Fungi for Biotechnological Application and Environmental Cleanup

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental and Ecological Interactions of Fungi".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2021) | Viewed by 47772

Special Issue Editors

Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, España Blvd., Manila 1015, Philippines
Interests: fungal biodiversity; systematics; ecology and genomics; natural products; mycoremediation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru 81310, Malaysia
Interests: dehalogenase; biochemistry and molecular biology of pollutant degradation; prokaryotic biochemistry; haloalkanoic acid; microbial dehalogenases; aliphatic acid degradation; metagenomics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fungi are nature’s “workhorses”. They produce enzymes that degrade natural substrata, thereby contributing directly to the cycling of nutrients in the environment. Fungi also produce secondary metabolites which inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms and control pests. They degrade environmental pollutants, even those considered to be recalcitrant chemicals. For a relatively long time, human society has utilized fungi for various applications. For example, fungal cells have been used in the fermentation of wine and other beverages and for the production of single-celled proteins. Fungal enzymes have been utilized in industrial and biotechnological applications and in cleaning up our environment; and fungal metabolites have been exploited in drug discovery and other biopharmaceutical applications.

In this Special Issue, we will cover all research studies related to the biotechnological, biopharmaceutical, and environmental applications of fungi. We will also look at fungal biodiversity and how they are used for fermentation technology, enzyme production, and drug discovery. Therefore, we welcome reviews and original research articles covering fungal natural products, enzymes, fermentation products and processes, biocontrol, and bioremediation.

Dr. Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz
Dr. Fahrul Huyop
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. Journal of Fungi 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

  • bioactivities
  • biocontrol
  • biodiversity
  • biopharmaceutical
  • bioprospecting
  • bioremediation
  • biotechnology
  • environmental cleanup
  • enzyme technology
  • fermentation
  • fungal enzymes
  • genomics
  • industrial application
  • natural products

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

18 pages, 2754 KiB  
Article
Potent and Selective Inhibitors of Human Monoamine Oxidase A from an Endogenous Lichen Fungus Diaporthe mahothocarpus
by Geum Seok Jeong, Prima F. Hillman, Myung-Gyun Kang, Sungbo Hwang, Jong-Eun Park, Sang-Jip Nam, Daeui Park and Hoon Kim
J. Fungi 2021, 7(10), 876; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jof7100876 - 18 Oct 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1824
Abstract
Using 126 endogenous lichen fungus (ELF) extracts, inhibitory activities against monoamine oxidases (MAOs) and cholinesterases (ChEs) were evaluated. Among them, extract ELF29 of the endogenous fungus Diaporthe mahothocarpus of the lichen Cladonia symphycarpia showed the highest inhibitory activity against hMAO-A. Compounds alternariol (AT), [...] Read more.
Using 126 endogenous lichen fungus (ELF) extracts, inhibitory activities against monoamine oxidases (MAOs) and cholinesterases (ChEs) were evaluated. Among them, extract ELF29 of the endogenous fungus Diaporthe mahothocarpus of the lichen Cladonia symphycarpia showed the highest inhibitory activity against hMAO-A. Compounds alternariol (AT), 5′-hydroxy-alternariol (HAT), and mycoepoxydiene (MED), isolated from the extract, had potent inhibitory activities against hMAO-A with IC50 values of 0.020, 0.31, and 8.68 µM, respectively. AT, HAT, and MED are reversible competitive inhibitors of hMAO-A with Ki values of 0.0075, 0.116, and 3.76 µM, respectively. The molecular docking studies suggested that AT, HAT, and MED had higher binding affinities for hMAO-A (−9.1, −6.9, and −5.6 kcal/mol, respectively) than for hMAO-B (−6.3, −5.2, and −3.7 kcal/mol, respectively). The relative tight binding might result from a hydrogen bond interaction of the three compounds with a Tyr444 residue in hMAO-A, whereas no hydrogen bond interaction was proposed in hMAO-B. In silico pharmacokinetics, the three compounds showed high gastrointestinal absorption without violating Lipinski’s five rules, but only MED showed high probability to cross the blood–brain barrier. These results suggest that AT, HAT, and MED are candidates for treating neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression and cardiovascular disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungi for Biotechnological Application and Environmental Cleanup)
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15 pages, 1626 KiB  
Article
Isolation and Characterization of Nickel-Tolerant Trichoderma Strains from Marine and Terrestrial Environments
by Jewel C. De Padua and Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz
J. Fungi 2021, 7(8), 591; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jof7080591 - 23 Jul 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5164
Abstract
Nickel contamination is a serious environmental issue that requires immediate action. In this study, 23 strains of Trichoderma were isolated from terrestrial and marine environments and identified using a polyphasic approach of morphological characterization and ITS gene sequence analysis. The Trichoderma strains were [...] Read more.
