Penicillium Amapaense sp. nov. Exilicaulis Section and New Records of Penicillium Labradorum in Brazil Isolated from Amazon River Sediments with Potential Applications in Agriculture and Biotechnology

Abstract The genus Penicillium is recognized for its ability to produce bioactive molecules with a wide range of biotechnological applications. Currently, the genus is distributed in 28 sections, with more than 50 species in the Exilicaulis section. Representative species of this section are responsible for the production of antimicrobial compounds, but they can also produce genotoxic compounds that affect commercial mushroom production or cause disease in immunosuppressed animals. In the present study, based on morphological characters such as the length of the conidia, phialides and stipes, as well as sequence analysis of the ITS region and partial sequence of CAM, TUB2 and RPB2 loci, we describe a new fungal species denominated Penicillium amapaense and report for the first time the occurrence of Penicillium labrodorum in Brazil, both of which were isolated from sediments of the Amazon River. The isolates obtained in this study for each species were submitted to antibiosis assays against 12 phytopathogenic fungi that affect important agricultural crops in Brazil and showed inhibition of 11 out of 12 of them. The production of amylase, cellulase and siderophore as well phosphate solubilization was also detected. Metabolomic analysis indicates the ability of P. labrodorum and Penicillium amapaense sp nov. to produce polyketides such as known curvularins and anthraquinones. In addition to these, unknown compounds were also detected. These results indicate the biotechnological and agricultural potential of P. labradorum and P. amapaense.

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First Report of Leaf Blotch Caused by Septoria phalaridis on Phalaris paradoxa

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-94-3-0375b ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 94 (3) ◽

pp. 375-375

Author(s):

Sh. Seifbarghi ◽

M. Razavi ◽

M. Abbasi ◽

R. Zare

Keyword(s):

Infected Plant ◽

Its Region ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Leaf Blotch ◽

First Report ◽

Initial Symptoms ◽

Csiro Publishing ◽

Voucher Specimens ◽

Severity Of The Disease

Phalaris paradoxa (hood canarygrass) is one of the most abundant weeds in wheat fields of Iran. In a survey conducted from 2005 to 2007 in Ilam (Dehloran City) and Golestan (Gorgan City) provinces, leaf blotch symptoms were prevalent on P. paradoxa. Initial symptoms were pale brown and necrotic lesions that were 3 to 4 mm long on the leaves. Severity of the disease on the lower leaves was higher than on the upper leaves. Pycnidia were observed on the adaxial surface of infected leaves, scattered or sometimes in clusters, dark brown, globose, and 70 to 90 μm in diameter, with the ostiole approximately 10 μm in diameter. Conidia were filiform, hyaline, 0 to 3 septate (mostly 1 septate), and 17 to 40 × 1.5 to 2.0 μm. Conidiogenesis type was holoblastic. On the basis of the above morphological characters, this species was identified as Septoria phalaridis Cocc. & Morini (2,3). Sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the fungus (GenBank Accession No. GU123926) showed 98% homology to Mycosphaerella graminicola strain 687 and 97% to S. passerinii strain ATCC26515 (GenBank Accession Nos. AB435068.1 and AF181696.1). To confirm pathogenicity of the fungus, 25 P. paradoxa seedlings were inoculated at the three-leaf stage with 20 ml of 1 × 107 spores/ml suspension with a hand sprayer. Plants were covered with a clear polyethylene bag to increase humidity and prevent cross contamination. After 72 h, bags were removed and plants were kept in a greenhouse at 21 ± 2/16 ± 2°C (day/night) and a 16-h photoperiod. Control plants received sterilized distilled water only. Leaves of each plant were visually inspected every day and the appearance of disease symptoms was recorded. After 1 month, all inoculated leaves showed symptoms and signs of the disease such as chlorosis, necrosis, and pycnidia, whereas control plants showed no symptoms or signs of disease. The infected plant tissues were examined with a microscope, the pycnidia and pycnidiospores were measured, and S. phalaridis was reisolated from leaf lesions. The first description of S. phalaridis was on P. brachystachys (1); however, to our knowledge, this is the first report of this pathogen on P. paradoxa. In addition, this is a new fungal species for the mycobiota of Iran. Two voucher specimens (IRAN 14078 F and IRAN 14218 F) were deposited in the Fungus Collection of the Ministry of Jihad-e Agriculture, Tehran, Iran. References: (1) G. Cocconi and F. Morini. Mem. R. Accad. Sci. Ist. Bologna, Cl. Sci. Fis. Ser. 4, 6:371, 1884. (2) M. J. Priest. Fungi of Australia, Septoria. ABRS, Canberra. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne, 2006. (3) D. N. Teterevnikova-Babayan. Fungi of the Genus Septoria in the USSR. Akademiya Nauk Armyanskoi SSR, Yerevan, 1987.

