Search Results (12,702)

Wild edible mushrooms are an important food source globally and have a crucial role in forest ecosystems. However, there is limited research on the growth characteristics and the contribution of agronomic traits to biomass, and the environmental factors affecting mushroom growth are limited. This study was conducted in the Qilian Mountains, China, and focused on investigating the growth patterns and agronomic traits of Lyophyllum decastes and Coprinus comatus. The results revealed that the growth of these mushrooms followed a logical growth curve. By calculating the model parameters, we obtained the maximum daily growth of height (PH), pileus diameter (PD), and cluster perimeter (CP) of L. decastes on the 5th, 7th, and 7th days, respectively, with values of 0.55 cm d⁻¹, 0.54 cm d⁻¹, and 4.54 cm d⁻¹, respectively. However, the maximum daily growth of PH, pileus length (PL), and PD of the C. comatus appeared on the 3rd day, 2nd day, and 2nd day of the observation, respectively. This study identified near-surface relative humidity, air relative humidity, and rainfall as the primary factors influencing mushroom growth, as indicated by Pearson’s correlation analysis, redundancy analysis (RDA), and multiple linear and stepwise regression. Additionally, land surface temperature and air temperature were also identified as important factors affecting mushroom growth. By utilizing random forest and stepwise regression analysis, this study identified PH and stipe diameter (SD) as the most crucial agronomic traits affecting mushroom biomass. Overall, this study offers insights for industrial mushroom cultivation and basic fungal research. Full article

Fungal infections represent a growing public health problem, mainly stemming from two phenomena. Firstly, certain diseases (e.g., AIDS and COVID-19) have emerged that weaken the immune system, leaving patients susceptible to opportunistic pathogens. Secondly, an increasing number of pathogenic fungi are developing multi-drug resistance. Consequently, there is a need for new antifungal drugs with novel therapeutic targets, such as type I and II DNA topoisomerase enzymes of fungal organisms. This contribution summarizes the available information in the literature on the biology, topology, structural characteristics, and genes of topoisomerase (Topo) I and II enzymes in humans, two other mammals, and 29 fungi (including Basidiomycetes and Ascomycetes). The evidence of these enzymes as alternative targets for antifungal therapy is presented, as is a broad spectrum of Topo I and II inhibitors. Research has revealed the genes responsible for encoding the Topo I and II enzymes of fungal organisms and the amino acid residues and nucleotide residues at the active sites of the enzymes that are involved in the binding mode of topoisomerase inhibitors. Such residues are highly conserved. According to molecular docking studies, antifungal Topo I and II inhibitors have good affinity for the active site of the respective enzymes. The evidence presented in the current review supports the proposal of the suitability of Topo I and II enzymes as molecular targets for new antifungal drugs, which may be used in the future in combined therapies for the treatment of infections caused by fungal organisms. Full article

Fungi infection, especially derived from Plasmopara viticola, causes severe grapevine economic losses worldwide. Despite the availability of chemical treatments, looking for eco-friendly ways to control Vitis vinifera infection is gaining much more attention. When a plant is infected, multiple disease-control molecular mechanisms are activated. PRRs (Pattern Recognition Receptors) and particularly RLKs (receptor-like kinases) take part in the first barrier of the immune system, and, as a consequence, the kinase signaling cascade is activated, resulting in an immune response. In this context, discovering new lectin-RLK (LecRLK) membrane-bounded proteins has emerged as a promising strategy. The genome-wide localization of potential LecRLKs involved in disease defense was reported in two grapevine varieties of great economic impact: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. A total of 23 potential amino acid sequences were identified, exhibiting high-sequence homology and evolution related to tandem events. Based on the domain architecture, a carbohydrate specificity ligand assay was conducted with docking, revealing two sequences as candidates for specific Vitis vinifera–Plasmopara viticola host–pathogen interaction. This study confers a starting point for designing new effective antifungal treatments directed at LecRLK targets in Vitis vinifera. Full article