Nickel contamination is a serious environmental issue that requires immediate action. In this study, 23 strains of Trichoderma were isolated from terrestrial and marine environments and identified using a polyphasic approach of morphological characterization and ITS gene sequence analysis. The Trichoderma strains were tested for their tolerance and biosorption of nickel. Our results showed the growth of all Trichoderma strains on Trichoderma Selective Medium (TSM) with 50–1200-ppm nickel, indicating their tolerance of this heavy metal even at a relatively high concentration. Six Trichoderma strains (three isolated from terrestrial substrates and three from marine substates) had the highest radial growth on TSM with 50-ppm Ni. Among these fungal isolates, Trichoderma asperellum (S03) isolated from soil exhibited the best growth after 2 days of incubation. For the biosorption of nickel, the accumulation or uptake efficiency by the six selected Trichoderma was determined in Potato Dextrose Broth (PDB) supplemented with 50-ppm Ni using a Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The percent uptake efficiency of the three strains of T. asperellum (S03, S08, and LL14) was computed to be up to 66%, while Trichoderma virens (SG18 and SF22) and Trichoderma inhamatum (MW25) achieved up to 68% uptake efficiency. Observation of the Trichoderma strains with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) before and after the absorption of nickel showed very minimal damage on the hyphal and conidial surface morphology, but changes in the colonial characteristics were observed. Our study highlighted the potential of terrestrial and marine strains of Trichoderma for the bioremediation of nickel pollution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungi for Biotechnological Application and Environmental Cleanup)
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13 pages, 3722 KiB  
Article
Keratinases Produced by Aspergillus stelliformis, Aspergillus sydowii, and Fusarium brachygibbosum Isolated from Human Hair: Yield and Activity
by Suaad S. Alwakeel, Fuad Ameen, Hussah Al Gwaiz, Hana Sonbol, Salma Alghamdi, Ahmad M. Moharram and Osama A. Al-Bedak
J. Fungi 2021, 7(6), 471; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jof7060471 - 10 Jun 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3064
Abstract
Twenty fungal strains belonging to 17 species and isolated from male scalp hair were tested for their capacity to hydrolyze keratinous material from chicken feather. The identification of the three most efficient species was confirmed by sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) [...] Read more.
Twenty fungal strains belonging to 17 species and isolated from male scalp hair were tested for their capacity to hydrolyze keratinous material from chicken feather. The identification of the three most efficient species was confirmed by sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA. Activities of fungal keratinases produced by Aspergillus stelliformis (strain AUMC 10920), A. sydowii (AUMC 10935), and Fusarium brachygibbosum (AUMC 10937) were 113, 120, and 130 IU mg−1 enzymes, respectively. The most favorable conditions were at pH 8.0 and 50 °C. Keratinase activity was markedly inhibited by EDTA and metal ions Ca+2, Co+2, Ni+2, Cu+2, Fe+2, Mg+2, and Zn+2, with differences between the fungal species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the activity of keratinase produced by A. stelliformis, A. sydowii, and F. brachygibbosum. F. brachygibbosum keratinase was the most active, but the species is not recommended because of its known phytopathogenicty. Aspergillus sydowii has many known biotechnological solutions and here we add another application of the species, as producer of keratinases. We introduce A. stelliformis as new producer of active fungal keratinases for biotechnological solutions, such as in the management of keratinous waste in poultry industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungi for Biotechnological Application and Environmental Cleanup)
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12 pages, 1719 KiB  
Article
Comparative Study on Lead and Copper Biosorption Using Three Bioproducts from Edible Mushrooms Residues
by Nathália R. C. M. Castanho, Renan A. de Oliveira, Bruno L. Batista, Bruna M. Freire, Camila Lange, André M. Lopes, Angela F. Jozala and Denise Grotto
J. Fungi 2021, 7(6), 441; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jof7060441 - 31 May 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3230
Abstract
Agricultural waste products can be used as biosorbents for bioremediation once they are low-cost and high-efficient in pollutants removal. Thus, waste products from mushroom farming such as cutting and substrate of Lentinula edodes (popularly known as shiitake) and Agaricus bisporus (also known as [...] Read more.
