Cladosporium Species Research Articles

Characterization of fungal flora associated with sternorrhyncha insects of cotton plants

In this study, 22 different fungal isolates associated with naturally dead insects of order Hemiptera including Bemisia tabaci, Aphis gossypii and Phenacoccus solenopsis were isolated from three different agroecological zones namely hot arid, cotton and central mixed zone. Fungal species were characterized morphologically on the basis of colony color, shape and spore structures through using different dichotomous keys. As a result fungi belonging to different species of Aspergillus, Acremonium, Beauveria, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Clonostachys, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Fusarium, Metarhizium and Verticillium were identified. All isolates of individual species were identical with respect to morphological differentiation. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicates strong correlation between Verticillium lecanii and Aspergillus fumigatus with respect to their isolation source (insect host). However, based on PCA, an uneven distribution of entomopathogenic fungi in different insect hosts is evident. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Aspergillus fumigatus and A. nidulans are more closely related to different species of Penicillium, while Aspergillus oryzae and A. flavus formed separate clades, whereas different species of Alternaria, Cladosporium and Fusarium formed separate clades. Thus, the information generated will add to our understanding of the insect associated fungal communities for future development of potential biocontrol agents and their application as a vital component of sustainable agriculture.

Cladosporium species causing “Cladosporium rot” on “Bosc” pear fruit in Argentina

“Cladosporium rot” on “Bosc” pear fruit during cold storage causes significant economic losses and has been reported in recent years in the productive valleys of Río Negro and Neuquén. The species involved were not determined. During 2016-2017, “Bosc” pears (Pyrus communis) in cold storage chambers exhibited external brownish black circular spots caused by Cladosporium spp. The objective of this work was to determine the Cladosporium species that caused the above mentioned symptoms. The morphological and molecular analyses of the partial sequence of the actin gene (ACT) supported the identification. Cladosporium macrocarpum, Cladosporium subtilissimum and Cladosporium floccosum were determined as the species involved in the disease. Although Cladosporium has been reported to cause pear rot, this is the first report to identify these species as causal agents of this fruit disease.

The diverse mycoflora present on dried cannabis (Cannabis sativa L., marijuana) inflorescences in commercial production

The objective of this study was to assess harvested dried inflorescences (buds) of cannabis (Cannabis sativa L., marijuana) for fungal presence and diversity. Samples from drying rooms of three licenced facilities in British Columbia were tested repeatedly during 2017–2019. A swab method was used, wherein sterile cotton swabs were gently swabbed over bud surfaces and directly streaked onto potato dextrose agar containing 140 mg L−1 streptomycin sulphate. Petri dishes were incubated at 21–24°C for 5–6 days and the fungal colonies that developed were recorded. The testing was repeated to provide >40 cumulative sampling times over a 2-year period. Representative colonies of each unique morphological type were identified to genus and species by PCR of the ITS1-5.8-ITS2 region of rDNA and sequence analysis. Among 34 different fungal species identified, the most prevalent were Penicillium (comprising 17 different species), followed by species of Cladosporium, Botrytis, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Talaromyces and Alternaria. All samples had several fungal species present and the number and composition varied at different sampling times and within different facilities. The swab method provided a qualitative assessment of viable mould contaminants on cannabis buds and reflected the diversity of mycoflora present, many of which are previously unreported. Fungi on cannabis buds may originate from spores released from diseased or decomposing plant materials, from growing substrates used in cannabis production, or as airborne contaminants in post-harvest trimming and drying rooms. Samples of dried buds exposed to electrobeam (e-beam) radiation treatment had no detectable fungal contamination when assessed using the swab method.

Draft Genome Sequence of a Cladosporium Species Isolated from the Mesophotic Ascidian Didemnum maculosum.

We report the 28-Mbp draft genome sequence of the marine fungus Cladosporium sp. strain TM138. The species was isolated from the marine invertebrate Didemnum maculosum Its genome sequence will inform future investigations into the species' enzymatic potential for bioremediation and its evolution in marine environments.

