extraction. The conversion of solid waste from lavender, rose, sage, and mint processing depends on the types of strains. The high accumulation of octen-3-ol (up to 1.38 g/kg of the substrate) by P. ostreatus was confirmed by its organoleptic evaluation. The results suggested the cultivation of edible mushroom mycelium on the solid waste of mint, lavender, and sage processing could produce high-grade (enriched in proteins and vitamins) biomass for the purpose of fodder. These by-products could serve as a basis for the creation of cultivation technology for champignon, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms as food products using secondary resources of essential oil production.

Lenzites betulina базидиальді саңырауқұлағының микробқа қарсы белсенділігін арттыруда оңтайлы өсіру жағдайларын таңдау

In recent decades, more and more attention has been paid to the study of various compounds isolated from higher basidial fungi. The analysis of the taxonomic species composition of fungi of the genus basidiomycetes causing white rot on birch is carried out. During the study of cultural - morphological and molecular - genetic properties, it was found that the culture of fungi belongs to the species Lenzites betulina. To increase the ability of the isolated fungus to synthesize antimicrobial compounds, the composition of the nutrient medium (the ratio of carbon and peptone) was modified, the optimal temperature (28 ° C) and pH medium (7.5-8.0) were selected. Antagonistic properties between the test cultures of S.marcescens, E. coli, S.aureus, C. albicans and the culture of Lenzites betulina fungi were also studied. The study showed that the greatest antibiotic effect of Lenzites betulina fungi was exerted on the culture of С.albicans yeast and E.coli bacteria. Thus, it was found that fungi of the Lenzites betulina species exhibit high bactericidal and fungicidal activity to opportunistic yeast and bacterial cultures.

HERBARIUM OF THE KARELIAN RESEARCH CENTRE OF THE RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. M. V. FREUNDLING’S COLLECTION OF FUNGI

First reports on fungi in Karelia were published by Finnish and Swedish researchers in the second half of the 19th century, and then, in the 1920s data were gathered by the Olonets Expedition and surveys by Finnish scientist M. Laurila in the 1930s provided data from the north of the present-day Republic of Karelia. Systematic studies of the fungal biota of Karelia, however, began only after Maria V. Freundling started working at the Karelian (Complex) Research Institute (KRI) in 1931 and produced her first fungal collections in 1933. M. V. Freudling worked at KRI from 1931 to 1936, and then also at the Karelian-Finnish Research Facility (later named Karelian-Finnish Branch, KFB) of the USSR Academy of Sciences from 1946 to 1953. She collected specimens from the Kivach State Nature Reserve, which was then a unit of KRI, later KFB. The Herbarium of the Karelian Research Centre RAS currently stores some 500 herbarium specimens collected by Freundling from the Kivach reserve, of which 137 are supplied with the collector’s paintings. Some 40 specimens were mounted on herbarium sheets and illustrated by the author’s watercolor paintings. This article provides a list of 222 species of sac and basidial fungi based on the specimens collected by M. V. Freudling in different years. The fungal herbarium is now a component part of the Herbarium of the Karelian Research Centre RAS (PTZ).

Diversity of ESI-MS Based Phosphatidylcholine Profiles in Basidiomycetes.

Phosphatidylcholines (PC) are the main membrane lipid constituents comprising more than 50% of total glycerophospholipids. They coordinate a number of cell functions, particularly cell growth, homeostasis, secretion, recognition and communication. In basidial fungi PC are synthesized via the Kennedy pathway as well as through methylation of phosphatidylethanolamines (PE) and then undergo remodeling in Lands cycle that replaces fatty acids in PC molecules. The molecular profile of PC is determined by the genetic features that are characteristic for every species and depend on the environment. Here we present the results of ESI-MS based analyses of PC profiles of 38 species of basidiomycetes belonging to Agaricales (12), Polyporales (17), Russulales (5), Gleophyllales (2), Cantharellales (1), Auriculariales (1), Phallales (1). Although the variety of PC molecular species of basidiomycetes is rather diverse (20–38 molecular species in every profile), only 1–3 main molecular species represent 70–90% of total PC content. The most abundant of them are C36:4 and C36:3, followed by C34:1, C34:2, C36:5, C36:2. In the majority of basidiomycetes, C36:4 reaches up to 50–70% of total PC molecular species. Based on the results of hierarchical cluster analysis four main types of PC profiles which characterized the studied fungi independently from their taxonomic position, ecology, trophic status, and hyphal differentiation have been revealed. Comparative analyses of studied fungi using PCA method have shown that species of Polyporales differ from those of Agaricales by higher variability of PC profiles.

