Czapek-Dox Agar Research Articles

Biotransformation of lanthanum by Aspergillus niger

Lanthanum is an important rare earth element and has many applications in modern electronics and catalyst manufacturing. However, there exist several obstacles in the recovery and cycling of this element due to a low average grade in exploitable deposits and low recovery rates by energy-intensive extraction procedures. In this work, a novel method to transform and recover La has been proposed using the geoactive properties of Aspergillus niger. La-containing crystals were formed and collected after A. niger was grown on Czapek-Dox agar medium amended with LaCl3. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA) showed the crystals contained C, O, and La; scanning electron microscopy revealed that the crystals were of a tabular structure with terraced surfaces. X-ray diffraction identified the mineral phase of the sample as La2(C2O4)3·10H2O. Thermogravimetric analysis transformed the oxalate crystals into La2O3 with the kinetics of thermal decomposition corresponding well with theoretical calculations. Geochemical modelling further confirmed that the crystals were lanthanum decahydrate and identified optimal conditions for their precipitation. To quantify crystal production, biomass-free fungal culture supernatants were used to precipitate La. The results showed that the precipitated lanthanum decahydrate achieved optimal yields when the concentration of La was above 15 mM and that 100% La was removed from the system at 5 mM La. Our findings provide a new aspect in the biotransformation and biorecovery of rare earth elements from solution using biomass-free fungal culture systems.

Detection of Aspergillus fumigatus by Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR)

Aspergillosis refers to fungi infections of the respiratory tract caused by Aspergillus species especially Aspergillus fumigatus.Infection of A. fumigatus were increased in last few years , due to either resistances to antibiotics or to influence of other factors such as other fungal infections.The aims of the present study were to review the impact of Aspergillus fumigatus in Aspergillosis cases, and study the role of Singleplex PCR for amplification of ITS1,ITS4 of rRNA gene in the detection of fungal isolate . In this study One hundred sputum samples were collected from patients admitted to the specialize chest and respiratory diseases center / Baghdad who were suffering from respiratory problems. During these studied, molds were isolation and identification based on Conventional method (Direct microscopy by using 10% KOH, and fungal culture was done on Sabouraud Dextrose agar supplemented with chloramphenicol and on Czapek-Dox agar incubated at 37°C and examined for 3-7 days then macroscopic, microscopic examination of the colony by(lactophenol cotton blue stain )and molecular methods by using Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)technique foridentification. The 10% KOH examination was positive for 35 cases while laboratory culturing was positive for 53 cases. Aspergillus sp were isolated from 44(83%) patients; A. fumigatus was isolated in 23 (42.4%) patients while A. flavus, A. niger, and A. terreus were isolated from 11 (20.08%), (13.2%) and 3 (5.7%) patients respectively, also isolated Penicillium spp. at percentage 1(1.9%).. In this study.The ages of participants ranged from 10-70years with a mean age of 34years, the males were more susceptible for fungal infection were recorded 35/53 (66.3), compared to females were 18/53 (33.96).The infection of fungi were more prevalent in ages 30-40recorded 26(53.06%) followed by ages 40-50 ,13(26.5), while the lowest infection recorded in age group 10- 20 years was 2(2.04%). DNA isolated from twenty three A.fumigatus isolates was used as template and the specific of oligonucleotide primer sequences were used in conventional PCR to detect the presence of internal transcribed spacer region ( ITS) region of the rRNA gene for Aspergillus fumigates. The results of the PCR amplification of the rRNA gene showed that, this gene was present in 19 samples out 23 positive samples which isolation with a PCR product size of approximated 385 bp, while 4 samples out 23 positive samples showed negative results for the presence of this gene as indicated by the absence of the PCR products in their relevant lanes.Statistical analysis revealed that the PCR to have a sensitivity of 95.1 % in the detection of Aspergillus fumigatus in Aspergillosis cases.Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a rapid, specific and sensitive method to detect Aspergillus fumigatus in aspergillosis cases of human.

