Fungus Fusarium Research Articles

Isolation and molecular identification of Deoxynivalenol and Fumonisin producing genes from maize feed contaminated with Fusarium fungus in silos of dairy farms in Fars province-Iran

Mycotoxins are the toxins produced by various types of fungi, including Fusarium, which can produce different types of mycotoxins such as Deoxynivalenol (DON), Zearalenone (ZEN), T-2 toxin, and Fumonisins (FUM). Mycotoxins have the potential to reduce the quality of crops and pose health risks to both humans and animals. This can result in reduced animal production and substantial economic consequences on a global scale. Extensive research has been carried out to investigate the high incidence of contamination in grains by Fusarium fungi. In this study, 80 samples of maize from silos of dairy farms in Fars province, Iran were taken and examined for fungal contamination by Fusarium and potential production of DON and FUM. For this purpose, identification using specific primers for different genes was carried out by PCR test and gel electrophoresis with agarose (1%). Among different counties, the silos in Kharameh with 47.05% and Jahrom with 46.15% had the highest contamination rate, and the lowest contamination rate belonged to Kazeroon with 27.27%. Out of the 30 positive samples contaminated by Fusarium, 21 produced FUM, four produced DON, and five produced both toxins. Fusarium species that contaminated the maize samples were also identified, including 13, 10, and 7 samples contaminated by F. proliferatum, F. verticillioides, and F. graminearum, respectively. As a conclusion, the findings of the study indicate that 37.5% of the corn samples from dairy farm silos in Fars province were contaminated with the Fusarium fungus, which had the potential to produce the toxic mycotoxins, deoxynivalenol and fumonisins.

Aplikasi Streptomyces sp. ASR 67 dan Pupuk Organik Cair dalam Mengendalikan Penyakit Layu Fusarium oxysporum dan Pemacu Pertumbuhan Tanaman Kentang (Solanum tuberosum L.) Varietas Granola

Demand for the Granola variety of potatoes continues to increase, but its productivity is not yet sufficient for market needs. This is due to the wilt disease attack on potatoes caused by the fungus Fusarium sp., thereby reducing potato productivity. The aim of this research was to determine the use of liquid culture of Streptomyces sp. ASR 67 and liquid organic fertilizer as an organic anti-fungal in controlling wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum on potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L.). The research was carried out using a Randomized Group Design (RAK) method using five treatments. Each treatment was repeated five times and each repetition used one potato plant. Treatment was given by watering the potato growing medium for 30 days, which was done every three days. The results showed that administration of liquid culture of Streptomyces sp. ASR 67 10% combined with liquid organic fertilizer (1:9) was able to increase plant growth with the parameters of height, number of leaves, number of stems, weight of tubers significantly, while POC 2% and Streptomyces sp. ASR67 (1:1) is able to reduce the incidence of wilt disease best.

Characterization of biologically synthesized copper nanoparticles by Aspergillus carbonarius and evaluation of their activity in reducing the pathogenic stress of tomatoes infected with Fusarium oxysporum

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of the fungus Aspergillus carbonarius in the synthesis of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) from copper chloride solution, with the characterization of these nanoparticles and the demonstration of their effectiveness in inhibiting the pathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum causing tomato root rot disease. The results indicated that the treatment of copper chloride solution at 150 mM with A. carbonarius filtrate led to the production of CuNPs which characterized by a color change from blue to green, with the highest absorbance observed at 300 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results revealed the crystalline structure with peaks at angles 28.47286, 47.43258, and 56.20644 ◦ corresponding to (111), (220), and (311) planes, respectively, matching the JCPDS card number 01-081-1841. Scanning electron microscopy images showed cubic, pyramidal, and prismatic shapes with dimensions ranging from 15 - 84.291 nm. In laboratory experiment, CuNPs inhibited the growth of the pathogenic fungus, with an inhibition zone of 1.6 cm, compared to copper chloride which recorded 0.9 cm. In the field, , the treatment of CuNPs led to an increase in the stress resistance indicators, reaching the highest values for CuNPs when combined with the fungicide Medazim in the American tomato cultivar. The concentrations of total phenols and glutathione in this treatment were 2.56 mg/g and 0.322 µg/g, respectively. The lowest concentration of proline was recorded as 4.31 µg/g in the treatment involving CuNPs against the fungal infection. CuNPs with the fungicide medazim, significantly outperformed other treatments, registering lowest disease severity at 12.22% in the American cultivar, compared to the highest disease severity was recorded in the treatment with the pathogenic fungus alone, reaching 91.16% in the Dutch cultivar. CuNPs significantly increased tomato fruit weight, both in healthy and infected plants. The American, Turkish, and Dutch tomato cultivars infected with the pathogenic fungus and treated with under + medazim showed higher productivity, reaching 6432.55, 6334.34, and 6305.73 g.plant-1, compared to the lowest productivity in the treatment of these cultivars with the pathogenic fungus, reaching 1008.34, 977.45, and 833.78 g.plant-1, respectively

