Pub Date : 2025-11-17DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101692
Angélica María Berlanga-Padilla, Gisela Jareth Lino-López, Miguel Angel Ayala-Zermeño, Facundo Muñiz-Paredes, Roberto Montesinos-Matías, Jorge Antonio Sánchez-González
Coffee leaf rust, caused by Hemileia vastatrix, continues to pose a severe threat to coffee production in Mexico and globally. In response, the search for sustainable, ecologically based control strategies has turned toward mycopathogenic fungi as natural antagonists of plant pathogens. This study reports the isolation and characterization of 27 mycopathogenic fungal strains resembling Lecanicillium and Verticillium spp. from H. vastatrix pustules in the Mexican states of Chiapas, Colima, Nayarit and Veracruz. Detailed morphological and molecular analyses revealed two novel species (Akanthomyces hemiliae-vastatricis sp. nov. and Akanthomyces jabaliensis sp. nov.) as well as a new national record of Akanthomyces uredinophilus. The detection of Simplicillium lanosoniveum, a key natural antagonist of coffee rust, further underscores the ecological complexity of fungal interactions within coffee agroecosystems. These findings enrich the understanding of mycopathogen diversity associated with H. vastatrix and support the integration of native fungal strains into biological control frameworks, offering a promising path toward more resilient coffee cultivation systems.
{"title":"Fungi associated with coffee rust Hemileia vastatrix and the description of two new species","authors":"Angélica María Berlanga-Padilla, Gisela Jareth Lino-López, Miguel Angel Ayala-Zermeño, Facundo Muñiz-Paredes, Roberto Montesinos-Matías, Jorge Antonio Sánchez-González","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101692","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101692","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Coffee leaf rust, caused by <em>Hemileia vastatrix</em>, continues to pose a severe threat to coffee production in Mexico and globally. In response, the search for sustainable, ecologically based control strategies has turned toward mycopathogenic fungi as natural antagonists of plant pathogens. This study reports the isolation and characterization of 27 mycopathogenic fungal strains resembling <em>Lecanicillium</em> and <em>Verticillium</em> spp. from <em>H. vastatrix</em> pustules in the Mexican states of Chiapas, Colima, Nayarit and Veracruz. Detailed morphological and molecular analyses revealed two novel species (<em>Akanthomyces hemiliae-vastatricis</em> sp. nov. and <em>Akanthomyces jabaliensis</em> sp. nov.) as well as a new national record of <em>Akanthomyces uredinophilus</em>. The detection of <em>Simplicillium lanosoniveum</em>, a key natural antagonist of coffee rust, further underscores the ecological complexity of fungal interactions within coffee agroecosystems. These findings enrich the understanding of mycopathogen diversity associated with <em>H. vastatrix</em> and support the integration of native fungal strains into biological control frameworks, offering a promising path toward more resilient coffee cultivation systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 8","pages":"Article 101692"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145576114","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-15DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101691
De-Wei Li , Ethan Paine , Neil P. Schultes
A Scytalidium-like fungus was isolated from a dust sample collected indoors in the USA. Partial DNA sequences for the genomic regions of the 5.8S nuclear ribosomal DNA and flanking internal transcribed spacer (ITS), the nuclear ribosomal large subunit (LSU), the translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1), the β-tubulin (tub2) and the DNA-directed RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2) genes were determined. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that the indoor Scytalidium-like fungus is closely related to Scytalidium flavobrunneum, yet neither fungus is phylogenetically related to the generic type species, Scytalidium lignicola. Further analyses revealed that members of Scytalidium are polyphyletic belonging to eight orders: Amphisphaeriales, Coryneliales, Helotiales, Hypocreales, Mycosphaerellales, Pleosporales, Sordariales, Xylariales; seven subclasses: Coryneliomycetidae, Dothideomycetidae, Hypocreomycetidae, Leotiomycetidae, Pleosporomycetidae, Sordariomycetidae, Xylariomycetidae and four classes: Eurotiomycetes, Dothideomycetes, Leotiomycetes, and Sordariomycetes. Scytalidium s.s. belongs to Helotiales. The indoor fungus has dimorphic anamorphs and belongs to Monochaetia, Amphisphaeriales using sequences of five loci (ITS, LSU, tub2, tef1 and rpb2). Species of Scytalidium belonging to other orders are combined in their respective genera based on phylogenetic analyses using ITS and LSU. In our opinion, the polyphyletic nature of Scytalidium-like fungi shared morphological characteristics is the result of convergent evolution. At the same time, three new species, Scytalidium ruthenicum D.W. Li & N.P. Schultes, Monochaetia domiciliana D.W. Li & N.P. Schultes and Monochaetia arboricola D.W. Li & N.P. Schultes, were described and illustrated.