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A Novel Biological Approach to Copper Nanoparticles Synthesis: Characterization and its Application Against Phytopathogenic Fungi

10.21203/rs.3.rs-125001/v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mohamed A. AL Abboud

Keyword(s):

Copper Nanoparticles ◽

Phytopathogenic Fungi ◽

Biogenic Synthesis ◽

Sem Images ◽

Synthesis Of Nanoparticles ◽

Biological Approach ◽

Characteristic Absorption Peak ◽

Wide Range ◽

Potential Applications ◽

Ft Ir

Abstract In nanotechnology, fungi have been identified as excellent candidates for the synthesis of nanoparticles, thus presenting a cleaner alternative to produce new materials with a wide range of potential applications in biomedicine and industry. In this respect, A novel biological approach Penicillium olsonii have demonstrated excellent synthesis capacity to produce copper nanoparticles (CuNPs). Their properties were determined by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectrum, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images. UV-Vis spectra with characteristic absorption peak was observed at 565nm. Biomolecules mediating the synthesis and stabilizing the nanobactericides was studied with FTIR that showed different functional groups. SEM investigations confirmed that size of CuNPs were varied from 6-26 nm. The antifungal activity of CuNPs was evaluated by testing against three phytopathogenic fungi including Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani and Curvularia curvulatat with growth inhibition 86.25, 32.92 and 68.42%, respectively at 200ppm. F. oxysporum was more affected by CuNPs followed by C. curvulata and F. solani. The present work demonstrated that it is possible to perform the biogenic synthesis of CuNPs using P. olsonii as appropriate fungicide.

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Trichoderma juruarense sp. nov. (Hypocreaceae) a new fungal species from sediments of the Amazonian Juruá River with agricultural potential

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1214667/v1 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Raoni Gwinner ◽

Thiago F. Sousa ◽

Sandra B. de Sousa ◽

Izabel C. Bandeira ◽

Gleucinei dos S. Castro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sequence Data ◽

Plant Protection ◽

Sclerotium Rolfsii ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Its Region ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Agricultural Potential ◽

A New Species

Abstract The species of Trichoderma are the most common fungi to be used as biocontrol agents, and their metabolic arsenal has a wide variety of applications that places this genus among those with the potential to provide biotechnological products. The ubiquitous nature of Trichoderma has favored a rapid increase in the number of described species, and significant efforts have been made towards the taxonomy of Trichoderma in order to improve the accuracy of identification. During a study of cultivable microbiota from the Juruá River, Amazon, Brazil. Isolates with morphological characteristics of the genus Trichoderma were screened for their capacity to control phytopathogens. A total of five Trichoderma isolates were identified using morphological data combined with phylogenetic analysis of the ITS region, and partial sequences of TEF and RPB2. Trichoderma juruarense sp. nov. form a monophyletic clade that is closely related to T. cyanodichotomus, a species that occupies an unresolved position in the Trichoderma taxonomy. T. cyanodichotomus and T. juruarense sp. nov. present an intracellular blue-green pigment in potato dextrose agar (PDA) and differ in conidia and chlamydospores sizes. These data support the proposition of a new species, named here as Trichoderma juruarense. The holotype of T. juruarense INPA0108 presents in vitro inhibition against phytopathogens, such as Colletotrichum siamense (50%), Corynespora cassiicola (43%), Fusarium decemcellulare (61%) and Sclerotium rolfsii (51%), which demonstrates desirable traits that warrant further studies on plant protection. In addition, T. cyanodichotomus and T. juruarense formed a new clade based on the sequence data of the RPB2 gene.

