Niger Species Research Articles

Isolation, Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of Aeromonas hydrophila from Spoiled Vegetables and Biochemical Analysis of Estuarine Microbial Sediments

Background: Aeromonas hydrophila is a heterotrophic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, facultative anaerobic, non-spore forming bacteria that are autochthonous and widely dispersed in marine environments. The study aims at investigating the screening of Aeromonas hydrophila from spoiled vegetables and the sediment sample collected from three different estuaries located in the Bay of Bengal (Vedharanyam, Parangipettai and Pichavaram, Tamilnadu, India) for the presence of enzymes and antimicrobial activities. Objective: Isolation, enzyme screening, antimicrobial activity of Aeromonas hydrophila from spoiled vegetables and three different estuarine microbial sediment samples for the purpose of biochemical and enzymatic analysis. Methods: The bioactive compound produced by this strain was purified by using thin-layer chromatography. Results: The purified isolate of Aeromonas hydrophila strain produces good antimicrobial activity against Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus, Klebsiella and pseudomonas species. Conclusion: These isolates producing amylase, protease, lipase, and gelatinase enzymes, which are commercially very important and used in many industries and other biochemical sectors.

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Some Novel 2-Thiohydantoin Derivatives

Four new 2-thiohydantoin derivatives (4a-d) were synthesized from the reaction of maleimide derivatives (3a-d) with phenylisothiocyanate. The structures of synthetic compounds were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), 1H- and 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. The antioxidant activity of the synthesized compounds showed inactive 4b and 4c compounds, moderately active 4a, and strongly active 4d, compared with vitamin C as positive control (IC50 values = 1.380, 1.726, 4.147, 8.085, and 9.826 µM, respectively). Antibacterial and antifungal activities of compounds showed that only compound 4b had an effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger species.

The airway fungal microbiome in asthma.

Fungal involvement in asthma is associated with severe disease. The full spectrum of fungal species in asthma is not well described and is derived largely from insensitive culture techniques. To use high-throughput sequencing to describe the airway mycobiota in asthmatics with and without fungal sensitization and healthy controls; to compare samples representing different airway compartments; to determine whether the mycobiota was influenced by the fungal composition of outdoor air; and to compare findings with clinically relevant outcomes. We amplified the internal transcribed spacer region 2 of the nuclear ribosomal operon to identify the fungal species present. Ninety-seven subjects were recruited and provided sputum (83 asthmatics; 14 healthy subjects), with 29 also undergoing a bronchoscopy. A subset of airway samples were compared with matched outdoor air and mouthwash samples. Two hundred and six taxa at the species level were identified in sputum, most at low relative abundance. Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans and Mycosphaerella tassiana had the highest relative abundances and were the most prevalent species across all subjects. The airway mycobiota consisted of a complex community with high diversity between individuals. Notable shifts in the balance of fungi detected in the lung were associated with asthma status, asthma duration and biomarkers of inflammation. Aspergillus tubingensis, a member of the Aspergillus niger species complex, was most prevalent from bronchoscopic protected brush samples and significantly associated with a low sputum neutrophilia. Cryptococcus pseudolongus, from the Cryptococcus humicola species complex, was more abundant from bronchoscopy samples than sputum, and differentially more abundant in asthma than health. The airway mycobiota was dominated by a relatively small number of species, but was distinct from the oropharyngeal mycobiota and air samples. Members of the A.niger and C.humicola species complexes may play unexpected roles in the pathogenesis of asthma.

Thiazolidine-2-Thione and 2-Imino-1,3-Dithiolane Derivatives: Synthesis and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity

The emergence of antibiotic resistance is one of the most important public health concerns in the world. To solve this major problem, a series of antimicrobial compounds have been synthesized and tested against bacteria, yeast and fungi microorganisms. Thiazolidines and dithiolanes possess many biological activities against microbial strains. In this study, a facile free-solvent method for the synthesis of thiazolidine derivatives by one-pot reaction was developed and their biological activity was evaluated in comparison to 2-imino-1,3-dithiolanes. Microbial inhibition growth effects of the synthesized against microbial species compounds were characterized in terms of disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods, The MICs of the synthesized compounds were determined and the results showed that almost all synthesized compounds have antimicrobial potential. All thiazolidines are effective candidates for antimicrobial activity against C. albicans and A. niger species and all dithiolanes are strong antibiotics against P. aeruginosa.

