Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Fumonisin B1 Detection in Local Corn Seeds from Baghdad-Iraq

Fungi produce a series of toxic compounds on corn, especially Fumonisin B1 (FB1) toxin produced by Fusarium spp. and promoting cancer activity in humans and animals. This study aimed to the isolation and identification of fungi associated with local corn seeds and the detection for the presence of FB1 by using ELISA technique. Thirty samples of corn ears were collected from silos and markets in Baghdad city during the period from November 2018 to March 2019. The present study found that Fusarium was the dominant isolate among fungi in terms of the relative density 57.07%, followed by Aspergillus 31.17%, Rhizopus 3.36%, Alternaria 2.88%, Mucor 2.16%, Penicillium 1.92%, Trichothecium 0.96%, and Helminthosporium 0.48%. FB1 was detected in all samples of the silos and markets with a concentration range of 13.69 - 175.54 µg/kg. There were no significant differences in FB1concentration among samples collected from the silos and markets. Also, no relationship was found between the number of infected seeds by Fusarium spp. and FB1concentrations.

Isolation and Identification of Fungi Associated with Habanero Pepper (Capsicum chinense jacq) Using Basic Molecular Techniques

Habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) is an economically important vegetable. It is used as spices for foods and for medicinal purposes in many parts of the country. Despite the importance of the crop, it has been observed that during storage, the fruits of the Habanero pepper (HP) shelf-life is reduced by several post-harvest diseases caused by fungal pathogens. A study was conducted to identify the common fungal pathogens causing post-harvest rot of Habanero fruits at the daily market in Omoko Aluu Town, Rivers State. The DNA of the most common fungal isolate HP-02 was molecularly characterized using Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITS-1) molecular marker. The HP-02 isolate DNA sequence was aligned using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool for nucleotide (BLASTN) 2.8.0 version of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. The results indicated that the HP-02 isolate sequence was 79% identical to Mucor irregularis and also Rhizomucor viriabilis isolate SAPB3. These findings showed that Mucor irregularis, which was formerly known as Rhizomucor variabilis is one of the emerging causal fungal pathogens of post-harvest Habanero pepper.

First Case of Subcutaneous Mycoses Caused by Dirkmeia churashimaensis and a Literature Review of Human Ustilaginales Infections

ObjectiveDirkmeia churashimaensis, belonging to Ustilaginales fungi, has never been reported as clinical pathogenic until very recently. In this study, we report an unusual subcutaneous infection with Dirkmeia churashimaensis and reviewed all human Ustilaginales infections. The aim is to better understand their epidemiology, infection type, risk factors, and the sensitivity to antifungal agents.MethodsAn 80-year-old female farmer developed extensive plaques and nodules on her left arm within 2 years. Pathological and microbiological examinations identified a new pathological agent, Dirkmeia churashimaensis, as the cause of this infection. The patient was successfully cured by oral itraconazole. We reviewed a total of 31 cases of Ustilaginales cases, among of which only three were skin infections.ResultsLocal barrier damage (i.e., surgery, trauma, and basic dermatosis) and systemic immunodeficiency (i.e., preterm and low birthweight, Crohn’s disease, malignant cancer, and chemotherapy) are risk factors for Ustilaginales infection. The D1/D2 and ITS regions are the frequently used loci for identifying the pathogens together with phenotype. Most patients could survive due to antifungal treatment, whereas seven patients died. Amphotericin B, posaconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole showed good activity against these reported strains, whereas fluconazole, 5-flucytosine, and echinocandins usually showed low susceptibility. Itraconazole had good efficiency for subcutaneous infections.ConclusionsThe present case study and literature review reveal that Ustilaginales can be opportunistic pathogenic normally in immunocompromised and barrier damage people. A proper identification of fungi can be crucial for clinical treatment, and more data of antifungal are needed for choice of medication against this kind of infections.

Morphological and Molecular Identification of Fungi Causing Canker Disease on Melia Azidarch Trees in Some Regions of Mosul Provinces, Iraq

The aim of this study was to identify the fungi associated with canker disease on Melia azidarch trees inside Mosul University campus and the presidential palaces regions in Mosul Province, Iraq. Results of isolation showed the presenting of the fungi (Nattrassia mangiferae, Neoscylitidium dimidiatum Penz., Fusarium graminearium Schw., Alternaria brassicicola Schw., Aspergillus sp. and Penecillium sp.), which accompanied with the samples displayed cankering symptoms during the period from April to December/2020, the maximum of dominance was 85% for the fungus Neoscylitidium dimidiatum in August, while the lowest was 49% in April for the same year, followed by Fusarium graminearium with 38% in December, while the lowest percentage was 4% in October, then Alternaria brassicicola Schw. was 25% in April and the lowest value was 0% in August, followed by Aspergillus sp. and Penecillium sp. with low isolation percentages the maximum of which 25% and the lowest is 0% in August. When studying the pathogenicity of the isolated fungi, the results showed a high pathogenic effect in terms the length, diameter and the area of cankers symptom. Based on the results of the molecular diagnosis, the morphological identification was confirmed and it was clear that Fusarium austroamericanum, detection is considered the first record of this fungus in Iraq Melia azidarch trees.

