Spore Diameter Research Articles

Pathogenicity of psychrotolerant strains of Antarctic Pseudogmynoascus fungi reveals potential opportunistic profiles

Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of fungal taxa in the extreme ecosystems of Antarctica that are known to opportunistically infect humans and animals. Among these are members of the genus Pseudogymnoascus, including some that are genetically similar to P. destructans, known to be pathogenic to bats. We evaluated the in vitro and in vivo pathogenic potential of 11 Pseudogymnoascus spp. strains recovered from Antarctica. All strains were able to grow at temperatures up to 28 °C and displayed in vitro pathogenicity through hemolytic activity, growth at different pH levels, production of hydrolytic enzymes, spore diameters, tolerance to oxidative stress, hypoxia, and halotolerance. Among them, Pseudogymnoascus sp. UFMG 8532 exhibited strong in vitro pathogenicity and in preliminary in vivo assay killed 100 % of Tenebrio molitor larvae within one day. The pathogenicity of the same strain was also tested using immunosuppressed BALB/c mouse models. Survival of BALB/c mice was affected, with oscillations between weight gain and loss, and impacts on sensory function, reflexes and autonomic function. Histopathological data from the organs of infected mice showed evidence of inflammatory processes, with numerous neutrophils, a small number of macrophages, fluid accumulation inside the lungs and intense hyperemia. Our results indicate that Antarctic Pseudogymnoascus spp. strains obtained from various substrates/habitats in maritime Antarctica may possess intrinsic virulence factors and pathogenic potential for immunosuppressed animals and humans in the region. Given that the Antarctic environment is an important reservoir for Pseudogymnoascus species, which display growth performance across a range of temperatures, it is possible that increasing temperatures in the maritime Antarctic could activate dormant genes or biochemical pathways, select virulent species and/or strains, and facilitate their spread within and beyond the region. The ability of Pseudogymnoascus species to grow slowly even at 28°C, coupled with their potential in vitro and in vivo virulence factors, suggests that these fungi might be undergoing an opportunistic transition due to the effects of climate change on the Antarctic Peninsula.

A Simulation Study to Reveal the Epidemiology and Aerosol Transmission Characteristics of Botrytis cinerea in Grape Greenhouses.

Most previously studies had considered that plant fungal disease spread widely and quickly by airborne fungi spore. However, little is known about the release dynamics, aerodynamic diameter, and pathogenicity threshold of fungi spore in air of the greenhouse environment. Grape gray mold is caused by Botrytis cinerea; the disease spreads in greenhouses by spores in the air and the spore attaches to the leaf and infects plant through the orifice. In this study, 120 μmol/L propidium monoazide (PMA) were suitable for treatment and quantitation viable spore by quantitative real-time PCR, with a limit detection of 8 spores/mL in spore suspension. In total, 93 strains of B. cinerea with high pathogenicity were isolated and identified from the air samples of grapevines greenhouses by a portable sampler. The particle size of B. cinerea aerosol ranged predominately from 0.65-3.3 μm, accounting for 71.77% of the total amount. The B. cinerea spore aerosols were infective to healthy grape plants, with the lowest concentration that could cause disease being 42 spores/m3. Botrytis cinerea spores collected form six greenhouse in Shandong Province were quantified by PMA-qPCR, with a higher concentration (1182.89 spores/m3) in May and June and a lower concentration in July and August (6.30 spores/m3). This study suggested that spore dispersal in aerosol is an important route for the epidemiology of plant fungal disease, and these data will contribute to the development of new strategies for the effective alleviation and control of plant diseases.