Fungal profile associated with spoilage of smoked catfish sold in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria

Fungi associated with spoilage of smoked catfish (Clarias gariepinus) were evaluated using standard microbiological methods. A total of twenty five (25) samples were collected from Afule, Ariaria, Umugasi, Cemetery and Ahiaohuru markets in Aba metropolis and were analysed. Fungal loads ranged between 2.2 × 103 ± 0.02 SFU/g and 4.5 × 104 ± 0.14 SFU/g. Four (4) fungal species were isolated to include two molds; (Aspergilus niger, Mucor species) and two yeasts; (Candida species, Rhodotorula species). The most prevalent isolates were Aspergilus niger (80 %)and Mucor species (73.33 %), while the least prevalent was Rhodotorula species (6.67 %). Identified qualities of these fungi were their degradative ability which was observed during pathogenesis study as they render the catfish unfit for consumption with high virulence in causing major mycotic infections. Therefore, there is need for education and awareness campaign among handlers and sellers on proper hygiene practices to avert the imminent health hazards looming the economy from the shabby handling and processing techniques.

The Effect of Surface Hydrophobicity on the Attachment of Fungal Conidia to Substrates of Polyvinyl Acetate and Polyvinyl Alcohol

Biofouling of PVAc and PVOH surfaces by fungal conidia can result in surface discolouration and subsequent biodeterioration. In order to understand the interactions of fungal conidia on polymer surfaces, the surface properties of PVAc and PVOH and the hydrophobicity, size and shape of three type of fungal conidia was determined (Aspergillus niger 1957, Aspergillus niger 1988 and Aureobasidium pullulans). Fungal conidia were used in a range of binding assays (attachment, adhesion and retention). The PVAc and PVOH demonstrated different surface topographies and the PVAc demonstrated a higher maximum height (300.6 nm) when compared to the PVOH (434.2 nm). The PVAc surfaces was less wettable (75°) than the PVOH surface (62°). The FTIR demonstrated differences in the chemistries of the two surfaces, whereby the PVOH confirmed the presence of polar moieties. Hydrophobicity assays demonstrated that both A. niger species’ were more non-wettable than the A. pullulans. Following the attachment assays, the more hydrophobic Aspergillus spp. conidia attached in greater numbers to the more wettable surface and the A. pullulans was retained in greater numbers to the less wettable PVAc surface. The adhesion and retention assays demonstrated that the more polar surface retained all the types of conidia, regardless of their surface hydrophobicities. This study demonstrated that conidial binding to the surfaces were influenced by the chemistry and physicochemistry of the surfaces and spores. However, the inclusion of a washing stage influenced the adhesion of conidia to surfaces. In environments that were indicative of a attachment or retention assay a PVAc surface would reduce the number of A. niger spp. spores whilst a PVOH surface would reduce the number of A. pullulans spores. However, in an environment similar to a adhesion assay, a PVAc surface would be most beneficial to reduce spore retention. Thus, the use of the correct methodology that reflects the environment in which the surface is to be used is important in order to accurately inform hygienic surface development.

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Potencies of N-Substituted Iminothiazodin-4-One Derivatives

The biggest and most multifaceted class of organic compounds includes heterocyclic compounds. Currently, several heterocyclic compounds are identified, and persistently gratefulness to tremendous synthetic work and synthetic usefulness, the number is increasing exponentially. In most fields of science, including medicinal, pharmaceutical, and agro-chemistry, heterocyclic compounds have a function, and biochemistry is also another area. In this research article, the green approach is administered for achieving the nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur centered five-membered heterocyclic derivatives. By taking the whole thing into account of hetero-chemistry, the moderately effective analog for gram-positive and gram-negative strains was shown for the five-membered heterocyclic compound series of N-substituted iminothiazodine-4-one and N-(benzylideneamino)thiazol-4(5H). The compound 6b showed very much active potency in accordance with the type standard drug the 6c compound against gram-positive Bacillus subtilis bacteria compared to the standard drugs and 6b indicated very active potency against the gram-negative Escherichia coli bacterial strain. The 5a and 6a compounds showed very strong activity against the fungal strain of Candida albicans and 6b or 6c were more active and highly potent than the standard drugs against Aspergillus niger species. In the view of this research, drive states that all the synthesized compounds might be used for the development for further heterocyclic entities.

