White Fungus Research Articles

BATTLING BAT FUNGUS

AS MICROBIOLOGIST Hazel A. Barton of Northern Kentucky University descended into the cool, damp, pitch-black darkness of an abandoned iron mine in Pennsylvania, she switched on the LED lamp on her helmet just as she had hundreds of times before and prepared to take stock of another subterranean ecosystem. But she started getting an uneasy feeling that something wasn’t right. “It’s hard to describe,” Barton says. “But it felt evil.” As she continued into the mine, last worked a century ago, Barton realized her premonition was right. Everywhere she looked, bat bodies were covered with white fungus. “The bats flying around were zombies,” she says. “On the cave floor, there were hundreds of bat carcasses. Because they decompose quickly, there were piles of bones with loose flesh. In some places, it was just a brown, sludgy mass.” It turns out that the fast-spreading fungal disease, named white-nose syndrome for the visually striking white Geomyces destructans ...

Microwave vacuum drying properties and kinetics model of white fungus

Microwave vacuum drying properties and kinetics model of white fungus

First Report of Dollar Spot of Seashore Paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) Caused by Sclerotinia homoeocarpa in South China.

Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Swartz), a warm-season perennial grass, is native to tropical and subtropical regions of North and South America (1). Its fine texture and tolerance to low mowing and hypersaline environments make it a commercially promising turfgrass species for coastal regions of south China. In late March 2009, disease symptoms were observed from two golf course fairways in Shenzhen and Foshan, Guangdong Province, China. Small, round patches from 25 to 75 mm in diameter were found to be consisting of bleached, straw color leaf lesions bounded by reddish brown margins. Similar patches had previously been observed on seashore paspalum since 1997 in Guangdong Province, but this turf species has been grown in southern China only since the early 1990s. These symptoms were observed when daytime temperatures were above 25°C and with heavy dew formation at night. Greatest severity was seen in the spring and fall. Several contact and systemic fungicides were applied after first symptoms were observed and they were usually successful in suppressing disease. To confirm the disease as dollar spot, isolates from Shenzhen and Foshan were obtained by plating diseased leaf blades of P. vaginatum (cv. Salam) on potato dextrose agar media. Isolates produced white, fluffy, aerial mycelium, columnar when mature, and usually with a cinnamon base and dark brown or black substratal stroma on and in the agar. One representative isolate from each location was chosen for pathogenicity testing. Six-week-old P. vaginatum (cv. Salam) grown from seed in pots was inoculated, with 5-mm-diameter agar plugs with hyphae from 5-day-old cultures, by direct placement onto leaves and with three replicate pots per isolate. Plants treated with sterile agar plugs served as controls. Inoculated turf was incubated at 25°C with 12-h light/dark conditions. A plastic film was also placed over the pots to retain moisture. Chlorotic leaf lesions started to develop 4 days after inoculation and became a bleached straw color. The same fluffy, white fungus was reisolated from lesions, while no disease was observed on controls, thus completing Koch's postulates. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA was amplified from DNA extracted from two isolates using primers ITS5 and ITS4 (2), and the 610-bp sequences showed 98% similarity with Sclerotinia homoeocarpa F.T. Bennett in GenBank and have been deposited as Accessions GQ386985 and GU002301. Dollar spot on P. vaginatum has been commonly observed in the United States (1). To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed report of dollar spot on P. vaginatum in China or from any host plant in China.

Fungicide and insecticide properties of cardboard panels made from used beverage carton with veneer overlay

This study evaluated fungicide and insecticide properties of the cardboard substrate panels overlaid with beech veneer. The experimental cardboards from recycled food and beverage carton containers having approximately 75% paperboard, 20% low density polyethylene (LDPE), and 5% aluminum foil were overlaid using four types of adhesives; polyurethane (PU), phenol‐formaldehyde(PF), urea‐ formaldehyde(UF) and melamine‐urea formaldehyde (MUF). The cardboard specimens overlaid with veneer using polyurethane adhesive had better mechanical properties and water resistance than those of the specimens made with other three types of adhesives. Brown rot fungus Coniophora puteana and white rot fungus Ceriporiopsis subvermisphora were used for the decay tests. The larvae of the Rhagium bifasciatum F. was used for the insect test. Wood veneer faced cardboards had significantly higher antifungal and insecticide properties than those of the control wood samples. The weight losses of the cardboard groups caused by C. puteana and C. subvermisphora were 0.43 - 0.83%. While UFcardboard type board was the most affected group by the fungus, MUF-cardboard type was found as the most resistance group against larvae.