Preserving cosmetic products from microbial contamination is crucial to ensuring their safety, efficacy, and shelf life. A number of synthetic antimicrobial preservatives are available, but, since the global market demand for natural ingredients is increasing, cosmetic manufacturers are considering replacing conventional preservatives with natural alternatives. In this context, the objective of this investigation was to characterize the antimicrobial activity of the natural preservative, intended for cosmetic purposes, Kopraphinol (INCI name: Lactobacillus/Radish Root Ferment Extract Filtrate). It was tested against a panel of selected bacteria and mycetes by using conventional microbiological techniques (determination of MIC, time killing assay), and a challenge test was used to verify its potential preservative in an O/W hydrophilic cream (Cetomacrogol cream base). Kopraphinol has shown an interesting antimicrobial effectiveness, with M.I.C.s ranging from 0.78% to 6.25% for bacteria and from 1.56% to 5% for mycetes. Moreover, it fulfilled challenge test criterion A and has proven effective against microbial contamination, leading to a 3 log reduction of inoculum after 7 days for bacteria and a 2 log reduction at 14 days for fungi. The results obtained show that Kopraphinol can be considered a promising and effective candidate for the antimicrobial preservation of cosmetics and could successfully complement or even replace conventional preservatives. Full article

The Special Issue is devoted to the diversity, abundance, and distribution of wood-decay fungi, which historically have sparked little attention in both scholars and amateurs, despite the refinement of cultivation techniques and valorization of medicinal species over the course of several centuries, especially in Eastern Asia [...] Full article

Glomalin-related soil proteins (GRSP) play a crucial role in strengthening soil structure and increasing carbon (C) storage. However, the chemical stability of GRSP and related arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) community response to fertilization remains unclear. This study investigated C and nitrogen (N) contents, three-dimensional fluorescence characteristics in GRSP, and AMF properties based on a field experiment that was subjected to 29 years of various fertilizations. The experiment included treatments with no fertilizer (CK), chemical fertilizer (NPK), manure (M), and manure combined with NPK (NPKM) treatments. Results showed that GRSP contained 37–49% C and 6–9% N, respectively. Compared with CK and NPK, the C and N proportions in GRSP significantly increased under M and NPKM. Using the parallel factor model, four fluorescent components of GRSP were identified: one fulvic acid-like component (C2), one tyrosine-like component (C4), and two humic acid-like components (C1, C3). Under M and NPKM, the fluorescent intensity of C2 and C4 decreased, while the humification index (HIX) increased relative to CK and NPK, indicating that organic fertilization could enhance the stability of GRSP. The C and N proportion in GRSP positively associated with soil organic C (SOC), total N (TN), available phosphorus (AP), AMF biomass, and diversity, while C2 and C4 showed negative associations. Structural equation modeling further revealed that manure-induced changes in pH, SOC, TN, and AP increased AMF biomass and diversity, thereby altering GRSP composition and stability. This study provides valuable insights into the compositional traits of GRSP, contributing to sustainable soil management and C sequestration in agroecosystems. Full article

Soil salinization, a significant global challenge, threatens sustainable development. This study explores the potential of magnetized ionized water irrigation and Bacillus subtilis application to mitigate this issue. The former method is hypothesized to enhance soil salt leaching, while the latter is expected to improve soil nutrient availability, thereby increasing microbial diversity. To address the unclear impact of these interventions on soil quality and cotton productivity, this study employs four different experimental methods: magnetized ionized water irrigation (M), application of 45 kg ha⁻¹ B. subtilis (B), a combination of 45 kg ha⁻¹ B. subtilis with magnetized ionized water irrigation (MB), and a control treatment with no intervention (CK). This study aims to clarify the effects of these treatments on soil bulk density (BD), field capacity (FC), salinity and alkalinity, nutrient content, microbial activity, and cotton crop yield and quality. Additionally, it aims to evaluate the efficacy of these methods in improving saline soil conditions by developing a soil quality index. The results showed that using magnetized ionized water for irrigation and applying B. subtilis, either alone or together, can effectively lower soil pH and salt levels, enhance microbial diversity and abundance, and improve the yield and quality of cotton. Notably, B. subtilis application significantly decreased BD and enhanced FC and nutrient content (p < 0.05). A correlation was found where soil nutrient content decreased as pH and salt content increased. Furthermore, a strong correlation was observed between the major soil bacteria and fungi with BD, FC, and salt content. Comparatively, M, B, and MB significantly boosted (p < 0.01) the soil quality index by 0.21, 0.52, and 0.69 units, respectively, and increased (p < 0.05) cotton yield by 5.7%, 14.8%, and 20.1% compared to CK. Therefore, this research offers eco-friendly and efficient methods to enhance cotton production capacity in saline soil. Full article