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Indium Bromide-catalyzed Unprecedented Hydrogenolysis: A Novel One-Pot Synthesis of Per-O-Acetylated β-carboxymethyl O and S-glycosides

Current Organic Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1385272824999200407093625 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 24 (8) ◽

pp. 900-908

Author(s):

Ram Naresh Yadav ◽

Amrendra K Singh ◽

Bimal Banik

Keyword(s):

Asymmetric Synthesis ◽

Chiral Auxiliary ◽

Bioactive Molecules ◽

One Pot ◽

Enantiomerically Pure ◽

Stereoselective Glycosylation ◽

One Pot Synthesis ◽

Wide Range

Numerous O (oxa)- and S (thia)-glycosyl esters and their analogous glycosyl acids have been accomplished through stereoselective glycosylation of various peracetylated bromo sugar with benzyl glycolate using InBr3 as a glycosyl promotor followed by in situ hydrogenolysis of resulting glycosyl ester. A tandem glycosylating and hydrogenolytic activity of InBr3 has been successfully investigated in a one-pot procedure. The resulting synthetically valuable and virtually unexplored class of β-CMGL (glycosyl acids) could serve as an excellent potential chiral auxiliary in the asymmetric synthesis of a wide range of enantiomerically pure medicinally prevalent β-lactams and other bioactive molecules of diverse medicinal interest.

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A Slot-Die Technique for the Preparation of Continuous, High-Area, Chitosan-Based Thin Films

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13101566 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (10) ◽

pp. 1566

Author(s):

Oliver J. Pemble ◽

Maria Bardosova ◽

Ian M. Povey ◽

Martyn E. Pemble

Keyword(s):

Thin Films ◽

Mechanical Properties ◽

High Volume ◽

Mechanical Anisotropy ◽

Diverse Range ◽

Direction Parallel ◽

High Area ◽

Wide Range ◽

Slot Die ◽

Potential Applications

Chitosan-based films have a diverse range of potential applications but are currently limited in terms of commercial use due to a lack of methods specifically designed to produce thin films in high volumes. To address this limitation directly, hydrogels prepared from chitosan, chitosan-tetraethoxy silane, also known as tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and chitosan-glutaraldehyde have been used to prepare continuous thin films using a slot-die technique which is described in detail. By way of preliminary analysis of the resulting films for comparison purposes with films made by other methods, the mechanical strength of the films produced was assessed. It was found that as expected, the hybrid films made with TEOS and glutaraldehyde both show a higher yield strength than the films made with chitosan alone. In all cases, the mechanical properties of the films were found to compare very favorably with similar measurements reported in the literature. In order to assess the possible influence of the direction in which the hydrogel passes through the slot-die on the mechanical properties of the films, testing was performed on plain chitosan samples cut in a direction parallel to the direction of travel and perpendicular to this direction. It was found that there was no evidence of any mechanical anisotropy induced by the slot die process. The examples presented here serve to illustrate how the slot-die approach may be used to create high-volume, high-area chitosan-based films cheaply and rapidly. It is suggested that an approach of the type described here may facilitate the use of chitosan-based films for a wide range of important applications.