Species of fungi recommended for inclusion in the 2nd edition of the Red Data Book of the Oryol Region

Based on the results of the long-term (2008–2020) studies of macromycetes in Oryol Region, a list of 24 fungal species recommended for the second edition of the regional Red Data Book has been compiled. The list includes 4 species of basidial fungi (Clavariadelphus pistillaris, Cortinarius violaceus, Grifola frondosa, and Gyroporus cyanescens) that were included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Oryol Region (2007) and another 20 species (Aeruginoscyphus sericeus, Bulgaria inquinans, Clavaria zollingeri, Ganoderma lucidum, Gloiodon strigosus, Gyroporus castaneus, Hericium coralloides, Holwaya mucida, Hydnocristella himantia, Metuloidea murashkinskyi, Phellinidium ferrugineofuscum, Polyporus umbellatus, Ramaria fennica, Ramariopsis crocea, Ramariopsis pulchella, Rhizochaete sulphurina, Rhodonia placenta, Rhodotus palmatus, Skeletocutis odora, Triblidium caliciiforme) that are proposed for protection for the first time. Each species is provided with the Latin name, followed by brief characteristics of its current taxonomic position, biology and ecology, population‐limiting factors in the region, data on the range in Russia and on the distribution in Oryol Region, as well as the recommended protection category. The presented species list includes two species (Clavaria zollingeri, Rhodotus palmatus) from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and three species (Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, Polyporus umbellatus) recorded in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation (2008). Two species (Aeruginoscyphus sericeus and Rhodotus palmatus) are new to Oryol Region.

Species structure and ecologo-trophic features of basidial macromycetes in the Novousmansky district of the Voronezh Region

The work is devoted to a long-term study of the species composition and ecologo-trophic features of basidial macromycetes growing in diverse communities in the Novousmansky district of the Voronezh Region. The mycological study revealed 405 species of macromycetes belonging to 2 divisions, 3 classes, 14 orders, 67 families and 145 genera. Most species of fungi belong to the orders Agaricales (177), Russulales (69), Polyporales (47) and Boletales (46). It was found that saprotrophs (187 species), represented by mono- (126) and polysaprotrophs (61), predominate in the forest coenoses in the Novousmansky district of the Voronezh Region. Macromycetes with a mixed type of nutrition (58) make up a large proportion of the detected fungi, among which facultative xylosaprotrophs dominate (21). Symbiotrophs include 58 taxa and form an exomycorrhiza with deciduous and coniferous trees. The overwhelming number of macromycete species are classified as edible (188) fungi. A smaller number of inedible (152), poisonous (51) and conditionally edible (14) representatives are represented. Special attention is paid to the issues of protection of rare and endangered basidiomycetes growing on the territory of the study. As a result of the survey of the Novousmansky district territory, 11 taxa of basidial fungi included in the 2nd edition of the Red Book of the Voronezh Region (2018) were identified.

Synopsis of the macrofungi (<i>Basidiomycota</i>) on wood of fruit trees in the Central Black Earth Region of Russia

Aim. To summarise and analyse data on the species diversity, distribution and substrate spectra of wood-inhabiting basidial macromycetes growing on fruit trees in the Belgorod, Voronezh, Kursk, Lipetsk, Oryol and Tambov Regions.Material and Methods. The work involved a critical examination of literature sources, LE, OHHI, and VU herbaria. We undertook field researches in 2019-2020, identified specimens collected based on light microscopy techniques and isolated the basidial fungi in a pure culture.Results. Data on 97 species of basidial macrofungi from 68 genera associated withMalus, PyrusandPrunuswood in the Central Black Earth Region are summarised.Antrodia serpensandCeriporia torpidaare newly known to Russia. 65 new dikaryot-ic strains for 22 species of Agaricomycetes have been introduced into the LE-BIN. A total of 65 species are associated with Malus, 34 species withPyrusand 29 species withPrunus. Five species (Lyomyces crustosus, Stereum hirsutum, Trametes hirsuta, T. ochraceaandT. versicolor) grow on all three genera of host. These species specialise in fruit trees includeSarcodontia croceaandPhellinus pomaceus.Conclusion. Pathogenic activity has been clearly observed for 32 species of fungi found on trunks and branches of living trees, causing necrosis and trunk rot. Furthermore, it is recommended that regular phytopathological monitoring of orchards should be carried out, taking the group of xylotrophic fungi into account.

