Abstract The research aimed to evaluate the effect of transferring extracts from residues of durable Amazonian wood species processing to a non-durable wood species (rubber tree) to prolong its use. For this purpose, three trees of rubber tree (27 years old) were collected from Santa Maria farm in the district of Pacotuba, Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, south of the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. These trees were transformed into samples for testing basic density, dimensional stability, retention and pH of the extracts, and resistance of the samples impregnated with the solutions obtained to xylophagous fungi. The impregnation of the wood was carried out using alcoholic extracts (solutions) of Hymenolobium flavum , Roupala montana, Dinizia excelsa , and Tectona grandis . The rubber tree wood had a medium density and moderately stable dimensional stability. The extracts were used in concentrations of 2, 4 and 8 % and tested against brown-rot fungi ( Rhodonia placenta and Neolentinus lepideus ) and white-rot fungi ( Polyporus fumosus and Trametes versicolor ). The extracts exhibited acidic pH (3.5–6.1), which contributed to the effectiveness against the tested fungi. The extracts of R. montana and T. grandis , at concentrations of 4 and 8 %, were more effective in controlling the development of xylophagous fungi.

Mycelium-based materials derived from white-rot fungi have attracted increasing attention as sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to conventional products. However, their mechanical strength and durability remain relatively inferior. Molecular breeding of white-rot fungi offers a promising strategy to address these limitations. Recent studies have suggested that mycelial density and cell wall structure play key roles in determining the physical properties of mycelium-based materials. In this study, we disrupted mbp1, which encodes a transcription factor required for normal mycelial growth and cell wall synthesis, in the white-rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus and investigated the effects on mycelium mats and mycelium-based composites. The mycelium mats of the dikaryotic mbp1 disruptants exhibited higher Young's moduli and ultimate tensile strengths than those of the control strain (20b×#61), indicating that mbp1 disruption resulted in stiffer mycelium mats. This may be because of the increased mycelial density in the dikaryotic mbp1 disruptants. In addition, the dikaryotic mbp1 disruptants produced harder mycelium-based composites than the strain 20b×#61. These findings indicate that mbp1 disruption improved the characteristics of mycelium-based composites. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating that molecular breeding can enhance the performance of mycelium-based composites, thereby paving the way for the development of efficient strategies to advance mycelium-based materials. KEY POINTS: • mbp1 disruption resulted in stiffer mycelium mats. • Dikaryotic mbp1 disruptants formed thinner but denser mycelium mats. • mbp1 disruption improved the mechanical strength of mycelium-based composites.

ABSTRACT The widespread release of recalcitrant heterocyclic azo dyes from the textile industry poses a significant environmental and health hazard. This study demonstrates a facile, green synthesis of a novel bio-hybrid nano-catalyst by immobilising laccase from the white-rot fungus Irpex lacteus onto Cu(II) nanoparticles. The laccase served a dual role as a reducing and capping agent, forming a stable laccase-coated copper ferrite nanoconjugate. Optimisation revealed that 0.3 M CuFe2O4, 1% (v/v) laccase extract, and a 30-minute reaction time yielded the most effective conjugates, as confirmed by a distinct Surface Plasmon Resonance peak at 344 nm. Comprehensive characterisation showed that the laccase-doped copper ferrite nanoconjugate had a hydrodynamic size of 80 nm, a negative zeta potential, and a dense enzyme coating, as observed via scanning electron microscopy, which enhanced colloidal stability and prevented aggregation. The catalytic proficiency of the laccase-doped copper ferrite nanoconjugate was evaluated against Methyl Red and Malachite Green dye. The nanoconjugate exhibited superior degradation efficiency under both fluorescent and photocatalytic light, outperforming free laccase and bare copper-oxide nanoparticles. Notably, for malachite green dye, a 30% laccase-doped copper ferrite nanoconjugate concentration under photocatalytic light reduced absorbance by 93% (from 1.52 to 0.1 AU). Similarly, for Methyl red dye, the same treatment achieved over 80% degradation. The laccase-doped copper ferrite nanoconjugate also demonstrated excellent reusability. This work establishes the immobilised nanoparticles as a potent, sustainable, and synergistic nano-biocatalytic system for the efficient remediation of hazardous dye-laden wastewater.

Dairy wastewater valorization enhances white rot fungi performance in recycled paper effluent treatment.