{"title":"A Scytalidium-like indoor fungus revealing polyphyletic relationships and convergent evolution in Scytalidium","authors":"De-Wei Li , Ethan Paine , Neil P. Schultes","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101691","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101691","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A <em>Scytalidium</em>-like fungus was isolated from a dust sample collected indoors in the USA. Partial DNA sequences for the genomic regions of the 5.8S nuclear ribosomal DNA and flanking internal transcribed spacer (ITS), the nuclear ribosomal large subunit (LSU), the translation elongation factor 1-α (<em>tef1</em>), the β-tubulin (<em>tub2</em>) and the DNA-directed RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (<em>rpb2</em>) genes were determined. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that the indoor <em>Scytalidium</em>-like fungus is closely related to <em>Scytalidium flavobrunneum,</em> yet neither fungus is phylogenetically related to the generic type species, <em>Scytalidium lignicola</em>. Further analyses revealed that members of <em>Scytalidium</em> are polyphyletic belonging to eight orders: <em>Amphisphaeriales</em>, <em>Coryneliales</em>, <em>Helotiales</em>, <em>Hypocreales</em>, <em>Mycosphaerellales</em>, <em>Pleosporales</em>, <em>Sordariales</em>, <em>Xylariales</em>; seven subclasses: <em>Coryneliomycetidae</em>, <em>Dothideomycetidae</em>, <em>Hypocreomycetidae</em>, <em>Leotiomycetidae</em>, <em>Pleosporomycetidae</em>, <em>Sordariomycetidae</em>, <em>Xylariomycetidae</em> and four classes: <em>Eurotiomycetes</em>, <em>Dothideomycetes</em>, <em>Leotiomycetes</em>, and <em>Sordariomycetes</em>. <em>Scytalidium</em> s.s. belongs to <em>Helotiales</em>. The indoor fungus has dimorphic anamorphs and belongs to <em>Monochaetia</em>, <em>Amphisphaeriales</em> using sequences of five loci (ITS, LSU, <em>tub2</em>, <em>tef1</em> and <em>rpb2</em>). Species of <em>Scytalidium</em> belonging to other orders are combined in their respective genera based on phylogenetic analyses using ITS and LSU. In our opinion, the polyphyletic nature of <em>Scytalidium</em>-like fungi shared morphological characteristics is the result of convergent evolution. At the same time, three new species, <em>Scytalidium ruthenicum</em> D.W. Li & N.P. Schultes, <em>Monochaetia domiciliana</em> D.W. Li & N.P. Schultes and <em>Monochaetia arboricola</em> D.W. Li & N.P. Schultes, were described and illustrated.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"130 1","pages":"Article 101691"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145584254","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) is a secondary metabolite produced by Fusarium graminearum (teleomorph synonym: Gibberella zeae), which causes Fusarium head blight disease in barley and wheat. Although many studies have explored the photobiological responses (from blue to red in the visible wavelength range) of fungi that produce mycotoxins, few have focused on the growth and DON production of F. graminearum exposed to short-wave blue light at approximately 400 nm. In this study, conidia of G. zeae JCM 9873 were exposed to light at wavelengths of 385 or 405 nm for 1, 1.5, and 2 h, with the irradiance adjusted to 19 (low) or 53 (high) mW/cm2. The effects of wavelength and irradiance on mycelial growth, colony morphology, DON yield, and the levels of four transcripts (Tri4, Tri5, Tri6, and Tri101) of genes involved in DON biosynthesis were investigated. In addition, accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was involved in DON biosynthesis. Conidia treated with 385 or 405 nm light at low and high irradiance for 2 h formed colonies after a 2-day cultivation (no colonies after 1 day), and the radial mycelial growth enlarged, eventually becoming comparable to unirradiated conidia. Colony observations confirmed the induction of an intense orange color after 405-nm irradiation with high irradiance only. The colonies derived from conidia exposed to 385-nm light at low irradiance for 2 h showed the lowest DON yield (0.104 ± 0.008 mg/g fungal biomass) among tested light conditions, corresponding to a yield of 43 % of the control samples. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis of transcript levels indicated that all four DON-associated genes were downregulated. The suppressive effect of 385-nm light treatment on DON production may be useful for constructing light treatments that are economical with weak irradiance. By contrast, all four Tri genes were upregulated after treatment with 405-nm light at high irradiance for 2 h, resulting in a high DON yield 1.49-times that of the control. Microscopic observations using a fluorescent ROS probe suggested that accumulation of intracellular ROS after irradiation with 405-nm light stimulates DON biosynthesis. Therefore, DON production in response to light exposure varies depending on the wavelength and irradiance within the short-wave blue light range. A better understanding of the photobiological responses to light in this range, as well as to light in the visible wavelength range, could facilitate the development of photo-technologies to control contamination by mycotoxins, including DON.