Potential of aquatic oomycete as a novel feedstock for microbial oil grown on waste sugarcane bagasse

Biodiesel production from vegetable oils is not sustainable and economical due to the food crisis worldwide. The development of a cost-effective non-edible feedstock is essential. In this study, we proposed to use aquatic oomycetes for microbial oils, which are cellulolytic fungus-like filamentous eukaryotic microorganisms, commonly known as water molds. They differ from true fungi as cellulose is present in their cell wall and chitin is absent. They show parasitic as well as saprophytic nature and have great potential to utilize decaying animal and plant debris in freshwater habitats. To study the triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation in the aquatic oomycetes, the isolated water mold Achlya diffusa was cultivated under semi-solid-state conditions on waste sugarcane bagasse, which was compared with the cultivation in Czapek (DOX) medium. A. diffusa grown on waste sugarcane bagasse showed large lipid droplets in its cellular compartment and synthesized 124.03 ± 1.93 mg/gds cell dry weight with 50.26 ± 1.76% w/w lipid content. The cell dry weight and lipid content of this water mold decreased to 89.54 ± 1.21 mg/gds and 38.82% w/w, respectively, when cultivated on standard medium Czapek-Dox agar (CDA). For the fatty acid profile of A. diffusa grown in sugarcane bagasse and CDA, in situ transesterification (IST) and indirect transesterification (IDT) approaches were evaluated. The lipid profile of this mold revealed the presence of C12:0, C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C18:1, C18:2, C20:0, and C21:0 fatty acids, which is similar to vegetable oils. The biodiesel properties of the lipids obtained from A. diffusa satisfied the limits as determined by international standards ASTM-D6751 and EN-14214 demonstrating its suitability as a fuel for diesel engines.

Examination of novel Aureobasidium pullulans isolates dominating apple microflora and assessing their potential for apple juice spoilage

There is very little up to date information regarding apple microflora so in the current study we decided to address that issue and assess whether dominant fungi which reside in fruit might spoil apple juice. Microorganisms were isolated from apples of Koksa Górska harvested in the middle of October in 2016 and 2017. Identification of isolates was based on the sequencing of ribosomal DNA. Some isolates were characteristic for a particular year but in both years apple microflora was dominated by Aureobasidium pullulans. Based on phylogenetic analysis it was stated that only one isolate (LW81) was closely related to strains which are already described in available databases. All other isolates collected in the current study differed significantly from sequences stored in databases, tending to form a common cluster. It was possible to predict secondary structure of ITS2 region only for the isolate LW81, while we managed to establish the length and location of 5.8S gene in Rfam database for all sequences. A. pullulans is known exopolysaccharide producer so obtained microorganisms were tested for their ability to synthesise those substances on Czapek-Dox agar. The strain which proved to be the most significant exopolysaccharide producer (isolate LW14) was inoculated in the sterilised apple juice at three different initial cell number (100, 1000 and 10,000 cfu/ml) and subjected to pasteurisation. In all cases pasteurisation eliminated fungal growth effectively, therefore A. pullulans strains should not pose any risk to the quality of pasteurised apple juices.

Występowanie populacji wybranych mikroorganizmów w środowisku glebowym orzecha włoskiego (Juglans regia L.)

In home gardens and in production plantations a number of varieties of walnut (Juglans regia L.) are cultivated in Poland. During the growing seasons trees emit semiochemicals including volatile and non-volatile secondary metabolites. They mostly include phenolic compounds, flavonoids, naphthoquinones and terpenes. In the literature of the subject there are only some scarce data on the role of these metabolites in environmental interactions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to study the impact of the soil environment of walnut on soil microorganisms. The soil microbial isolation studies were carried out on selective microbiological media (Czapek-Dox agar, Sabouraud’s agar with chloramfenikol, nutritional agar). The obtained results showed that metabolites from the walnut which get through to the soil can influence the level of microorganisms in the soil, maintaining the level of bacteria at a constant number and successively reducing the number of fungi.