Plant biomass degradation by fungal extracellular enzymes is tightly controlled at the transcriptional level, enabling fungi to respond to the complex and variable composition of plant cell wall. White-rot basidiomycetes are of special interest due to their unique ability to degrade all components of lignocellulose, yet information on their transcriptional regulators involved in this process is highly limited. In this study, we characterized DsAce3, a Zn(II)2Cys6 transcription factor from the white-rot fungus Dichomitus squalens, predicted to be orthologous to the cellulase activators Ace3 of the ascomycete fungus Trichoderma reesei and Roc1 of the basidiomycete fungus Schizophyllum commune. Disruption of DsAce3 suppressed extracellular cellulase production and significantly impaired growth on cellulose and cellobiose. Transcriptomic analyses also confirmed that DsAce3 is essential for activating not only cellulase- and xylanase-encoding genes but also sugar transporter-encoding genes, linking enzyme production to sugar sensing and uptake. DsAce3 shows a strong phylogenetic and functional conservation compared to its ascomycete counterpart in T. reesei, a rare feature in known regulators of lignocellulose degradation. However, differences in the response of DsAce3 to lactose indicate distinct substrate sensing or signaling mechanisms in basidiomycetes. This study describes the first functional characterization of an Ace3 ortholog in a strongly ligninolytic white-rot fungus and provides critical insights into transcriptional regulation in white-rot fungi, facilitating advances in fungal applications for biomass conversion.IMPORTANCEWhite-rot basidiomycete fungi are key organisms in natural carbon cycling due to their unique ability to break down all polymeric components of wood. Despite their ecological and biotechnological importance, little is known about how these fungi control the genes responsible for this process. In this study, we characterized a transcription factor, DsAce3, in the white-rot fungus Dichomitus squalens. We show that DsAce3 is essential for activating genes needed to degrade cellulose and import the sugars released. Notably, DsAce3 shares functional conservation with similar regulators in both ascomycete and basidiomycete fungi. Our findings offer new insights into how wood-decaying white-rot fungi regulate plant biomass degradation and provide a molecular foundation for improving fungal enzyme production in industrial and environmental applications.

Role of the putative transcription factor Rim101 in pH/oxidative stress response and cell wall structure formation in the white-rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus.

A novel lignin peroxidase-mimicking by CoO-Co2VO4/C nanocomposite and its application in sensing fungal metabolite veratryl alcohol.

Dispersible reduced graphene oxide enhances the biodegradation of sulfamethoxazole by white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Episomal maintenance of introduced plasmid with or without AMA1 sequence in the basidiomycete fungus Pleurotus ostreatus.

Three pairs of fungal Trametes strains isolated from distinct geographic origins show conserved genomic features and adaptive response to plant biomass.

A nature-based duckweed-bacteria-fungi consortium enables comprehensive sulfamethoxazole degradation and detoxification in synthetic wastewater.

Efficient decolorization and detoxification of both single dyes of diverse structural types and mixed dyes in different combinations by crude laccase from white-rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus 50711

White-rot fungi are key players in the global carbon cycle through lignin degradation, yet the intracellular pathways that catabolize lignin-derived aromatics remain largely unresolved. The hydroxyphenyl unit compound p-coumaric acid (p-CA) is a major lignin fragment, but the enzymes responsible for its conversion to caffeic acid (CFA) have not been previously identified in fungi. This study demonstrates that Trametes versicolor employs group A flavoprotein monooxygenases (FPMOs) TvMNX3 and TvMNX4 for the hydroxylation of p-CA and related metabolites, representing an unrecognized branch of the p-CA catabolic pathway. Beyond ecological significance, the capacity of TvMNX4 to generate bioactive phenolics such as CFA and piceatannol underscores its potential for biotechnological applications, including the sustainable synthesis of pharmaceuticals and polymer precursors.

Polypores play a vital role in various forest ecosystems, yet their global biodiversity and distribution patterns have not been adequately studied. In this study, we compiled a comprehensive checklist of polypores using reliable databases and literature records, and then conducted in-depth analyses. A total of 4,026 polypore species was accepted, belonging to 11 orders, 60 families, and 368 genera within the class Agaricomycetes. Among the 11 orders (60 families), Polyporales (Polyporaceae) and Hymenochaetales (Hymenochaetaceae) have the highest number of species. Among six continents, Asia has the highest species number, while Oceania has the lowest number of species recorded. Although the tropical zone has the highest number of species, the temperate zone contains a greater number of orders, families, and genera. White rot fungi are primarily concentrated in the tropical zone, while brown rot fungi and mycorrhizal fungi are mainly distributed in the temperate zone. Biblio-metric analyses revealed three distinct groups centered around the keywords of “new species” and “phylogenetic analysis”, “activity” and “compound”, and “forest” and “species diversity”. Overall, our preliminary investigation into the species richness and distribution patterns of polypores has laid a solid foundation for resource development and conservation.

The use of white-rot fungi Pleurotus spp. and Trametes versicolor in continuous-flow fixed-bed systems has emerged as a promising and sustainable approach for the removal of different pollutants from aqueous media. This overview presents the most important design and operating parameters, the efficiency of fixed-bed systems using these fungi and their spent substrate, and the effect of operating parameters on changes in removal efficiency. After a literature screening based on the Scopus database, the overview focuses specifically on 55 studies that present the results of several hundred tests, meeting the criteria for continuous-flow fixed-bed systems, which include ensuring uninterrupted flow, constant adsorbent mass, and continuous interaction between the stationary and mobile phases. Results reported in the literature show the varying importance of biodegradation and biosorption processes in the removal of metals and organic pollutants (e.g., dyes, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, volatile compounds). The overview highlights the impact of operational parameters on removal efficiency, including bed depth, flow rate, type of polluted water, and initial concentration. It also determines that these fixed-bed systems using Pleurotus spp. and Trametes versicolor are primarily suitable for modelling the adsorption-based removal of given pollutants and the bioremediation of smaller amounts of municipal, industrial, or agricultural wastewater.