Identification of Cladosporium sp. Fungi by in- silico RFLP-PCR

Cladosporium sp. plays an important role in human health, it is one of the pathogenic fungi which cause allergy and asthma and most frequently isolated from airborne spores. In this study, a couple of universal PCR primers were designed to identify the pathogenic fungi Cladosporium sp. according to conserved region 5.8S, 18S and 28S subunit ribosomal RNA gene in Cladosporium species. In silico RFLP-PCR were used to identify twenty-four Cladosporium strains. The results showed that the universal primer has the specificity to amplify the conserved region in 24 species as a band in virtual agarose gel. They also showed that the RFLP method is able to identify three Cladosporium species by specific and unique restriction enzymes for each one. These species are Cl. halotorenas by the two unique enzymes BsaXI and MobII, the other species is Cl. colrandse by two enzymes BccI and BtsCI, while the third species is Cl. aciculare by one enzyme BceAI. Each enzyme forms two bands in virtual agarose gel as a results of cutting the DNA by the enzyme, where the rest twenty – two species share more than one restriction enzymes. This method is active and rapid for identifying Cladosporium genus and three species by computational bases methods before applying it in the lab for more accuracy, efficiency, and specificity of designed primer to get good results in a short time.

Aspergillus, Penicillium and Cladosporium species associated with dried date fruits collected in the Perugia (Umbria, Central Italy) market

A total of 20 dried date samples, chosen as representative among those available on the Perugia (Umbria, Central Italy) market, were analyzed for the possible occurrence of fungal species and related contamination by fungal secondary metabolites. Twenty-six isolates, representative of the total mycobiota, were obtained and morphologically identified as belonging to the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Cladosporium. Inside each genus, molecular characterization (by partial sequencing of ITS region and/or β-tubulin and calmodulin regions for Aspergillus and Penicillium isolates or actin region for Cladosporium isolates) and in vitro mycotoxigenic profile characterization (by LC-MS/MS analysis) showed the presence of the following species: A. flavus, A. tubingensis, P. brevicompactum, P. chrysogenum, P. crustosum, P. glabrum, P. solitum, P. venetum, C. cladosporioides, C. limoniforme and C. halotolerans, with A. tubingensis as the prevalent species and P. crustosum, P. solitum, P. venetum and C. limoniforme first reported here on dates. Date packaging and format showed an effect on the incidence of isolated fungi, with the lowest incidence recovered from whole dates and in hermetic bag packaging. These findings can be useful both for dried dates producers and consumers, guiding them towards choices of packaging and format with a lower risk of mycotoxigenic species presence. However, no fungal metabolites were detected in the dried date samples analyzed, which were therefore regarded as safe for human consumption, underlining the absence of correspondence between fungal isolation and mycotoxin contaminations.

Microscopic fungi of lithobiont communities of Argentine Islands Region: Data from the 22nd Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition

The identification of the diversity of microscopic fungi of lithobiont communities of the Argentine Islands in specimens collected during the 22nd Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition was the purpose of this work. Samples of rock, soil, mosses and lichens of rock micro-habitats of “Crustose lichen sub-formation and fruticose lichen and moss cushion sub-formation” were used in the work. These samples were used for extracting and cultivation of filamentous fungi on dense nutrient media. Determination of physiological and biochemical characteristics and identification of yeast-like fungi were performed using a microbiological analyser ‘Vitek-2’ (‘Bio Merieux’, France). Cultivation of microorganisms was carried out at temperatures from +2 to +37 °C. In results cultures of microscopic fungi of Zygomycota (Mucor circinelloides), Ascomycota (species of the genera cf. Tlielebolus, Talaromyces), representatives of the Anamorphic fungi group (Geomyces pannorum, species of the genera Alternaria, Acremonium, Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Cladosporium) were isolated from Antarctic samples. Microscopic fungi Penicillium spp. were dominated after the frequency in the studied samples (54.5%). Rhodotorula rubra and Candida sp. among isolated yeast fungi, and dark pigmented fungi represented by Aureobasidium pulhdans and Exophiala spp. were identified. The biological properties of a number of isolated fungi (the potential ability to synthesise important biologically active substances: melanins, carotenoids, lipids) are characterised. Mycobiota of rock communities of Argentine Islands is rich on filamentous and yeast fungi similarly to other regions of Antarctica. A number of fungi investigated are potentially able to synthesise biologically active substances. The dark pigmented species of the genera Cladosporium, Exophiala, Aureobasidium pulhdans, capable of melanin synthesis; ‘red’ yeast Rhodotorula rubra (carotenoid producers and resistant to toxic metals); Mucor circinelloides and Geomyces pannorum, lipid producers, are among these fungi. Yeast-like fungi assimilated a wide range of carbohydrates, which will allow them to be further used for cultivation in laboratory and process conditions. The collection of technologically promising strains of microorganisms, part of the Culture Collection of Fungi at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Ukraine), is updated with isolated species (strains) of filamentous fungi and yeast – potential producers of biologically active substances, obtained within this study.

Short term seasonal effects of airborne fungal spores on lung function in a panel study of schoolchildren residing in informal settlements of the Western Cape of South Africa

BackgroundThe individual effects of biological constituents of particulate matter (PM) such as fungal spores, on lung function in children are not well known. This study investigated the seasonal short-term effect of daily variation in Alternaria and Cladosporium fungal spores on lung function in schoolchildren. MethodsThis panel study evaluated 313 schoolchildren in informal settlements of the Western Cape of South Africa, exposed to spores of two commonly encountered fungi, Alternaria and Cladosporium species. The children provided forced-expiratory volume in 1-s (FEV1) and peak-expiratory flow (PEF) measurements thrice daily for two consecutive school-weeks in summer and winter. Daily PM10 levels, from a stationary ambient air quality monitor and fungal spore levels using spore traps were measured in each study area throughout the year. The effects of Alternaria and Cladosporium spores, on lung function were analysed for lag periods up to five-days, adjusting-for PM10, other pollen exposures, study area, and other host and meteorological factors. Same-day exposure-response curves were computed for both fungal species. ResultsThere was more variability in Alternaria spores level with noticeable peaks in summer. There were consistent lag-effects for Alternaria on PEF compared to Cladosporium, with the largest PEF deficit observed in winter (mean deficit: 13.78 L/min, 95%CI: 24.34 to −3.23 L/min) per 10spores/m3 increase in Alternaria spores on lag day-2. Although there were no observable lag-effects for Alternaria and Cladosporium on FEV1, same-day effects of Cladosporium spores on FEV1 was present across both seasons. Threshold effects of Alternaria on both PEF and FEV1 deficits were apparent at levels of 100 spores/m3, but could not be explored for Cladosporium beyond the levels observed during the study. ConclusionThe study provides evidence for the independent effects of daily exposure to ambient fungal spores of Alternaria and Cladosporium on lung function deficits, more especially in winter for PEF.

Isolation and identification of L-asparaginase-producing endophytic fungi from the Asteraceae family plant species of Iran.

L-asparaginase is an important anticancer enzyme that is used in the first line treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This study was conducted to isolate L-asparaginase-producing endophytic fungi from medicinal plants of family Asteraceae. Seven healthy medicinal plants from family Asteraceae were selected for the isolation of endophytic fungi using standard surface sterilization techniques. A total of 837 isolates belonging to 84 species were comprised of the stem (55.6%), leaf (31.1%), root (10.6%) and flower (2.7%). Initial screening of L-asparaginase-producing endophytes was performed by qualitative plate assay on modified Czapex dox’s agar medium. L-asparaginase activity of fungal endophytes was quantified by the nesslerization method. Identification of endophytic fungi was performed using both morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequence data including ribosomal DNA regions of ITS (Internal transcribed spacer) and LSU (partial large subunit rDNA), TEF1 (Translation Elongation Factor) and TUB (β-tubulin). Of the 84 isolates, 38 were able to produce L-asparaginase and their L-asparaginase activities were between 0.019 and 0.492 unit/mL with Fusarium proliferatum being the most potent. L-asparaginase-producing endophytes were identified as species of Plectosphaerella, Fusarium, Stemphylium, Septoria, Alternaria, Didymella, Phoma, Chaetosphaeronema, Sarocladium, Nemania, Epicoccum, Ulocladium and Cladosporium. This study showed that endophytic fungi from Asteraceae members have a high L-asparaginase-producing potential and they can be used as an alternative source for production of anticancer enzymes.