Molecular Mechanism of Fusarium Fungus Inhibition by Phenazine-1-carboxamide.

Fusarium head blight caused by Fusarium graminearum is a devastating disease in wheat that seriously endangers food security and human health. Previous studies have found that the secondary metabolite phenazine-1-carboxamide produced by biocontrol bacteria inhibited F. graminearum by binding to and inhibiting the activity of histone acetyltransferase Gcn5 (FgGcn5). However, the detailed mechanism of this inhibition remains unknown. Our structural and biochemical studies revealed that phenazine-1-carboxamide (PCN) binds to the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain of FgGcn5 at its cosubstrate acetyl-CoA binding site, thus competitively inhibiting the histone acetylation function of the enzyme. Alanine substitution of the residues in the binding site shared by PCN and acetyl-CoA not only decreased the histone acetylation level of the enzyme but also dramatically impacted the development, mycotoxin synthesis, and virulence of the strain. Taken together, our study elucidated a competitive inhibition mechanism of Fusarium fungus by PCN and provided a structural template for designing more potent phenazine-based fungicides.

Role of Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) and Trichoderma koningii in Reducing Root Rot Disease of Tomato Causing by Fusarium solani

Two isolates of the pathogenic fungus Fusarium solani the causative of tomato root rot disease named Fs1 and Fs2 were isolated from tomato plants infected with root rot disease. Results showed that both examined isolates had significant effects on the percentage of seed germination of tomato and damping-off disease. Thus, isolate Fs1 was more effective than isolate Fs2, as it recorded a percentage of germination and damping-off 56.6 and 71.6% respectively, compared to the control treatment, which recorded 100 and 0% respectively. It was found that the use of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 ppm had a significant effect on the fungal radial growth, dry weight (DW) and sporulation of F. solani. Antifungal activity of H2O2 appeared even at the lowest concentration (50 ppm), which inhibited radial growth to 49.33%, and decreased the dry weight to 498 mg, and the sporulation to 3.75×106 spores. Additionally, the results indicated significant inhibitory effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the bioagent Trichoderma koningii on F. solani growth. It was noticed that H2O2 has compatible effects with T. koningii, where the antagonistic ability of T. koningii against F. solani increased when the concentration of H2O2 had increased. The results revealed that the treatment F. solani + H2O2 (200 ppm) + T. koningii significantly reduced the percentage of damping-off and plant survival to 9.40 and 5.39% respectively, in comparison with the control treatment and F. solani alone treatment, which reached 20.22, 14.48, 34.32 and 67.41% respectively.

Utilizing zinc oxide nanoparticles as an environmentally safe biosystem to mitigate mycotoxicity and suppress Fusarium graminearium colonization in wheat

The biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) offers great potential for plant disease management due to their potent antimicrobial properties and environmental safety. However, the precise mechanisms underlying their antifungal mode of action and role in suppressing mycotoxins remain unclear. This study aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which ZnONPs suppress the pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearium, known to cause Fusarium head blight in wheat. Additionally, it investigates how ZnONPs mitigate the production of mycotoxins, which pose risks to humans and ruminants. The study demonstrates that ZnONPs, bioproduced by Pseudomonas poae (P. poae), inhibit not only fungal growth, colony formation, and spore germination, but also significantly reduce mycotoxin production of F. graminearium by inhibiting the synthesis of deoxynivalenol (DON), downregulating the FgTRI gene, and causing morphological alterations of the toxisomes. The results also highlight that ZnONPs exert significant effects on fungi through multiple mechanisms, including cell wall damage and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, ZnONPs effectively inhibit F. graminearium in wheat leaves and coleoptiles. Fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and optical microscopy all show that ZnONPs stop F. graminearium from getting into wheat plants and colonising them. Overall, the findings of this study provide evidence that ZnONPs are highly effective in reducing F. graminearium colonization in wheat plants and effectively decreasing mycotoxin production through multiple pathways.

