Mycobiology最新文献

The exploration of endophytic fungi associated with seaweeds has garnered significant interest due to their crucial ecological functions and potential as sources of valuable bioactive compounds. In this study, we isolated and identified endophytic fungi from the brown seaweed Dictyopteris pacifica, collected from the intertidal zone of Yeongdoek, Gyeongsangbuk-do in Korea. Through morphological examination and molecular phylogenetic analysis using multiple molecular markers, including ITS, LSU, SSU, TEF1, TUB2, and RPB2 sequences, we identified three fungal species not previously recorded in Korea: Emericellopsis fuci, Neoarthrinium lithocarpicola, and Periconia chimonanthi. Detailed descriptions of morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses are provided. This study represents the first report of these endophytic fungi isolated from D. pacifica in Korea, thereby enhancing the understanding of the diversity of seaweed-associated endophytic fungi in the region.

During an investigation of fungi of the orders Mucorales and Mortierellales in Korea, a new Backusella species, Backusella terrestris sp. nov., and three new records, Entomortierella sugadairana, Mucor nederlandicus, and Poitrasia circinans, were found in soil and freshwater samples. All species are described based on morphological and molecular evidence. Backusella terrestris is characterized by globose or subglobose sporangiospores, a variable (globose, subglobose, oval, or oblong) columellae, chlamydospore production, and a maximum growth temperature of 34 °C. The distinct characteristics of the new species and their closely related species are discussed. An identification key to the Backusella species of Korea is also presented.

During the collection of macrofungi resources in Son Tra Nature Reserve, Danang, Vietnam, two fungal specimens of the genus Anthracophyllum, designated as M34295 and M3457, living on dead still-attached branches of Mussaenda frondosa L. at an elevation around 360 m above the sea level were recorded. The morphological characteristics of the specimens shared some common characteristics with Anthracophyllum spp. However, the specimens possessed some distinct characteristics from other Anthracophylllum species. The phylogenetic analyses based on the combined internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and Large Subunit (LSU) molecular markers of ribosomal RNA genes revealed that the two specimens clustered in a single clade at species level with all tested Anthracophyllum species with strong bootstrap support of 99%. Among Anthracophyllum genus, our specimens seemed closest to A. archeri in morphological and genetic characteristics. Based on the combination of morphological approaches and multilocus phylogenetic analyses, we introduced Anthracophyllum sontraense sp. nov. as a new species. A. sontraense was characterized by its skewed bell-like basidiome with the color of dark blue to midnight blue, 1.0 - 1.5 cm diam, stipeless, light pink lamellae, sparse, occasionally branching. Basidiospores broadly ovoid to subglobose, 6-7 × 5.5-6 µm. To our knowledge, this is the first record of Anthracophyllum fungus in Vietnam.

Endophytic fungi associated with four plant species in Korea were isolated and characterized using morphological and molecular analyses. Phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, β-tubulin (TUB) gene, and translation elongation factor 1-α (EF1-α) gene revealed four previously unrecorded species of Diaporthe in Korea: D. caryae, D. phoenicicola, D. stewartii, and D. unshiuensis. Detailed descriptions of colony morphology and conidial characteristics are provided for each species. This study expands our knowledge of the diversity and distribution of endophytic Diaporthe in Korea and highlights the importance of these fungi in the ecosystem.

During disease surveys in 2021 and 2022, outbreaks of leaf spot were observed in East Asian hogweed (Heracleum moellendorffii) plants in fields located in Pyeongchang and Yeongwol, Gangwon Province, Korea. The disease incidence in the fields ranged from 2% to 50%. Based on the morphological and cultural characteristics, four single-conidium fungal isolates from the leaf spot symptoms were identified as Phoma sp. The phylogenetic analyses based on the combined sequences from the four genes (LSU, ITS, TUB2, and RPB2) indicated that the isolates clustered very closely with Didymella acutilobae. However, the morphological and cultural characteristics of the isolates exhibited somewhat distinct differences from those of D. acutilobae, suggesting that the isolates correspond to a novel subspecies. Pathogenicity tests revealed that the isolates caused leaf spot in East Asian hogweed plants. This is the first report of D. acutilobae subsp. heraclei subsp. nov. causing leaf spot in East Asian hogweed.