AMINO ACID COMPOSITION OF BIOCONVERSION PRODUCTS POST-EXTRACTION RESIDUES OF THE VEGE-TATIVE PART OF PLANTS BY FUNGI FOMITOPSIS PINICOLA (SW.) P. KARST (FP5-15)

The vegetative part of coniferous and deciduous wood plants is a unique source of natural compounds. The natural renewability of woody plants makes them an inexhaustible raw material for the production of biologically active substances. In the process of their production, about 70% of the non-recyclable post-extraction residue of the vegetative part remains, which is used as a feed additive. Since many plant wastes have a low protein content, in which essential amino acids are most often the limiting ones, they must be enriched with microbial protein, in particular the protein of basidial fungi. For this purpose, the fungi Fomitopsis pinicola (sw.) P. KARST (Fp5-15) were used in this work, since they are the least demanding to plant substrates and have high growth indicators.
 The purpose of this study was to study the amino acid composition of products obtained as a result of bioconversion of post-extraction residues of fir tree greens and the vegetative part of balsamic poplar (buds, litter). The analysis of the amino acid composition of the products showed that the protein score increases during the biodegradation process (phenylalanine and tyrosine-by 35 %, threonine – by 37.5%). Also, high amounts of glycine, alanine, histidine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid were found in the products of biodegradation. In terms of the content of a number of amino acids, the resulting products are superior to cereals and feed products based on the vegetative part of woody plants.
 Thus, the results obtained show the possibility of using fermentation products as protein feed additives.

Parasitic micromycetes of the Poaceae family in the Chui Valley and the northern slope of the Kirghiz ridge

The article presents data on parasitic micromycetes on representatives of Poaceae family. On cultivatedand wild plants of 26 genera of the Poaceae family in the Chui valley and on the northern slope of the Kyrgyz mountainrange 66 species of parasitic fungi from 25 genera have been registered, many of which cause great economic losses.Marsupial mushrooms are represented by 30 species from 17 genera of 3 classes; Dothideomycetes, Sordariomycetes andLeotiomycetes. Basidial fungi constitute 36 species from 8 genera of 2 classes; Ustilagomycetes, Pucciniomycetes. Themost susceptible fungal diseases are wild cereals: Agropyrum – 12 species of fungi, Poa – 12, Dactylis – 9, Bromus – 8,Festuca – 7. Representatives of the genera Agrostis, Cynodon, Eremopyrum, Stipa, Taenistherum, Trisetum are affectedby 1–2 species of fungi.

Видове різноманіття та особливості поширення дереворуйнівних грибів Немирівського району

This article presents the results of the study of the species composition of wood-destroying fungi of Nemirov district of Vinnytsia region and Bioecological Features of their Distribution. Aphilophoroid fungi make up the majority of wood-destroying fungi and are of great ecological importance. The work was performed by means of route surveys to determine the taxonomic composition of woody plants and wood-destroying fungi. They inspected live and dead trees and shrubs, as well as their waste, branches and stumps. The object of research were species of fungi of department the Basidiomycota. Classical morphological-anatomical, ecological-areological and comparative methods were used for analysis of the species composition of basidial fungi. In the forests of Nemiriv district of Vinnytsia region, 83 fungi were found, which belong to 13 species of wood-destroying fungi and are distributed on 10 wood species. Wood-destroying fungi grow here on the root, trunk, branches of trees, dry wood, stumps and a piece of wood waste. The following species of wood-destroying fungi were the most common: Fomes fomentarius (L.) Fr., Phellinus igniarius (L.) Quél., Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd , and Schizophyllum commune Fries. These species of wood-destroying fungi are quite common in forest ecosystems. These fungi occur at different stages of wood destruction. Also, the tree species that are most susceptible to wood-destroying fungi have been identified, such as Quercus robur L., Carpinus betulus L., Fraxinus excelsior L., Tilia cordata. Wood-destroying fungi play a major role in the destruction of forest precipitation, and, as a consequence, this process, the cycle of matter in nature. They clear the soil of numerous fallen leaves, needles, twigs, destroys tree stumps, dryness, broken and wind-blown trunks, logs, which leaves in the woods in place of cuttings.