Laccases are versatile biocatalysts with broad industrial relevance. Their heterologous expression enables efficient production, purification, and functional optimization. The white-rot fungus Hirschioporus abietinus produces an effective extracellular laccase (Lac2), inspiring the identification and cloning of its encoding gene. To enable high and stable enzyme production, the gene was expressed in Pichia pastoris and the cultivation conditions for the selected variant were optimized to enhance the yield of recombinant laccase. The Lac2 was then purified and its biochemical properties characterized. The high-redox potential laccase Lac2 exhibited strong tolerance to common metal ions and maintained catalytic activity in the presence of a range of organic solvents. Overall, the results suggest that Lac2 possesses properties compatible with small-scale production and effective use in biosensor systems.

Abstract Natural or man-made catastrophes, such as asteroid strikes, super-volcano eruptions, or nuclear war, could create environments with low sunlight and temperatures, severely disrupting agriculture and requiring alternative food and energy sources. Lignocellulosic biomass, rich in cellulose, offers potential as an energy source for human survival. Biological agents can effectively break down this biomass and increase the efficiency of enzymatic conversion of cellulose to glucose, a biofuel precursor. In this study, we asked whether single or sequential inoculation with two white-rot fungi, oyster ( Pleurotus ostreatus ) and shiitake ( Lentinula edodes ) mushrooms, could be used to pretreat willow ( Salix spp.) biomass to increase saccharification efficiency without any supplements at 15 °C, mimicking a post-catastrophic environment. To answer this question, mushroom-pretreated biomass was incubated with the Cellic CTec2 enzyme to produce glucose. Overall, the cellulose [44–60% w/w; dry basis (db)] and lignin content (21 to 25%; db) of the pretreated willow did not change compared to untreated willow. However, sequential inoculation of oyster and shiitake, regardless of the inoculation order, enhanced saccharification efficiency yielding more glucose (28–31%) compared to untreated willow (14%) after enzymatic treatment. Based on our data, one kilogram of willow, after undergoing sequential fungal inoculations and enzymatic treatment, would yield 311 g of glucose suitable for biofuel or food production. Additionally, the mushroom fruiting bodies derived from willow provide 12%, 13%, and 2% of the daily carbohydrate, protein, and fat requirements, respectively, for a moderately active person. To achieve a balanced macronutrient supply, additional sources such as single-cell microorganisms, edible insects, and small-scale ruminants can be incorporated.

A comprehensive review on white-rot fungi for their pivotal role in degradation of pollutants

Fipronil, a widely used phenylpyrazole pesticide, poses significant environmental and health risks due to its persistence and toxicity. Effective remediation strategies are urgently needed. In the present study, the biodegradation of fipronil pesticide was studied using Pleurotus eryngii, a white rot fungus, exploring its potential for environmental cleanup. The biomass was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques to verify the surface functionality and morphology. FTIR results revealed that fungal biomass is rich in multiple functional groups (OH, NH2, NH, C = O, CN etc.), while SEM analysis showed that the surface of fungal biomass is irregular, porous, rough, and heterogeneous in nature. Bioremediation of fipronil with P. eryngii was monitored using UV-visible spectroscopy. Box-Bhenken Design was applied to optimize various parameters such as pH, time, and concentration of substrate to obtain the maximum % biodegradation. It was found that using P. eryngii, 98% degradation of fipronil was achieved (0.228 mM) in 6 days at pH 6.5. Finally, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis revealed that fipronil was transformed to benzaldehyde, (phenylmethylene) hydrazine and 1, 2- benzenedicarboxylic acid, mono (2-ethylhexyl) ester during degradation in presence of P. eryngii strain.

Culms of three bamboo species, Bambusa vulgaris, B. maculata, and Gigantochloa atter, collected from four natural stands in Lombok Island, Indonesia, were decayed by a white-rot fungus, Trametes versicolor, for 90 days. The obtained data were analysed by a mixed-effect model with a random effect of the sites to evaluate the geographic variations of decay resistance of the culms. Mean mass loss values were 16.3% for B. vulgaris, 20.2% for B. maculata, and 13.8% for G. atter. No significant difference in mass loss was found among the three species. Mass loss was positively correlated with amounts of hot-water extracts and organic solvent extracts in B. vulgaris, and with amounts of hot-water extracts and 1% NaOH extracts in B. maculata. As a result of mixed-effect modelling, the variance component ratio of the sites ranged from about 10 to 30%, suggesting that geographic variation was recognized in the culm decay resistance.