Seeking compromise across competing goals in conservation translocations: The case of the ‘extinct’ Floreana Island Galapagos giant tortoise

Abstract Conservation translocation projects must carefully balance multiple, potentially competing objectives (e.g. population viability, retention of genetic diversity, delivery of key ecological services) against conflicting stakeholder values and severe time and cost constraints. Advanced decision support tools would facilitate identifying practical solutions. We examined how to achieve compromise across competing objectives in conservation translocations via an examination of giant tortoises in the Galapagos Islands with ancestry from the extinct Floreana Island species (Chelonoidis niger). Efforts have begun to populate Floreana Island with tortoises genetically similar to its historical inhabitants while balancing three potentially competing objectives – restoring ecosystem services (sustaining a high tortoise population size), maximizing genome representation of the extinct C. niger species and maintaining a genetically diverse population – under realistic cost constraints. We developed a novel approach to this conservation decision problem by coupling an individual‐based simulation model with generalized additive models and global optimization. We identified several incompatibilities among programme objectives, with quasi‐optimal single‐objective solutions (sets of management actions) differing substantially in programme duration, translocation age, incubation temperature (determinant of sex ratio) and the number of individuals directly translocated from the source population. Quasi‐optimal single‐objective solutions were able to produce outcomes (i.e. population size and measures of genetic diversity and C. niger genome representation) to within 75% of their highest simulated outcomes (e.g. highest population size achieved across all simulations) within a cost constraint of c. $2m USD, but these solutions resulted in severe declines (up to 74% reduction) in outcomes for non‐focal objectives. However, when all programme objectives were equally weighted to produce a multi‐objective solution, all objectives were met to within 90% of the highest achievable mean values across all cost constraints. Synthesis and applications. Multi‐objective conservation translocations are likely to encounter complex trade‐offs and conflicts among programme objectives. Here, we developed a novel combination of modelling approaches to identify optimal management strategies. We found that solutions that simultaneously addressed multiple, competing objectives performed better than single‐objective solutions. Our model‐based decision support tool demonstrates that timely, cost‐effective solutions can be identified in cases where management objectives appear to be incompatible.

The Interplay between Incipient Species and Social Polymorphism in the Desert Ant Cataglyphis

In social insects, due to considerable polyphenism as well as high level of hybridization, the delimitation of species can be challenging. The genus Cataglyphis presents a high level of diversification, making it an excellent model with which to study evolutionary paths. Israel appears to be a “hot spot” for recent speciation in this genus. Although previous studies have described multiple species of Cataglyphis in Israel, a recent genetic study has questioned the existence of some of these historically described species. The present study focuses on an apparent species complex, the C. niger species complex which includes C. niger, C. savigyi, and C. drusus that are distinguishable by their mitochondrial DNA (and therefore named mitotypes) but not by their nuclear DNA. Using a multi-method approach (genetics, chemistry and behavior), we show that these mitotypes also differ in their social structures and are readily distinguishable by their cuticular hydrocarbons profiles. While most populations of the different mitotypes are allopatric, at our study site they are sympatric, but nonetheless maintain the observed differences between them. This raises the evolutionary question: Are these incipient species that have diverged with gene flow, or is this a case of social and chemical polymorphism that is maintained within a single species? Unveiling the interplay between social polyphenism and species segregation is at the core of evolutionary biology.

Development of microtiter plate scale CRISPR/Cas9 transformation method for Aspergillus niger based on in vitro assembled ribonucleoprotein complexes

