Effect of Christmas Melon (Laganaria Breviflorus) extract on toxigenic Mycoflora Isolated from Stored Unpolished Rice sold in major Markets in Abeokuta, Nigeria

Study on toxigenic mycoflora and potential mitigation effect of Christmas Melon (Laganaria Breviflorus) extract in unpolished rice sold in Abeokuta Ogun state of Nigeria was carried out. Unpolished rice gotten from markets in Abeokuta were aseptically transported to the laboratory, serial dilution to reduce the fungal load was carried out and were plated on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and Methyl Red Dessicated Coconut Agar (MRDCA) respectively. Microscopy, macroscopy, toxigenicity test and inhibition studies with the peeled and unpeeled fruit of Laganaria breviflorus fermented for seven days was carried out. Results reveal the predominance of Aspergillus as the major genera, specifically, A. niger, A.flavus, A. parasiticus, A. fumigatus, A. terreus, A. nidulans. Other fungi genera isolated include Penicillium, F`usarium, Mucor, Alternaria and Rhizopus . Of the 11 fungi genera isolated, 9 were toxigenic of which the zones of inhibition of unpeeled whole fruit extract of Laganaria breviflorus range from (3 - 28mm) where A. nidulans shows the highest susceptibility to the whole fruit extract of Laganaria breviflorus while the zone of inhibition of peeled fruit extract of Laganaria breviflorus ranges from (3 - 22mm) where A. parasiticus, Fusarium specie and P.chrysogenum showed the highest susceptibility . As the day progresses the zone of inhibition becomes wider. Unpeeled LB extract exhibited more zones of inhibition than the peeled LB extract. Laganaria breviflorus fruit extracts in the study demonstrates a potential in reducing toxigenic fungi, consequently a means to reducing mycotoxins in staple foods in Nigeria.

Isolation and identification of endophytic fungi from mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata L.)

Endophytic fungi are recognised for producing secondary metabolites that have an effect on the host, such as promoting growth and enhancing plant resilience to biotic and abiotic stress. The objective of this study was to explore endophytic fungi from Citrus reticulata. The endophytic fungi were isolated from both healthy and infected roots, stems, and twigs of C. reticulata. The materials were sterilised and inoculated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) media. The fungi grown were transferred onto fresh PDA plates and identified based on their morphological characteristic, including colonial features, hyphae type, and reproduction structure. Five endophytic fungi were identified as Colletotrichum sp. AJSH2-1, Cylindrocladium sp. BJSH1-2, Rhizopus sp. RJSH1-1, Mucor sp. RJSH1-2, and Aspergillus sp. BJSH1-1. Further study is required to understand the ability of the identified genera in protecting the host from plant disease as well as promoting growth.

Antagonistic screening of Trichoderma spp. isolated from patchouli rhizosphere

The objective of this research was to determine the antagonistic activity of Trichoderma spp. isolated from patchouli rhizosphere (Pogostemon cablin Benth.). Another objective was to perform antagonistic screening of these fungi to inhibit the growth of the wilted pathogen Fusarium spp. In vitro research was conducted in the Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Universitas Syiah Kuala, from January to June 2020. The study used a completely randomised design with five treatments and three replications. The antagonistic screening was carried out by using the dual culture method of Trichoderma spp. against Fusarium spp. with the medium of Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). The result showed that five isolates of Trichoderma have different antagonistic percentages in inhibiting the Fusarium. The highest antagonistic activity was found from isolate 2 and the lowest value was shown by isolate 3.

The Potential of Fungi as Bio-Control Agents in Managing Colletotrichum Kahawae In Kenya

Colletotrichum kahawae is a causative fungal agent of Coffee Berry Disease (CBD) that negatively affects coffee production. Its control relies on use of resistant varieties and chemical control. Fungicides used in control of CBD are costly and pose a risk to environment and health. The study was aimed at assessing the possible antagonistic potential of fungal isolates against Colletotrichum kahawae in in vitro conditions. Five isolates were used; one isolate was collected from berries while the rest were collected from soil. Testing for antagonism against Colletorichum kahawae was done by co-culturing the isolates on Potato Dextrose Agar. The degree of antagonism was determined by measuring and comparing the radial growth of pathogen with the bio-agent against the control. Out of the five isolates tested against C. kahawae, three isolates Fusarium proliferetum, Penicillium and Fusarium ceraneasum significantly inhibited test pathogen growth at 60%, 55% and 45.45%, respectively. The other isolates, Fumigatus aspergillus and Chaetomium perithecia showed inhibition of growth at 40% and 18.18% respectively. It was concluded that there is potential of using fungi as bio control of the coffee berry disease.