Effect of Fungicides on <i>Fusarium</i> Fungi Caused Potato Dry Rot

A laboratory assessment of the effect of 4 fungicides containing active substance (a. s.) of different chemical classes on the growth of strains of 2 dominant species of Fusarium fungi, pathogens of fusarium dry rot of potatoes, was carried out. The drug containing benomyl most effectively suppressed the growth of F. sambucinum and F. solani strains by an average of 76 ± 4% compared with the control. The drug containing azoxystrobin turned out to be the least effective ‒ inhibition of strain growth averaged 35 ± 5%. The significant influence of the factors “species affiliation” and “region of origin” of the strain and their interaction on the sensitivity of strains of both Fusarium species to each of the 4 fungicides has been shown. The risk of developing resistance in F. sambucinum to a. s. of different classes was noted.

Control of wilt disease caused by Fusarium sp. in the cultivation of stocks (Matthiola incana)

In greenhouse cultivation of stock (Matthiola incana), the main causative agent of its death is the fungus Fusarium sp., especially in the early phenological stages, resulting in significant losses during the first four weeks of cultivation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate phytosanitary control techniques (chemical, biological, and antibiotics) to reduce Fusarium sp. infection in stock (Matthiola incana) cultivation. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with five treatments (control; chemical products; biological products, antibiotics, and product combinations) and three replications. The chemical active ingredients used were aluminum phosphite, iprodione, captan, and Hymexazol. Biological solutions included Trichoderma sp. and Bacillus subtilis, while antibiotics used were Weed Pirocontrole, Kasugamicin, Polioxin B, Azoxystrobin, and Kresoxym methyl. Additionally, product combinations were evaluated, such as Fosetyl aluminum, Bacillus subtilis, Polioxin B, Hymexazol, and Azoxystrobin. Control efficacy was measured based on the severity of fungal growth in culture, while mortality represented the loss rate at the end of the experiment. The combined treatment of techniques was superior, with a mortality rate of 13.77%, compared to the 63.00% recorded in the absolute control group. These results underscore the importance of an integrated approach to Fusarium sp. control in stock cultivation, emphasizing the effectiveness of combining different phytosanitary techniques to minimize losses and promote successful production.

Isolation and identification fungi contaminated onion bulbs, detection Aspergillus spp. toxins, and inhibiting its growth by Moringa oleifera extract

The study aimed to isolate and diagnose fungi contaminating onion fruits and secreting mycotoxins, and to study the effect of Moringa oleifera extract on the growth of the fungus Aspergillus niger. The results of isolating fungi from onions showed the presence of the following fungi: Aspergillus niger, Fusarium sp., and Rhizopus stolonifer. It became clear that there was a predominance of the fungus A. niger, then the fungus Fusarium sp., followed by the fungus Rhizopus stolonifur, as their frequency rates reached 53.33, 36.66, and 10.00%, respectively, while the occurrence rate reached 83.33, 50.00, and 33.33%, respectively. In this study, molecular diagnosis of the fungus A. niger was carried out using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genetic markers, and the results of chemical analysis using thin layer chromatography (TLC) showed that 9 of the 16 isolates were A. niger, isolated from onions, produced ochratoxin A with a production rate of 56.25%. The moringa extract inhibited the growth of the fungus A. niger, as the percentage of inhibition increased with increasing concentration, and the highest percentage of inhibition was at a concentration of 15%, which reached 47.32%. The percentage of inhibition was at concentrations of 5 and 10 (12.82 and 26.15%).

Edeine B1 produced by Brevibacillus brevis reduces the virulence of a plant pathogenic fungus by inhibiting mitochondrial respiration.