Advance in Decolorization of Dye by Fungi*

Disposal of dyeing wastewater into the environment causes serious damage, since it may significantly affect the photosynthetic activity of hydrophytes by reducing light penetration and also it may be toxic to some aquatic organisms due to its breakdown products. studies on decolorization of dye by fungi have become popular since fungi started to be used in this field from 1980s. The main progresses of dye decolorization are summarized and analyzed in this paper, including the fungal diversity, mechanism of decolorization and main affecting factors. The decolorization by different kinds of fungi, such as white fungi, microzyme, penicillium and mildew, is all expatiated, the mechanisms of adsorption decolorization and degradation decolorization are discussed, and the advantages of decolorization by fungi and the future work are also proposed in this paper.

Enzymatic Saccharification of Japanese Cedar Wood by Combined Pretreatments using White Rot Fungus and Organosolvolysis with Lactic Acid

難分解性の針葉樹にも対応できる低環境負荷酵素糖化前処理法の開発を目指し，スギ材に対して，リグニンを高選択的に分解する白色腐朽菌処理と，乳酸，酢酸などの有機酸とエタノール，グリセロール，プロピレングリコールなどの溶媒系の組み合わせからなるマイクロ波ソルボリシス複合処理を試みた。白色腐朽菌Phellinus sp. SKM2102は，エタノリシス後酵素糖化によって得られる還元糖の収率を最大で5倍以上増加させた。バイオマスからの生産が可能な安全性が高い有機酸，アルコールの組み合わせでは，エタノールと乳酸を組み合わせたソルボリシスが最も高い酵素糖化前処理効果を示した。

Biologists Struggle to Solve Bat Deaths

An epidemic has stricken the northeastern United States for 3 years. As it spreads, researchers wonder whether a white fungus is the real killer.

Biodegradation of aliphatic, aromatic, resinic and asphaltic fractions of crude oil contaminated soils by Pleurotus tuber-regium Fr. Singer - a white rot fungus

The use of chemical fertilizer and animal manure on crude oil reduction during biodegradation with Pleurotus tuber-regium was investigated. The co-substrates and inocula types used for the investigation were shredded banana leaf blades and sawdust of Albezia and sclerotium and spawn of the fungus, respectively. The reduction of total petroleum hydrocarbons was higher in treatments with a combination of fertilizers and co-substrates. Degradation of total petroleum content was higher in poultry litter treatment than the NPK treatments. The degradation of aliphatics in substrates with co-substrates was higher than those without co-substrates. Reduction of aromatics was appreciable in all treatments with the least been 40% in banana leaf blades + contaminated soil and contaminated soil only substrates. Degradation of resins was higher in contaminated soils with co-substrates only than those with fertilizers + co-substrates. The reduction of asphaltenes was low and some substrates instead of a decrease, recorded increase in the asphaltic fraction. Phytoasssessment tests show that the addition of poultry litter and sawdust and banana leaf blades to fungal remediation restored the contaminated soil. The addition of NPK to crude oil contaminated soil in the presence of P. tuber-regium affected the soil negatively as it could not support plant growth anymore. P. tuber-regium is better able to remove hydrocarbons from soil with the aid of poultry litter and co-substrates. Key words: Biodegradation, petroleum hydrocarbons, co-substrates, phyto-assessment, fertilizers.

Characterization of Biotic and Abiotic Profiles of Greenhouse Evaporative Cooling System Fouling

Purpose : To characterize the microorganisms influencing greenhouse evaporative cooling system fouling as a prelude to designing a sustainable remediation scheme that would assist in reducing the heavy financial loss incurred by stakeholders due to deterioration of cooling pads. Methods : Samples of biofilms on evaporative cooling system pads were collected from various locations in Saudi Arabia and fixed with 5% formaldehyde. Light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and QWIN software were employed for the identification of different morphometric parameters of the constituent microbes. pH and conductivity were assessed using Pasport PS-2102 and PS-2116 sensors, respectively. Results: Different genera of cyanobacteria and diatom including Phormidium, Oscillatoria, Lyngbya, Navicula, Melosira and Gomphonema were identified and characterized, in addition to various types of bacteria and white crust fungus, Phanerochaete crysosporium. Total dissolved solids (TDS) values of 2641 ppm (conductivity, 5282 µS/cm) for Al-Rasheed, 2327.5 ppm (conductivity, 4655 µS/cm) for Sara, 3352 ppm (conductivity, 6704 µS/cm) for Dammam Municipality Greenhouse (DMG) and 61.5 ppm (conductivity, 123 µS/cm; pH 6.88) for KFUPM were obtained at 25 � C. Conclusion: Various organisms, including cyanobacteria and diatoms, which have been implicated in the biofilms of evaporative cooling systems at different locations in Saudi Arabia, were characterized with the aid of morphometric parameters. Identifying the constituent microorganisms would aid in designing a sustainable remediation scheme that is expected to reduce the heavy financial cost incurred by stakeholders due to frequent replacement of evaporative cooling pads during routine maintenance.