GAMBARAN JAMUR PENYEBAB TINEA UNGUIUM PADA SEDIAAN KEROKAN KUKU KAKI BURUH PERUSAHAAN EKSPOR IMPOR KEPITING

Tinea unguium adalah penyakit infeksi jamur yang disebabkan oleh Tricophyton rubrum dan Tricophyton mentagrophytes. Infeksi ini diketahui menyebabkan kuku menjadi rusak seperti mulai menghitam dan sedikit terangkat. Kelompok masyarakat yang paling sering terkena infeksi ini adalah masyarakat yang mempunyai kegiatan di daerah yang lembab. Tujuan penelitian ingin mengetahui gambaran jamur yang menjadi penyebab penyakit Tinea unguium pada sediaan kerokan kuku kaki buruh perusahaan ekspor impor kepiting yang ada di kota Makassar. Jenis penelitian bersifat observasi laboratorik, dengan mengambil kerokan kuku kaki buruh perusahaan ekspor impor kepiting sebanyak 10 orang dengan kriteria kuku rusak dan menguning atau menghitam. Penelitan ini dilakukan pada bulan April 2019. Pemeriksaan sampel menggunakan metode pengamatan langsung menggunakan KOH 40% dan dilanjutkan dengan kultur sampel pada media PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar). Sampel yang tumbuh diamati di bawah mikroskop untuk mengidentifikasi jenis jamur berdasarkan ciri morfologi. Berdasarkan hasil pemeriksaan mikroskopis, ditemukan 1 sampel positif jamur penyebab tinea unguium yaitu Trichophyton interdigitale dari 10 sampel yang ada.

POLA INFEKSI JAMUR KUKU (ONIKOMIKOSIS) JARI TANGAN DAN KAKI PADA PEKERJA TEMPAT PENITIPAN HEWAN PADA MEDIA POTATO DEXTROSE AGAR (PDA)

Onikomikosis merupakan infeksi pada lempeng kuku yang dapat disebabkan oleh jamur dermatofita (Tinea unguium), non dermatofita atau yeast. Onikomikosis adalah kelainan kuku yang disebabkan oleh jamur dermatofita dan non-dermatofita. Infeksi onikomikosis menyebabkan kerusakan pada kuku yang menyebabkan lempeng kuku menebal, rapuh dan mudah hancur. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui identifikasi jamur kuku tangan dan kaki pada pekerja penitipan hewan. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah penelitian deskriptif. Pengambilan sampel penelitian dilakukan di empat tempat penitipan hewan yang berbeda sebanyak 20 sampel di Surabaya dan tempat pemeriksaan dilakukan di Laboratorium Analis Kesehatan STIKES Ngudia Husada madura. Metode pemeriksaan yang dilakukan melalui metode pengamatan langsung dan metode kultur jamur. Hasil identifikasi menunjukkan bahwa dari 20 sampel sebanyak 11 sampel (55%) positif Tinea unguium (jamur kuku). Pada pengamatan metode kultur jamur hasil positif sebanyak 6 sampel (30%) dengan kode P1, P4, P8, P11, P15 dan P20 terinfeksi oleh jamur Aspergillus sp , Penicillium 10% dengan kode P5 dan P14, Rhizopus sp 5% kode P18, Microsporum gypseum sebanyak 5% kode P13, dan Trichophyton mentagrophytes 5% kode P19. Hasil screening pada penelitian ini menunjukkan para pekerja belum memiliki hygiene diri yang baik khususnya dalam memelihara kebersihan kuku kaki dan tangan sehingga menyebabkan faktor resiko terjadinya infeksi jamur kuku.