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Health Benefits of Uses and Applications of Moringa oleifera in Bakery Products

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10020318 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 318

Author(s):

Paula García Milla ◽

Rocío Peñalver ◽

Gema Nieto

Keyword(s):

Moringa Oleifera ◽

Essential Amino Acids ◽

Bakery Products ◽

Unani Medicine ◽

Functional Value ◽

Organoleptic Characteristics ◽

Wide Range ◽

Potential Applications ◽

Medicinal Properties ◽

Excellent Source

Moringa oleifera belongs to the Moringaceae family and is the best known of the native Moringa oleifera genus. For centuries, it has been used as a system of Ayurvedic and Unani medicine and has a wide range of nutritional and bioactive compounds, including proteins, essential amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, fibre, vitamins, minerals, phenolic compounds, phytosterols and others. These characteristics allow it to have pharmacological properties, including anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, cardioprotective, antimicrobial and hepatoprotective properties. The entire Moringa oleifera plant is edible, including its flowers, however, it is not entirely safe, because of compounds that have been found mainly in the root and bark, so the leaf was identified as the safest. Moringa oleifera is recognised as an excellent source of phytochemicals, with potential applications in functional and medicinal food preparations due to its nutritional and medicinal properties; many authors have experimented with incorporating it mainly in biscuits, cakes, brownies, meats, juices and sandwiches. The results are fascinating, as the products increase their nutritional value; however, the concentrations cannot be high, as this affects the organoleptic characteristics of the supplemented products. The aim of this study is to review the application of Moringa oleifera in bakery products, which will allow the creation of new products that improve their nutritional and functional value.

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Photocatalytic three-component asymmetric sulfonylation via direct C(sp3)-H functionalization

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-22690-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shi Cao ◽

Wei Hong ◽

Ziqi Ye ◽

Lei Gong

Keyword(s):

Asymmetric Catalysis ◽

Organic Synthesis ◽

Photochemical Reaction ◽

Low Cost ◽

Bioactive Molecules ◽

Atom Economy ◽

Mild Conditions ◽

Wide Range ◽

Unsaturated Carbonyl Compound ◽

Direct Functionalization

AbstractThe direct and selective C(sp3)-H functionalization of cycloalkanes and alkanes is a highly useful process in organic synthesis owing to the low-cost starting materials, the high step and atom economy. Its application to asymmetric catalysis, however, has been scarcely explored. Herein, we disclose our effort toward this goal by incorporation of dual asymmetric photocatalysis by a chiral nickel catalyst and a commercially available organophotocatalyst with a radical relay strategy through sulfur dioxide insertion. Such design leads to the development of three-component asymmetric sulfonylation involving direct functionalization of cycloalkanes, alkanes, toluene derivatives or ethers. The photochemical reaction of a C(sp3)-H precursor, a SO2 surrogate and a common α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compound proceeds smoothly under mild conditions, delivering a wide range of biologically interesting α-C chiral sulfones with high regio- and enantioselectivity (>50 examples, up to >50:1 rr and 95% ee). This method is applicable to late-stage functionalization of bioactive molecules, and provides an appealing access to enantioenriched compounds starting from the abundant hydrocarbon compounds.

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Morpho-molecular identification and first report of Fusarium equiseti in causing chilli wilt from Kashmir (Northern Himalayas)

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-82854-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ammarah Hami ◽

Rovidha S. Rasool ◽

Nisar A. Khan ◽

Sheikh Mansoor ◽

Mudasir A. Mir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Barcoding ◽

Pcr Amplification ◽

Its Region ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Pathogenicity Test ◽

Kashmir Valley ◽

Fusarium Equiseti ◽

Infected Root ◽

Fusarium Sp ◽

High Degree

AbstractChilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most significant vegetable and spice crop. Wilt caused by Fusarium Sp. has emerged as a serious problem in chilli production. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region is widely used as a DNA barcoding marker to characterize the diversity and composition of Fusarium communities. ITS regions are heavily used in both molecular methods and ecological studies of fungi, because of its high degree of interspecific variability, conserved primer sites and multiple copy nature in the genome. In the present study we focused on morphological and molecular characterization of pathogen causing chilli wilt. Chilli plants were collected from four districts of Kashmir valley of Himalayan region. Pathogens were isolated from infected root and stem of the plants. Isolated pathogens were subjected to DNA extraction and PCR amplification. The amplified product was sequenced and three different wilt causing fungal isolates were obtained which are reported in the current investigation. In addition to Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium solani, a new fungal species was found in association with the chilli wilt in Kashmir valley viz., Fusarium equiseti that has never been reported before from this region. The studies were confirmed by pathogenicity test and re-confirmation by DNA barcoding.

