Airborne fungi in an Italian rice mill

Summary Studies employing volumetric spore trap (VSP) and gravity settling culture plates (GSC) were conducted in order to analyse the air spora of a rice mill at Pavia, Italy, from October-December 1988. Results revealed a variety of fungal spores belonging to different genera and including recognized rice pathogenic fungi. The most frequent genera by GSC method includedAcremonium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Cladosporium, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Helminthosporium, Mucor, Nigrospora, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Trichoderma, Trichothecium, and some unidentified fungi. Environmental assessment of fungal spores by VSP revealed that the most prevalent fungi were:Alternaria, Cladosporium, Epicoccum, Helminthosporium, Nigrospora, Pyricularia, Tilletia and hyaline, dark and coloured types of ascospores and basidiospores. Airborne fungal spore concentrations were particularly high (5,000–6,000 spores/m³) in the rooms of the rice mill where the initial stages of rough rice transformation take place, and dropped to 2,500 spores/m³ in the last room, where workers are. During a temporary interruption of the working processes, air spora concentration dropped below 1,000 spores/m³.Cladosporium, Epicoccum andNigrospora spores were predominant in all subdivisions of the indoor environments of the rice mill.     

Toxigenic species of Penicillium, Fusarium, and Aspergillus from weevil-damaged pecans.

Of a total of 2392 fungi isolated from weevil-damaged pecans, 46.4% were Alternaria and Epicoccum, 23.9% were Penicillium, 12.4% were Pestalotia and Monochaeta, 6.5% were Cladosporium, 6.4% were Fusarium, and less than 2% each were Phoma, Aspergillus, Rhizopus, Trichothecium, and miscellaneous. Chloroform extracts of 34 of 105 representative Penicillium isolates, 3 of 28 Fusarium isolates, and 3 of 23 Aspergillus isolates were toxic to day-old cockerels during three bioassays. Eight of the toxic extracts from Penicillium spp. were tremorgenic. One tremorgenic isolate was identified as P. paxilli, four were identified as P. lanoso-coeruleum, and three as P. cyclopium. Nine of the non-tremorgenic isolates were identified as P. citrinum, five as P. aurantio-virens, three as P. oxalicum, and two as P. meleagrinum. Others were identified as one each of P. brevi-compactum (Series), P. nigricans (Series), P. roqueforti, P. rugulosum (Series), P. terrestre, and P. stoloniferium. One was unidentified. Toxigenic Aspergillus isolates were all A. flavus. Two of the toxic Fusarium isolates were F. moniliforme, and one was unidentified.     

Effect of germicidal UVC light on fungi isolated from grapes and raisins

AIMS: To examine how UVC affects the different genera of fungi commonly isolated from grapes, with the aim of understanding changes in mycobiota during grape ripening and possible applications for preventing grape decay during storage. METHODS AND RESULTS: Spores of Aspergillus carbonarius, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium herbarum, Penicillium janthinellum and Alternaria alternata (between 100-250 spores/plate agar) were UVC irradiated for 0 (control), 10, 20, 30, 60, 300 and 600 s. Plates were incubated at 25 degrees C and colonies were counted daily up to 7 days. Alternaria alternata and Aspergillus carbonarius were the most resistant fungi. Conidial germination in these species was reduced by approx. 25% after 10 s of exposure, compared with greater than 70% reduction for the remaining species tested. Penicillium janthinellum spores were the most susceptible at this wavelength. UVC exposures of 300 s prevented growth of all isolates studied, except for Alternaria alternata. CONCLUSIONS: UVC irradiation plays a major role in selecting for particular fungi that dominate the mycobiota of drying grapes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The UVC irradiation of harvested grapes could prevent germination of contaminant fungi during storage or further dehydration.     

Rhizosphere and phyllosphere fungi of four fern plants growing in Saudi Arabia

Seventy-eight species in addition to 1 variety of A. flavus belonging to 31 genera were collected from the rhizosphere (55 species + 1 variety and 24 genera) and phyllosphere (59 species and 22 genera) of Adiantum capillus-veneris, Ceterach officinarum, Asplenium filare and Cheilanthes catanensis.In the rhizosphere, the most common genera were Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Mucor and yeasts. In the phyllosphere, the most prevalent fungi were Cladosporium herbarum, C. sphaerospermum, Alternaria alternata, Drechslera spicifera, Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Cephalosporium roseo-griseum, Myrothecium verrucaria, Mucor racemosus and yeasts.     