Agricultural waste products can be used as biosorbents for bioremediation once they are low-cost and high-efficient in pollutants removal. Thus, waste products from mushroom farming such as cutting and substrate of Lentinula edodes (popularly known as shiitake) and Agaricus bisporus (also known as champignon) were evaluated as biosorbents for metallic contaminants copper (Cu) and lead (Pb). Shiitake and champignon stalks, and shiitake substrate (medium in which shiitake was cultivated) were dried, grounded, characterized and experimented to remove Cu and Pb from contaminated water. The Sips model was used to establish the adsorption isotherms. Regarding Cu, champignon stalks have the best removal efficiency (43%), followed by substrate and stalks of shiitake (37 and 30%, respectively). Pb removals were similar among three residues (from 72 to 83%), with the champignon stalks standing out. The maximum adsorption capacities (qmax) for Cu in shiitake and champignon stalks were 22.7 and 31.4 mg/g−1, respectively. For Pb, qmax for shiitake and champignon stalks, and shiitake substrate were 130.0, 87.0 and 84.0 mg/g−1, respectively. The surface morphology of the champignon stalks revealed an organized and continuous structure. After an interaction with metals, the stalk of champignon accumulated the metal ions into interstices. Mushroom residues showed a relevant adsorption efficiency, especially for Pb. Mushroom farming waste are a very low-cost and promising alternative for removing toxic heavy metals from aquatic environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungi for Biotechnological Application and Environmental Cleanup)
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21 pages, 4336 KiB  
Article
Heavy Metal-Resistant Filamentous Fungi as Potential Mercury Bioremediators
by Cristina L. Văcar, Enikö Covaci, Somsubhra Chakraborty, Bin Li, David C. Weindorf, Tiberiu Frențiu, Marcel Pârvu and Dorina Podar
J. Fungi 2021, 7(5), 386; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jof7050386 - 14 May 2021
Cited by 42 | Viewed by 4310
Abstract
Filamentous fungi native to heavy metals (HMs) contaminated sites have great potential for bioremediation, yet are still often underexploited. This research aimed to assess the HMs resistance and Hg remediation capacity of fungi isolated from the rhizosphere of plants resident on highly Hg-contaminated [...] Read more.
Filamentous fungi native to heavy metals (HMs) contaminated sites have great potential for bioremediation, yet are still often underexploited. This research aimed to assess the HMs resistance and Hg remediation capacity of fungi isolated from the rhizosphere of plants resident on highly Hg-contaminated substrate. Analysis of Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cd concentrations by X-ray spectrometry generated the ecological risk of the rhizosphere soil. A total of 32 HM-resistant fungal isolates were molecularly identified. Their resistance spectrum for the investigated elements was characterized by tolerance indices (TIs) and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Clustering analysis of TIs was coupled with isolates’ phylogeny to evaluate HMs resistance patterns. The bioremediation potential of five isolates’ live biomasses, in 100 mg/L Hg2+ aqueous solution over 48 h at 120 r/min, was quantified by atomic absorption spectrometry. New species or genera that were previously unrelated to Hg-contaminated substrates were identified. Ascomycota representatives were common, diverse, and exhibited varied HMs resistance spectra, especially towards the elements with ecological risk, in contrast to Mucoromycota-recovered isolates. HMs resistance patterns were similar within phylogenetically related clades, although isolate specific resistance occurred. Cladosporium sp., Didymella glomerata, Fusarium oxysporum, Phoma costaricensis, and Sarocladium kiliense isolates displayed very high MIC (mg/L) for Hg (140–200), in addition to Pb (1568), Cu (381), Zn (2092–2353), or Cd (337). The Hg biosorption capacity of these highly Hg-resistant species ranged from 33.8 to 54.9 mg/g dry weight, with a removal capacity from 47% to 97%. Thus, the fungi identified herein showed great potential as bioremediators for highly Hg-contaminated aqueous substrates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungi for Biotechnological Application and Environmental Cleanup)
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14 pages, 4176 KiB  
Article
Stimulatory Effects of Oleci Acid and Fungal Elicitor on Betulinic Acid Production by Submerged Cultivation of Medicinal Mushroom Inonotus obliquus
by Hanghang Lou, Hao Li, Tianyu Wei and Qihe Chen
J. Fungi 2021, 7(4), 266; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jof7040266 - 31 Mar 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2151
Abstract
To evaluate the novel strategy of oleic acid and fungal elicitor (made from Aspergillus niger) to elicit betulinic acid biosynthesis in medicinal mushroom Inonotus obliquus, we conduct the stimulatory effects investigation for synthesizing betulinic acid from betulin. HPLC results indicated oleic [...] Read more.