Many Cordyceps sensu lato species are used as traditional Chinese medicines. However, Cordyceps are entomopathogenic fungi in the family Clavicipitaceae of Ascomycota, and excessive harvesting severely disrupts natural habitat ecosystems. Artificial cultivation of Cordyceps fruiting bodies offers a viable strategy to protect the ecological environment and mitigate the depletion of wild resource. In this study, mononucleate hyphae were selected using DAPI fluorescence staining, the MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 strains of O. xuefengensis were successfully distinguished using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). The chemical composition and bioactive components of fruiting bodies produced by these strains were compared. Results showed that the levels of adenosine, thymidine, adenine, guanosine, uridine, total amino acids, and total essential amino acids in the fruiting bodies of MAT1-1 strains were 1.31 mg/g, 0.15 mg/g, 0.26 mg/g, 2.40 mg/g, 2.34 mg/g, 270.3 mg/g, and 102.5 mg/g, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the MAT1-2 sample. Contrastingly, the fruiting bodies of MAT1-2 strains contained higher levels of mannose and polysaccharides, at 11.7% and 12.2%, respectively. The levels of toxic elements such as Al, Pb, As, and Hg in the MAT1-1 fruiting bodies were 1.862 mg/kg, 0.0848 mg/kg, 0.534 mg/kg, and 0.0054 mg/kg, respectively, which were markedly lower than those in the MAT1-2 fruiting bodies. Full article

The complex and diverse phenomenon of fungal bioluminescence has captured human curiosity. Nevertheless, in the field of studies, there are not many attempts made particularly to reveal the new species of these interesting fungi. This study comprehensively reviews the diversity, distribution, evolution, bioluminescence mechanisms, ecological roles, and potential applications of these fungi. Most importantly, we also present an updated list of the reported bioluminescent fungi (122) so far identified from five distinct evolutionary lineages worldwide—Armillaria, Eoscyphella, Lucentipes, Mycenoid, and Omphalotus—mainly in tropical and subtropical areas. Bioluminescent fungi are descended from the last common ancestor of the Mycenoid and the Marasmioid clades of Agaricales, which have been maintained for at least 160 million years of evolution. We underscore the potential for future research to understand the ecological role of bioluminescent fungi, inspiring hope and optimism for the future of this field. Full article

Serendipita indica is a very promising root-associated endophytic fungus that is widely used on various plants; however, whether it affects the growth and physiological activity of an oilseed crop (Camellia oleifera) under field conditions remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed the effects of S. indica inoculation on root colonization rate, growth rate, photosynthetic parameters, mineral element concentrations and related gene expression, and sugar concentrations and expression of their transporter genes in four-year-old C. oleifera trees in the field. The results showed that the root colonization rate of C. oleifera increased from 3.37% to 9.42% following being inoculated with S. indica. Inoculation with S. indica significantly increased the plant height (46.81%), net photosynthetic rate (69.16%), nitrogen balance index (14.44%), chlorophyll index (21.08%), leaf K (7.4%), leaf Ca (13.52%), root P (17.75%), root K (12.80%), soil NH₄⁺-N (17.78%), available K (26.66%), Olsen-P (184.30%), easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein (39.26%), and soil organic carbon (16.25%) concentrations compared to the uninoculated treatment. Inoculation with S. indica also significantly up-regulated the expression of CoHKT1;1 and CoCAX1;2 in the leaves and roots and CoPht1;1, CoPht1;2, and CoPht1;3 in the leaves. Plants inoculated with S. indica also presented significantly higher leaf glucose, fructose, and sucrose concentrations, accompanied by up-regulated expression of CoSWEET2a, CoSWEET7, CoSWEET9b, CoSWEET17a, and CoSWEET17b. These results suggest that S. indica has significant potential as a biostimulant for enhancing the growth and nutritional profile of C. oleifera, thereby contributing to sustainable oilseed production. Full article