Mycotoxin-producing potential of fungi associated with qat (Catha edulis) leaves in yemen

Forty-four fungal species belonging to 20 genera were isolated from 30 samples of qat leaves. The most frequent genera wereAspergillus, Alternaria, Penicillium, andCladosporium followed byFusarium, Drechslera, Chœtomium, andMucor. The most prevalent species in above genera wereAspergillus niger, A. flavus, A fumigatus, Alternaria alternata, Penicillium chrysogenum, P. citrinum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, andFusarium verticillioides. From these fungi, 17 species (39%) related to 7 genera (35%) proved to be true endophytes. Eleven out of 75 isolates were mycotoxigenic.A. alternata produced alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether whereasA. flavus produced aflatoxins B₁ and B₂. Ochratoxin A, sterigmatocystin, citrinin and T-2 toxin were produced byA. ochraceus, A. versicolor, P. citrinum andF. oxysporum, respectively. The presence of such toxigenic fungi associated with qat leaves is considered to be a threat to public health.     

小麦种子内携真菌多样性研究

为揭示小麦种子所携带真菌的种类和多样性,丰富小麦相关微生物的可利用资源,我们对来自俄罗斯、澳大利亚、哈萨克斯坦、加拿大以及中国的57份小麦种子样品进行内携真菌分离并对其中的21份种子利用高通量测序进行多样性分析。结果显示,分离获得564株真菌,经ITS序列分析结合形态观察鉴定为31属69种,其中菌株数量相对多度最高的5个属为链格孢属Alternaria（51%）、核腔菌属Pyrenophora（6%）、附球菌属Epicoccum（6%）、镰刀菌属Fusarium（5%）和青霉菌属Penicillium（5%）;同时有节菱孢属Arthrinium、烟管菌属Bjerkandera、毛壳属Chaetomium和小鬼伞属Coprinellus等17个属的真菌是首次从小麦种子内获得分离培养;此外还从小麦种子中分离得到多种潜在的重要植物病原菌,如互隔链格孢Alternaria alternata、麦根腐平脐蠕孢Bipolaris sorokiniana和禾谷镰刀菌Fusarium graminearum等。根据高通量测序结果进行的多样性分析表明来自中国的样品仅与来自俄罗斯样本存在显著差异。高通量测序获得的小麦种子内携真菌的优势属为链格孢属Alternaria、枝孢属Cladosporium和附球菌属Epicoccum,相对多度分别为23.95%、18.91%、13.32%;对小麦种子内携真菌OTU的营养类型进行注释后发现植物病原菌类型的相对多度占到71.36%。本研究结果初步揭示了小麦种子内携真菌的组成和多样性,结果显示小麦种子是多种种传病害病原菌的潜在载体,内携多种潜在的植物病原真菌,有可能在后续生产中条件适合的情况下发生病害,本文为小麦种传病害的防治和研究提供了重要的材料和科学依据。     

Mycological survey of selected health foods.

A survey was conducted to compare the total viable fungal content and the number of different mold species encountered in 10 types of health foods labeled organically grown and in the same foods without such a label. The foods were wheat flour, corn meal, brown rice, figs, split peas, pinto beans, soybeans, walnuts, pecans, and peanuts. Results showed no consistent difference in either the total viable fungal content or the number of different mold species encountered between the labeled and unlabeled foods. Two genera of yeasts (Rhodotorula and Saccharomyces) and 22 gener of molds, including more than 65 species, were encountered. The mold flora was dominated by Aspergillus glaucus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus candidus, Penicillium cyclopium, and Penicillium viridicatum. Isolates of the genera Alternaria, Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Helminthosporium also occurred in certain foods. At least 10 toxicogenic species of Aspergillus and Penicillium were encountered. A total of 87 cultures of these species, all isolated from health foods, were screened for laboratory production of their respective toxins. Toxin production potential of these 87 cultures did not differ from that of cultures of the same species isolated from conventional foods.     

Mycological survey of selected health foods.