To evaluate the novel strategy of oleic acid and fungal elicitor (made from Aspergillus niger) to elicit betulinic acid biosynthesis in medicinal mushroom Inonotus obliquus, we conduct the stimulatory effects investigation for synthesizing betulinic acid from betulin. HPLC results indicated oleic acid and fungal elicitor were effective stimulators. The supplementation of 1.0 g/L oleic acid led to the highest increase of betulinic acid either in dry mycelia or fermentation broth by 2-fold of the control. Fungal elicitor at 45 mg/L markedly increases mycelia growth by 146.0% and enhance intracellular betulinic acid accumulation by 429.5% as compared to the controls. Quantification of transcription levels determined that oleic acid, fungal elicitor and their combinations could induce the expressions of key genes involved in betulinic acid biosynthesis, such as HMG-CoA reductase and squalene synthase. These findings indicated that oleic acid and fungal elicitor could enhance betulinic acid metabolism by up-regulating key genes expression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungi for Biotechnological Application and Environmental Cleanup)
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21 pages, 3365 KiB  
Article
β-Galactosidase-Producing Isolates in Mucoromycota: Screening, Enzyme Production, and Applications for Functional Oligosaccharide Synthesis
by Bettina Volford, Mónika Varga, András Szekeres, Alexandra Kotogán, Gábor Nagy, Csaba Vágvölgyi, Tamás Papp and Miklós Takó
J. Fungi 2021, 7(3), 229; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jof7030229 - 19 Mar 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3166
Abstract
β-Galactosidases of Mucoromycota are rarely studied, although this group of filamentous fungi is an excellent source of many industrial enzymes. In this study, 99 isolates from the genera Lichtheimia, Mortierella, Mucor, Rhizomucor, Rhizopus and Umbelopsis, were screened for [...] Read more.
β-Galactosidases of Mucoromycota are rarely studied, although this group of filamentous fungi is an excellent source of many industrial enzymes. In this study, 99 isolates from the genera Lichtheimia, Mortierella, Mucor, Rhizomucor, Rhizopus and Umbelopsis, were screened for their β-galactosidase activity using a chromogenic agar approach. Ten isolates from the best producers were selected, and the activity was further investigated in submerged (SmF) and solid-state (SSF) fermentation systems containing lactose and/or wheat bran substrates as enzyme production inducers. Wheat bran proved to be efficient for the enzyme production under both SmF and SSF conditions, giving maximum specific activity yields from 32 to 12,064 U/mg protein and from 783 to 22,720 U/mg protein, respectively. Oligosaccharide synthesis tests revealed the suitability of crude β-galactosidases from Lichtheimia ramosa Szeged Microbiological Collection (SZMC) 11360 and Rhizomucor pusillus SZMC 11025 to catalyze transgalactosylation reactions. In addition, the crude enzyme extracts had transfructosylation activity, resulting in the formation of fructo-oligosaccharide molecules in a sucrose-containing environment. The maximal oligosaccharide concentration varied between 0.0158 and 2.236 g/L depending on the crude enzyme and the initial material. Some oligosaccharide-enriched mixtures supported the growth of probiotics, indicating the potential of the studied enzyme extracts in future prebiotic synthesis processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungi for Biotechnological Application and Environmental Cleanup)
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20 pages, 2792 KiB  
Article
Biological Treatment of Real Textile Effluent Using Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium oxysporium and Their Consortium along with the Evaluation of Their Phytotoxicity
by Mohamed T. Selim, Salem S. Salem, Asem A. Mohamed, Mamdouh S. El-Gamal, Mohamed F. Awad and Amr Fouda
J. Fungi 2021, 7(3), 193; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jof7030193 - 09 Mar 2021
Cited by 61 | Viewed by 3419
Abstract
Twenty-one fungal strains were isolated from dye-contaminated soil; out of them, two fungal strains A2 and G2-1 showed the highest decolorization capacity for real textile effluent and were, hence, identified as Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium oxysporium based on morphological and molecular methods. The [...] Read more.