Bacillus subtilis UBTn7, a potential producer of L - Methioninase isolated from mangrove, Rhizophora mucronata

L-methioninase is an enzyme that degrades sulfur-containing amino acids to α-keto acids, ammonia, and thiols. L-methioninase could be found in plants, bacteria, and fungi. The aims of this study was to obtain L-methioninase-producing endophytic bacteria isolated from mangrove Rhizophora mucronata. The mangrove was collected from Jenu Beach, Tuban, East Java, Indonesia. The samples were roots, stems, and leaves of Rhizophora mucronata. Endophytic bacteria were pure isolated using LB agar medium. Each bacteria were screened its capability to produce L-methioninase using selective media namely modified Czapek Dox agar. The best producer of enzyme was further identified with morphological and biochemical analysis. The result showed that three bacteria produced L-methioninase. Based on the result of morphological and biochemical analysis, the best producer was Bacillus subtilis UBTn7.

ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF LEUCAS ASPERA FLOWERS FROM BIHAR, INDIA.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explicate antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities of Leucas aspera flowers.Methods: Antibacterial activity was done by agar diffusion method. The ethyl acetate extract of L. aspera flower was evaluated against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Antifungal activity was also done by agar diffusion method. The agar used for antifungal activity was Czapek Dox Agar. Nitric oxide scavenging assay and free radical scavenging assay were used for the antioxidant activity. Griess reagent was used in nitric oxide scavenging assay. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl was used in free radical scavenging assay.Results: L. aspera flower extract showed good antibacterial activity with the highest zone of inhibition against Vibrio cholera with 23 mm followed by Bacillus polymyxa showing 20 mm zone of inhibition. The ethyl acetate extract of L. aspera flower showed quite a good results with the highest inhibitory activity against Aspergillus niger with 13 mm zone of inhibition and lowest for Trichoderma viridae with 5 mm zone of inhibition. Antioxidant activity of L. aspera flower extract was done by free radical scavenging assay and nitric oxide scavenging assay. Nitric oxide scavenging assay showed prominent results almost performed equal to standard compound Butylated hydroxyl anisole (BHA) The values for 10 μl of L. aspera extract was 50.27, for the standard (BHA) showed 50.81. L. aspera extract values for 50 μl was 69.73 and for BHA, the values was 77.30. For 100 μl, the extract gave 82.70, and for standard BHA, the reading was 89.73.Conclusion: The results showed that L. aspera flower has broad-spectrum antibacterial activity ranging from 23 to 13 mm zone of inhibition. L. aspera flower has strong antioxidative power on nitric oxide radicals. The medicinal properties of plant species have made an outstanding contribution to the origin and evolution of many traditional herbal therapies.

ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF PHYTOPATHOGENIC FUNGI FROM INFECTED PLANT PARTS

Objective: The present study deals with the isolation and identification of phytopathogenic fungi. The fungal isolates were Alternaria spp (Tomato early blight), Fusarium oxysporum (Fusarium wilt), Fusarium solani (daming off and root rot), Aspergillus flavus (Ear rot) and Collectotricumspp (Anthracnose).Methods: They were isolated from infected plant parts and were identified on the basis of colony morphology andlacto phenol cotton blue (LPCB) stains were used to identifymicroscopic examination of spore structures. Pure cultures of the isolates were sub cultured and transferred onto differential media; potato dextrose agar, malt extract agar, czapek yeast extract agar and czapek dox agar for species identification using macro morphological characteristicsThe morphological characteristics of these fungal elements showed various kinds of spores have been identified up to genus/species level.Results: This study proves rapid and less expensive techniques to validate a primary alarm of contamination.Conclusion: The fivefungus which were isolated from different plant parts were very effective in distruction of the plant and found that the producionwere reduced due to the infection. This rapid and less expensive techniques to validate a primary alarm of contamination.

