Microbial degradation and community structure analysis of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB)

Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) is a curing adhesive that is commonly used in the production of ammunition, and it emerged during the time of war. After entering the peaceful era, several countries around the globe have focused on the destruction of expired ammunition using safe and economical methods in terms of consumption of energy. Microorganisms exhibit a highly efficient and environment friendly degradation capability for variety of refractory substances. Therefore, in this study we screened five strains of microorganisms from five environmental soil samples for their ability to degrade HTPB. These microorganisms were identified as Microbacterium trichothecenolyticum, Microbacterium esteraromaticum, Arthrobacter pascens, Pseudonocardia carboxydivorans and Ochrobactrum anthropic based on 16S rRNA gene similarity index. We observed the uncorroded and corroded HTPB sample through scanning electron microscopy and observed the formation of lot of holes and gullies in HTPB after corrosion. An 18S rRNA gene clone library was constructed for HTPB-degrading fungi. Based on the results of library evaluation, it was found that the structure of the HTPB-degrading fungi community was relatively simple. A total of 54 positive clones were obtained. These clones represented some uncultured microorganisms that were closely related to Scytalidium lignicola, Pseudokahliella and Gonostomum strenuum. This study will help in the implementation of environment friendly degradation strategies for HTPB degradation.

PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF ENDOLICHENIC FUNGI ISOLATED FROM HYPOTRACHYNA INFIRMA (KUROK.) HALE

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate of phytopharmaceutical importance of endolichenic fungi isolated from Hypotrachyna infirma (Kurok.) Hale. Methods: The lichen species were collected from Sholaiyar hills, Coimbatore and identified as Hypotrachyna infirma (Kurok.)Hale. From this lichen, 29 endolichenic fungi were isolated and 13 endolichenic fungi were identified. From the identified endolichenic fungi, 26 extracts were prepared by successive solvent extraction methods using Ethyl acetate and chloroform. Results: The phytochemical study revealed the presence of important constituents like Alkaloids, Tannins, Carbohydrates, Phenols, Protein, Terpenoids, Steroids, Glycosides Flavonoids and Saponins. From the 13 endolichenic fungi, only 5 endolichenic fungi (Nigrospora oryzae (Berkand Broome)Petch, Geotrichum candidum Link, Scytalidium lignicola pesante, Aspergillus oryzae(Ahlb.) cohn, Aspergillus niger Gr.) have more constitutents. These 5 endolichenic fungi have good results in Quantitative analysis also. Conclusion: Compared to ethyl acetate extracts Chloroform extracts showed very less concentration of the phytochemicals. From this study we conclutated Nigrospora oryzae (Berk and Broome) Petch gave the best results in both qualitative and quantitative compared to other endolichenic fungi.

Identification of associated fungi of diseases in Cereus jamacaru and Cereus hildmannianus

Aunque los cactus están bien adaptados a los climas semiáridos brasileños, corren el riesgo de verse afectados por importantes problemas fitosanitarios, causando graves daños a su desarrollo. Por lo tanto, el diagnóstico correcto del agente etiológico es el paso más importante para apoyar la recomendación de estrategias de control eficientes. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar agentes etiológicos causantes de enfermedades en cladodios de mandacaru (<em>Cereus jamacaru</em>) y mandacaru sin espinas (<em>C. hildmannianus</em>). Los cladodios se recolectaron de plantas infectadas en condiciones de campo en la comunidad de Sítio Paraíso, en el municipio de Prata, Estado de Paraíba, Brasil, y se enviaron para su análisis en el Laboratorio de Fitopatología/CCA/UFPB. Las estructuras fúngicas se observaron bajo el microscopio óptico, a partir de estructuras vegetativas y reproductivas de los hongos cultivados en medio PDA (papa-dextrosa-agar) a 25 ±2 ºC y bajo 12 h de fotoperíodo de luz. Los géneros que se observaron fueron: <em>Aspergillus niger</em>, <em>Aspergillus</em> sp., <em>Cladosporium</em> sp., <em>Colletotrichum</em> sp., <em>Curvularia</em> sp., <em>Fusarium</em> sp., <em>Rhizopus</em> sp. y <em>Scytalidium lignicola</em>. Los hongos <em>Colletotrichum</em> sp. y <em>S. lignicola</em> se consideran los primeros informes en cladodios de <em>Cereus jacamaru</em> y <em>C. hildemannianus</em> en el Estado de Paraíba, Brasil.

Plant performance of enhancing licorice with dual inoculating dark septate endophytes and Trichoderma viride mediated via effects on root development

This study aimed to assess whether licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) can benefit from dual inoculation by Trichoderma viride and dark septate endophytes (DSE) isolated from other medicinal plants. We investigated the influences of three DSE (Paraboeremia putaminum, Scytalidium lignicola, and Phoma herbarum) isolated from other medicinal plants on the performance of licorice at different T. viride densities (1×106, 1×107, and 1×108 CFU/mL). Three DSE strains could colonize the roots of licorice, and they established a positive symbiosis with host plants depending on DSE species and T. viride densities. Inoculation of Paraboeremia putaminum increased the root biomass, length, surface area, and root:shoot ratio. Scytalidium lignicola increased the root length, diameter and surface area and decreased the root:shoot ratio. Phoma herbarum increased the root biomass and surface area. T. viride increased the root biomass, length, and surface area. Structural equation model (SEM) analysis showed that DSE associated with T. viride augmented plant biomass and height, shoot branching, and root surface area. Variations in root morphology and biomass were attributed to differences in DSE species and T. viride density among treatments. Paraboeremia putaminum or Phoma herbarum with low- or medium T. viride density and S. lignicola with low- or high T. viride density improved licorice root morphology and biomass. Our findings support the viewpoint that non-host DSE enhanced the root growth of the host plant under different densities T. viride conditions and may also be used to promote the cultivation of medicinal plants.

Cama de aviário e solo não autoclavados são eficientes no controle do crescimento de Scytalidium lignicola, causador da podridão negra da mandioca

RESUMO A podridão negra da mandioca causada por Scytalidium lignicola vem se tornando uma doença importante para os estados produtores devido a grandes perdas de produção. Por isso o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de fontes e doses de matéria orgânica isolada e adicionada a solo arenoso sob a supressividade do crescimento micelial de S. lignicola CMM 1098. Foram realizados dois experimentos o primeiro foi visando avaliar o efeito dos extratos de materiais orgânico (cama de aviário, esterco caprino, bovino e húmus de minhoca) incorporados ao meio de cultura batata-dextrose-ágar (BDA) nas concentrações (10, 20, 30 e 40%) (v/v) e o segundo foi avaliar o efeito dos materiais orgânicos misturados com solo arenoso com as mesmas fontes e doses. A fonte cama de aviário foi a mais eficiente em inibir o crescimento micelial de S. lignicola a uma dose 40%, com uma inibição do crescimento micelial de 69,75% apenas quando os extratos não foram autoclavados. Cama de aviário não autoclavado nas doses igual ou superior a 30% foi eficiente na supressividade do crescimento micelial de S. lignicola CMM 1098. Solo arenoso não autoclavados adicionado à fontes e doses de matéria orgânica são altamente eficientes na supressividade do crescimento de S. linicola CMM 1098.

Draft Genome Sequence of Scytalidium lignicola DSM 105466, a Ubiquitous Saprotrophic Fungus

Scytalidium lignicola is a ubiquitous anamorphic ascomycete and belongs to a genus that includes several phytopathogenic fungi. The strain sequenced in this study (DSM 105466) was isolated from leaves of Quercus robur.