Identification allergen Cladosporium spores concentration in the ambient of Ahvaz wastewater treatment plant and their relationship with meteorological variables, Ahvaz, Iran

Introduction: Airborne Cladosporium spores in different regions of the world are known as the main cause of allergic diseases. This study aimed to identify the Cladosporium species airborne fungi in Ahvaz wastewater treat- ment plant area and its adjacent places and check the effect of some meteoro- logical parameters on their emissions. Materials and methods: Cladosporium spores were cultured on Sabouraud`s dextrose agar (SDA) medium in both cold and warm seasons. The passive sampling method was performed and after incubation, colonies were counted as CFU/Plate/h. Then, according to the macroscopic and microscopic charac- teristics of the genus, the fungal was studied. The meteorological parameters including temperature, humidity, air pressure, dew point, wind speed, and ultraviolet index were measured. Results: At least, 3358 colonies were counted. 1433 colonies were related to the Cladosporium species. The amount of Cladosporium in indoor air was 46% of the total Cladosporium. The average of meteorological parameters includes temperature, humidity, air pressure, dew point, wind speed and UV index during the study were 27.8 °C, 32.9%, 548.7 °Kpa, 3.6°, 9.1 km / h and 3.9 respectively. 42.6% of the total number of colonies was related to the Cladosporium species. Cladospiromes had a direct correlation with the dew point, temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind speed, and ultraviolet index (Pvalue<0.05). Primary sludge dewatering has the greatest role in the Cladospo- rium spores emission. Conclusion: Considering the importance of Cladosporium spores in the ap- pearance of allergic diseases, and given that wastewater treatment workers spend most of their time outside, observing health and preventive measures is necessary in this regard.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Cladosporium cladosporioides YFCC 8621 isolated from a salt mine in Yunnan, southwestern China

Cladosporium cladosporioides is one of the most isolated species in the genus Cladosporium and has a wide medical and industrial usage. Here, we first report the complete mitogenome of C. cladosporioides based on the Illumina sequencing data. The circular mitogenome is 36,768 bp in length, containing 14 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNA (rns and rnl) genes, 2 ORFs (ORF214 and ORF240), and a set of 28 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes. The overall base composition is 35.7% A, 34.0% T(U), 15.3% C, 15.0% G, with a GC content of 30.3%. Phylogenetic analysis shows that C. cladosporioides is clustered in the order Capnodiales and is closely related to the congeneric species Cladosporium zixishanense of Cladosporiaceae.