Effect of medium and incubation time on production of AA, DHA and EPA from Aspergillus oryzae by solid state fermentation

Lately, artificial surfactant is more often used than natural surfactant for petroleum industry. The main advantages of using natural surfactant is because the continuous availability. Single Cell Oil, which utillizes one-cell microorganism, can be a solution, such as Aspergillus oryzae, to produce AA, DHA & EPA. A. oryzae was cultivated on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), Czapek Dox Agar (CDA) and Malt Extract Agar (MEA), and then the incubation times are 2,4,5,6 and 7 days in optimal medium. Lipids were extracted using ethanol and n-hexane. The characterization of lipid was done by gas chromatography (GC) method. The most optimal medium is CDA with a lipid concetration of 0,18 g. The best incubation time on CDA medium was 5 days with 0,216 g lipid content containing 0,123 g unsaturated fatty acid, 0,0613 g PUFA and 0,0615 g MUFA. The unsaturated fatty acid composition produced on the 5th day was 29.2% oleate; 29.1% linoleate and ± 0.046% EPA.

Screening of Penicillium from Arachis hypogea and its Mycotoxin Production

Seed infections by Penicillium not only reduce seed quality but also make nuts unsafe for human consumption. Direct plate method using CDA (Czapek Dox Agar) medium was employed for isolation of Penicillium, the total no. of colony forming (CFU) units observed in plate were 13. Penicillium strain was identified by Lactophenol cotton blue staining. The Penicillium was inoculated into CD broth to measure its growth as well as mycotoxin production at different duration as 5, 10, 15, 20 days. Paper chromatography was used to identify amino acid in metabolite as Histidine. Mycotoxin production was confirmed by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and a spot was identified, which was blue in visible light and faint blue under UV light. This indicated the presence of Aflatoxin B2 in culture metabolite when compared with standard. ELISA was also performed to assess the presence of antibodies against fungus and also used for the detection of mycotoxin level in culture metabolite. From the standard curve it was observed that serum sample had no antibodies for Penicillium and the patient was free from the infection of Penicillium as the level of mycotoxin in culture metabolite was low.

Citric Acid Production Potential of <i>Aspergillus niger</i> Using <i>Chrysophyllum albidum</i> Peel

The production of citric acid using Chrysophyllum albidum an indigenous under-utilized fruit waste peel and genetically characterized strains of Aspergillus niger was carried out. The Chrysophyllum albidum peel was dried, sieved to remove dirt, dry milled and the powder used as substrate for citric acid production. Thirteen fungal isolates were obtained from soil samples and decayed agricultural waste by spread plate technique and screened for citric acid producing capabilities on Czapek dox agar. Citric acid producing capability of the isolates revealed a wide yellow zone around the inoculated colonies. Two (F1 and F3) out of the thirteen isolates exhibited positive reactions and were identified based on their cultural, morphological and molecular characteristics. The fungal species were identified using PCR as Aspergillus niger DTO: 133-E8 and Aspergillus niger DTO: 131-H5. Their cultural/growth optimal conditions were determined through Solid State Fermentation of the substrate using two species of the test organism. The effects of fermentation period examined revealed, Aspergillus niger DTO: 133-E8 which produced the highest amount of citric acid 15.7 ± 0.08 g/l, lower reducing sugar and final pH of 2.1 and 121.5 ± 0.31 g/l respectively after 192 h of growth at 30°C. Aspergillus niger DTO: 131-H5 showed highest amount of citric acid 10.2 ± 0.22 g/l, lower reducing sugar and final pH of 2.4 and 128.5 ± 0.15 g/l respectively after 192 h of growth at 30°C. Maximum concentration of citric acid ranging between 16.3 ± 0.30 g/l and 12.6 ± 0.11 g/l with reducing sugar 125.4 ± 0.11 g/l and 127.2 ± 0.03 g/l was achieved at an initial pH of 5.5. Methanol was used to stimulate citric acid production (0% - 3% (v/v)) and was found to be effective at 2% (v/v) level with 21.2 ± 0.20 g/l of citric acid produced with residual sucrose concentration of 129.5 ± 0.44 g/l. The effect of trace element on citric acid production showed that Cu2+ and Fe2+ stimulated citric acid production; while other ions reduced citric acid production. There was a statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) between the citric acid produced with the various parameters investigated in this research. From the study, it has been found that Chrysophlum albidum is suitable for the cultivation of Aspergillus niger and has great potential for citric acid production and could be exploited to promote certain industrial applications of underutilized fruits in Nigeria. This can be an application of waste to wealth as well as a way of minimizing agro-based environmental pollution for a cleaner environment.