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Overview of the Genetic Diversity of African Macrotermes (Termitidae: Macrotermitinae) and Implications for Taxonomy, Ecology and Food Science

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects12060518 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 518

Author(s):

Bronwyn Egan ◽

Zwannda Nethavhani ◽

Barbara van Asch

Keyword(s):

Negative Impact ◽

Phylogenetic Reconstruction ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Food Science ◽

Cryptic Diversity ◽

African Species ◽

Genetic Groups ◽

Wide Range ◽

Coi Sequences ◽

High Level

Macrotermes termites play important ecological roles and are consumed by many communities as a delicacy and dietary complement throughout Africa. However, lack of reliable morphological characters has hampered studies of Macrotermes diversity in a wide range of scientific fields including ecology, phylogenetics and food science. In order to place our preliminary assessment of the diversity of Macrotermes in South Africa in context, we analysed a comprehensive dataset of COI sequences for African species including new and publicly available data. Phylogenetic reconstruction and estimates of genetic divergence showed a high level of incongruity between species names and genetic groups, as well as several instances of cryptic diversity. We identified three main clades and 17 genetic groups in the dataset. We propose that this structure be used as a background for future surveys of Macrotermes diversity in Africa, thus mitigating the negative impact of the present taxonomic uncertainties in the genus. The new specimens collected in Limpopo fell into four distinct genetic groups, suggesting that the region harbours remarkable Macrotermes diversity relative to other African regions surveyed in previous studies. This work shows that African Macrotermes have been understudied across the continent, and that the genus contains cryptic diversity undetectable by classic taxonomy. Furthermore, these results may inform future taxonomic revisions in Macrotermes, thus contributing to advances in termitology.

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Recent Advancements in Polymer/Liposome Assembly for Drug Delivery: From Surface Modifications to Hybrid Vesicles

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13071027 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 1027

Author(s):

Vincenzo De Leo ◽

Francesco Milano ◽

Angela Agostiano ◽

Lucia Catucci

Keyword(s):

Drug Delivery ◽

First Generation ◽

Phospholipid Bilayer ◽

Bioactive Molecules ◽

Systemic Delivery ◽

Molecular Weights ◽

Liposome Preparation ◽

Wide Range ◽

Liposome Surface

Liposomes are consolidated and attractive biomimetic nanocarriers widely used in the field of drug delivery. The structural versatility of liposomes has been exploited for the development of various carriers for the topical or systemic delivery of drugs and bioactive molecules, with the possibility of increasing their bioavailability and stability, and modulating and directing their release, while limiting the side effects at the same time. Nevertheless, first-generation vesicles suffer from some limitations including physical instability, short in vivo circulation lifetime, reduced payload, uncontrolled release properties, and low targeting abilities. Therefore, liposome preparation technology soon took advantage of the possibility of improving vesicle performance using both natural and synthetic polymers. Polymers can easily be synthesized in a controlled manner over a wide range of molecular weights and in a low dispersity range. Their properties are widely tunable and therefore allow the low chemical versatility typical of lipids to be overcome. Moreover, depending on their structure, polymers can be used to create a simple covering on the liposome surface or to intercalate in the phospholipid bilayer to give rise to real hybrid structures. This review illustrates the main strategies implemented in the field of polymer/liposome assembly for drug delivery, with a look at the most recent publications without neglecting basic concepts for a simple and complete understanding by the reader.

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