Identification of Fungi Associated with Irvingia gabonensis (Ogbono) Seeds Spoilage in Benin City, Nigeria

Irvingia gabonensis (Ogbono) is one of the forest tree species of great domestic importance and its postharvest shelve life is affected by various species of fungi. This study is to investigate the effect of various species of fungi that attack Irvingia gabonensis seeds in post-harvest. Ready to use cotyledons of Ogbono were obtained from six (6) markets in Benin City (New Benin market, Aduwawa market, Uselu market, Oba market, Ikpoba Hill market, Santana market) Edo State, in sterile transparent polyethylene bags and transported to the laboratory for analyses. The proximate composition of the Ogbono seeds was determined using standard protocols. The pour plate method was used for isolation using a potato Dextrose Agar which was supplemented with streptomycin. The fungi were isolated based on their cultural and microscopic characteristics. The result of the highest and lowest fungal counts were too numerous to count and 3.3 × 103 cfu/g respectively. A total of seven species of fungi were isolated and identified in this study which included Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Mucor sp., Neurospora sp., Penicillium sp., and Rhizopus sp. Aspergillus flavus was the most prevalent fungi with prevalence rate of 48 (90.6%), while Neurospora sp. was the least prevalent fungi with prevalent rate of 04 (18.2%). The presence of these fungi especially Aspergillus species portrays a serious public health implication as regard food poisoning, mycotocosis and food security. Proper handling methods of Ogbono seeds, coupled with good orientation are necessary to ensure the safety of ogbono seeds.

ENZYME ACTIVITY OF FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH STORED MAIZE GRAINS OBTAINED FROM SOME SELECTED FARMS NEAR BENIN CITY, NIGERIA

Global concern about food safety has led to increased interest in the study of food-spoilage fungi. Contaminated food affects human and animal health when such food items are consumed. This study was carried out to determine the fungi associated with stored corn in a bid to establishing their possible role in deterioration of corn. Using standard procedures, these fungi were isolated: Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Penicillium, and Rhizopus species. Results revealed the production of enzymes (protease, amylase, and lipase) by the fungi. The activity of these enzymes could play a role in the spoilage of corn by the fungi. In addition, the isolated fungi are known to be associated with postharvest yield losses in stored produce as well as producing toxins. Therefore, the data presented will help in choosing postharvest practices that will reduce contamination by these fungi. Protease activity values of the isolates ranged from 1.426±0.042 – 1.748±0.023µml-1 (in Aspergillus sp.), 1.599±0.018 – 1.990±0.019µml-1 (in Rhizopus sp.), 1.364±0.018 – 1.679±0.012µml-1 (in Trichoderma sp.) and (1.544±0.017 – 1.714±0.013 μml-1 (in Penicillium sp.). Amylase activity was highest in Rhizopus (1.625±0.054 – 1.790±0.013 μml-1), followed by Penicillium sp and lowest in Aspergillus sp. Lipase activity was highest in Penicillium and lowest in Aspergillus. The detection and identification of fungi are crucial to developing appropriate management strategies for stored corn. Postharvest losses due to these fungi will lead to reduced income for the farmers.

IDENTIFICATION OF FUNGI ISOLATED FROM BATHROOMS IN FEMALE STUDENTS’ HOSTEL, UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, BENIN CITY

Fungi are specifically dangerous as they exhibit a significant tolerance to environmental changes and can proliferate under low relative humidity, unlike bacteria. They produce spores that are easily dispersed by air hence they are ubiquitous. The study aimed at identifying the fungal isolates present in the bathrooms located on the three floors of the hostel, University of Benin, Benin City. Samples were collected from the walls of the bathrooms using sterile swab sticks and were identified using standard microbiological techniques. The isolated fungi were Aspergillus nidulans, A. niger, A. tamarii, A. flavus, Candida albicans, Penicillium cyclopium, P. oxalicum, Mucor mucedo, Trichophyton rubrum and Rhodotorula species. From the ground floor bathrooms, Candida albicans (23.40%) were most frequently isolated, Aspergillus nidulans (55.56%) were mostly isolated from the first floor and Mucor mucedo (56.00%) were the most isolated from the second floor. After washing the bathrooms, Mucor mucedo was scarcely isolated from the walls of the bathrooms. The findings were processed statistically using the two-tailed test to detect the significant difference between the groups of means for the fungal counts from each floor. A significant difference (p<0.05) in the fungi isolated before and after washing was found. Isolated fungi from this study are known to be of public health importance hence, strict hygiene practices should be observed by those using the bathrooms.

Diversity of Fungi Isolated From Coffee Farms in Kenya

Diversity of biological species confers benefits to the sustainability of the ecosystem. This study was aimed at determining the diversity of fungi to show the status of soil and coffee plant richness of fungi for sustainable coffee cultivation and future sustainable disease management. Soil and plant tissue samples were collected from coffee farms in Kirinyaga County, while laboratory studies were done at the Plant Pathology Laboratory, Coffee Research Institute, Ruiru, Kenya. The fungal species were isolated from soil and coffee berries. Berries were washed and the fungi allowed to sporulate for 24 hrs. Lesions were excised and serial dilutions made. Fungi were isolated from soil by serial dilution of 10-3. Using the spread plate method, 1 ml of the dilution was plated on potato dextrose agar and incubated at room temperature for ten days. Identification of fungi at the genus level was carried out by using macroscopic and microscopic features. The results showed diverse fungi in both soil and berries which included Aspergillus, Trichoderm, Penicillium, Epicoccum, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Alternaria, Phoma, Rhizopu, Colletotrichum kahawae.The results further showed that Colletotrichum and Cladosporium were the most abundant in the berries at 76% for both species. Fusarium was the most prevalent microorganism in soil at 50% followed by Cladosporium and Penicillium at 20% each. The farms were generally less rich in prevalence of economic important fungi having Trichoderma and Epicoccum at less than 10%. This is a contributing factor to low productivity of coffee due to the lack of growth promoting fungi. This study recommends further studies on the Biocontrol potential of the isolated fungi against coffee insect pests and diseases.