​In-vitro Effect of Different Abiotic Stresses on the Growth and Sporulation of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides causing Anthracnose of Mango

Background: Mango productivity was very much affected due to a major fungal pathogen, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides causing anthracnose mango rot. The present study was carried out to investigate the influence of abiotic factors for the support of superficial growth of isolated fungus and finding a minimum inhibitory concentration of different fungicides. Methods: Among four different culture media tested, the highest radial growth and sporulation of the fungus were recorded in Oatmeal agar (OMA) (84 mm) followed by Conn’s agar (CA), Czapek Dox agar (CDA) and Potato dextrose agar (PDA). Among the different pH tested, pH 7.0 was found to be the best in supporting the good radial growth (69 mm) followed by pH 6.0 (56 mm), pH 5.5 (49 mm), pH 7.5 (43 mm) and pH 8.0 (37 mm). Among the various temperature tested, 25oC (69.32) was found to be the best followed by 20oC (52.53 mm), 30oC (65.23 mm) and 35oC. Result: Among the fungicides tested, Zineb 68% + Hexaconazole 4% WP (avtar) was found best as the radial growth was observed to be 45, 41, 36, 32, 25 mm at 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 ppm, respectively as compared to 80 mm in control. The fungicide Tricyclazole 18% + Mancozeb 62% WP (Merger) was found to be the least effective in checking the radial growth of C. gloeosporioides even at 100 ppm concentration.

Antibacterial Screening of Endophytic Fungus Xylaria sp. derived from Andrographis paniculata (Sambiloto)

AIM: The purpose of this research is to evaluate the antibacterial activity of endophytic fungi derived from the flowers of Andrographis paniculata (Sambiloto). METHODS: The endophytic fungi were obtained following the dilution method with potato dextrose agar as media. Four isolates of fungi have been obtained and then fermented with rice media for 3 weeks. The fermented fungi were extracted with ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and evaporated to yield the EtOAc extract. All EtOAc extracts were evaluated for their antibacterial activity using agar diffusion method. RESULTS: The results indicated that the EtOAc extract from fungus RG-2 was the potential source of antibacterial compounds. Molecular identification showing fungus RG-2 was Xylaria sp. CONCLUSION: Further investigation of the antibacterial compounds produced by fungus Xylaria sp. derived from the flowers of A. paniculata will be performed in the future. To the best of our knowledge, endophytic fungal Xylaria sp. is firstly isolated from A. paniculata.

Acquisition and Transmission of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum VCG 0114 (Race 4) by Stink Bugs

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum VCG 0114 (race 4; i.e., FOV4) is an emerging pathogen that causes severe root rot and wilt of cotton. FOV4 is seed-borne, but the mode of seed invasion is uncertain. In an initial study, seeds in bolls that were puncture inoculated with FOV4 conidia when they were 25- or 30-days old became infected but remained viable. Because stink bugs can ingest and introduce bacterial and yeast pathogens into cotton bolls, we hypothesized that stink bugs may ingest and transmit FOV4. Southern green stink bugs and brown stink bugs were exposed to potato dextrose agar cultures of FOV4 and subsequently caged with cotton bolls to assess transmission potential. Both species fed on the cultures and acquired FOV4, and brown stink bugs transmitted FOV4 to cotton bolls. Thus, management of FOV4 may require management of stink bugs to mitigate the spread of the disease in cotton.

Fungal Pathogens Associated with Damping-off Disease of Cashew Seedlings in Nigeria

Aim: This study was designed to isolate fungal pathogens associated with damping-off of cashew seedlings. Study Design: The cashew seedlings for this study were selected randomly from a number of infected cashew seedlings in the screen house. Methodology: Associated fungal pathogens were grown on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and identified using their characteristics and morphological features observed under the microscope with reference to published identification manuals. Results: The result showed that damping-off of cashew seedling is mostly associated with fungal pathogens such as such as Fusarium spp, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Pythium spp., Alternaria sp., Curvularia sp., Aspergillus niger, and Lasiodiplodia theobromae. However, Fusarium spp, and Pythium spp. were predominant and frequently isolated than other pathogens. Conclusion: The knowledge of these pathogens is important for designing strategies to safeguard cashew plant health against diseases in order to ensure sustainable cashew production in Nigeria.