Plant pathogenic fungi cause serious diseases, which result in the loss of crop yields and reduce the quality of crops worldwide. To counteract the escalating risks of chemical fungicides, interest in biological control agents to manage plant diseases has significantly increased. In this study, we comprehensively screened microbial culture filtrates using a yeast screening system to find microbes exhibiting respiratory inhibition activity. Consequently, we found a soil-borne microbe Brevibacillus brevis HK544 strain exhibiting a respiration inhibitory activity and identified edeine B1 (EB1) from the culture filtrate of HK544 as the active compound of the respiration inhibition activity. Furthermore, against a plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum, our results showed that EB1 has effects on multiple aspects of respiration with the downregulation of most of the mitochondrial-related genes based on transcriptome analysis, differential EB1-sensitivity from targeted mutagenesis, and the synergistic effects of EB1 with electron transport chain complex inhibitors. With the promising plant disease control efficacy of B. brevis HK544 producing EB1, our results suggest that B. brevis HK544 has potential as a biocontrol agent for Fusarium head blight.IMPORTANCEAs a necrotrophic fungus, Fusarium graminearum is a highly destructive pathogen causing severe diseases in cereal crops and mycotoxin contamination in grains. Although chemical control is considered the primary approach to control plant disease caused by F. graminearum, fungicide-resistant strains have been detected in the field after long-term continuous application of fungicides. Moreover, applying chemical fungicides that trigger mycotoxin biosynthesis is a great concern for many researchers. Biocontrol of Fusarium head blight (FHB) by biological control agents (BCAs) represents an alternative approach and could be used as part of the integrated management of FHB and mycotoxin production. The most extensive studies on bacterial BCAs-fungal communications in agroecosystems have focused on antibiosis. Although many BCAs in agricultural ecology have already been used for fungal disease control, the molecular mechanisms of antibiotics produced by BCAs remain to be elucidated. Here, we found a potential BCA (Brevibacillus brevis HK544) with a strong antifungal activity based on the respiration inhibition activity with its active compound edeine B1 (EB1). Furthermore, our results showed that EB1 secreted by HK544 suppresses the expression of the mitochondria-related genes of F. graminearum, subsequently suppressing fungal development and the virulence of F. graminearum. In addition, EB1 exhibited a synergism with complex I inhibitors such as rotenone and fenazaquin. Our work extends our understanding of how B. brevis HK544 exhibits antifungal activity and suggests that the B. brevis HK544 strain could be a valuable source for developing new crop protectants to control F. graminearum.

Antagonist Test of Trichoderma sp and Gliocladium sp Againts Fungal Pathogens That Cause Diseases on Tomato Plant

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are one of the widely cultivated crops consumed by people worldwide, including Indonesia. Tomato farming often faces various challenges that result in reduced tomato productivity. One of the challenges is the presence of diseases that affect tomatoes, leading to crop failure for farmers. Some important diseases that commonly affect tomato plants include Fusarium wilt and anthracnose. Most farmer use chemical fungicides to control the diseases. These methods have greater negative impacts on both plants and the surrounding environment. One alternative control technique that can be used is the use of biological agents with antagonistic properties, such as Trichoderma sp. and Gliocladium sp. This research aims to assess antagonistic abilities of endophytic fungi Trichoderma sp. and Gliocladium sp. againts the pathogens responsible for suppresing the growth of these disease-causing phatogens in tomato plants. in the Laboratory of Plant Pest and Disease Science, OECF Building, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Mulawarman. The experiment was designed using a completely randomized single-factor design with four treatments and five replications. The data obtained were analyzed using Analysis of Variance and the least significant difference test at a 5% significance level. The research results indicate that the antagonistic tests of Trichoderma sp. and Gliocladium sp. in vitro significantly differ againts the pathogenic fungi Fusarium sp. and Colletotrichum sp. Furthermore, it was found that the antagonistic fungus Gliocladium sp. is the best fungus capable of suppressing the growth of important pathogenic fungi in tomato plants.Keyword: Gliocladium sp., Trichoderma sp., Fusarium sp., Colletotrichum sp. and Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Antimicrobial activities of three Cu-based coordination polymers

The present work reports the synthesis and characterization of three Cu-based coordination polymers (CPs): [Cu(NO3)2(DTP)2(H2O)2]n (Cu-1), (DTP = 3,5-di(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)pyridine), [Cu(ClO4)2(DTP)2]n (Cu-2), and [Cu(SO4)(DTP)(H2O)]n (Cu-3). The Cu-CPs were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, powder X-ray diffraction analysis, elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyses, and N2 adsorption. The anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities of the CPs were investigated experimentally, where the materials exhibited significant inhibition ability towards three bacteria (Escherichia coli, Xanthomonas campestris, and Xanthomonas oryzae) and four fungi (Physalospora piricola, Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria alternata, and Glomerella ciningulaia). Fluorescence microscopy, agarose gel electrophoresis for the three bacteria, and scanning electron microscopy for Alternaria alternata were further evaluated. The results suggested a slow release of Cu2+ from Cu-1 would damage the cell membrane, DNA, and mycelium of the pathogenic microorganisms. Cu-1 barely affected the growth of Bacillus subtilis. This work constitutes the first study to demonstrate the antimicrobial properties of Cu-CPs against Xanthomonas campestris, Xanthomonas oryzae, Physalospora piricola, Alternaria alternata, and Glomerella ciningulaia.