Decolorization of Orange II by Immobilized Thermotolerant White Rot Fungus Coriolus versicolor RC3 in Packed-Bed Bioreactor

Decolorization of Orange II by Immobilized Thermotolerant White Rot Fungus Coriolus versicolor RC3 in Packed-Bed Bioreactor

Occurrence of Porodaedalea pini (Brot.: Fr.) Murr. in pine forests of the lake district in south-western Turkey.

The occurrence of basidiocarps of the white rot fungus Porodaedalea (Phellinus) pini on Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana and P. brutia was investigated in six stands, covering a total land area of some 650 hectares, in Isparta province of the Lake District in Turkey. The height above ground of the lowermost P. pini basidiocarp was measured on each trunk. Basidiocarps of P. pini were found on thirty-eight trees, 32 P. nigra subsp. pallasiana (84.2% of the total) and six P. brutia (15.8%). The breast-height diameter of P. nigra individuals with P. pini ranged from 41 to 188 cm (average 77.7 cm) and that of P. brutia with P. pini from 68 to 96 cm (average 76.4 cm). Basidiocarps were mostly found on the lower part of the trunks of old trees. In addition to pathological aspects, the ecological role of the fungus in old-growth pine forests is discussed in relation to nature conservancy and biodiversity.

First Report of Blossom Blight and Green Fruit Rot of Sweet Cherry Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Oregon.

During May and June of 2006, 'Lapins' sweet cherry (Prunus avium) trees were observed with white fungal growth on blossoms and young fruit in two commercial orchards in central Oregon (Wasco County). Entire blossom clusters and 30% of fruit clusters were affected. Rot on the fruit was firm, light brown, and covered the entire fruit, extending halfway down the pedicel. Affected blossoms were light brown and stuck to adjacent fruit and blossoms. Six disease samples from fruit, four samples from pedicels, and four samples from blossoms were surface sterilized and plated on potato dextrose agar acidified with lactic acid ([APDA] 1.5%). A white fungus producing sclerotia measuring 4 to 8 mm in diameter was recovered from all the samples after 10 days on APDA at 25°C. Koch's postulates were satisfied by inoculating green, pea-sized 'Lapins' cherry fruit with mycelial plugs colonized by the white fungus. Symptoms and signs similar to those seen in the orchard were produced. The same sclerotium-producing fungus was recovered from all inoculated fruit. The pathogen was identified as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary on the basis of the size of sclerotia and nested PCR using fungal universal primer pair ITS4/ITS5 and S. sclerotiorum-specific primer pair SSFWD/SSREV (2). A negative control, devoid of DNA templates in the reaction mix, was included in the PCR assay. S. sclerotiorum is endemic on wheat in Wasco County. The affected orchards were surrounded by wheat fields in which snow mold disease that is caused by S. sclerotiorum was particularly serious in the spring of 2006 compared with previous years. Rot on cherries was first observed and very severe in May of 2005, with symptoms and signs mainly on leaves of all trees across 45 ha. New symptoms continued to appear on cherry until mid-June. During 2006, most symptoms and signs were on fruit with some leaf spotting. Both years had unusually wet springs with 12.2 cm of rainfall received from April to June 2005 and 12.4 cm from April to June 2006, which is well above the 6.81 cm average for the previous 5 years. S. sclerotiorum causes green fruit rot of stone fruits, including almond, apricot (3), nectarine, and peach (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. sclerotiorum causing blossom blight and green fruit rot on sweet cherry in Oregon.

Biosorption of Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu and Pb metals from petroleum refinery effluent by calcium alginate immobilized mycelia of Polyporus squamosus

Two samples of wastewater were collected and initial concentrations of heavy metals and other elements in wastewater were determined using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. Exponentially growing mycelia of the white rot fungus Polyporus squamosus immobilized on calcium alginate was applied to 500 ml of wastewater samples. Biosorption investigations were conducted in a stirring bioreactor. Results obtained showed significant increments in the quantity of heavy metals sequestered by immobilized live mycelia of P. squamosus as compared with empty ca-alginate beads. pH played an important role in the biosorption capability of the immobilized P. squamosus, with the fungal biomass having maximum adsorption for cationic metal ions at pH 4 - 6. The results of this investigation could provide a basis for applying the white rot fungi for an environmentally friendly and economically feasible decontamination of pollutants. Key words: Biosorption, white rot fungi, heavy metals, fungal biomass.