Микобиота пелагиали Одесского региона северо-западной части Чёрного моря

Mycobiota of the marine area of Odessa region was studied (30°70′00′′-31°00′00′′N, 46°23′00′′-46°60′00′′E) (See Fig. 1). Hydrological and hydrochemical regimes of the marine area of Odessa region in the northwestern Black Sea are affected by the discharge of the Dnieper (93.4%) and the Southern Bug (5.7%) rivers, the permanent anthropogenic discharges of the cities of Odessa, Chernomorsk (Ilyichyovsk), Yuzhnyi and their ports, shipping, dredging, and the open sea. The aim of this work was to study the species composition, the number of colony forming units (CFU) and the dynamics of the spatiotemporal distribution of reared microfungi as a function of abiotic factors and the trophic level of seawater in this area. Water samples were taken in summer and autumn 2008-2012 in the surface (1 m depth) and bottom (7-24 m depth) layers. The samples were taken, at least, in three replicates. The results of processing 258 samples from 22 stations were analyzed. The effects of environmental factors (water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, five-day biochemical oxygen demand, petroleum hydrocarbons, dissolved metals Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd and suspended particulate matter) were studied in 140 samples (See Table 1). Micromycetes were isolated on Czapek’s medium prepared in sea water. 1 ml of sample water was added to a Petri dish and filled with medium cooled to approximately 36-40 °C. To suppress the growth of bacteria, 0.03% chloramphenicol was added to the medium (by volume of the medium). Cultivation was carried out at a temperature of 18-20 °С for 2-8 weeks. Micromycetes were identified by morphological and cultural characteristics according to Vera Bilay and Eleonora Koval’ (1988) and GS De Hooh ea tl. (2000). Nomenclature, and taxonomy of fungi correspond to The Index Fungorum database. The ecological analysis of mycocomplexes was carried out according to: species composition, the number of species in complexes, frequency of occurrence of a species and the number of colony-forming units (CFU / L). In this research, 50 fungal species of 19 genera, 14 families, 9 orders, 4 classes of the division Ascomycota were revealed. Fungal taxa from Odessa region were grouped into families. The family Aspergillaceae included the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Talaromyces (27 species); the family Pleosporaceae included the genera Alternaria and Stemphylium (8); and there were 3 species of the genus Cladosporium from the family Cladosporiaceae. In total, 76.0% of species found were from the three families (See Table 2). Using Average Taxonomic Distinctness index, AvTD (Δ+), and Variation in Taxonomic Distinctness index, VarTD (Λ+), features of the taxonomic diversity of mycocomplexes were revealed. These indices were calculated from a matrix of micromycete species from the region under study combined with the fungi list (master list, 219 species) of the Black Sea pelagic zone. In the analysis, the taxonomy levels from Species to Kingdom were included. For the indices Δ+ and Λ+, 95% probability funnel graphs were plotted, and their mean expected values were calculated for mycobiota of the region under study and for mycocomplexes from each station. It was found out that the mean expected values of the index Δ+ for mycobiota of the marine area of Odessa region and the stations are considerably lower, and index Λ+ values are higher than those for the sea as a whole (See Fig. 2 and 3). According to literature sources, no significant seasonal and inter-annual changes in the trophic status of the region occurred in 1992-2010. It was transitional between mesotrophic and eutrophic. The long-term mean TRIX value was 5.3 (4-5: medium trophic level; 5-6: high trophic level and poor water quality). In the species composition and numerical structure of mycocomplexes of the mesotrophic and eutrophic zones, no significant differences were detected. Over the entire period of this research, a relatively uniform distribution of the mean abundance of fungi over the area and depth was noted (See Table 3). No significant correlation was found between abiotic parameters under study and micromycete abundance over the horizons, seasons, sampling dates, location of stations, as well as mesotrophic and eutrophic zones. In the region, 44% of fungi-indicators of different kinds of pollution were registered. In the areas of stormwater runoff and wastewater treatment plant discharges, the indicator value (IndVal) was the largest for melanin-containing fungi Cladosporium cladosporioides (28.3%), Alternaria alternata (17.5%), and Aspergillus niger (12.3%), which are resistant to several adverse environmental factors. In the eutrophic zone, large values of the indices were found in Aspergillus clavatus (21,2%), Penicillium expansum (17,7%), Penicillium citrinum (16,1%), Al. tenuissima (12,5%), and in A. fumigatus (60%), Al. alternata (40%) and A. niger (35,7%) in places of local oil pollution. It is established that in the entire marine area of Odessa region, the formed mycocomplexes have a high similarity in species and numerical structure, and therefore, they can be considered as a single community.