Transcription factor FoAce2 regulates virulence, vegetative growth, conidiation, and cell wall homeostasis in Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense

Fusarium wilt of banana, caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), is a serious fungal disease that affects banana plants globally. To explore the virulence mechanisms of this pathogen, we created a null mutation of the transcription factor gene FoAce2 (encoding F. oxysporum angiotensin converting enzyme 2). Deletion of FoAce2 resulted in slower growth, decreased aerial mycelia and conidiation, and a significant decrease in fungal virulence against banana hosts relative to those of the wild-type (WT) fungus. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy showed that the cell wall was thicker in the FoAce2 deletion mutants. Consistent with this finding, the cell wall glucose level was decreased in the ΔFoAce2 mutants compared with that in the WT and complemented strain, ΔFoAce2-C1. Complementation with the WT FoAce2 gene fully reversed the mutant phenotypes. Analysis of the transcriptome of ΔFoAce2 and the WT strain showed alterations in the expression levels of many genes associated with virulence and growth. Thus, FoAce2 appears to be essential for Foc virulence, cell wall homeostasis, conidiation, and vegetative growth.

Recent Insights into the Antimicrobial Properties of Phyllanthus emblica L.: A Comprehensive Review of Wonder Berry.

Phyllanthus emblica L., or Amla, is known for its therapeutic properties and has been used as a medicinal plant. It is rich in vitamin C and other bioactive phytochemicals like polyphenols, gallic acid, chebulagic acid, leutolin, quercetin, etc. Different parts of this plant are used to treat various viral, bacterial, and fungal diseases. This review article summarizes the recent literature relevant to the antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal effects of P. emblica. A variety of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtillus, Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella typhi, and Escherichia, etc.), fungi (Alternaria alternate Botroyodiplodia theobromae, Colletotrichum corcori, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium exquisite, Fusarium solanii, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, Colletotrichum gleosparoitis, and Macrophomina phaseolina) and viruses, like Influenza A virus strain H3N2, hepatitis B, Human Immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1), Simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) have experimented. Different techniques were used based on the way of identification. 'For example, disc diffusion, dilution methods, sound diffusion, Immuno-peroxidase monolayer assay, serum HBV and HBsAg assay, enzyme immunoassay, etc. The present review analyzed and summarized the antimicrobial activities of P. emblica and possible mechanisms of action to provide future directions in translating these findings clinically.

Con7 is a key transcription regulator for conidiogenesis in the plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum.

The ascomycete fungus Fusarium graminearum is the primary cause of head blight disease in wheat and barley, as well as ear and stalk rot in maize. Given the importance of conidia and ascospores in the disease cycle of F. graminearum, precise spatiotemporal regulation of these biological processes is crucial. In this study, we characterized the Magnaporthe oryzae Con7p ortholog and discovered that FgCon7 significantly influences various crucial aspects of fungal development and pathogenicity. Notably, overexpression of FgABAA partially restored developmental defects in the FgCON7 deletion mutant. ChIP-qPCR analysis confirmed a direct genetic link between FgABAA and FgCON7. Furthermore, our research revealed a clear correlation between FgCon7 and chitin accumulation and the expression of chitin synthase genes. These findings offer valuable insights into the genetic mechanisms regulating conidiation and the significance of mycelial differentiation in this plant pathogenic fungus.

Chemical composition and biological activity of essential oil from anise hyssop

Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum (Pursh) Kuntze) is a perennial plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family mainly used in folk medicine to treat various ailments. This study determined the chemical composition of the essential oil and evaluated its antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. The essential oil was obtained from plants cultivated in the experimental field at the Institute of Roses, Essential and Medical Plants, Kazanlak, Bulgaria. The plants were processed by steam distillation, with the essential oil yielding 0.37%, and its main components being methyl chavicol (82.03%) and limonene (9.90%). The most potent antimicrobial action was observed against the gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (25.7 mm inhibition zone) and Bacillus cereus (12.3 mm), the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (16.3 mm) and Candida albicans (16.5 mm). The remaining gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus epidermidis and Bacillus subtilis), gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella ebony), and fungi (Aspergillus brasiliensis and Fusarium moniliforme) were resistant to the action of the essential oil. The antioxidant activity of the essential oil was ABTS (32.36 µmol TE/mL), DPPH (21.61 µmol TE/mL), CUPRAC (19.94 µmol TE/mL), and FRAP (29.56 µmol TE/mL) in vitro. Overall, the results from this study revealed the biological potential of anise hyssop as a source in pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic applications.

