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Fermentation
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Biotransformation of Plant Materials by Molds and Higher Fungi
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Biotransformation of Plant Materials by Molds and Higher Fungi

A special issue of Fermentation (ISSN 2311-5637). This special issue belongs to the section "Microbial Metabolism, Physiology & Genetics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (22 August 2022) | Viewed by 22821

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Łukasz Łopusiewicz

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Guest Editor
Center of Bioimmobilisation and Innovative Packaging Materials, Faculty of Food Sciences and Fisheries, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland
Interests: functional foods; plant-based foods; dairy alternatives; biotransformation; by-products valorization; fermented products; bioactivity; probiotics; biopolymers; food microbiology; lactic acid bacteria
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Paweł Kwiatkowski

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Diagnostic Immunology, Chair of Microbiology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Interests: natural compounds; immune response; infectious diseases; antibacterial activity; Staphylococcus aureus
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plants and byproducts from their production are rich in different valuable phytochemicals, such as antioxidants, oils, dietary fibers, fatty acids, isoprenoids, lipids, proteins, saponins, phytoestrogens, etc. Such bioactive compounds can be used in various areas, including pharmaceutical and food purposes in order to obtain drugs, nutraceuticals, and functional foods through raw materials and waste valorization under the influence of trends connected with zero waste and the circular economy. Moreover, phytochemicals and other natural products have received increased attention due to their considerable benefits in preventing and managing chronic diseases. It is becoming ever more important to find solutions for the agricultural sector that would give a value to raw products and byproducts through identifying and extracting biomolecules. Moreover, current technology allows plant parts to become raw material for transformation, which can subsequently be used for different ends. Value-added transformation processes of plant materials can be accomplished via microbial conversion. Biotransformations are generally accepted as a useful tool for the preparation of new derivatives with biological activity or of industrial interest. Molds and higher fungi have in recent decades been proven rich sources of whole-cell biocatalysts for the biotransformation of natural products. Their enzymes, such as esterases, lipases, and proteases, have allowed the production of various groups of products, which makes their application in biotransformation environmentally and economically attractive. The aim of this Special Issue is to publish research works and review papers related to innovative microbial processes carried out by molds and higher fungi that can be applied in plant material management in the food, agriculture, chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and energy industries, including plant biomass as feedstocks in biochemical processes to produce high-value molecules. At the same time, any research or review papers contributing significantly to a better understanding of fungal metabolism in plant material biotransformations, especially by “-omics” techniques, are highly welcome.

Dr. Łukasz Łopusiewicz
Dr. Paweł Kwiatkowski
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Fermentation is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Plant products
  • Microbial transformation
  • Biotranformation mechanisms
  • Enzymatic activity
  • Phytochemicals metabolism
  • Preparation of metabolites
  • Metabolites analysis and characterization
  • Bioactive compounds
  • Functional foods
  • Plant biomass valorization

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 1131 KiB  
Communication
Effect of Different Inducer Sources on Cellulase Enzyme Production by White-Rot Basidiomycetes Pleurotus ostreatus and Phanerochaete chrysosporium under Submerged Fermentation
by Osmond Datsomor, Qi Yan, Louis Opoku-Mensah, Guoqi Zhao and Lin Miao
Fermentation 2022, 8(10), 561; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/fermentation8100561 - 20 Oct 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2176
Abstract
Cellulase enzymes attract a lot of research due to their industrial application. Diverse cellulase-producing organisms and substances that induce cellulase are highly sought after. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different inducer sources on cellulase production by white rot fungi P [...] Read more.