Food insecurity and malnutrition are among the major problems in most developing nations recently. Mushroom cultivation is one of the promising strategies to overcome these challenges. The growth and productivity of mushrooms differ because of their wide range of cultivation substrates. Cultivating Pleurotus ostreatus on suitable substrates is one of the key factors affecting its growth and productivity. This study was, therefore, conducted to investigate the effect of cultivation substrates, namely straws of tef (Trt1), barley (Trt2), and wheat (Trt3), husks of faba bean (Trt4) and field pea (Trt5), and sawdust (Trt6) alone, and their mixture (1:1, w/w) (Trt7) on the growth and yield of P. ostreatus. Mycelial colonization, primordial formation, and days to first harvest were faster (13.00, 19.67, and 22.67 days) for the P. ostreatus cultivated on Trt7 whereas those grown on Trt6 were delayed (18.00, 27.00, and 29.67 days), respectively. Trt7 gave a higher (67.33) fruiting body/bunch and total yield (2001.70 g/bag). Biological efficiency was also significantly (p < 0.05) higher for Trt7 (238.64%). Strong relationships between cap diameter and mushroom yield (r = 0.84***), number of bunches (r = 0.76***), number of fruiting bodies (r = 0.80***), stipe length (r = 0.83***), and total yield (r = 0.84***) were among significant positive correlations observed. In conclusion, cultivating P. ostreatus on the Trt7 (mixed substrate) is recommended rather than using either of the residues alone.

The cultivation period of shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is approximately 120-150 d, which is longer than that of other edible mushrooms. The development of fruiting bodies in shiitake is affected by light exposure. In this study, we investigated the effects of blue light on the production and ergothioneine contents of shiitake mushrooms. Fruiting body production (yield) on the medium irradiated with blue light increased in both cultivars (L808, 555 ± 60 g/3 kg medium; Sanbackhyang, 1090 ± 106 g/3 kg medium). Additionally, blue light increased the ergothioneine contents and antioxidative activities, and the ergothioneine content of L808 (about 2.8 mg/g) was higher than that of Sanbackhyang (about 1.2 mg/g). These results suggest that blue light is effective in shortening the cultivation period and increasing ergothioneine contents during shiitake cultivation.

A survey of fungal diversity in soil and freshwater habitats in Korea isolated several species of the class Sordariomycetes. Morphological characteristics and multigene phylogenetic analyses showed that these species represented new records for Korea. Herein, we report the descriptions, illustrations, and molecular phylogeny of 19 species previously undescribed in Korea, including Achaetomiella virescens, Arxotrichum gangligerum, Caespitomonium euphorbiae, Comoclathris typhicola, Gamsia aggregata, Luteonectria nematophila, Paramyrothecium sinense, Parasarocladium debruynii, Pleurocordyceps agarica, Pyrenochaetopsis sinensis, Scedosporium boydii, Scedosporium dehoogii, Scedosporium minutisporum, Striatibotrys rhabdosporus, Trichocladium crispatum, Trichoderma azevedoi, Trichoderma longifialidicum, Xepicula leucotricha, and Xylomelasma sordida.

Fungi and their natural products, like secondary metabolites, have gained a huge demand in the last decade due to their increasing applications in healthcare, environmental cleanup, and biotechnology-based industries. The fungi produce these secondary metabolites (SMs) during the different phases of their growth, which are categorized into terpenoids, alkaloids, polyketides, and non-ribosomal peptides. These SMs exhibit significant biological activity, which contributes to the formulation of novel pharmaceuticals, biopesticides, and environmental bioremediation agents. Nowadays, these fungal-derived SMs are widely used in food and beverages, for fermentation, preservatives, protein sources, and in dairy industries. In healthcare, it is being used as an antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and immunosuppressive drug. The usage of modern tools of biotechnology can achieve an increase in demand for these SMs and large-scale production. The present review comprehensively analyses the diversity of fungal SMs along with their emerging applications in healthcare, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and nutraceuticals. Here, the authors have reviewed the recent advancements in genetic engineering, metabolic pathway manipulation, and synthetic biology to improve the production and yield of these SMs. Advancement in fermentation techniques, bioprocessing, and co-cultivation approaches for large-scale production of SMs. Investigators further highlighted the importance of omics technologies in understanding the regulation and biosynthesis of SMs, which offers an understanding of novel applications in drug discovery and sustainable agriculture. Finally, the authors have addressed the potential for genetic manipulation and biotechnological innovations for further exploitation of fungal SMs for commercial and environmental benefits.

Ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) are crucial for the formation of Tuber fruiting bodies, including the newly discovered T. koreanum, in Korea. This study explores the diversity and distribution of EMF communities associated with T. koreanum across various regions in Korea and assesses the effects of soil physicochemical properties on these communities. Soil analysis indicated that T. koreanum habitats have a lower pH compared to T. melanosporum habitats documented in other studies, with sandy loam texture being optimal for fruiting body development. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis revealed significant positive correlations between the relative abundances of certain EMF genera and exchangeable potassium and calcium. These findings offer valuable insights into the ecological requirements of T. koreanum and support future conservation and cultivation strategies for truffle species in Korea.