Molecular and morphological evidence for a new seed-destroying smut fungus, Microbotryum graecum on Stellaria media from Greece

The group of seed-destroying Microbotryum species on caryophyllaceous hosts includes ten species, among which only M. alsines, on Stellaria nitens from USA, is known on Stellaria. Recently, a specimen of Stellaria media from Greece, infected by a seed-destroying Microbotryum species, was found in a phanerogam herbarium. Based on distinct morphology and phylogenetic evidence, this fungus was considered to represent an unknown species which is described and illustrated as Microbotryum graecum. It can be distinguished from M. alsines by having smaller spores, fewer meshes per spore diameter, a different spore ornamentation, wider meshes, and higher spore wall muri.

Mphy gene is involved in temperature-regulated pigment metabolism in Monascus

In plant, Phytochrome (phy) as a light receptor not only plays an important effect on plant morphogenesis, but also is involved in the regulation of plant defense resistance. In Monascus, the formation of conidia, cleistothecia and types and yields of secondary metabolites were found to influence by environmental conditions such as light, temperature, pH, etc. However, the underlying mechanism has not been revealed. Here, the effects of Monascusphy (Mphy) on the regulation of temperature on the growth and development and pigments biosysnthesis of Monascus were investigated by disruption and overexpression of Mphy gene. Colony diameter and number of spores of Mphy knock out strain (ΔMphy) and overexpression strain (OE-Mphy) are reduced compared with the wild strain. The yellow, orange and red pigments yields of original strain was 1.1, 1.2 and 1.1times that of OE-phy strain, and 13.4, 19.3, and 15.2 times that of ΔMphy strain, respectively at 25°C. At 30°C, the yellow, orange and red pigment yields of original strain was 1.3, 1.3 and 1.2 times that of OE-phy strain, and 2.4, 3.7, and 3.0 times that of ΔMphy strain, respectively. However, at 35°C, OE-phy strain had the highest pigment yield, and the pigment yield of the original strain and the ΔMphy strain were very similar. HPLC results showed that the pigment types of primitive strain and OE-phy strain were mainly yellow and orange pigments, and the ΔMphy strain was mainly yellow pigments at 25°C. At 30°C, the original strain had more red, yellow and orange pigments, the OE-phy strain was mainly red and yellow pigments, and the ΔMphy strain was mainly yellow pigments. At 35°C, red and yellow pigments were predominant in the original strain and OE-phy strain, while yellow pigments were predominant in ΔMphy strain.

The morphological and molecular variability of Sporisorium scitamineum isolates from Eswatini

Sugarcane smut is a disease of economic importance in the sugarcane industry, occasioning losses of up to 50%. Current management practices have been ineffective in controlling the fungal disease, and hence the understanding of the pathogen and the development of appropriate control measures are required. This study investigates the morphology, virulence and molecular variability of Sporisorium scitamineum isolates from Eswatini to understand its pathogenicity for effective control. Fungal isolates were collected along the Sugarbelt in the Lowveld of Eswatini. The isolates were verified by polymerase chain reaction using the bE4 and bE8 specific primers with amplification of a 459bp fragment. The identity was further verified by DNA sequencing. The teliospores from the isolates were uniform in brown colour, spiny texture and circular shape. The teliospore sizes were significantly (P=0.05) different among the isolates. The isolate from Big-Bend had a mean spore diameter of 5.55µm, while Simunye, Nsoko and Mhlume had average diameters of 4.69µm, 4.98µm and 4.87µm, respectively. The documentation of the developmental stages revealed that the samples were of variable virulence with significantly (P=0.05) different rates of promycelium development. The variable virulence of the isolates was further confirmed by the in-vivo pathogen biomass quantification by RT-qPCR. Genetic distance matrix analysis and cluster analysis showed high homology (99-100%) among the local isolates which indicate that there is a low variability among the strains that are found in the selected sugarcane growing areas of Eswatini

Lamproderma vietnamense: a new species of myxomycetes with reticulate spores from Phia Oắc - Phia Đén National Park (northern Vietnam) supported by molecular phylogeny and morphological analysis.