A Comprehensive Phylogenetic and Bioinformatics Assessment of Hydrophobin Protein (HYPAI) for Drug Delivery: an In Silico Analysis

Nowadays, efforts are being made to reduce the side effects of drugs, increase the effectiveness of drugs on the target tissue, etc. using drug delivery knowledge to control the bioavailability of drugs in the human body. Hydrophobin is a low molecular weight hydrophobic fungal protein that can potentially be used as nanocarrier in drug delivery systems. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the hydrophobin of Trichoderma, Cladosporium, Verticillium and Sphaerulina species are closely related to animal hydrophobin. The evolutionary relationship of hydrophobin protein was investigated. The physiological and physicochemical properties of the HYPAI were studied by ProtScale and ProtParam servers. Post-translational modifications and three-dimensional structure of HYPAI were studied using CBS and Phyre2 servers, respectively. Protein–protein interactions were investigated using the platform of Search Tool for Retrieval of Interacting Genes and proteins (STRING). The results indicated that HYPAI is a highly hydrophobic, water soluble protein. The prediction of post-translational modification showed that this protein lacks a suitable site for glycosylation and mannosylation, but there was a possibility of phosphorylation in 8 sites. Physicochemical properties demonstrated that HYPAI is a stable protein with a half-life of 30 h in mammalian reticulocytes in vitro. In silico analysis of the interaction of HYPAI showed that no interaction has been reported for this protein in humans yet. The bioinformatics results have shown that HYPAI is a stable protein in vitro and has no immune effect in the human body, so that can pass through defense mechanisms of the human body with no immunogenicity reaction. Trichoderma spp., especially T. atroviride, due to its usage in agriculture and industries, can be a suitable candidate as a natural, reliable and safe bioreactor for the production of a cost-effective hydrophobin protein, and is being proposed for application in drug research as a new drug nanocarrier.

Pathogens and Molds Affecting Production and Quality of Cannabis sativa L.

Plant pathogens infecting marijuana (Cannabis sativa L.) plants reduce growth of the crop by affecting the roots, crown, and foliage. In addition, fungi (molds) that colonize the inflorescences (buds) during development or after harvest, and which colonize internal tissues as endophytes, can reduce product quality. The pathogens and molds that affect C. sativa grown hydroponically indoors (in environmentally controlled growth rooms and greenhouses) and field-grown plants were studied over multiple years of sampling. A PCR-based assay using primers for the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) of ribosomal DNA confirmed identity of the cultures. Root-infecting pathogens included Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Fusarium brachygibbosum, Pythium dissotocum, Pythium myriotylum, and Pythium aphanidermatum, which caused root browning, discoloration of the crown and pith tissues, stunting and yellowing of plants, and in some instances, plant death. On the foliage, powdery mildew, caused by Golovinomyces cichoracearum, was the major pathogen observed. On inflorescences, Penicillium bud rot (caused by Penicillium olsonii and Penicillium copticola), Botrytis bud rot (Botrytis cinerea), and Fusarium bud rot (F. solani, F. oxysporum) were present to varying extents. Endophytic fungi present in crown, stem, and petiole tissues included soil-colonizing and cellulolytic fungi, such as species of Chaetomium, Trametes, Trichoderma, Penicillium, and Fusarium. Analysis of air samples in indoor growing environments revealed that species of Penicillium, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Beauveria, and Trichoderma were present. The latter two species were the result of the application of biocontrol products for control of insects and diseases, respectively. Fungal communities present in unpasteurized coconut (coco) fiber growing medium are potential sources of mold contamination on cannabis plants. Swabs taken from greenhouse-grown and indoor buds pre- and post-harvest revealed the presence of Cladosporium and up to five species of Penicillium, as well as low levels of Alternaria species. Mechanical trimming of buds caused an increase in the frequency of Penicillium species, presumably by providing entry points through wounds or spreading endophytes from pith tissues. Aerial distribution of pathogen inoculum and mold spores and dissemination through vegetative propagation are important methods of spread, and entry through wound sites on roots, stems, and bud tissues facilitates pathogen establishment on cannabis plants.