SECRET OF WHITE BEETLE REVEALED

WHAT MAKES A WHITE BEETLE so bright white? A new study shows that the brilliance originates from a network of 250-nm-thick fibers found in the interior of the beetle's scales. The investigation provides an explanation for one of nature's curiosities and may suggest new ways of making bright white ultrathin structures for display applications. Vivid colors and dazzling patterns are commonplace among species in the animal kingdom. But animals featuring luminescent white coloring are uncommon. Cyphochilus , a beetle found in Thailand and elsewhere in Southeast Asia, is an unusually white critter. Experts propose that the whiteness of the beetle's thin scales, which cover its body, head, and legs, aids the bug in mimicking local white fungi and serves as a form of camouflage. The origin of that whiteness and the beetle's secret for deriving so much brightness from its scales, which are thinner than synthetic bright white products, have now been revealed. On the basis ...

Isolation of Beauveria species from Lebanon and evaluation of its efficacy against the cedar web-spinning sawfly, Cephalcia tannourinensis

Larvae of the cedar web-spinning sawfly, Cephalcia tannourinensis Chevin (Hymenoptera: Pamphiliidae), infected with a white fungus were collected from the Tannourine-Hadath El-Jebbeh cedar forest. Macro- and micro-morphological data based on the examination of colonies, conidiophores, and conidial shape of the fungus suggested a Beauveria species. Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer regions of the isolated fungus showed that it is most closely related to isolates of B. bassiana Clade C. The present study showed that the isolated B. bassiana is a naturally occurring entomopathogenic fungus parasitizing the larvae of C. tannourinensis in Lebanon. Laboratory bioassays showed that B. bassiana caused high mortality of eggs and larvae. The infected eggs turned brownish in color, while larvae of the first instar ceased feeding and showed immobility and rigidity within 5 days and before sporulating conidial mat appeared on their cuticle. Second and third larval instars took longer time to show fungal sporulation: mortalities ranged between 85 and 100% within 7 days when treated with different conidial concentrations. The efficacy of control of C. tannourinensis using B. bassiana was higher or equal to the reference insect growth regulator, diflubenzuron, suggesting the possibility of its success as a biological control agent.

Fungi can be a useful forensic tool

We present a practical case in which the fungi have contributed to the estimation of postmortem interval of the cadaver. A 71-year-old man wearing a shirt and pants was found dead at the bottom of an open well about 6 m below the ground in his garden. Externally the face was dotted with colonies of white fungi, which was devoid of dipteran larvae and other insects. The fungi were identified as Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus terrous. These fungi, widely inhabit in the life circumstances, can generally colonize 3–7 days after attaching on the subjects. The appearance of the body surface, the state of decomposition of various organs, police information describing that the man had last been seen 12 days before discovery and the fungal evidence indicated that the man had been dead for about 10 days. We suggest that fungi can provide an useful means of estimating the minimum interval since death when forensic entomology is not applicable. Although, no data about growth rates of the fungi on human cadavers have been available, further researches should be needed to clarify the successive colonization of fungi on human cadavers.

Sap beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) in managed and old-growth forests in southeastern Ontario, Canada

AbstractNitidulid beetles were sampled from old-growth and mature managed hemlock-hardwood forest stands in southeastern Ontario, Canada. Large-area flight-intercept traps and trunk-window traps were operated for 22 weeks in 2003 and yielded 2129 nitidulid beetles representing 30 species. Species richness was similar in both forest types but relative abundance was higher in managed stands. Other diversity measures (rarefaction-estimated species richness, Fisher's α, Simpson's index) were all higher in old-growth stands, and managed stands were separated from old-growth stands in cluster analyses based on overall species diversity. These results were strongly influenced by the dominance of Glischrochilus quadrisignatus (Say) in two managed stands; removal of that species from analyses resulted in higher species diversity in managed stands and no distinct separation of forest types in cluster analyses. Indicator species analysis showed that G. quadrisignatus and Pallodes pallidus (Palisot de Beauvois) were strongly associated with managed stands. Glischrochilus sanguinolentus (Olivier) was collected more frequently in trunk-window traps than in flight-intercept traps and data suggested a possible association of this beetle with old-growth stands. Pallodes pallidus and Cychramus adustus Erichson, both known to feed on fleshy white fungi, displayed a clear division in seasonal abundance peaks, suggesting that resource partitioning may be occurring.