A new species of Lamproderma (Myxomycetes), described herein as L. vietnamense, was recovered in the field on ground litter from mountain subtropical forests (Phia Oắc - Phia Đén National Park) of northern Vietnam. Morphological details were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. The species is characterized by a distinct and unique combination of morphological features, including a bright blue, shiny and very thin membranous peridium, a small dome-shaped columella, rigid, straight, branched, brown capillitial threads which gradually become pale at the periphery and finally colorless at the tips and small-meshed, banded-reticulate spores with 9-12 meshes across the spore diameter and solid walls without perforations 0.3-0.5 µm high. The stability of the taxonomic characters of L. vietnamense is supported by two well-developed collections found in 2018 and 2019. Partial sequences of three molecular markers (SSU, EF1α, COI) for both collections are identical. A two-gene phylogeny of the first two markers displays the two known accessions as a well-separated entity and indicates affinity of the new species with L. columbinum (the type taxon of the genus), L. violaceum, and several nivicolous Lamproderma species.

Native Endomycorrhiza With Tolerance to Heavy Metal Contamination in Organic Culture Media

Endomycorrhizal fungi are spora-carrying organisms that can survive in heavy metalcontaminated environments. The goal of this study was to investigate endomycorrhizal fungi from heavy metal-affected areas and determine an effective mix of organic culture media to increase the number and diameter of endomycorrhizal spores. In Sorowako, Indonesia, endomycorrhizal fungi were isolated from the rhizosphere of: rice husk charcoal, sand, zeolite (KM1); rice husk charcoal, sand, sawdust (KM2); rice husk charcoal, sand, cocopeat (KM3); rice husk charcoal, sand, rice soil (KM4); rice husk charcoal, sand, cold magma (KM5); rice husk charcoal, sand, cold magma (KM6); and rice husk charcoal, sand (KM7). The results of the first phase of research revealed that three endomycorrhizal genera (44.44%–75.86% Acaulospora sp, 9.52%–44.44% Gigaspora sp, and 3.38%–19.05 % Glomus sp) can adapt to and resist conditions contaminated with Hg, Cd, Ni, Pb, As, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Co, and Sn, namely as a carrier medium. It was concluded that a combination of organic media was recommended, but that this must decompose first.
 Keywords: Fungi, mycorrhizal, organic waste, rhizosfer

Characterization of sub-pollen particles in size-resolved atmospheric aerosol using chemical tracers.

Pollen grains may contain allergens that exacerbate allergic respiratory diseases like asthma and rhinitis. In the presence of water, pollen grains (10–100 μm) can rupture to produce sub-pollen particles (SPP) with diameters <2.5 μm, which in comparison to intact pollen grains, have longer atmospheric lifetimes and greater penetration to the lower lung. The current study examines SPP, fungal spores, and bacteria in size-resolved atmospheric particulate matter (PM) using chemical and biological tracers. During springtime tree pollen season in Iowa City, Iowa, fine particle (PM2.5) concentrations of fructose (a pollen chemical tracer) increased on rainy sampling periods, especially during severe thunderstorms, and peaked when a tornado struck nearby. Submicron fluorescent particles, measured by single-particle fluorescence spectroscopy, were also enhanced during rain events, particularly thunderstorms in agreement with the chemical tracer measurements. PM2.5 sucrose (a pollen chemical tracer) concentrations were higher in early spring when nighttime temperatures were closer to freezing, while fructose concentrations were higher in late spring with warmer temperatures, consistent with chemical tracers being sensitive to seasonal temperature influences. The first co-located measurements of fructose and Bet v 1 (birch pollen allergen), indicated that SPP ranged in diameter from <0.25 to 2.5 μm during rainy sampling periods and that allergens and carbohydrates exhibited distinct size distributions. Meanwhile, mannitol (a fungal spore tracer) peaked on warm, dry days following rain and was primarily in supermicron particles (>1.0 μm), which is consistent with intact fungal spore diameters (1–30 μm). Bacterial endotoxins in PM also increased during extreme weather events, primarily in supermicron particles. While the concentrations of fructose, mannitol, and endotoxin all increased in PM2.5 μm during thunderstorms, the greatest relative increase in concentration was observed for fructose. Together, these observations suggest that SPP containing starch granules and allergens (Bet v 1) were released during rainy sampling periods. This study advances the use of chemical tracers to track SPP and other bioaerosols in the atmosphere, by providing new insight to their size distribution and response to extreme weather conditions.