Fungal Melanonychia Caused by Cladosporium Species: A Case Report

Fungal melanonychia is typically associated with onychomycosis and is known to be a relatively uncommon nail disorder. The known pathogens causing fungal melanonychia include both dematiaceous and non-dematiaceous fungi. Here we describe the case of a 60-year-old man with a 1-year history of nail discoloration in both index fingers. The possibility of subungual neoplasm was excluded by histological examination. Subsequent mycological examination revealed the presence of Cladosporium species in the lesion. The patient was successfully treated with oral itraconazole.

Osmotolerance as a determinant of microbial ecology: A study of phylogenetically diverse fungi

Osmotic stress induced by high solute concentration can prevent fungal metabolism and growth due to alterations in properties of the cytosol, changes in turgor, and the energy required to synthesize and retain compatible solutes. We used germination to quantify tolerance/sensitivity to the osmolyte KCl (0.1–4.5 M, in 0.1 M increments) for 71 strains (40 species) of ecologically diverse fungi. These include 11 saprotrophic species (17 strains, including two xerophilic species), five mycoparasitic species (five strains), six plant-pathogenic species (13 strains), and 19 entomopathogenic species (36 strains). A dendrogram obtained from cluster analyses, based on KCl inhibitory concentrations 50 % and 90 % calculated by Probit Analysis, revealed three groups of fungal isolates accordingly to their osmotolerance. The most-osmotolerant group (Group 3) contained the majority of saprotrophic fungi, and Aspergillus niger (F19) was the most tolerant. The highly xerophilic Aspergillus montevidense and Aspergillus pseudoglaucus were the second- and third-most tolerant species, respectively. All Aspergillus and Cladosporium species belonged to Group 3, followed by the entomopathogens Colletotrichum fioriniae, Simplicillium lanosoniveum, and Trichothecium roseum. Group 2 exhibited a moderate osmotolerance, and included plant-pathogens such as Colletotrichum and Fusarium, mycoparasites such as Clonostachys spp, some saprotrophs such as Mucor and Penicillium spp., and some entomopathogens such as Isaria, Lecanicillium, Mariannaea, Simplicillium, and Torrubiella. Group 1 contained the osmo-sensitive strains: the rest of the entomopathogens and the mycoparasitic Gliocladium and Trichoderma. Although stress tolerance did not correlate with their primary ecological niche, classification of these 71 fungal strains was more closely aligned with their ecology than with their phylogenetic relatedness. We discuss the implications for both microbial ecology and fungal taxonomy.

Fusarubin and Anhydrofusarubin Isolated from A Cladosporium Species Inhibit Cell Growth in Human Cancer Cell Lines.

Cladosporium species are endophytic fungi that grow on organic matter and are considered food contaminants. The anti-microbial and anti-tumor naphthoquinones fusarubin (FUS) and anhydrofusarubin (AFU) were isolated using column chromatography from a Cladosporium species residing inside Rauwolfia leaves. The impact of FUS and AFU on cell growth was assessed in acute myeloid leukemia (OCI-AML3) and other hematologic tumor cell lines (HL-60, U937, and Jurkat). Treatment with FUS or AFU reduced the number of OCI-AML3 cells as evaluated by a hemocytometer. Flow cytometry analyses showed that this effect was accompanied by diverse impairments in cell cycle progression. Specifically, FUS (20 or 10 μg/mL significantly decreased the percentage of cells in S phase and increased the percentage of cells in G2/M phase, whereas AFU increased the percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase (50 and 25 μg/mL) and decreased the percentage of cells in S (50 μg/mL) and G2/M (50 and 25 μg/mL) phases. Both substances significantly increased apoptosis at higher concentrations. The effects of FUS were more potent than those of AFU, with FUS up-regulating p21 expression in a p53-dependent manner, as detected by Western blot analyses, likely the consequence of decreased ERK phosphorylation and increased p38 expression (both of which increase p21 stability). FUS also decreased Akt phosphorylation and resulted in increased Fas ligand production and caspase-8/3-dependent apoptosis. These results suggest that FUS and AFU inhibit proliferation and increase apoptosis in cell lines derived from hematological cancers.