El "hongo blanco patón", Pleurotus albidus, en Hidalgo. Su primer registro en México

There is in Mexico a native range of names in Nahuatl or in other Indian languages, as well as in Spanish to name the white edible mushrooms. One of them, in the state of Hidalgo, is the paton white fungus, that was identified as Pleurotus albidus, is the first record of the species in Mexico. Cultural relevance of this fungus in the region of the Huasteca and its potential source as a handling and use of the natural resources are also discussed.

Southern Blight of Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens) Caused by Sclerotium rolfsii in California.

Areca palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens) is a popular ornamental palm that can be grown outdoors in mild climates and is commonly used as an indoor ornamental plant. During 2005, commercial palm producers lost significant numbers of areca palm seedlings grown in transplant trays to a crown rot disease. Initial symptoms consisted of a light brown discoloration of stems near the soil line. As disease progressed, the brown discoloration extended up the stem and down into the crown, foliage became gray green, and the entire plant then dried up and died. Extensive, white, cottony mycelium and numerous sclerotia developed externally on the lower stem, crown, attached palm seed, and surrounding peat moss medium. Mycelial growth was so extensive that the fungus often grew from one transplant tray cell, bridged across the plastic cell border, and into an adjacent transplant cell. Tan, spherical sclerotia measured approximately 1 mm in diameter. Isolations from diseased plants resulted in the recovery of the same white fungus that produced sclerotia. On the basis of sclerotia morphology and the presence of clamp connections at hyphal septa, the fungus was identified as Sclerotium rolfsii. Pathogenicity was tested by growing isolates on potato dextrose agar, drying the resulting sclerotia for 48 h, and then depositing 8 to 10 sclerotia at the base of healthy areca palm seedlings. Five isolates were tested using 40 plants per isolate. Non-inoculated controls were also included. All plants were incubated in a greenhouse at 22 to 25°C. After 2 weeks, inoculated plants began to show brown necrosis at the base of the stems; by the third week, plants began to dry up, and mycelium and sclerotia developed on the crowns. S. rolfsii was reisolated from all necrotic crown and stem tissues. Noninoculated controls did not develop any disease symptoms. To my knowledge, this is the first report of southern blight of C. lutescens in California. This disease has been reported on areca palms and other foliage plants in the southern United States and Central and South America (1). Circumstantial evidence (the disease occurred on palm seedlings that were planted in previously unused transplant trays and new peat moss rooting medium) suggests that the pathogen may have been brought in on palm seed. In the nursery, other foliage plants that are susceptible to S. rolfsii were planted in the same rooting medium but were unaffected by southern blight. Reference: (1) A. R. Chase. Compendium of Ornamental Foliage Plant Diseases. The American Phytopathological Society. St. Paul, MN, 1987.

육계분과 제과부산물을 이용한 반추가축용 완전혼합사료(TMR) 제조 시 가공처리 방법이 물리화학적 특성에 미치는 영향

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to develop effective manufacturing methods of a total mixed ration(TMR) composed of broiler litter(BL) and bakery by-product(BB) for ruminants. Five experiments included a small-scaled manufacture of TMR using a deepstacking method(Exp. 1), its pelletization(Exp. 2), its field-scaled manufacture(Exp. 3), a field-scaled manufacture using an ensiling method(Exp. 4), and a mixing process of deepstacked BL and BB prior to feeding(Exp. 5). BL and BB were mixed at a ratio which makes total digestible nutrients of the TMR 69%. For each experiment, temperature, appearance and physico-chemical properties were recorded and analyzed. The chemical composition data revealed that the mixture of BL and BB showed nutritionally additive balance which resulted from a considerable increase(P<0.05) of organic matter and a desirable decrease(P<0.05) of protein and fiber up to the requirement level for growing ‘Hanwoo’ steers. Deepstacking of BL and BB in Exp. 1 and 3 resulted in a sufficient increase of stack temperature for pasteurization, little chemical losses, appearance of white fungi on the surface, and partial charring due to excess stack temperature. For Exp. 2, its pelleting, which was successful using a simple, small-scaled pelletizer, resulted in a little loss(P<0.05) of organic matter and an increase(P<0.05) of indigestible protein(ADF-CP). Ensiling the mixture in Exp. 4 made little effect on chemical composition; however, one month of the ensiling period was not enough for favorable silage parameters. Deepstacking BL alone in Exp. 5 tended(P<0.1) to decrease true protein : NPN ratio and hemicellulose content and increase ADF-CP content due to the heat damage occurred. Deepstacking or ensiling of BL-BB mixtures and simple incorporating of BB into deepstacked BL prior to feeding could be practical and nutrients-preservative methods in TMR manufacture for beef cattle, although ensiling needed further hygienic evaluation.(