Isolation, identification, and biological characteristics of Clostridium sartagoforme from rabbit.

In order to develop microbial additives for rabbit feed, a spore-forming bacteria was isolated from the feces of Hyla rabbit using reinforced clostridium medium (RCM). The 16S rDNA sequence of the bacterium was subjected to pairwise sequence alignment using BLAST; the colony morphology, and physiological, biochemical, and stress resistance were studied. The results showed that the bacterium was Clostridium sartagoforme, a gram positive anaerobe, which can produce spores. The colony diameter was 0.5 mm-2.5 mm, the diameter of the bacteria was 0.5 μm-1.0 μm × 2.0 μm-6.3 μm, and the spore diameter was 1 μm-1.2 μm × 1 μm-1.2 μm. C. sartagoforme can utilize various sugars and alcohols such as fructose, galactose, sorbitol, and inositol. It secreted cellulase into the extracellular environment to form a transparent hydrolysis circle in Congo red medium, it could not liquify gelatin, and the lysine decarboxylase reaction was positive. In liquid medium it entered the stable growth period after 9 h of inoculation. Additionally, it had good stress resistance with a survival rate that exceeded 53% after gastric juice (pH 2.5) treatment for 3 h, it grew in a medium with a bile salt concentration of 0.3%, and the survival rate exceeded 85% after 10 minutes at 80°C. Moreover, animal testing indicated that this strain has no adverse effects on the morbidity and mortality of rabbits. In summary, C. sartagoforme XN-T4 was isolated from rabbit feces. This bacterium has good resistance to stress, can decompose a variety of monosaccharides and polysaccharides including cellulose, which is relatively harmless for animal health.

Combination of C3 and C4 host plants for the reproduction of the Sorowako indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

The selection of the right host plant needs attention because of the interaction between the host plant, the type of AMF, the composition of the media, and the climate during its growth. It has been reported that in the C4 group, the best type of host plant used in producing AMF spores is Zea mays, while in the C3 group, Pueraria javanica is able to produce optimum AMF development, so a study is needed to combine C4 and C3 groups as hosts plant in AMF spore propagation. The study was arranged using a completely randomized design with 5 combination treatments of host plant groups C4 and C3, to determine the productivity of the host plant combination, the parameters observed were percentage of infected roots, abundance of mycorrhizal spores, and diameter of spore. The results showed that good host plant productivity was obtained from host plant combinations of Zea mays and Vigna angularis or Vigna unguiculata or Phaseolus vulgaris, where mycorrhizae can infect roots above 90% and produce spores that have a diameter of 300-400 µm, so it can be recommended that a host plant combination that has a fast life cycle is better used to stimulate the growth and regeneration of mycorrhizal spores, as a novelty in this study.

Polyploidization within the Funariaceae—a key principle behind speciation, sporophyte reduction and the high variance of spore diameters?

Although being recognized as a major force behind speciation in flowering plants, the evolutionary relevance of genome duplication (polyploidization) remains largely unexplored in mosses. Phylogenetic and-genomic insights from the model organism Physcomitrella patens and closely related species revealed that polyploidization, likely via hybridization (allopolyploidization), gives rise to new species within the Funariaceae. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of the nuclear single copy gene BRK1 combined with the measurement of DNA content by flow cytometry, we identified Entosthodon hungaricus as such an allopolyploid species. Together with Physcomitrium pyriforme, Physcomitrium eurystomum and Physcomitrium collenchymatum, which were identified previously as species that likely arose by hybridization, E. hungaricus represents an additional allopolyploid lineage of a species complex that is characterized by convergent sporophyte reduction and a considerable variance in spore sizes. Based on morphological and cytological data from 18 species, we highlight the potential impact of polyploidization on the size of the spores and on sporophyte architecture.