{"title":"Effects of the wavelength and irradiance level of short-wave blue light on mycelial growth and deoxynivalenol production in Gibberella zeae","authors":"Akihiro Shirai , Kojiro Hosono , Ami Tanaka , Atsushi Tabata","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101690","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101690","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) is a secondary metabolite produced by <em>Fusarium graminearum</em> (teleomorph synonym: <em>Gibberella zeae</em>), which causes Fusarium head blight disease in barley and wheat. Although many studies have explored the photobiological responses (from blue to red in the visible wavelength range) of fungi that produce mycotoxins, few have focused on the growth and DON production of <em>F</em>. <em>graminearum</em> exposed to short-wave blue light at approximately 400 nm. In this study, conidia of <em>G. zeae</em> JCM 9873 were exposed to light at wavelengths of 385 or 405 nm for 1, 1.5, and 2 h, with the irradiance adjusted to 19 (low) or 53 (high) mW/cm<sup>2</sup>. The effects of wavelength and irradiance on mycelial growth, colony morphology, DON yield, and the levels of four transcripts (<em>Tri4</em>, <em>Tri5</em>, <em>Tri6</em>, and <em>Tri101</em>) of genes involved in DON biosynthesis were investigated. In addition, accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was involved in DON biosynthesis. Conidia treated with 385 or 405 nm light at low and high irradiance for 2 h formed colonies after a 2-day cultivation (no colonies after 1 day), and the radial mycelial growth enlarged, eventually becoming comparable to unirradiated conidia. Colony observations confirmed the induction of an intense orange color after 405-nm irradiation with high irradiance only. The colonies derived from conidia exposed to 385-nm light at low irradiance for 2 h showed the lowest DON yield (0.104 ± 0.008 mg/g fungal biomass) among tested light conditions, corresponding to a yield of 43 % of the control samples. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis of transcript levels indicated that all four DON-associated genes were downregulated. The suppressive effect of 385-nm light treatment on DON production may be useful for constructing light treatments that are economical with weak irradiance. By contrast, all four <em>Tri</em> genes were upregulated after treatment with 405-nm light at high irradiance for 2 h, resulting in a high DON yield 1.49-times that of the control. Microscopic observations using a fluorescent ROS probe suggested that accumulation of intracellular ROS after irradiation with 405-nm light stimulates DON biosynthesis. Therefore, DON production in response to light exposure varies depending on the wavelength and irradiance within the short-wave blue light range. A better understanding of the photobiological responses to light in this range, as well as to light in the visible wavelength range, could facilitate the development of photo-technologies to control contamination by mycotoxins, including DON.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 8","pages":"Article 101690"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145516913","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-11DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101689
Qiaoyu Wang , Chenmeng Wan , Ke'er Xiao, Zijian Tong, Ziteng Zhao, Xinyu Meng, Mukaddas Sai, Yajie Bao, Lili Guan, Hongxia Ma, Linna Du
Grifola frondosa, a famous mushroom worldwide, is highly valued for its multiple health benefits. However, the limited mycelial biomass and low triterpenes (GFTs) yield remain critical constraints for large-scale utilization of this fungus. In the present study, the effect of different vegetable oils on the liquid fermentation efficiency of G. frondosa was investigated, firstly. Furthermore, following optimization of the olive oil addition process and analysis of fermentation kinetics, the positive effect of olive oil on the hyphal growth and GFTs accumulation was identified. Further observations revealed that olive oil treatment led to increased flocculent hyphae, peroxisomes, mitochondria, and reactive oxygen species levels. Additionally, improvements in membrane integrity, lipid droplet accumulation, energy metabolism, and antioxidant capacity were found in the olive-oil-treated hyphae. Transcriptome sequencing and qRT-PCR results indicated that the expression of various genes involved in the peroxisome pathway was upregulated in the olive-oil-treated hyphae, suggesting that peroxisomes may participate in G. frondosa's response to olive oil. Overall, supplementing olive oil enhanced the growth and triterpenes production of G. frondosa. This study provides a strategy for improving the efficiency of industrial liquid fermentation for this mushroom.