Use of biological products on spring barley to inhibit Fusarium fungi

Use of biological products on spring barley to inhibit Fusarium fungi

Устойчивость горчицы черной к фузариозному увяданию в условиях центральной зоны Краснодарского края

The different diseases decreasing quantitative and qualitative yield indicators can infected black mustard as the other oil crops of Brassicaceae family. Fusarium wilt is one of the most dangerous diseases for the crop. If plants are infected with disease pathogens (fungi Fusarium spp.) in a phase of 2– 4 true leaves root rot developes of young plants that causes their depth. In adult plants, conductive bundles in stems become clogged, causing premature drying of plants. Cultivation of resistant varieties is economically profitable and environmentally safe method of plant protection. The purpose of the research was to estimate new breeding material of black mustard on resistance to fusarium wilt in the central zone of the Krasnodar region. In a phase of yellow-green pod, breeding material of black mustard was estimated on resistance to the disease in a form of tracheomic wilting using 10-point scale of sample infection degree: from 0 to 9 points. All samples of mustard were divided on five group: immune, resistant, weak resistant, weak susceptible, and susceptible. During three years of research, the immune samples of black mustard were not selected. Ten samples of the crop were selected, they were resistant to the fusarium wilting on middle and high natural infection background in all years of the research. It allows recommending them to use in breeding of new black mustard varieties.

Using Microfluidic Hepatic Spheroid Cultures to Assess Liver Toxicity of T-2 Mycotoxin.

The Fusarium fungi is found in cereals and feedstuffs and may produce mycotoxins, which are secondary metabolites, such as the T-2 toxin (T-2). In this work, we explored the hepatotoxicity of T-2 using microfluidic 3D hepatic cultures. The objectives were: (i) exploring the benefits of microfluidic 3D cultures compared to conventional 3D cultures available commercially (Aggrewell plates), (ii) establishing 3D co-cultures of hepatic cells (HepG2) and stellate cells (LX2) and assessing T-2 exposure in this model, (iii) characterizing the induction of metabolizing enzymes, and (iv) evaluating inflammatory markers upon T-2 exposure in microfluidic hepatic cultures. Our results demonstrated that, in comparison to commercial (large-volume) 3D cultures, spheroids formed faster and were more functional in microfluidic devices. The viability and hepatic function decreased with increasing T-2 concentrations in both monoculture and co-cultures. The RT-PCR analysis revealed that exposure to T-2 upregulates the expression of multiple Phase I and Phase II hepatic enzymes. In addition, several pro- and anti-inflammatory proteins were increased in co-cultures after exposure to T-2.

Euwallacea perbrevis (Schedl, 1951) and associated novel fungal symbiont, Fusarium sp.: A potential cause of wilting in cocoa, Theobroma cacao in India

Cocoa is a commercially important beverage crop that faces new challenges in the context of climate change, which can alter pest and disease dynamics in cocoa plantations. In the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, India, an abrupt increase in cocoa wilt was observed during the 2017–18 and 2018–19 seasons. Systematic examination of affected trees revealed consistent attacks of Euwallacea perbrevis (Schedl, 1951; Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). In-depth studies of the wilted trees revealed the association of the plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium sp. with Euwallacea perbrevis. The identity of the obtained pure culture from the insect and infected tree was confirmed as Fusarium sp. using amplification of ribosomal DNA, RNA polymerase II largest subunit (RPB1) and translation elongation factor 1 (Tef1) genes. Notably, this study reports a remarkable case of mutualistic association between ambrosia beetles and Fusarium sp., belonging to the Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC), rather than the Ambrosia Fusariumclade (AFC). This finding highlights the intriguing diversity of mutualistic relationships in nature and sheds new light on the complex interactions between organisms. The present study also investigated the impact of rainfall on the colonization and spread of the Euwallacea-Fusarium complex. The findings revealed that rainfall was identified as a predisposing factor for the incidence and spread of attacks. Additionally, the study conducted a comprehensive analysis of the modeling of Euwallacea-Fusarium complex spread over a specific period of time.