Marine ecosystems are important in discovering novel fungi with interesting metabolites that have shown great potential in pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries. Seagrasses, the sole submerged marine angiosperm, host diverse fungal taxa with mostly unknown metabolic capabilities. They are considered to be one of the least studied marine fungal habitats in the world. This review gathers and analyzes data from studies related to seagrasses-associated fungi, including taxonomy and biogeography, and highlights existing research gaps. The significance of the seagrass–fungal associations remains largely unknown, and current understanding of fungal diversity is limited to specific geographical regions such as the Tropical Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Indo-Pacific. Our survey yielded 29 culture-dependent studies on seagrass-associated endophytic and epiphytic fungi, and 13 miscellaneous studies, as well as 11 meta-studies, with no pathogenic true fungi described. There is a significant opportunity to expand existing studies and conduct multidisciplinary research into novel species and their potential applications, especially from understudied geographical locations. Future research should prioritize high-throughput sequencing and mycobiome studies, utilizing both culture-dependent and -independent approaches to effectively identify novel seagrass-associated fungal taxa. Full article

The quality of food is one of the emergent points worldwide. Many microorganisms produce toxins that are harmful for human and animal health. In particular, mycotoxins from Fusarium fungi are strictly controlled in cereals. Simple and robust biosensors are necessary for ‘in field’ control of the crops and processed products. Nucleic acid-based sensors (aptasensors) offer a new era of point-of-care devices with excellent stability and limits of detection for a variety of analytes. Here we report the development of a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based aptasensor for the detection of T-2 and deoxynivalenol in wheat grains. The aptasensor was able to detect as low as 0.17% of pathogen fungi in the wheat grains. The portable devices, inexpensive SERS substrate, and short analysis time encourage further implementation of the aptasensors outside of highly equipped laboratories. Full article

Coal mining has led to escalating ecological and environmental issues in significant coal and grain production areas, posing a severe danger to food security. This study examines the disturbance patterns of soil factors and microbial communities in coal and grain production areas, and attempts to understand the impact of subsidence and water accumulation stress on soil characteristics and microbial communities in coal mining subsidence areas with high subsidence levels. Five specific regions of Zhao Gu Yi Mine, situated in Henan Province and under the ownership of Jiaozuo Coal Group, were chosen. Aside from the control group (CK), the study blocks situated in the coal mining subsidence zones consisted of perennial subsidence ponding (PSP), seasonal subsidence ponding (SSP), the neutral zone (NZ), and the horizontal deformation zone (HDZ). The soil nutrient indices and the stoichiometric properties of soil C, N, and P were assessed on the surface of each block. The organization of the soil microbial community was identified using high-throughput sequencing. The findings indicate that: 1. Substantial disparities exist in soil properties and microbial community structure between the subsidence and non-subsidence zones. The levels of soil organic mater (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), available nitrogen (AN), and available phosphorus (AP) all decrease to different extents in the subsidence area. Additionally, the coal mining subsidence waterlogged area exhibits higher levels compared to the coal mining subsidence non-waterlogged area. Conversely, the soil water content (SWC), C/N ratio, C/P ratio, and N/P ratio all increase to varying degrees. 2. Regarding the composition of the community, the presence of Proteobacteria is considerably greater in the non-water-logged area of coal mining subsidence (NZ, HDZ) compared to the water-logged area and control group (p < 0.05). The prevalence of Firmicutes in the subsidence water area was substantially greater compared to both the subsidence non-waterlogged area and the control group (p < 0.05). The prevalence of Gemmatimonadota is markedly greater in the waterlogged area of mining subsidence compared to the non-waterlogged area and CK (p < 0.05). The Ascomycota population reached its highest value in the neutral zone (NZ), which was significantly greater than the values observed in the seasonal subsidence ponding (SSP) and perennial subsidence ponding (PSP) regions (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the Rozellomycota population had its highest value in the SSP region, which was significantly greater than the values observed in the other regions (p < 0.05). 3. The abundance and variety of soil bacteria and fungi, as well as their important populations, are associated with different levels of soil characteristics. The primary elements that influence the alteration of microbial communities are soil nutrients and soil water content. The presence of coal mine subsidence and water accumulation has a notable impact on the properties of the soil in the surrounding area. This study offers a scientific foundation for reclaiming land affected by subsidence caused by coal mining in regions where coal and grain production are the dominant industries. Full article