{"title":"Olive oil additive enhances hyphal growth and triterpenes accumulation in submerged fermentation of Grifola frondosa","authors":"Qiaoyu Wang , Chenmeng Wan , Ke'er Xiao, Zijian Tong, Ziteng Zhao, Xinyu Meng, Mukaddas Sai, Yajie Bao, Lili Guan, Hongxia Ma, Linna Du","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101689","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101689","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Grifola frondosa</em>, a famous mushroom worldwide, is highly valued for its multiple health benefits. However, the limited mycelial biomass and low triterpenes (GFTs) yield remain critical constraints for large-scale utilization of this fungus. In the present study, the effect of different vegetable oils on the liquid fermentation efficiency of <em>G. frondosa</em> was investigated, firstly. Furthermore, following optimization of the olive oil addition process and analysis of fermentation kinetics, the positive effect of olive oil on the hyphal growth and GFTs accumulation was identified. Further observations revealed that olive oil treatment led to increased flocculent hyphae, peroxisomes, mitochondria, and reactive oxygen species levels. Additionally, improvements in membrane integrity, lipid droplet accumulation, energy metabolism, and antioxidant capacity were found in the olive-oil-treated hyphae. Transcriptome sequencing and qRT-PCR results indicated that the expression of various genes involved in the peroxisome pathway was upregulated in the olive-oil-treated hyphae, suggesting that peroxisomes may participate in <em>G. frondosa</em>'s response to olive oil. Overall, supplementing olive oil enhanced the growth and triterpenes production of <em>G. frondosa</em>. This study provides a strategy for improving the efficiency of industrial liquid fermentation for this mushroom.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 8","pages":"Article 101689"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145576115","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-10DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101688
Guus van Iersel, Brigit van Brenk, Robert-Jan Bleichrodt
Agaricus bisporus, a widely cultivated edible button mushroom, is grown on composted substrates in successive flushes. While the first flush yields the largest and highest-quality mushrooms, later flushes exhibit reduced productivity and quality. These differences are due to physico-chemical changes of the substrate such as nutrient and water availability. Mushroom growth relies on maintaining an osmotic gradient between the substrate and fruiting body to allow resource translocation to the mushrooms. Classically mannitol is known as the most important osmolyte in A. bisporus mushrooms. In this study, we investigated osmotic regulation during mushroom development over two flushes. We found that under standard cultivation conditions, the profile of organic osmolytes varies significantly between flushes in response to a changing substrate composition. During the first flush, when carbon is still abundant, mannitol is the dominant organic osmolyte supporting fruiting body expansion. In contrast, the second flush occurs under carbon-limited conditions, prompting a shift in osmotic strategy: fruiting bodies accumulate more nitrogen, with free amino acids contributing substantially to osmotic potential, reaching up to 11 % of the dry weight. These findings reveal a dynamic osmotic adaptation mechanism in A. bisporus, where different osmolytes are utilized depending on substrate nutrient availability. This metabolic flexibility likely helps sustaining growth under suboptimal conditions and results in mushrooms with improved nutritional quality in later flushes. Understanding the interplay between substrate composition, osmolyte profiles, and fruiting body physiology offers new avenues for optimizing mushroom yield and quality in commercial systems.