Cellulase enzymes attract a lot of research due to their industrial application. Diverse cellulase-producing organisms and substances that induce cellulase are highly sought after. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different inducer sources on cellulase production by white rot fungi P. ostreatus CGMCC 3.7292 and P. chrysosporium CGMCC 3.7212 under submerged fermentation employing a completely randomized experimental design. The different inducer sources tested were nitrogen (yeast, potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, aqueous ammonia and urea), carbon (malt extract, glucose, fructose, carboxymethylcellulose, starch and xylose) and agro-biomass (stevia straw, wheat straw, oat straw, alfalfa straw, corn cobs and corn stover). These inducer sources strongly impacted enzyme activities by P. ostreatus CGMCC 3.7292 and P. chrysosporium CGMCC 3.7212. The suitable nitrogen and carbon inducer sources for cellulase activity by P. ostreatus and P. chrysosporium were yeast (1.354 U/mL and 1.154 U/mL) and carboxymethylcellulose (0.976 U/mL and 0.776 U/mL) while the suitable agro-biomass were wheat straw (6.880 U/mL) and corn stover (6.525 U/mL), respectively. The least inducer sources in terms of nitrogen, carbon and agro-biomass for cellulase activity by P. ostreatus and P. chrysosporium were urea (0.213 U/mL and 0.081 U/mL), glucose (0.042 U/mL and 0.035), xylose (0.042 U/mL and 0.035 U/mL) and stevia straw (1.555 U/mL and 0.960 U/mL). In submerged fermentation, the cellulase enzyme activity of P. ostreatus in response to various inducer sources was relatively higher than P. chrysosporium. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotransformation of Plant Materials by Molds and Higher Fungi)
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13 pages, 787 KiB  
Article
Effects of Solid-State Fermentation Pretreatment with Single or Dual Culture White Rot Fungi on White Tea Residue Nutrients and In Vitro Rumen Fermentation Parameters
by Qi Yan, Miao Lin, Yinghao Huang, Osmond Datsomor, Kuopeng Wang and Guoqi Zhao
Fermentation 2022, 8(10), 557; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/fermentation8100557 - 20 Oct 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1753
Abstract
Fermentation of agricultural by-products by white rot fungi is a research hotspot in the development of ruminant feed resources. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of the nutritional value and rumen fermentation properties of white tea residue fermented at [...] Read more.
Fermentation of agricultural by-products by white rot fungi is a research hotspot in the development of ruminant feed resources. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of the nutritional value and rumen fermentation properties of white tea residue fermented at different times, using single and dual culture white rot fungal species. Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Phanerochaete chrysosporium + Pleurotus ostreatus (dual culture) solid-state fermented white tea residue was used for 4 weeks, respectively. The crude protein content increased significantly in all treatment groups after 4 weeks. Total extractable tannin content was significantly decreased in all treatment groups (p < 0.01). P. chrysosporium and dual culture significantly reduced lignin content at 1 week. The content of NH3-N increased in each treatment group (p < 0.05). P. chrysosporium treatment can reduce the ratio of acetic to propionic and improve digestibility. Solid state fermentation of white tea residue for 1 week using P. chrysosporium was the most desirable. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotransformation of Plant Materials by Molds and Higher Fungi)
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17 pages, 1991 KiB  
Article
Production of Enzymatic Extract with High Cellulolytic and Oxidative Activities by Co-Culture of Trichoderma reesei and Panus lecomtei
by Rubén Darío Romero Peláez, Daiana Wischral, Joice Raísa Barbosa Cunha, Thais Demarchi Mendes, Thályta Fraga Pacheco, Félix Gonçalves de Siqueira and João Ricardo Moreira de Almeida
Fermentation 2022, 8(10), 522; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/fermentation8100522 - 08 Oct 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1544
Abstract
This work aimed to produce enzymatic fungi extracts with hydrolytic and oxidative activities to hydrolyze lignocellulosic biomasses efficiently. For this, the fungi Trichoderma reesei and Panus lecomtei were co-cultured using the vegetable biomasses oil palm decanter cake, wheat bran, and cottonseed cake as [...] Read more.