BackgroundThe CRISPR/Cas9 is currently the predominant technology to enhance the genome editing efficiency in eukaryotes. Established tools for many fungal species exist while most of them are based on in vivo expressed Cas9 and guide RNA (gRNA). Alternatively, in vitro assembled Cas9 and gRNA ribonucleoprotein complexes can be used in genome editing, however, only a few examples have been reported in fungi. In general, high-throughput compatible transformation workflows for filamentous fungi are immature.ResultsIn this study, a CRISPR/Cas9 facilitated transformation and genome editing method based on in vitro assembled ribonucleoprotein complexes was developed for the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger. The method was downscaled to be compatible with 96-well microtiter plates. The optimized method resulted in 100% targeting efficiency for a single genomic target. After the optimization, the method was demonstrated to be suitable for multiplexed genome editing with two or three genomic targets in a metabolic engineering application. As a result, an A. niger strain with improved capacity to produce galactarate, a potential chemical building block, was generated.ConclusionsThe developed microtiter plate compatible CRISPR/Cas9 method provides a basis for high-throughput genome editing workflows in A. niger and other related species. In addition, it improves the cost-effectiveness of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing methods in fungi based on in vitro assembled ribonucleoproteins. The demonstrated metabolic engineering example with multiplexed genome editing highlights the applicability of the method.

Synthesis and characterization of a novel Mn(III)-(γ-diketone) complex with catalytic and antifungal activity

A novel Mn(III) complex with γ-diketone having general formula [Mn(hdo)3], where hdo = hexane-2,5-dione ligand, has been synthesized and characterized using UV–vis, FT-IR, ESI-mass and EPR spectra, elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, SEM, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The X-ray diffraction studies reveal that it has monoclinic lattice system with C2/C space group and the unit cell dimensions are a = 9.92245 Å, b = 10.50696 Å, and c = 9.80835 Å. The particle size of this complex has been found to be 32.1 nm. The complex was evaluated for its antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus terreus fungal species. The results indicate that the minimum inhibitory concentration of the synthesized complex was 8 ppm for A. niger while for A. flavus and A. terreus it was 6 ppm. β-Diketone Mn(III) complexes inhibit the fungal growth only partially. This communication is the first report of transformation of a keto-group to an ester group catalyzed by a metal complex.

English

Pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) is one of the most important crops grown in Africa. The fruit is consumed fresh by many people and hence, source of essential mineral elements, nutrients and vitamins. This study was conducted to investigate the fungi associated with black rot disease of pineapple fruits and the effect of the disease on nutritional value of the fruits. The fungi isolated from black rot pineapple fruits got from Uselu, Ikpoba Hill, Oba, Oluku and New-Benin Markets in Benin City, were grown on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) at room temperature (28±2°C) and observed morphologically and microscopically for cultural and spore characteristics. Assimilative property of yeasts was determined with carbon substrates and peptone. Freshly harvested pineapple fruits (six wounded and six unwounded) were inoculated with the fungus responsible for black rot and incubated for six days (pathogenicity test). Healthy fruits as well as infected ones were analysed for carbohydrate, fibre, moisture, protein, and minerals. Two isolates of Ceratocystis paradoxa (black rot fungus), four isolates of yeasts, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium species were identified. Black rot was prominent in wounded pineapple fruits after six days of inoculation. The four isolates of yeast assimilated the carbon substrates and peptone. Furthermore, the infected fruits showed relative decrease in nutrient composition as compared to healthy fruits. With this basic knowledge of growth of C. paradoxa, the cause of black rot of pineapple fruit, better handling and storage can be planned in order to reduce crop losses. Key words: Black rot, Ananas comosus fruit, Ceratocystis paradoxa, nutritional value.

Aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus species from saffron field soils in the South Khorasan province of Iran

The aim of the present study was to isolate and identify Aspergillus species associated with saffron plants in the city of Birjand (South Khorasan Province, Iran) as well as to assess their aflatoxin B1 production. Sampling was performed during 2013–2014 crop season. Aspergillus species were isolated and purified using general and specific culture media. Growth rates and macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the isolates were determined using yeast extract, Czapek yeast extract, malt extract and creatine sucrose agar media at 25 and 37 °C. DNA was extracted by the modified CTAB method and beta-tubulin, calmodulin and internal transcribed spacer genes were amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic position of the isolates was determined against other Aspergillus species. Thin layer chromatography was used to investigate the production of aflatoxin B1 by Aspergillus isolates. Based on the morphological characteristics, shape and colour of the colonies, and sequencing results, the isolates belonged to Aspergillus terreus, A. flavus, A. flavipes and A. niger species. Only A. flavus isolates were aflatoxin B1 producers. We concluded that the soil of the studied saffron fields contained several species of Aspergillus, with A. flavus significantly affecting crop production through contamination of the crop by aflatoxin.