{"title":"Adaptive osmoregulation in successive flushes of Agaricus bisporus by free amino acids and mannitol","authors":"Guus van Iersel, Brigit van Brenk, Robert-Jan Bleichrodt","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101688","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101688","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Agaricus bisporus</em>, a widely cultivated edible button mushroom, is grown on composted substrates in successive flushes. While the first flush yields the largest and highest-quality mushrooms, later flushes exhibit reduced productivity and quality. These differences are due to physico-chemical changes of the substrate such as nutrient and water availability. Mushroom growth relies on maintaining an osmotic gradient between the substrate and fruiting body to allow resource translocation to the mushrooms. Classically mannitol is known as the most important osmolyte in <em>A. bisporus</em> mushrooms. In this study, we investigated osmotic regulation during mushroom development over two flushes. We found that under standard cultivation conditions, the profile of organic osmolytes varies significantly between flushes in response to a changing substrate composition. During the first flush, when carbon is still abundant, mannitol is the dominant organic osmolyte supporting fruiting body expansion. In contrast, the second flush occurs under carbon-limited conditions, prompting a shift in osmotic strategy: fruiting bodies accumulate more nitrogen, with free amino acids contributing substantially to osmotic potential, reaching up to 11 % of the dry weight. These findings reveal a dynamic osmotic adaptation mechanism in <em>A. bisporus</em>, where different osmolytes are utilized depending on substrate nutrient availability. This metabolic flexibility likely helps sustaining growth under suboptimal conditions and results in mushrooms with improved nutritional quality in later flushes. Understanding the interplay between substrate composition, osmolyte profiles, and fruiting body physiology offers new avenues for optimizing mushroom yield and quality in commercial systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 8","pages":"Article 101688"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145516904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rotifers are key organisms in activated sludge, as they are able to increase flocculation, improve effluent quality and control activated sludge bulking caused by the overgrowth of filamentous bacteria. Unfortunately, their populations are endangered by predatory fungi, which are surprisingly common in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Looking for a remedy, we found that glycerol could impair the condition of rotiferovorous fungi while posing no threats to rotifers. We conducted experiments on the effects of glycerol at concentrations ranging from 0.005 % to 0.1 % on the growth rate of predatory fungi and rotifer survival in the presence of fungi to determine whether glycerol could be applied as protection for rotifers in the case of fungal infection in WWTPs. Our results showed that glycerol negatively affected both Zoophagus and Lecoophagus fungi. In both cases, the number of rotifers surviving in the presence of predatory fungi was much greater after glycerol addition. In the case of the mature mycelium of Zoophagus, the number of active rotifers was more than ten times greater at 0.005 % glycerol and 25 times greater at 0.1 % glycerol. In the case of Lecophagus, the number of active rotifers was almost two times greater at 0.005 % glycerol but almost six times greater at 0.1 % glycerol. Our experiments shed new light on the possibility of using rotifers for bulking control even when activated sludge is infected by predatory fungi. Moreover, it is another, beside improvement of nutrients removal, potential advantage of glycerol application in WWTPs.
{"title":"Glycerol as a potential solution for rotifer protection against predatory fungi in wastewater treatment","authors":"Agnieszka Pajdak-Stós , Yuliia Korzh , Edyta Fiałkowska","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101687","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101687","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rotifers are key organisms in activated sludge, as they are able to increase flocculation, improve effluent quality and control activated sludge bulking caused by the overgrowth of filamentous bacteria. Unfortunately, their populations are endangered by predatory fungi, which are surprisingly common in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Looking for a remedy, we found that glycerol could impair the condition of rotiferovorous fungi while posing no threats to rotifers. We conducted experiments on the effects of glycerol at concentrations ranging from 0.005 % to 0.1 % on the growth rate of predatory fungi and rotifer survival in the presence of fungi to determine whether glycerol could be applied as protection for rotifers in the case of fungal infection in WWTPs. Our results showed that glycerol negatively affected both <em>Zoophagus</em> and <em>Lecoophagus</em> fungi. In both cases, the number of rotifers surviving in the presence of predatory fungi was much greater after glycerol addition. In the case of the mature mycelium of <em>Zoophagus</em>, the number of active rotifers was more than ten times greater at 0.005 % glycerol and 25 times greater at 0.1 % glycerol. In the case of <em>Lecophagus</em>, the number of active rotifers was almost two times greater at 0.005 % glycerol but almost six times greater at 0.1 % glycerol. Our experiments shed new light on the possibility of using rotifers for bulking control even when activated sludge is infected by predatory fungi. Moreover, it is another, beside improvement of nutrients removal, potential advantage of glycerol application in WWTPs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 8","pages":"Article 101687"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145516915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-27DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101686
Rossana Parlascino , Cristian Bua , Sebastiano Conti Taguali , Antonella Pane , Francesco Aloi , Nunzio Tuccitto , Santa Olga Cacciola
The reuse of wastewater for crop irrigation after treatment in constructed wetlands (CWs) represents an eco-friendly strategy to enhance agricultural sustainability. This study aimed to detect oomycete plant pathogens in wastewater from an agritouristic farm treated in CWs and reused for irrigation, and to evaluate antagonistic filamentous fungi as potential biocontrol agents (BCAs) of waterborne oomycetes. Three predominantly aquatic species, Phytophthora gonapodyides, P. inundata, and Phytopythium litorale, were isolated from CW water, whereas only terrestrial species, including P. citrophthora, P. nicotianae (the most frequent), and Phytopythiumvexans, were recovered from soils of citrus orchards irrigated with reclaimed water. This difference suggests CW water is not a primary inoculum source for terrestrial pathogens under tested conditions. Among candidate BCAs, Trichoderma asperellum, T. atroviride, T. harzianum, and Epicoccum nigrum significantly inhibited in vitro mycelial growth of the isolated oomycetes, with T. harzianum showing the strongest inhibition (69.17% against P. nicotianae). However, these BCAs were ineffective in controlling P. nicotianaeinfections on tomato seedlings when applied individually. Conversely, treatments either with the mixture of the three Trichoderma species or with the chitosan- and nosodes-based bioproducts Ascoma® and Verde® significantly reduced disease severity, indicating a synergistic effect among Trichoderma species in the soil rhizosphere.