Fungi in salterns.

Salterns are hypersaline extreme environments with unique physicochemical properties such as a salinity gradient. Although the investigation of microbiota in salterns has focused on archaea and bacteria, diverse fungi also thrive in the brine and soil of salterns. Fungi isolated from salterns are represented by black yeasts (Hortaea werneckii, Phaeotheca triangularis, Aureobasidium pullulans, and Trimmatostroma salinum), Cladosporium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium species. Most studies on saltern-derived fungi gave attention to black yeasts and their physiological characteristics, including growth under various culture conditions. Since then, biochemical and molecular tools have been employed to explore adaptation of these fungi to salt stress. Genome databases of several fungi in salterns are now publicly available and being used to elucidate salt tolerance mechanisms and discover the target genes for agricultural and industrial applications. Notably, the number of enzymes and novel metabolites known to be produced by diverse saltern-derived fungi has increased significantly. Therefore, fungi in salterns are not only interesting and important subjects to study fungal biodiversity and adaptive mechanisms in extreme environments, but also valuable bioresources with potential for biotechnological applications.

DETECTION OF AFLATOXINS IN UHT AND POWDERED FLAVORED MILK

In this study, a total of 150 random samples of flavored milk (75 for UHT and 75 for powdered form) including banana, strawberry and chocolate (25 samples each) were collected from different dairy shops and supermarkets in Assiut city, Egypt. The samples were evaluated mycologically, in addition to aflatoxins detection using thin layer chromatography (TLC) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The obtained results showed that 33.33 and 49.33% of the examined UHT and powdered milk samples contained molds, respectively; with average counts of 28.33 and 56.67 cfu/g, respectively. The most isolated molds were Aspergillus species, followed by Pencillium species then Alternarea species and Cladosporium species. Regarding the aflatoxins production, 2 out of 5 (40%) and 8 out of 16 (50%) of A. flavus strains produced variable levels of aflatoxins that were isolated from the examined UHT and powdered milk samples, respectively. The toxogenic A. flavus strains produced AFB1 and AFB2 with mean values of 0.88±0.13 and 1.2±0.18 ppb, respectively. The mean concentrations of AFM1 in the examined UHT and powdered milk samples were 2.01±0.02 and 1.72±0.28 ppt, respectively; and these estimated levels were above the permitted level of the Egyptian standard regulations and below the tolerated levels of the European countries. The public health hazard of aflatoxins was discussed.

Cladosporium species associated with disease symptoms on Passiflora edulis and other crops in Brazil, with descriptions of two new species

Fungi belonging to the genus Cladosporium are cosmopolitan occurring in various substrate or hosts. Cladosporium spp. are responsible for economic losses in numerous agricultural crops, causing leaf spots, scab, postharvest rots and other disease symptoms. The etiology of many diseases associated with these symptoms is still uncertain. The aim of this research was to determine the identity of Cladosporium isolates associated with passionfruit scab and some postharvest rots on different crops in Brazil, based on phylogenetic and morphological analyses. The phylogenetic analyses indicated that all samples belong to the C. cladosporioides complex. Three previously described Cladosporium species were identified: Cladosporium pseudocladosporioides (on kiwi, passionfruit and taro), C. subuliforme (on passionfruit) and C. tenuissimum (on cashew fruit, papaya and passionfruit). In addition, four putative new species were found: Cladosporium passiflorae sp. nov., C. passifloricola sp. nov., Cladosporium sp. 1 and Cladosporium sp. 2, all occurring on passionfruit. This study is the first report of the presence of seven different species of Cladosporium associated with diseased passionfruit. Moreover, this paper represents the first report of C. pseudocladosporioides associated with postharvest rot on kiwi and taro and C. tenuissimum on cashew fruit in Brazil. This study contributes with several taxonomic novelties for the knowledge about the diversity of Cladosporium cladosporioides complex, especially those associated with plant diseases.