First Report of Preharvest Fruit Rot of Strawberry Caused by Botrytis cinerea in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and Islamabad (Pakistan)

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is an emerging fruit crop in Pakistan, cultivated on approximately 1500 hectares. A survey was conducted during each crop season viz. 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 in geographically important strawberry growing regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad . Fruit rot was observed in all surveyed fields that indicates 100 % prevalence of the disease in the study area . Affected tissue was covered with a thin layer of grayish white to dark gray mycelium, which later became fuzzy due to profusion of conidiophores, and rot enveloped the entire fruit. Rotted fruit gradually dried, becoming hard and mummified. Fruit tissue segments at the margins of lesions on infected fruit were cut into 3- to 5 mm2 pieces, surface disinfected with 2% sodium hypochlorite for 1 min, rinsed by washing three times in sterile distilled water, and blotted dry. Disinfected segments were placed on Czapek-Dox (CZ) agar and incubated at 25 ± 2°C. Grayish colonies were observed 3 to 5 days later. Colonies...

Evaluation of fungal community involved in the bioderioration process of wooden artworks and canvases in Montefeltro area (Marche, Italy)

Microbiological monitoring represents one of the most useful methods to assess potential risks related to the integrity of cultural heritage. The objective of this work was to evaluate the fungal community prevalent in 64 different artworks of Montefeltro area (Marche, central Italy). A total of 293 swabs were collected and, among these, 2.3% resulted negative to cultural method, while 87.7% were positive for the presence of filamentous fungi, yeasts and Actinomycetes. Totally, 11 genera and 12 different species were recovered from Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA), Czapek Dox Agar (CDA), Malt Extract Agar (MEA), including 73 strains of Mycelia sterilia. Penicillium spp. was isolated mostly from canvases (28.8%), while Aspergillus spp. was most present in wooden artworks (25.3%). SDA was the best performing medium with 57.1% of isolations, followed by CDA and MEA with percentages of 24.8 and 18.1% respectively.This study could be useful to better understand the microorganism-related phenomena in cultural heritage of Marche region, identifying the potential risks and defining preventive protecting such as climate control, frequent cleaning and environmental monitoring.

First Report of Strawberry Leaf Spot Caused by Alternaria alternata in Pakistan

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) has recently become an economically important fruit crop in Pakistan and is cultivated on approximately 1500 ha. A survey across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) provinces and Islamabad (Islamabad Capital territory) was conducted during March and April of 2015-2016 growing season revealed black leaf spot symptoms on strawberry leaves. Leaf spots were irregular in shape, 3 to 6 mm in diameter, and blackish brown. Disease incidence was found 17 to 55 % in visited fields. Portions of symptomatic leaf tissue (3 × 5 mm) were excised from the margins of lesions; surface disinfected with 2% sodium hypochlorite for 2 min, rinsed three times in sterile distilled water (SDW) and blotted dry. Leaf tissue was then placed on Czapek Dox agar (CDA) and incubated at 25 ± 2°C with a 12-h photoperiod for 3 to 6 days. Morphology of the 78 isolates was examined; colonies were initially white, then turned light to dark brown and greyish black and produced abundant aerial hyphae. Conidiop...