This work aimed to produce enzymatic fungi extracts with hydrolytic and oxidative activities to hydrolyze lignocellulosic biomasses efficiently. For this, the fungi Trichoderma reesei and Panus lecomtei were co-cultured using the vegetable biomasses oil palm decanter cake, wheat bran, and cottonseed cake as substrates in submerged fermentation. T. reesei and P. lecomtei showed partially compatible positive interaction on plates. The co-cultures respond positively to variations of temperature and inoculum interval, generating extracts responsible for higher hydrolysis yield when grown at 25 °C, and P. lecomtei is inoculated 24 h after T. reesei. The enzymatic extract production of co-cultures was also improved by modifying the components of the initial media and evaluating enzymatic activities, hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse pretreated by autohydrolysis and ethanol production as a response. Five culture media were evaluated with variations in the composition of nutritional elements, minerals and substrates. The best extract showed a maximum cellulose hydrolysis efficiency of 68.7% compared with 44.8% of the initial medium. The ethanolic fermentation of hydrolysates obtained by co-culture extracts showed higher ethanol yields than monocultures. This work demonstrates the use of fungi co-cultures to produce enzymatic extracts composed of cellulolytic, hemicellulolytic, and ligninolytic enzymes complexes, which allow hydrolyzing pretreated lignocellulosic biomass with high efficiency, generating hydrolysates that are easier fermented by yeast. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotransformation of Plant Materials by Molds and Higher Fungi)
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13 pages, 1447 KiB  
Article
The Biotransformation of Lupine Seeds by Lactic Acid Bacteria and Penicillium camemberti into a Plant-Based Camembert Alternative, and Its Physicochemical Changes during 7 Weeks of Ripening
by Łukasz Łopusiewcz, Natalia Śmietana, Elżbieta Lichwiarska, Kinga Mazurkiewicz-Zapałowicz, Annett Gefrom and Emilia Drozłowska
Fermentation 2022, 8(9), 447; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/fermentation8090447 - 08 Sep 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2442
Abstract
In recent years, there has been increasing consumer interest and research into plant-based dairy alternatives, due to the increasingly negative impact of animal products on human health, animal welfare, and the environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physicochemical and [...] Read more.
In recent years, there has been increasing consumer interest and research into plant-based dairy alternatives, due to the increasingly negative impact of animal products on human health, animal welfare, and the environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physicochemical and microbiological changes in a Camembert alternative based on the seeds of sweet lupine (Lupinus angustifolius L cv. ‘Boregine’). After heat treatment and homogenization, the seeds were incubated with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and Penicillium camemberti mold. After fermentation at room temperature, the samples were stored at 12 °C for 14 days, and then ripened until day 49 at 6 °C. Changes in microbial population, acidity, texture, content of polyphenols, flavonoids, reducing sugars, and free amino acids were monitored. In addition, the antioxidant capacity of the samples during ripening was determined. The results showed that LAB and fungi were able to grow well in the lupine matrix. Initially, a decrease in pH was observed, while in the further stages of ripening, alkalization of the product linked with progressive proteolysis associated with an increase in free amino acid content was noted. Hydrolysis of polysaccharides and an increase in antioxidant activity were observed. This indicates the potential of lupine seeds as a raw material for the development of a new group of plant-based ripened cheese alternatives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotransformation of Plant Materials by Molds and Higher Fungi)
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17 pages, 961 KiB  
Article
Nutraceutical Enrichment of Animal Feed by Filamentous Fungi Fermentation
by Aparecido Almeida Conceição, Thais Demarchi Mendes, Simone Mendonça, Betania Ferraz Quirino, Euziclei Gonzaga de Almeida and Félix Gonçalves de Siqueira
Fermentation 2022, 8(8), 402; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/fermentation8080402 - 19 Aug 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2409
Abstract
There is an urgent need for improvements in animal production, particularly for ruminants, such that more sustainable and efficient processes are developed for obtaining more nutritious and efficient feeds. Filamentous fungi can add value to residual plant biomass, and may also have the [...] Read more.