Nutrients control reproductive traits of hygrophytic bryophytes

Abstract Nutrient economy and plant nutrient concentrations have been suggested as important selective pressures of reproductive traits in vascular plants. However, evidence supporting that the reproduction of bryophytes and their reproductive traits have also been conditioned by nutrient availability is lacking. We here analysed the nutrient (N, P, K, and Fe) concentration of 35 aquatic and semi‐aquatic bryophytes and the chemistry of the spring water in which they lived to determine whether bryophyte nutrient concentrations were correlated with the frequency of sexual reproduction, main reproductive mode (sexual vs. asexual), dioicy, and spore diameter, while controlling for climate and nutrient concentrations in the spring water. Water nutrient concentrations, except for K, had a small but positive influence on bryophyte nutrient concentrations. P‐rich and K‐poor species produced sporophytes more often and were more likely to reproduce sexually and be monoicous. Spore diameter was smaller in P‐ and Fe‐rich mosses but larger in N‐rich mosses living in humid climates. P‐rich species thus produced more and smaller spores and were able to propagate more extensively. Overall, our results suggest that nutrient economy, especially P economy, has played an important role in shaping the reproductive traits of bryophytes.

Alterations in Growth and Morphology of Ganoderma lucidum and Volvariella volvaceae in Response to Nanoparticle Supplementation

Use of nanoparticles (NPs) in several commercial products has led to emergence of novel contaminants of air, soil and water bodies. The NPs may exhibit greater ecotoxicity due to nano-scale dependent properties over their bulk counterparts. The present investigation explores the effect of in vitro supplementation of TiO2, silica and silver NPs on radial growth and ultrastructural changes in the hyphae and spores of two mushroom genera, Ganoderma lucidum and Volvariella volvaceae. A concentration dependent decrease in radial growth on NP amended potato dextrose agar medium was recorded. However, in comparison to control, there was decrease in radial diameter on supplementation with TiO2 NPs while an increase was recorded for silica and silver NPs amendments as compared to their bulk salts at same concentrations after 48 h of incubation. Optical microscopy studies showed decrease in the number of spores while increase in spore diameter and thinning of hyphal diameter on NPs supplementation. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of fungal growth showed presence of deflated and oblong spores in two fruiting strains of Ganoderma while Volvariella exhibited decreased sporulation. Further, hyphal thinning and branching was recorded in response to NP amendments in both the test mushrooms. Enhancement of protein content was observed on NP compared to bulk supplementation for all cultures, concentrations and hours of incubation except for TiO2 NPs. Likewise, bulk and NP supplementations (at 100 mg L −1) resulted in enhanced laccase activity with occurrence of laccase specific protein bands on SDS-PAGE analysis.

Mycological and histopathological identification of potential fish pathogens in Nile tilapia