{"title":"Characterization and biocontrol of oomycetes recovered from a phytoremediation plant for the treatment of farmhouse wastewaters","authors":"Rossana Parlascino , Cristian Bua , Sebastiano Conti Taguali , Antonella Pane , Francesco Aloi , Nunzio Tuccitto , Santa Olga Cacciola","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101686","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101686","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The reuse of wastewater for crop irrigation after treatment in constructed wetlands (CWs) represents an eco-friendly strategy to enhance agricultural sustainability. This study aimed to detect oomycete plant pathogens in wastewater from an agritouristic farm treated in CWs and reused for irrigation, and to evaluate antagonistic filamentous fungi as potential biocontrol agents (BCAs) of waterborne oomycetes. Three predominantly aquatic species, <em>Phytophthora gonapodyides</em>, <em>P. inundata</em>, and <em>Phytopythium litorale</em>, were isolated from CW water, whereas only terrestrial species, including <em>P. citrophthora</em>, <em>P. nicotianae</em> (the most frequent), and <em>Phytopythium</em> <em>vexans</em>, were recovered from soils of citrus orchards irrigated with reclaimed water. This difference suggests CW water is not a primary inoculum source for terrestrial pathogens under tested conditions. Among candidate BCAs, <em>Trichoderma asperellum</em>, <em>T. atroviride</em>, <em>T. harzianum</em>, and <em>Epicoccum nigrum</em> significantly inhibited <em>in vitro</em> mycelial growth of the isolated oomycetes, with <em>T. harzianum</em> showing the strongest inhibition (69.17% against <em>P. nicotianae</em>). However, these BCAs were ineffective in controlling <em>P. nicotianae</em>infections on tomato seedlings when applied individually. Conversely, treatments either with the mixture of the three <em>Trichoderma</em> species or with the chitosan- and nosodes-based bioproducts Ascoma® and Verde® significantly reduced disease severity, indicating a synergistic effect among <em>Trichoderma</em> species in the soil rhizosphere.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 8","pages":"Article 101686"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145463469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-25DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101683
Xiaoli Li, Lirong Zhu, Guiqiu Luo, Haitao Chen, Huan Luo, Si Chen, Jinkui Yang
Arthrobotrys oligospora, a widely distributed nematode-trapping fungus, utilises adhesive mycelial nets (traps) to capture nematodes. As key components of the MAPK cascade, Sho1 and Opy2 are critical in the fungal stress response. This study examined the roles of homologous Sho1 (AoSho1) and Opy2 (AoOpy2) through gene knockout, phenotypic analysis, and multi-omics approaches. The results revealed that knockout of Aosho1 and Aoopy2 led to reduced mycelial growth, a significant decrease in spore production, trap formation, and nematode predation capacity. Furthermore, deletion of Aosho1 and Aoopy2 increased autophagic activity and heightened sensitivity to osmotic stress. Transcriptome analysis indicated that AoOpy2 functions as a multifaceted regulator in fungal growth, development, and environmental adaptation. Metabolomics data also suggested that AoSho1 and AoOpy2 are involved in several metabolic pathways. In conclusion, AoSho1 and AoOpy2 are essential for mycelial growth, osmoregulation, and the pathogenicity of A. oligospora. This study lays the groundwork for understanding the roles and potential mechanisms of the MAPK signalling pathway in the development and pathogenicity of nematode-trapping fungi.