There is an urgent need for improvements in animal production, particularly for ruminants, such that more sustainable and efficient processes are developed for obtaining more nutritious and efficient feeds. Filamentous fungi can add value to residual plant biomass, and may also have the potential to produce metabolites and enrich plant biomasses used in animal nutrition, converting them into nutraceutical sources. Thus, in this work, filamentous fungal fermentation of ruminant feed biomasses commonly used in Brazil was performed, and the enrichment for bioactive metabolites was tested. For this, Fistulina hepatica, Ganoderma lucidum, Pleurotus pulmonarius, Panus lecomtei, and Aspergillus terreus were grown for 28 days on different substrates: starchy grains- (sorghum, oat, and corn), fibrous substrates (coast-cross, rice husk, and moringa plant) and protein-rich substrates (cottonseed cake and pigeon pea plant). Fermented substrates were evaluated for laccase activity, crude protein, β-glucan, and lovastatin content. The highest growth rate was observed for G. lucidum in oat substrate (OT-01) (0.708 ± 0.035 cm/day) and F. hepatica in oat + coast-cross + pigeon pea treatment (OT-10) (0.607 ± 0.012 cm/day). High laccase activity was observed for P. lecomtei grown in starchy grain + moringa + pigeon pea substrate, reaching an activity of 416.8 ± 20.28 U/g. A. terreus growth in ST-09 (sorghum + pigeon pea) showed higher protein (15.3 ± 0.46%), β-glucan (503.56 ± 8.6 mg/g) and lovastatin (1.10 ± 0.17 mg/g) content compared to untreated substrates. These results demonstrate that filamentous fungi are an alternative for nutraceutical enrichment of ruminant feed biomasses. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in which P. lecomtei and F. hepatica are evaluated for their ability to be cultivated in ruminant feed substrates from Brazil. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotransformation of Plant Materials by Molds and Higher Fungi)
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11 pages, 1513 KiB  
Communication
Scanning Electron Microscopy Study on the Biodeterioration of Natural Fiber Materials Compared to Disposable Hygiene and Sanitary Products
by Laura-Dorina Dinu, Ovidiu Iordache and Emanuel Vamanu
Fermentation 2022, 8(6), 287; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/fermentation8060287 - 17 Jun 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2563
Abstract
Disposable personal care products are part of modern life, but these products could become a biological hazard in case of improper disposal. Therefore, our study compared the biodeterioration of plant-based woven materials (cotton, linen), animal materials (wool, leather), disposable hygiene products with cellulose [...] Read more.
Disposable personal care products are part of modern life, but these products could become a biological hazard in case of improper disposal. Therefore, our study compared the biodeterioration of plant-based woven materials (cotton, linen), animal materials (wool, leather), disposable hygiene products with cellulose fibers (sanitary pads, cosmetic pads), and chemical impregnated products (antimicrobial/sanitary wet wipes) using burial tests in two types of soils for 40 days. Weight loss (%) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that textiles are relatively quickly deteriorated compared to animal-based products, and the process is dependent on the soil type. According to SEM analysis, sanitary pads were the least deteriorated, followed by wet wipes and cosmetic pads (maximum weight loss 24.332% and 27.537%, respectively), and the process was influenced by the composition and structure of the product. These results were correlated with changes in the number of microbes and cellulolytic activity of soil near the samples, and eight isolates belong to Ascomycetes according to PCR analysis. This is the first report on the fate of disposable hygiene and sanitary products in soil, but further comprehensive research is required to reveal crucial insights about their potential hazards and to increase public awareness of the inappropriate disposal of these products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotransformation of Plant Materials by Molds and Higher Fungi)
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11 pages, 280 KiB  
Article
Mitragyna speciosa Korth Leaves Supplementation on Feed Utilization, Rumen Fermentation Efficiency, Microbial Population, and Methane Production In Vitro
by Kampanat Phesatcha, Burarat Phesatcha, Metha Wanapat and Anusorn Cherdthong
Fermentation 2022, 8(1), 8; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/fermentation8010008 - 27 Dec 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2946
Abstract
The objective of the research was to evaluate the different levels of Mitragyna speciosa Korth leaves powder (MSLP) added to rations with 60:40 or 40:60 roughage to a concentrate (R:C ratio) on in vitro nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation characteristics, microbial population, and methane [...] Read more.
