Mycology最新文献

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2018.1461142.].

Two new sesquiterpenoids, 1-2, together with three known compounds, were isolated from Trichoderma hypoxylon. Among the known compounds, compound 4 was isolated as naturally occurring compound for the first time. The structures of these new compounds were characterized by HR-ESI-MS and spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR. The absolute configurations of 1-2 were assigned by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations.

In this study, the extract from endophytic Fusarium proliferatum was used to synthesise iron nanoparticles (Fe-NPs). The properties of the biogenically synthesised Fe-NPs were then characterised by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The efficacy of the synthesised Fe-NPs in decolourizing triphenylmethane dyes was evaluated. Results revealed that fungal extract from F. proliferatum was successfully used to synthesise Fe-NPs. The Fe-NPs produced were 20-50 nm in size, and consist of substantial elemental Fe content (14.83%). The FTIR spectra revealed the presence of amino acids and proteins on the surface of the Fe-NPs, confirming the biogenic synthesis of the Fe-NPs. When tested for decolourisation, the Fe-NPs were most effective in decolourising Methyl Violet (28.9%), followed by Crystal Violet (23.8%) and Malachite Green (18.3%). This study is the first few to report the biogenic synthesis of Fe-NPs using extracts from an endophytic Fusarium species and their corresponding dye decolourisation activities.

Aspergillosis, candidiasis, and cryptococcosis are the most common cause of mycoses-related disease and death among immune-compromised patients. Adhesins are cell-surface exposed proteins or glycoproteins of pathogens that bind to the extracellular matrix (ECM) constituents or mucosal epithelial surfaces of the host cells. The forces of interaction between fungal adhesins and host tissues are accompanied by ligand binding, hydrophobic interactions and protein-protein aggregation. Adherence is the primary and critical step involved in the pathogenesis; however, there is limited information on fungal adhesins compared to that on the bacterial adhesins. Except a few studies based on screening of proteome for adhesin identification, majority are based on characterization of individual adhesins. Recently, based on their characteristic signatures, many putative novel fungal adhesins have been predicted using bioinformatics algorithms. Some of these novel adhesin candidates have been validated by in-vitro studies; though, most of them are yet to be characterised experimentally. Morphotype specific adhesin expression as well as tissue tropism are the crucial determinants for a successful adhesion process. This review presents a comprehensive overview of various studies on fungal adhesins and discusses the targetability of the adhesins and adherence phenomenon, for combating the fungal infection in a preventive or therapeutic mode.

Mycotoxin contamination of food and feed is a major concern in sub-Sahara African countries, particularly Nigeria. It represents a significant limit to health of human, livestock as well as the international trade. Aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxin, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol and beauvericin are the major mycotoxins recognised in the aetiology of food safety challenges that precipitated countless number of diseases. In Nigeria, aflatoxins and fumonisin found in nearly all crops are the most common mycotoxins of economic and health importance such as sorghum, maize and groundnuts. Thus, consumption of food contaminated with mycotoxins are inevitable, hence the need for adequate regulation is necessary in these frontier economies as done in many developed economies to ensure food safety for human and animals. In low and middle-income countries, especially Nigeria, there is lack of awareness and sufficient information on the risk associated with consequent of mycotoxin contamination on wellbeing of human, animals health and the economy. It is based on the foregoing that this paper summarized the status of mycotoxin present in Nigerian food and feeds relative to the global regulatory standards. This aimed at preventing consuming mycotoxin contaminated food stuff while confronting its associated challenges. Suggestions on some possible control strategies to mitigate vending mycotoxin food and feeds were made.