ЭПИДЕМИОЛОГИЯ БРОНХОЛЕГОЧНЫХ ЗАБОЛЕВАНИЙ ДЕТЕЙ И ПОДРОСТКОВ ХАБАРОВСКОГО КРАЯ

Official ten-year statistics reports on the prevalence and structure of respiratory diseases in children and teenagers of Khabarovsk Kray were analyzed. Respiratory diseases still rank first in the general sick rate and, in 2015, they accounted for 60.3% in children under 14 years old and 33.4% in teenagers. General respiratory morbidity in children in 2015 made 1300.1‰ and 726.9‰ in children and teenagers, respectively. Analytical results give evidence of stabilization of morbidity rate in children (R=0.32) and a tendency towards increasing incidence in teenagers (R=0.71). Ten-year pneumonia prevalence in children shows no tendency towards decrease (R=0.3), whereas pneumonia incidence rate in teenagers does increase (R=0.65). During the last ten years, asthma prevalence in children of the region increased twofold and turned half as much in teenagers. In 2015, asthma morbidity made 23.95‰ in children and 17.15‰ in teenagers, which exceed all-Russia’s figures (10.4‰ in children and 20.08‰ in teenagers in 2014) and Russian Far East’s figures (9.22‰ in children and 15.38‰ in teenagers in 2014). Asthma children residing in the areas of catastrophic flood of 2013 on the Amur River were found (8.3% of cases) to have sensitization to mold fungi, primarily of Aspergillus niger species (71%). The results of the analysis show that there is a stabilization of morbidity in children (R=0.32) and a tendency to grow in teenagers (R=0.71).

Application of Magnetic Field for Improvement of Microbial Productivity

Continued attempt by the industry and research sectors to improve productivity of commercially viable microbial products fall into three general approaches including microbial-based (e.g. isolation, selection, and manipulation of microbes as higher producers), environmental-based (e.g. media development), and bioreactor/bioprocessbased studies. Application of electromagnetic field to microbial cultures is a recent bioprocess-based technique. Current literature shows some effects on characteristics of microbial species (fungi and bacteria). These include enhancement of ethanol production capacity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, citric acid and cellulase production by Aspergillus niger species and insulase production by Geotrichum candidum after the cultures were exposed to electromagnetic field. In this paper we report the application of electromagnetic field to cultures of Bacillus licheniformis to enhance productivity of bacitracin, a water-soluble branched polypeptide used as an antimicrobial agent against grampositive and some gram-negative bacteria. Electromagnetic field was applied on cultures of B. licheniformis in stirred tank reactors (STRs) with working volume of 1.5 litres circulating into an in-house designed and constructed magnetic field generator with low magnetic field intensity. The experiments were carried out both with and without pH control of the culture. Samples were assayed for bacitracin concentration to confirm the effects of electromagnetic field. The microbial growth and pH profiles were also monitored. The results showed that circulation of culture at flow rate of 10 mL.min-1 into magnetic field with 10 millitesla intensity leads to an increase in bacitracin concentration. The increase was higher when the pH of the culture was controlled compared to non-controlled culture. The highest percentage increase in bacitracin concentration was 36 % after 35 hours without pH control, while the highest bacitracin percentage increase obtained from the controlled culture under pH 7 exposed to electromagnetic field, was almost 89 % after 43 hours.

Novel dibenzo-18-crown-6 ether functionalized bis-benzimidazole derivatives: synthesis and antifungal evaluation

A series of novel 18-crown-6 ether functionalized bis-benzimidazole derivatives (3a–g) have been synthesized by reacting various substituted ortho-phenylene diamines and pyridine diamines with 4,4′-diformyl dibenzo-18-crown-6 ether (1). The required starting material 4,4′-diformyl dibenzo-18-crown-6 ether (1) was prepared by Duff formylation method. All synthesized novel molecules have been identified on the basis of infrared (IR), 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 13C NMR, mass spectroscopy (MS), and elemental analyses. The title compounds (3a–g) were tested for antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, Trichothecium sp., Rhizopus sp., and Sclerotium rolfsii fungi species using agar well diffusion method, showing mild to good results.