Acidophilic α-Amylase Production from Aspergillus niger RBP7 Using Potato Peel as Substrate: A Waste to Value Added Approach

In the present study a fungi was newly isolated from municipal dumping area of Midnapore town, West Bengal, India for the production of α-amylase. The isolate was identified as Aspergillus niger RBP7 (KX100578.1) through phenotypic and 18S rDNA sequencing observation. It produced clear zone (6.2 mm) on Czapekdox agar medium fortified with starch (1%, w/v). Optimization of enzyme production was studied under solid state fermentation (SSF) using potato peel as a substrate by one-variable-at-a-time (OVAT) and followed with response surface methodology (RSM), which enhanced enzyme titer up to 1112.25 U/gds with an initial medium pH-3.0. The texture of the potato peel before and after the fermentation was studied by FTIR. After fermentation the cell free supernatant was significantly effective for hydrolysis of raw starchy food stuff (taro, yam, malanga and sweet potato) and also able to produce mono-meric and dimeric sugars-like glucose and maltose. These characteristics of the enzyme may be suitable for use to treat digestive dysfunction.

Biodegradation of imidacloprid in liquid media by an isolated wastewater fungus Aspergillus terreus YESM3

ABSTRACTIn the present study, a new fungal strain capable of imidacloprid degradation was isolated from agricultural wastewater drain. The fungal strain of YESM3 was identified as Aspergillus terreus based on ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2 gene sequence by PCR amplification of a 500 bp sequence. Screening of A. terreus YESM3 to the insecticide imidacloprid tolerance was achieved by growing fungus in Czapek Dox agar for 6 days at 28°C. High values (1.13 and 0.94 cm cm−1) of tolerance index (TI) were recorded at 25 and 50 mg L−1 of imidacloprid, respectively in the presence and absence of sucrose. However, at 400 mg L−1 the fungus did not grow. Effects of the imidacloprid concentration, pH, and inoculum size on the biodegradation percentage were tested using Box–Behnken statistical design and the biodegradation was monitored by HPLC analysis at different time intervals. Box–Behnken results indicated that optimal conditions for biodegradation were at pH 4 and two fungal discs (10 mm diameter) in the presence of 61.2 mg L−1 of imidacloprid. A. terreus YESM3 strain was capable of degrading 85% of imidacloprid 25 mg L−1 in Czapek Dox broth medium at pH 4 and 28°C for 6 days under static conditions. In addition, after 20 days of inoculation, biodegradation recorded 96.23% of 25 mg L−1 imidacloprid. Degradation kinetics showed that the imidacloprid followed the first order kinetics with half-life (t50) of 1.532 day. Intermediate product identified as 6-chloronicotinic acid (6CNA) as one of the major metabolites during degradation of imidacloprid by using HPLC. Thus, A. terreus YESM3 showed a potential to reduce pollution by pesticides and toxicity in the effected environment. However, further studies should be conducted to understand the biodegradation mechanism of this pesticide in liquid media.

Abiotic Factors and Microbial Communities Fouling Anion Exchange Resin Causing Performance Deficiency in Electric Power Plants

DEMINERALIZATION using ion exchange resin is an important step required for production of ultra-pure water used in high pressure steam generation systems. This resin may get fouled in different ways resulting in loss of its efficiency. Such problem was investigated in Shoubra El-khiema and Damietta power plants in Egypt. Physicochemical analysis of the resin showed decrease in total exchange capacity of the used resin in the two plants. Chemical and microscopical examination revealed fouling by organic matter and iron. Resin scanning using electron microscope showed growth of bacilli bacteria adsorbed on its surface. Epifluorescence stains showed the presence of living microflora on the new resin, as well as living and dead ones on the used resin. Culture on different media revealed the growth of bacteria on nutrient and blood agar, but not on MacConkey's Agar. Fungal growth was observed on Sabouraud dextrose agar and Czapek's dox agar. Eight gram positive bacterial isolates were isolated from the used resin of the two plants, all of them were bacilli. Sequence analysis followed by phylogenetic investigation showed that seven isolates belonged to Bacillus sp., whereas one isolate was identified as Brevibacterium frigoritolerans CMG M5. The fungal isolates differed in the two plants, and included Penicillium sp, Fusarium sp, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Alternaria sp.