{"title":"MAPK pathway components AoSho1 and AoOpy2 regulate growth, sporulation, osmoregulation, and pathogenicity in Arthrobotrys oligospora","authors":"Xiaoli Li, Lirong Zhu, Guiqiu Luo, Haitao Chen, Huan Luo, Si Chen, Jinkui Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101683","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101683","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Arthrobotrys oligospora</em>, a widely distributed nematode-trapping fungus, utilises adhesive mycelial nets (traps) to capture nematodes. As key components of the MAPK cascade, Sho1 and Opy2 are critical in the fungal stress response. This study examined the roles of homologous Sho1 (AoSho1) and Opy2 (AoOpy2) through gene knockout, phenotypic analysis, and multi-omics approaches. The results revealed that knockout of <em>Aosho1</em> and <em>Aoopy2</em> led to reduced mycelial growth, a significant decrease in spore production, trap formation, and nematode predation capacity. Furthermore, deletion of <em>Aosho1</em> and <em>Aoopy2</em> increased autophagic activity and heightened sensitivity to osmotic stress. Transcriptome analysis indicated that AoOpy2 functions as a multifaceted regulator in fungal growth, development, and environmental adaptation. Metabolomics data also suggested that AoSho1 and AoOpy2 are involved in several metabolic pathways. In conclusion, AoSho1 and AoOpy2 are essential for mycelial growth, osmoregulation, and the pathogenicity of <em>A. oligospora</em>. This study lays the groundwork for understanding the roles and potential mechanisms of the MAPK signalling pathway in the development and pathogenicity of nematode-trapping fungi.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 8","pages":"Article 101683"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145413742","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-24DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101684
Xiyan Lou , ManYu Chen , Ping Li , Yixue Cui , Chunhua Zhu , Dongdong Yu , Muhammad Anwar , Dongli Pei
There are various diseases affecting Rosa chinensis, which significantly impact its ornamental value. This paper examines the inhibitory effect of the strain Bacillus subtilis Sjb3 on different pathogenic fungi and its biocontrol effects on anthracnose and black spot diseases. The plate confrontation method was employed to assess the antifungal activity of B. subtilis Sjb3. The results indicated that the strain exhibited inhibitory effects on the growth of seven pathogenic fungi, with an inhibitory rate ranging from 39.34 % to 47.50 %. By observing the mycelia of the seven types of pathogenic fungi that were inhibited by the fungus under an inverted fluorescence microscope, it was discovered that the fungus caused various distortions in the mycelia of these fungi, such as expansion, bending, and folding. With bubble-like structures, uneven thickness, and oval branch formations. In vitro inoculation experiments indicated that B. subtilis Sjb3 could effectively reduce anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, the black spot of R. chinensis caused by Alternaria tenuissima, and ring rot disease of apples caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea. The stability of the sterile filtrate from B. subtilis Sjb3 was determined using C. gloeosporioides as the test pathogen. The fermentation broth of B. subtilis Sjb3 exhibited strong thermal stability at 80 °C. It maintained good stability within a pH range of 6–9. UV irradiation time remained relatively stable for up to 60 min. It was not sensitive to protease K. Using BG medium as the base, the optimal culture conditions were identified. The results showed that the best inorganic salt was 0.1 % sodium chloride, the ideal nitrogen source was 1 % yeast extract, the preferred carbon source was 0.5 % glucose, and the optimal pH was 7. Thus, B. subtilis Sjb3 demonstrated broad-spectrum antagonism against various plant pathogenic fungi, effectively inhibiting the occurrence of anthracnose in R. chinensis and black spot diseases, along with high stability of antibacterial substances. This study provides a foundation for further applications of B. subtilis Sjb3 as a biocontrol agent.