Due to recent rapid progress in the development of freshwater aquaculture in Egypt, many new and precedent fish fungal diseases have emerged. Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) has been threatened by various diseases that have harmful health consequences and prone to mortalities. The current study was conducted (using 800 randomly collected diseased cultured and wild Nile tilapia) to identify the three most serious fungal pathogens that induced mortalities. The infection can be superficial as Saprolegnia spp. that is characterized by focal dermal cottony growth and is the most common in occurrence. While, systemic infection as Ichthyophonus sp. that invades the highly vascularized organs impairing their functions, Branchiomycosis is a devastating disease that affects gills obstructing blood flow. Saprolegnia spp. was identified through the morphological characters of culture on Sabouraud's dextrose agar media (SDA) and histopathological examination of tissue. Surprisingly, Saprolegnia spp. grew on Eagle's Minimum Essential Medium (MEM) at pH 7.0 only giving zoospores. Ichthyophonus sp. was isolated and is characterized by spherical double-walled multinucleate schizonts that are verified in squash preparations from infected internal organs (liver, spleen, and kidneys) and tissue sections. Additionally, it developed two different forms of growth on MEM depending on culture medium pH. Branchiomyces spp. exhibited different stages of growth in gills and so appeared congested, paled, white-colored or marbled according to the progress of infection. A key diagnostic feature to genus Branchiomyces is the branching of hyphae at their tips with the first report for a description of such branching in compression techniques from gills. Also a microscopic examination of fungal culture aids in the identification. Herein, we report Branchiomyces sanguinis for the first time and Branchiomyces demigrans in Nile tilapia in Egypt. Both species are distinguished based on the shape and diameter of hyphae in compression techniques from infected gills as well as the diameter and location of spores in histological sections. Koch's Postulate confirmed the identity of the investigated pathogens. The current research represents the first comparative mycological and histopathological study for Saprolegnia spp., Ichthyophonus sp., and Branchiomyces spp. as well as their prevalence in wild and cultured Nile tilapia throughout the different seasons in Egypt.

The diversity, distribution, and pathogenic potential of cultivable fungi present in rocks from the South Shetlands archipelago, Maritime Antarctica.

We studied the molecular taxonomy and diversity of cultivable rock fungi from Antarctic islands. From 50 rock samples, 386 fungal isolates were obtained and identified as 33 taxa of 20 genera. The genera Cladophialophora, Cladosporium, Cyphellophora, Eichleriella, Paracladophialophora, and Penicillium displayed the highest densities. Ecological diversity indices showed that the fungalassemblages are diverse and rich with low dominance. The genera Cladophialophora, Cladosporium, and Penicillium showed a broad distribution from rocks of the various islands. One hundred and fifty-nine fungi, grown at 37°C, were identified as Penicillium chrysogenum, Fusarium sp., and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa. One hundred and three fungi displayed haemolytic activity, 81 produced proteinase, 9 produced phospholipase, and 25 presented dimorphism and a spore diameter ≤ 4µm. The Antarctic Peninsula region appears to be under the effects of global climate changes, which may expose and accelerate the rock's weathering processes, and expose and release cryptic fungi and other microbes, especially those with innate pathogenic potential, previously arrested in rocks. Consequently, these rocks and their particles may represent a vehicle for the dispersal of microbial propagules, including those able to spread pathogens, along, across, and out of Antarctica.

Морфология спор Taenitis, Syngramma и Austrogramme (Pteridoideae, Pteridaceae) из Юго-Восточной Азии

A comparative study of spores of seven pecies: Taenitis blechnoides (Willd.) Sw., T. hookeri (C. Chr.) Holttum, T. pinnata (J. Sm.) Holttum, Syngramma alismifolia (Presl) J. Sm., S. lobbiana (Hook.) J. Sm., S. quinata (Hook.) Carruth., and Austrogramme boerlageana (Alderw.) Hennipman from South-Eastern Asia was performed using the method of scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Spores of all examined species are trilete, tetrahedral or tetrahedral-globose. Spores of Syngramma and Austrogramme are very similar to each other in shape and ornamentation. Ornamentation of both sides of spore is similar, verrucate (microverrucate), surface covered by rodlets and granulate deposits. Spores of Taenitis species with conspicuous cingulum (Taenitis blechnoides) or without it, ornamentation of both faces of spore could be tuberculate or baculate. Spores of Taenitis hookeri and Taenitis pinnata demonstrate tendency to forming of comissural ridges. Spore size of all studied species is close: equatorial diameter of spores of Taenitis species varies within 24–43 μm, those for Syngramma species is 29.8–35.5 μm, spores of Austrogramme boerlageana are smallest, their equatorial diameter varies within 22.5–29.4 μm.