The objective of the research was to evaluate the different levels of Mitragyna speciosa Korth leaves powder (MSLP) added to rations with 60:40 or 40:60 roughage to a concentrate (R:C ratio) on in vitro nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation characteristics, microbial population, and methane (CH4) production. The treatments were arranged according to a 2 × 8 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. The two factors contain the R:C ratio (60:40 and 40:60) and the levels of MSLP addition (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7% of the total substrate). There was no interaction between the R:C ratio and MSLP supplementation on gas production kinetics, ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), and microbial populations. The gas production rate constant for the insoluble fraction (c) was increased by the R:C ratio at (40:60), whilst there was no difference obtained among treatments for cumulative gas production, whilst the gas production rate constant for the insoluble fraction (c) was increased by the R:C ratio at 40:60. The concentration of NH3-N was influenced by the R:C ratio and MSLP addition both at 4 and 8 h after incubation. In vitro dry matter degradability (IVDMD) and organic matter degradability (IVOMD) were significantly improved by the R:C ratio and supplementation of MSLP at 12 h. Increasing the R:C ratio and MSLP concentrations increased total volatile fatty acid (VFA) and propionic acid (C3) concentrations while decreasing acetic acid (C2) and butyric acid (C4) concentrations; thus, the C2:C3 ratio was reduced. MSLP addition reduced protozoa and methanogen populations (p < 0.05). The calculated CH4 production was decreased (p < 0.05) by the R:C ratios at 40:60 and supplementation of MSLP. Finally, the addition of MSLP as a phytonutrient may improve nutrient degradability and rumen fermentation properties while decreasing protozoa, methanogen population, and CH4 production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotransformation of Plant Materials by Molds and Higher Fungi)
15 pages, 1581 KiB  
Article
Agro-Industrial Wastes: A Substrate for Multi-Enzymes Production by Cryphonectria parasitica
by Salvatore Savino, Daniela Bulgari, Eugenio Monti and Emanuela Gobbi
Fermentation 2021, 7(4), 279; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/fermentation7040279 - 26 Nov 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3005
Abstract
This study aims to produce a mix of enzymes through Solid State Fermentation (SSF) of raw materials. Four different, easily available, agro-industrial wastes were evaluated as SSF substrates for enzymes production by Cryphonectria parasitica (Murr.) Barr. environmental strains named CpA, CpB2, CpC4, and [...] Read more.
This study aims to produce a mix of enzymes through Solid State Fermentation (SSF) of raw materials. Four different, easily available, agro-industrial wastes were evaluated as SSF substrates for enzymes production by Cryphonectria parasitica (Murr.) Barr. environmental strains named CpA, CpB2, CpC4, and CpC7. Among the tested wastes, organic wheat bran for human use and wheat bran for animal feed better supports C. parasitica growth and protease production without any supplements. SDS-PAGE analyses highlighted the presence of three bands corresponding to an extracellular laccase (77 kDa), to the endothiapepsin (37 kDa), and to a carboxylesterase (60.6 kDa). Protease, laccase, and esterase activities by C. parasitica in SSF were evaluated for 15 days, showing the maximum protease activity at day 9 (3955.6 AU/gsf,). Conversely, the best laccase and esterase production was achieved after 15 days. The C. parasitica hypovirulent CpC4 strain showed the highest laccase and esterase activity (93.8 AU/gsf and 2.5 U/gsf, respectively). These results suggest the feasibility of a large-scale production of industrially relevant enzymes by C. parasitica strains in SSF process on low value materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotransformation of Plant Materials by Molds and Higher Fungi)
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13 pages, 3976 KiB  
Article
Optimization of the Nutrient Medium for Flammulina velutipes Submerged Biomass Production and Micromorphology of Its Mycelium
by Larissa Krasnopolskaya, Maria Shuktueva, Aleksandr Golyshkin, Nailya Almyasheva and Maria Yarina
Fermentation 2021, 7(3), 180; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/fermentation7030180 - 05 Sep 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2657
Abstract
Based on the assessment of the trophic needs of basidiomycete Flammulina velutipes and the optimization of the composition of the nutrient medium using design of experimental approach, the yield of the submerged biomass of the fungus was increased to 41 g/L, the duration [...] Read more.
Based on the assessment of the trophic needs of basidiomycete Flammulina velutipes and the optimization of the composition of the nutrient medium using design of experimental approach, the yield of the submerged biomass of the fungus was increased to 41 g/L, the duration of the cultivation process was reduced to 5 days. For this purpose, the 24 full factorial design, the Box–Wilson steep ascent method and the construction of the response surface were used. Using the method of scanning electron microscopy, it was shown that the studied F. velutipes strain grew in the form of small spherical pellets with a diameter of 1–2 mm on an optimized medium. The surface of the pellets was loose; the inner part was filled with hyphae tightly adjacent to each other. The center of the pellets had no cavity. F. velutipes pellets were formed by septate hyphae with clamp connections. The micromorphological characteristics of the submerged F. velutipes mycelium ensured a high diffusion of nutrients and oxygen into the pellets and their maximum filling of the volume of the culture medium. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotransformation of Plant Materials by Molds and Higher Fungi)
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