Twenty-one fungal strains were isolated from dye-contaminated soil; out of them, two fungal strains A2 and G2-1 showed the highest decolorization capacity for real textile effluent and were, hence, identified as Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium oxysporium based on morphological and molecular methods. The highest decolorization percentage of 78.12 ± 2.1% was attained in the biotreatment with fungal consortium followed by A. flavus and F. oxysporium separately with removal percentages of 54.68 ± 1.2% and 52.41 ± 1.0%, respectively. Additionally, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy of the treated effluent showed that a maximum peak (λmax) of 415 nm was reduced as compared with the control. The indicators of wastewater treatment efficacy, namely total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, conductivity, biological oxygen demand, and chemical oxygen demand with removal percentages of 78.2, 78.4, 58.2, 78.1, and 77.6%, respectively, demonstrated a considerable decrease in values due to fungal consortium treatment. The reduction in peak and mass area along with the appearance of new peaks in GC-MS confirms a successful biodegradation process. The toxicity of treated textile effluents on the seed germination of Vicia faba was decreased as compared with the control. The shoot length after irrigation with effluents treated by the fungal consortium was 15.12 ± 1.01 cm as compared with that treated by tap-water, which was 17.8 ± 0.7 cm. Finally, we recommended the decrease of excessive uses of synthetic dyes and utilized biological approaches for the treatment of real textile effluents to reuse in irrigation of uneaten plants especially with water scarcity worldwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungi for Biotechnological Application and Environmental Cleanup)
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17 pages, 1990 KiB  
Article
The Emericellipsins A–E from an Alkalophilic Fungus Emericellopsis alkalina Show Potent Activity against Multidrug-Resistant Pathogenic Fungi
by Anastasia E. Kuvarina, Irina A. Gavryushina, Alexander B. Kulko, Igor A. Ivanov, Eugene A. Rogozhin, Marina L. Georgieva and Vera S. Sadykova
J. Fungi 2021, 7(2), 153; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jof7020153 - 21 Feb 2021
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2477
Abstract
Novel antimicrobial peptides with antifungal and cytotoxic activity were derived from the alkalophilic fungus Emericellopsis alkalina VKPM F1428. We previously reported that this strain produced emericellipsin A (EmiA), which has strong antifungal and cytotoxic properties. Further analyses of the metabolites obtained under a [...] Read more.
Novel antimicrobial peptides with antifungal and cytotoxic activity were derived from the alkalophilic fungus Emericellopsis alkalina VKPM F1428. We previously reported that this strain produced emericellipsin A (EmiA), which has strong antifungal and cytotoxic properties. Further analyses of the metabolites obtained under a special alkaline medium resulted in the isolation of four new homologous (Emi B–E). In this work, we report the complete primary structure and detailed biological activity for the newly synthesized nonribosomal antimicrobial peptides called emericellipsins B–E. The inhibitory activity of themajor compound, EmiA, against drug-resistant pathogenic fungi was similar to that of amphotericin B (AmpB). At the same time, EmiA had no hemolytic activity towards human erythrocytes. In addition, EmiA demonstrated low cytotoxic activity towards the normal HPF line, but possessed cancer selectivity to the K-562 and HCT-116 cell lines. Emericillipsins from the alkalophilic fungus Emericellopsis alkaline are promising treatment alternatives to licensed antifungal drugs for invasive mycosis therapy, especially for multidrug-resistant aspergillosis and cryptococcosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungi for Biotechnological Application and Environmental Cleanup)
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16 pages, 3743 KiB  
Article
Selective Inhibition of Human Monoamine Oxidase B by 5-hydroxy-2-methyl-chroman-4-one Isolated from an Endogenous Lichen Fungus Daldinia fissa
by Geum-Seok Jeong, Myung-Gyun Kang, Sang-Ah Han, Ji-In Noh, Jong-Eun Park, Sang-Jip Nam, Daeui Park, Sung-Tae Yee and Hoon Kim
J. Fungi 2021, 7(2), 84; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jof7020084 - 26 Jan 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2144
Abstract
Inhibitory activities against monoamine oxidases (MAOs) and cholinesterases (ChEs) and antioxidant activity were evaluated for 195 extracts from Ukraine-derived endogenous lichen fungi (ELF). Among them, an ELF13 (identified as Daldinia fissa) extract showed the highest inhibitory activity against MAO-B, and 5-hydroxy-2-methyl-chroman-4-one (HMC) [...] Read more.