PENGARUH FRAKSI EKSTRAK DAUN PACAR CINA (AGLAIA ODORATA L.) TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN COLLETOTRICHUM CAPSICI PENYEBAB PENYAKIT ANTRAKNOSA PADA CABAI (CAPSICUM ANNUUM L.) SECARA IN VITRO

Influence of Aglaia odorata L. leaf extract on in vitro growth of chilli antrachnose fungi (Colletotrichum capsici). Pacar cina (Aglaia odorata L.) is known as one of the potential herbs as fungicides. The objective of this study was to determine The effectiveness of various leaf extract fractions of pacar cina as a fungicide to suppress the in vitro growth of C. capsici, The causal agent of anthracnose disease on chili. This study consisted of two sub-experiments. The first experiment consisted of 12 treatments: leaf extract fractions with distilled water solvent, leaf extract fractions with ethanol solvent with a concentration of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90%, propineb 0.2 % (synthetic fungicides) and control (without fungicide). The Second experiment consisted of 12 treatments: leaf extract fractions with distilled water solvent, leaf extract fractions with the solven of n-hexane at a concentration of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90%, propineb 2% (synthetic fungicides), and control (without fungicides). The treatmentswerearranged by completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Variables measured in this experiment were colony diameter and density of spores of C. capsici. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and differences between the mean values was tested by Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) with the level of 5% significant different. Additionally, leaf extract that effectively inhibited the growth of C. capsici was the fraction of the leak extract with 80% ethanol solvent and 10%, 60%, and 90% n-hexanesolvent. The result showed that the leaf extract fraction of pacar cina was potentially used as fungicide to inhibit the growth of C. capsici.

Optimising microencapsulated formulation stability of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (Bt-KD2) against ultraviolet condition using response surface methodology

In this paper, microencapsulated formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki were prepared by the emulsion gelling method. Stability of formulation under ultraviolet (UV) radiation by spore viability and mortality teston Ephestia kuehniella Zeller larvae are investigated. Response surface methodology was used for optimising the formulations. Calcium Chloride (0.1 and 0.3 M) and sodium alginate (2 and 3% w/w) were used in the formulations, and stirring speed was selected between 1500 and 2000 rpm. Morphology of the microcapsule was evaluated by light microscopy. The optimal values for the variables were: sodium alginate = 2.15%, CaCl2 = 0.24 M, speed = 1606 rpm and spore viability, mortality and diameter of 68% ± 1.73, 85% ± 1.5 and 9μ ± 1.3, respectively; while the predicted values by the software were 70% for spore viability, 87% for mortality and 8.3 μ for diameter.

Isolation Cellulolytic Fungi from Plants and Animals Wastesin Iraq

134 samples of plants and animals wastes were taken from three different regions outside Baghdad and three different regions in Baghdad. 24 cellulolytic isolates fungi AO, C1, TH1, AN1, R1, TV, PG, AF, B1, L1, AP, TH, AP1, AN3, AO2, A, A1, C, F, AO1, C2, F1, CL and AP2 independent were chosen out of 48 selected fungi. The best optimal conditions for growth were 30ºC and pH 7. The isolates were identified and screened according to the colony diameter, biomass and density of spores in addition of capability to produce the hydrolytic enzymes for cellulose.

Isolation Cellulolytic Fungi from Plants and Animals Wastesin Iraq

134 samples of plants and animals wastes were taken from three different regions outside Baghdad and three different regions in Baghdad. 24 cellulolytic isolates fungi AO, C1, TH1, AN1, R1, TV, PG, AF, B1, L1, AP, TH, AP1, AN3, AO2, A, A1, C, F, AO1, C2, F1, CL and AP2 independent were chosen out of 48 selected fungi. The best optimal conditions for growth were 30ºC and pH 7. The isolates were identified and screened according to the colony diameter, biomass and density of spores in addition of capability to produce the hydrolytic enzymes for cellulose.