Evaluation of reduced toxicity of zearalenone as measured by the Hep G2 cell assay on degradation enzymes

Zearalenone (ZEN), an estrogenic mycotoxin produced by several Fusarium species, is converted to far less toxicity products by enzymes in the culture filtrate of Aspergillus niger FS10. In this study, culture of A. niger that was fermented for 7 days showed the highest protein content and protease activity of 1732.12 μg/mL and 0.53 U/mL, respectively. The culture filtrate separated by a self-assembly Filter Cycle Devices showed that fractions collected at 150 kDa−30 kDa had a significant greater ability to reduce ZEN (89.92%) compared to other fractions (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the active fractions of culture filtrate (AFCF) were analyzed by SDS–PAGE and MALDI-TOF/TOF/MS, and three proteins were found that matched the database for A. niger species with great homology. In order to evaluate the safety of ZEN and the AFCF-treated ZEN, HepG2 cell's survival rate, ROS level, [Ca2+]i production and apoptosis were studied. The cell toxicity of AFCF-treated ZEN is relatively lower than that of ZEN (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, both the ZEN and the AFCF-treated ZEN were negative in Ames test compared to control group (P < 0.05). Therefore, as a safe, effective and economic method, the enzymes could be used as enzyme agents applying in food/feed sector to prevent ZEN contamination.

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles from stem bark of Cochlospermum religiosum (L.) Alston: an important medicinal plant and evaluation of their antimicrobial efficacy

The use of different parts of plants for the synthesis of nanoparticles is considered as a green technology as it does not involve any harmful chemicals. Herein, we report on rapid biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) from aqueous stem bark extract of Cochlospermum religiosum a medicinal plant. The reduced silver nanoparticles were characterized by using UV–Visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis, atomic force microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). The UV–Visible spectrum of the aqueous medium containing silver nanoparticles showed an absorption peak at around 445 nm, XRD showed that the particles are crystalline in nature, with a face-centered cubic structure and the SEM images showed that the spherical-shaped silver nanoparticles were observed and the size range was found to be 20–35 nm. FT-IR spectroscopy analysis revealed that carbohydrate, polyphenols, and protein molecules were involved in the synthesis and capping of silver nanoparticles. These phytosynthesized SNPs were tested for their antimicrobial activity and it analyzed by measuring the inhibitory zone. Cochlospermum religiosum aqueous stem bark extract of SNPs showed highest toxicity to Staphylococcus followed by Pseudomonas, Escherichia coli and Bacillus and lowest toxicity towards Proteus. Whereas in fungal species highest inhibition zone against Aspergillus flavus followed by Rhizopus, Fusarium, and Curvularia, and minimum inhibition zone was observed against Aspergillus niger species. The outcome of this study could be useful for the development of value added products from indigenous medicinal plants of India for nanotechnology-based biomedical applications.

EFFECT OF PLANT EXTRACTS ON SPORULATION AND SPORE GERMINATION OF STORED MELON SEED FUNGI

Frequently, stored melon seeds fail to preserve to their time of use. Storage fungi invade these seeds and cause their deterioration. A study was, therefore, carried out to determine the effect of guava (Psidiumguajava L.) leaf and ginger (Zingiberofficinale) rhizome extracts on the sporulation and spore germination of the invading seed fungi.Dried leaves and rhizomes were ground in sterile mortar, filtered through a wire sieve and then extracted usingthree different solvents. Results revealed that both extracts hindered sporulation and spore germination in the four fungi tested namely: Aspergillusflavus, A. niger, Rhizopusstolonifer and Fusarium species. The effect of the extracts on the test organisms increased with concentration of the extracts. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, lipids,tannins, flavonoids, and steroids. A reduction in nutrient contents was also observed in infested melon seeds. These results are significant and would serve as a template for planning the control of storage fungi in melon seeds in particular and other crop produce in general.

Invasive Aspergillus niger complex infections in a Belgian tertiary care hospital

The incidence of invasive infections caused by the Aspergillus niger species complex was 0.043 cases/10 000 patient-days in a Belgian university hospital (2005–2011). Molecular typing was performed on six available A. niger complex isolates involved in invasive disease from 2010 to 2011, revealing A. tubingensis, which has higher triazole minimal inhibitory concentrations, in five out of six cases.