Inhibitory activities against monoamine oxidases (MAOs) and cholinesterases (ChEs) and antioxidant activity were evaluated for 195 extracts from Ukraine-derived endogenous lichen fungi (ELF). Among them, an ELF13 (identified as Daldinia fissa) extract showed the highest inhibitory activity against MAO-B, and 5-hydroxy-2-methyl-chroman-4-one (HMC) was isolated as a ~ 4-fold selective inhibitor of MAO-B (IC50 = 3.23 µM) compared to MAO-A (IC50 = 13.97 µM). HMC is a reversible competitive inhibitor with a Ki value of 0.896 µM. No cytotoxicity was observed in normal and cancer cells at 50 µM of HMC. HMC showed blood–brain barrier permeability and high gastrointestinal absorption in silico pharmacokinetics. The docking simulation results showed that the binding affinity of HMC for MAO-B (−7.3 kcal/mol) was higher than that of MAO-A (−6.1 kcal/mol) and that HMC formed a hydrogen bond interaction with Cys172 of MAO-B (distance: 3.656 Å), whereas no hydrogen bonding was predicted with MAO-A. These results suggest that HMC can be considered a candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungi for Biotechnological Application and Environmental Cleanup)
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12 pages, 2754 KiB  
Article
Aspergillus niger Decreases Bioavailability of Arsenic(V) via Biotransformation of Manganese Oxide into Biogenic Oxalate Minerals
by Bence Farkas, Marek Kolenčík, Miroslav Hain, Edmund Dobročka, Gabriela Kratošová, Marek Bujdoš, Huan Feng, Yang Deng, Qian Yu, Ramakanth Illa, B. Ratna Sunil, Hyunjung Kim, Peter Matúš and Martin Urík
J. Fungi 2020, 6(4), 270; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jof6040270 - 09 Nov 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2425
Abstract
The aim of this work was to evaluate the transformation of manganese oxide (hausmannite) by microscopic filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger and the effects of the transformation on mobility and bioavailability of arsenic. Our results showed that the A. niger strain CBS 140837 greatly [...] Read more.
The aim of this work was to evaluate the transformation of manganese oxide (hausmannite) by microscopic filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger and the effects of the transformation on mobility and bioavailability of arsenic. Our results showed that the A. niger strain CBS 140837 greatly affected the stability of hausmannite and induced its transformation into biogenic crystals of manganese oxalates—falottaite and lindbergite. The transformation was enabled by fungal acidolysis of hausmannite and subsequent release of manganese ions into the culture medium. While almost 45% of manganese was bioextracted, the arsenic content in manganese precipitates increased throughout the 25-day static cultivation of fungus. This significantly decreased the bioavailability of arsenic for the fungus. These results highlight the unique A. niger strain’s ability to act as an active geochemical factor via its ability to acidify its environment and to induce formation of biogenic minerals. This affects not only the manganese speciation, but also bioaccumulation of potentially toxic metals and metalloids associated with manganese oxides, including arsenic. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungi for Biotechnological Application and Environmental Cleanup)
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18 pages, 1092 KiB  
Review
Deciphering Trichoderma–Plant–Pathogen Interactions for Better Development of Biocontrol Applications
by Alsayed Alfiky and Laure Weisskopf
J. Fungi 2021, 7(1), 61; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jof7010061 - 18 Jan 2021
Cited by 124 | Viewed by 12983
Abstract
Members of the fungal genus Trichoderma (Ascomycota, Hypocreales, Hypocreaceae) are ubiquitous and commonly encountered as soil inhabitants, plant symbionts, saprotrophs, and mycoparasites. Certain species have been used to control diverse plant diseases and mitigate negative growth conditions. The versatility of Trichoderma’s interactions [...] Read more.
Members of the fungal genus Trichoderma (Ascomycota, Hypocreales, Hypocreaceae) are ubiquitous and commonly encountered as soil inhabitants, plant symbionts, saprotrophs, and mycoparasites. Certain species have been used to control diverse plant diseases and mitigate negative growth conditions. The versatility of Trichoderma’s interactions mainly relies on their ability to engage in inter- and cross-kingdom interactions. Although Trichoderma is by far the most extensively studied fungal biocontrol agent (BCA), with a few species already having been commercialized as bio-pesticides or bio-fertilizers, their wide application has been hampered by an unpredictable efficacy under field conditions. Deciphering the dialogues within and across Trichoderma ecological interactions by identification of involved effectors and their underlying effect is of great value in order to be able to eventually harness Trichoderma’s full potential for plant growth promotion and protection. In this review, we focus on the nature of Trichoderma interactions with plants and pathogens. Better understanding how Trichoderma interacts with plants, other microorganisms, and the environment is essential for developing and deploying Trichoderma-based strategies that increase crop production and protection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungi for Biotechnological Application and Environmental Cleanup)
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