Otomycosis in Western Iran: Clinical and Mycological Aspects

Background: Otomycosis is a globally distributed superficial infection of the auricle and external auditory canal. Its incidence differs in various geographical regions due to the different climatic conditions. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of otomycosis in Khorramabad, Lorestan province, western Iran, using mycological besides clinical criteria. Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, a total of 79 patients clinically suspected to otomycosis were recruited from April 2014 to April 2015. Specimens were collected using sterile swabs. All the specimens were subjected to direct examination using 10% KOH, and culture in Sabouraud dextrose agar containing chloramphenicol, malt-extract agar, and Czapek Dox agar. CHROMagar candida and carbohydrate assimilation profile in API 32 C were used for the identification of yeasts. Results: Among 79 patients, 15 (19%) were confirmed for otomycosis. The most common agent was Candida albicans (5, 33.33%), followed by Aspergillus flavus (4, 26.64%), Penicillium spp. (3, 19.98%), A. niger (2, 13.32%), and Alternaria spp. (1, 6.66%). Females were the dominant involved group (11, 73.33%) and itching was the most frequent clinical compliant in 100% of cases with otomycosis. Conclusions: Regarding the dissimilarity in fungal spectrum in our study and other investigations and unspecificity of clinical signs and symptoms for otomycosis, mycological examination could be a beneficial measure for accurate diagnosis and treatment of otomycosis.

Confined enzymatic activity of S. scitamineum and U. esculenta at the Smut Gall during Infection

We aimed to evaluate the enzymatic abilities of U. esculenta and S. scitamineum to degrade cellulose, pectin and lignin and explain the possible confinement of the smut - fungi in the smut-gall. S. scitamineum and U. esculenta were isolated from the smut gall of S. spontaneum and Z. latifolia plants, respectively. The teliospores were inoculated into a culture flask containing various concentrations (3%-10%) of pure cellulose powder to check the degradation ability of the fungi. The fungi were sub-cultured onto modified Czapek Dox Agar (CDA) supplemented with 0.3% carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) followed by Gram’s Iodine test to determine the relative cellulolytic activity index (RCAI). Extracellular proteins were harvested and profiled by SDS-PAGE and subsequently zymography was carried out with regular 0.1% substrate infiltration to determine cellulolytic, pectinolytic and laccase activities. The fungi were capable of producing cellulase and pectinase but lacked the laccase enzyme required to degrade the lignin, perhaps as an essential evolutionary requirement for the completion of their life cycle in the host. Importantly, the lack of laccase activity by U. esculenta and S. scitamineum could partially explain why the fungal colonization remains localized in the topmost part of S. spontaneum and Z. latifolia.

Identification and Quantification of Microbial Contaminations Present in Herbal Medicines Commonly Consumed by Women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The present study aimed to investigate the microbial populations such a bacteria and fungi contamination present in the herbal medicinal preparations (Lepidium sativum, Nigella sativa, Cuminum cyminum, Foeniculum vulgare, Pimpinella anisum, Trigoneela foenum-graecum, Cinnamomum verum, peel coffee, Alchemilla valgaris, Vitex agnus-castus) commonly available in different parts of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. To determine the contamination of the herbal products, experiments such as total aerobic bacterial plate counts were evaluated by various plating techniques. The isolation and identification of fungi were done using czapek dox agar and potato dextrose agar. The results showed that a total of herbal remedies were contaminated with bacteria and fungi (100%). Among the contaminated products, peel of coffee and Vitex angnus-castus were noted more contamination than the other herbal medicinal plants. The results confirmed that the traditionally prepared herbal medications in Riyadh city are likely to be contaminated with a wide variety of potentially pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Therefore, before consumption, the quality assurance of these products should be thoroughly enforced and monitored in the production and distribution of herbal preparations. In conclusion, the present study gives proper evidence that the consumed herbal products contain different levels of pathogenic microbes.