{"title":"Biocontrol potential of Bacillus subtilis Sjb3 against Rosa chinensis and apple diseases","authors":"Xiyan Lou , ManYu Chen , Ping Li , Yixue Cui , Chunhua Zhu , Dongdong Yu , Muhammad Anwar , Dongli Pei","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101684","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101684","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>There are various diseases affecting <em>Rosa chinensis</em>, which significantly impact its ornamental value. This paper examines the inhibitory effect of the strain <em>Bacillus subtilis Sjb3</em> on different pathogenic fungi and its biocontrol effects on anthracnose and black spot diseases. The plate confrontation method was employed to assess the antifungal activity of <em>B. subtilis Sjb3</em>. The results indicated that the strain exhibited inhibitory effects on the growth of seven pathogenic fungi, with an inhibitory rate ranging from 39.34 % to 47.50 %. By observing the mycelia of the seven types of pathogenic fungi that were inhibited by the fungus under an inverted fluorescence microscope, it was discovered that the fungus caused various distortions in the mycelia of these fungi, such as expansion, bending, and folding. With bubble-like structures, uneven thickness, and oval branch formations. In vitro inoculation experiments indicated that <em>B. subtilis Sjb3</em> could effectively reduce anthracnose caused by <em>Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</em>, the black spot of <em>R. chinensis</em> caused by <em>Alternaria tenuissima,</em> and ring rot disease of apples caused by <em>Botryosphaeria dothidea</em>. The stability of the sterile filtrate from <em>B. subtilis Sjb3</em> was determined using <em>C. gloeosporioides</em> as the test pathogen. The fermentation broth of <em>B. subtilis Sjb3</em> exhibited strong thermal stability at 80 °C. It maintained good stability within a pH range of 6–9. UV irradiation time remained relatively stable for up to 60 min. It was not sensitive to protease K. Using BG medium as the base, the optimal culture conditions were identified. The results showed that the best inorganic salt was 0.1 % sodium chloride, the ideal nitrogen source was 1 % yeast extract, the preferred carbon source was 0.5 % glucose, and the optimal pH was 7. Thus, <em>B. subtilis Sjb3</em> demonstrated broad-spectrum antagonism against various plant pathogenic fungi, effectively inhibiting the occurrence of anthracnose <em>in R. chinensis</em> and black spot diseases, along with high stability of antibacterial substances. This study provides a foundation for further applications of <em>B. subtilis Sjb3</em> as a biocontrol agent.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 8","pages":"Article 101684"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145516914","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-23DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101685
Yuan Sun , Yu Chen , Xiaomeng Lyu , Ao Liu , Le Wang , Qingji Wang , Panmeng Wang , Wei Wang
Macrofungi adapt to environmental changes through multiple signaling pathways. The Ste11 protein is a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK) that functions in multiple signaling pathways, including the pheromone pathway, high osmolarity pathway, and starvation pathway. In Flammulina filiformis, ste11 overexpression and RNA interference (RNAi) transformants were constructed. Overexpression of ste11 increased the production of lignin-degrading enzymes (laccase, lignin peroxidase, and manganese peroxidase), hemicellulases, and carboxymethyl cellulases, which accelerated mycelial growth. Furthermore, ste11 overexpression increased the accumulation of polysaccharides, flavonoids, and polyphenols, compounds known to stress tolerance. Consistent with this, ste11 overexpression enhanced resistance to salt, heat/cold stress and acid/alkali conditions and promoted fruiting body formation. Conversely, RNAi-mediated knockdown of ste11 resulted in opposite effects on enzyme production, stress tolerance, and fruiting body formation. These results demonstrate a dual role for ste11 in regulating both abiotic stress tolerance and fruiting body development in F. filiformis.
{"title":"The gene ste11 plays an important role in the mycelial abiotic stress tolerance and fruiting body formation of Flammulina filiformis","authors":"Yuan Sun , Yu Chen , Xiaomeng Lyu , Ao Liu , Le Wang , Qingji Wang , Panmeng Wang , Wei Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101685","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101685","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Macrofungi adapt to environmental changes through multiple signaling pathways. The Ste11 protein is a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK) that functions in multiple signaling pathways, including the pheromone pathway, high osmolarity pathway, and starvation pathway. In <em>Flammulina filiformis</em>, <em>ste11</em> overexpression and RNA interference (RNAi) transformants were constructed. Overexpression of <em>ste11</em> increased the production of lignin-degrading enzymes (laccase, lignin peroxidase, and manganese peroxidase), hemicellulases, and carboxymethyl cellulases, which accelerated mycelial growth. Furthermore, <em>ste11</em> overexpression increased the accumulation of polysaccharides, flavonoids, and polyphenols, compounds known to stress tolerance. Consistent with this, <em>ste11</em> overexpression enhanced resistance to salt, heat/cold stress and acid/alkali conditions and promoted fruiting body formation. Conversely, RNAi-mediated knockdown of <em>ste11</em> resulted in opposite effects on enzyme production, stress tolerance, and fruiting body formation. These results demonstrate a dual role for <em>ste11</em> in regulating both abiotic stress tolerance and fruiting body development in <em>F. filiformis.</em></div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 8","pages":"Article 101685"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145360212","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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