The general lack of knowledge on the conditions of Western Siberia (Omsk region) and the taxonomic diversity of zonal soils determines the relevance of these studies. The research was carried out in order to study the effect of complex biologics on the taxonomic diversity of the fungal component of the microbiome of the rhizosphere of cereals and the phytosanitary condition of crops in the southern forest-steppe (meadow-chernozem soil) and subtaiga (gray forest soil) zones of the Omsk Irtysh region (Western Siberia). This work was carried out in 2022–2023, using laboratory studies in combination with field experiments and metagenomic and statistical analyses. The objects of research were varieties of cereals and grain forage crops of Omsk selection: soil microorganisms. The scheme of the experiment involved the study of the following options: varieties of cereals (factor A): spring soft wheat—Omsk 42, Omsk 44, Tarskaya 12; durum wheat—Omsk coral; barley—Omsk 101; oats—Siberian hercules; bacterial preparation for seed inoculation (factor B) without the drug—Mizorin and Flavobacterin. The sampling of the plant rhizosphere for metagenomic analysis was carried out during the earing phase (July). For the first time, the taxonomic composition of the fungal community was determined based on the analysis of amplicon libraries of fragments of ribosomal operons of ITS2 fungi during colonization of crop roots by nitrogen-fixing bacteria in various soil and climatic zones of the Omsk region. The fungal component of the microbiome was analyzed in two zones of the Omsk region (southern forest-steppe and subtaiga). The five dominant phyla of soil fungi were located in the following decreasing series: Ascomycota (about 70%) > Mortierellomycota (about 7%) > Basidiomycota (about 5%) > Mucoromycota (3%) > Chytridiomycota (1%). The five main genera of fungi inhabiting the rhizosphere of cereals are located in a decreasing row: Giberella (6.9%) > Mortierella (6.6%) > Chaetomium (4.8%) > Cladosporium (3.8%) > Rhizopus (3.3%). The predominantly positive effect of biologics of associative nitrogen fixation on the fungal community of the soil (rhizosphere) of experimental sites located in different soil and climatic zones has been established. During seed bacterization, the growth of saprotrophic fungal genera was noted in relation to the control variants Pseudogymnoascus, Chloridium, Clonostachys, Trihoderma, etc., and the fungicidal properties of bacterial strains introduced into the soil were actively manifested relative to phytopathogenic fungi of the genera Alternaria, Blumeria, Fusarium, etc. According to the results of determining the number of infectious structures of Rhizoctonia solani, it was found that the population of the soil with viable cells of this pathogen was 1–3 pcs/g (below the threshold of harmfulness, PV 20 pcs/g of soil), which indicates a favorable phytosanitary situation with respect to the pathogen. The fungicidal effect of the applied bacterial fertilizers on Rhizoctonia solani could not be detected. The number of Bipolaris sorokiniana varied depending on the drug used. In the conditions of the southern forest-steppe zone of the Omsk region (meadow-chernozem soil), the greatest fungicidal effect was noted in Flavobacterin application variants on wheat of the Omsk 42 variety, durum wheat of the Omsk coral variety, and barley; the decrease in conidia relative to the control was 73, 35, and 29%, respectively. In the subtaiga zone of the Omsk Irtysh region (gray forest soil), as in the southern forest-steppe zone, pre-sowing bacterization of seeds with Flavobacterin led to a decrease in Bipolaris sorokiniana in the rhizosphere of wheat of the Omsk 42 variety by 18%, and oats by 27%, to control. The use of the drug Mizorin in some variants of the experiment led to an insignificant decrease in the harmful fungus or had no effect at all. Full article

Enzymatic degradation of cellulosic biomass represents the most sustainable and environmentally friendly method for producing liquid biofuel, widely utilized in various commercial processes. While cellulases are predominantly produced by bacteria and fungi, the enzymatic potential of cellulase-producing yeasts remains significantly less explored. In this study, the yeast strain Trichosporon insectorum, isolated from the gut of the coprophagous beetle Gymnopleurus sturmii, was utilized for cellulase production in submerged fermentation. A central composite design was employed to optimize cellulase production, with substrate concentration, temperature, and pH as dependent variables. The highest CMCase activity of 0.71 IU/mL was obtained at 1% substrate concentration, pH 5, and an incubation temperature of 40 °C for 72 h of fermentation using cellulose as a carbon source. For FPase production, the high value was 0.23 IU/mL at 0.5% CMC, pH 6, and an incubation temperature of 40 °C for 72 h. After purification, the enzymes produced by T. insectorum represent 39% of the total proteins. The results of this study offer an alternative strategy for utilizing various carbon sources, both soluble (CMC, carboxymethylcellulose) and insoluble (cellulose), to efficiently produce cellulase for the degradation of lignocellulosic materials. This approach holds promising benefits for sustainable waste management. Full article