Синтез наночастиц сапротрофными базидиальными грибами разных экологических групп.

Синтез наночастиц сапротрофными базидиальными грибами разных экологических групп.

Fatty Acid Composition of Basidiomycetes Lipids - a Promising Feedstock for Obtaining Biodiesel

Xylotrophic basidial fungi capable of accumulating lipids while growing on inedible plant materials are a promising source of feedstock for obtaining biodiesel. Thirty strains of xylotrophic basidial fungi were screened for the accumulation of lipids, and the content of fatty acids in nine strains chosen by screening was determined. It was shown that the Piptoporus betulines MT-30.04 and Russula puellaris MT-32.06 strains are characterized by maximum content of oleic acid in the lipids and are therefore most promising as lipid formers for biodiesel production.

Ethanol Production from Lignocellulosic Biomass Using Xylotrophic Basidiomycetes

The scientific literature on the use of xylotrophic basidial fungi for pretreatment, hydrolysis, and fermentation of lignocellulosic biomass was reviewed. The influence of cultivation conditions on the treatment effectiveness was studied. The major deficiencies of consolidated bioprocessing of plant materials into ethanol using basidiomycetes were the low final ethanol concentration and the long pretreatment time.

Lipids of Basidial Fungi as Feedstock for Biodiesel Fuel Production

The scientific literature on the influence of various factors on the lipid content and composition in biomass of basidial fungi was reviewed. The influence of carbon and nitrogen sources, C:N ratio, temperature, and pH of the medium on the biomass yield and lipid fatty-acid content and composition was analyzed for various basidial fungi. The most promising substrate for biodiesel fuel production was vegetable residues and/or waste liquors. The culture conditions should be chosen with a view to maximizing the biomass yield and monounsaturated fatty-acid content in the fungal lipids.

Fungal Bioactive Compounds with Antiviral Effect Tamara Teplyakova

Basidial fungi have long been known as sources of antitumor compounds such as polysaccharides. Studies conducted by scientists from different countries demonstrate that polysaccharides and other fungal compounds (proteins, glycoproteins, terpenoids, melanins, nucleosides, etc.) exhibit antiviral activity against many viruses pathogenic for humans. The review presents data on the studied antiviral activities of higher basidial fungi against herpes, West Nile, influenza, human immunodeficiency and hepatitis viruses as well as orthopoxviruses including variola virus. Many species of basidial fungi and various classes of biologically active compounds obtained from them are capable of effectively inhibiting the development of viruses in cells and animals while possessing low toxicity. Biologically active compounds from the same fungal species can exhibit antiviral effects against different pathogens. Effective strains isolated from wild mushrooms in culture represent promising objects for the development of biotechnological drugs, including ones possessing antiviral activity. The data on antitumor and antiviral activities of compounds from the same fungal species indicate the correlation of these properties. In this connection, preparations of basidial fungi may have prophylactic value in preventing cancers of viral etiology.

Selective regulation of laccase isoform production by the Lentinus strigosus 1566 fungus

The effects of a number of culture medium components, such as peptone, yeast extract, mono- and disaccharides, copper ions, 2,6-dimethylphenol, and polycaproamide fiber, on the laccase activity dynamics in the culture liquid and laccase isoform production by the Lentinus strigosus 1566 fungus were studied. It was demonstrated that some saccharides selectively induced or inhibited the synthesis of different laccase isoforms. Similar action was exerted by copper ions, 2,6-dimethylphenol, and polycaproamide fiber, as well as by their combination. Selective in vivo regulation of the production of certain laccase isoforms by basidial fungi by means of altering the culturing medium composition can be utilised for various biotechnological purposes.

On the question of higher basidial fungi

On the question of higher basidial fungi