A survey was conducted to compare the total viable fungal content and the number of different mold species encountered in 10 types of health foods labeled organically grown and in the same foods without such a label. The foods were wheat flour, corn meal, brown rice, figs, split peas, pinto beans, soybeans, walnuts, pecans, and peanuts. Results showed no consistent difference in either the total viable fungal content or the number of different mold species encountered between the labeled and unlabeled foods. Two genera of yeasts (Rhodotorula and Saccharomyces) and 22 gener of molds, including more than 65 species, were encountered. The mold flora was dominated by Aspergillus glaucus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus candidus, Penicillium cyclopium, and Penicillium viridicatum. Isolates of the genera Alternaria, Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Helminthosporium also occurred in certain foods. At least 10 toxicogenic species of Aspergillus and Penicillium were encountered. A total of 87 cultures of these species, all isolated from health foods, were screened for laboratory production of their respective toxins. Toxin production potential of these 87 cultures did not differ from that of cultures of the same species isolated from conventional foods.     

Seasonal variations in the airborne fungal spore population of the east of France (Franche - Comté). Comparison between urban and rural environment during two years

Summary Weekly samplings of airborne spores have been carried out with an S.A.S. apparatus in an urban and a rural site in Franche-Comté (France) during two years. The amount of air spora is higher in the rural environment than in the urban atmosphere. Many allergenic genera have been identified. Quantitative seasonal variations of many genera have been observed. The most frequent genera are:Cladosporium, Geotrichum, Epicoccum, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Aureobasidium andPenicillium appear only sporadically.     

Fungi isolated from tobacco leaves and brown-spot lesions before and after flue-curing

Discs of tissue excised from ripe nonflue-cured and flue-cured tobacco leaves, harvested on six dates and cultured on three selective media, yielded 21 and 24 genera of fungi, respectively. Of 5,094 fungi isolated from 3,240 pieces of nonfluecured leaf tissue, 89.5% comprised five genera, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Epicoccum, Trichoderma, and Nigrospora. Of 2,494 fungi isolated from 3,240 pieces of flue-cured leaf tissue, 70.9% were Alternaria, Cladosporium Epicoccum, Aspergillus, and Nigrospora. Flue-cured and nonflue-cured brown-spot lesions harvested at two locations yielded 12 and 14 genera of fungi, respectively. Alternaria, Penicillium, Phoma, and Stemphyllium comprised 91.5% of the 2,245 fungi isolated from noncured and 87.1% of the 1,118 fungi isolated from the cured lesions. The number and kinds of fungi obtained from diseased and healthy tissue were reduced but not eliminated by flue-curing.     

Micoflora atmosferica de la ciudad de Trujillo (Peru) III. — Generos aislados durante el año de 1971

There were 1762 fungi isolated from the atmosphere of Trujillo city (Peru) during the year 1971. These isolants belonged to 23 genera of fungi. The most frequently isolated were: Cladosporium, Penicillium, Fusarium, Stemphylium, Alternaria, Helminthosporium, Aspergillus and Tilachlidium. Nine genera are reported for first time from the air of the city (Tilachlidium, Cephalosporium, Mucor, Aureobasidium, Hormiscium, Trichoderma, Stachybotrys, Paecilomyces and Fisidium). Six genera may be alergenic for asthmatic patients of Trujillo city.     

Development of a selective myclobutanil agar (MBA) medium for the isolation of Fusarium species from asparagus fields

A new selective myclobutanil agar medium for the detection of Fusarium, species is proposed. Ten media formulations based on various selective agents (pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB), Rose Bengal, malachite green, sodium hypochlorite, captan, benomyl, chlorotalonil, myclobutanil, thiram, and cupric sulfate) were compared. First, mycelium growth and colony appearance of Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Epicoccum nigrum, Fusarium sp., Fuisarium solani, Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. dianthi, Penicillium sp., and Trichoderma viride isolates were compared. Second, the ability of the different media to isolate and enumerate fusaria from asparagus fields was evaluated. The myclobutanil-based medium showed the highest selectivity to Fusarium spp. growth but required a slightly longer incubation time (>5 d) than peptone-pentachloronitrobenzene-based agar (PPA) (< 5 d). PPA allowed a faster fusaria growth but also permited the growth of other moulds. The other media were less selective and did not allow to isolate fusaria or to differenciate them from other growing fungi.     

Detection of fungal infectous agent of wheat grains in store-pits of Markazi province, Iran

Wheat is an economic and important crop that provides approximately 20% of food calorie in the world. It is first crop in Iran and cultivated in the most areas of this country. Store-pit fungi make undesirable changes in quality and appearance of wheat grains. Even, some fungi produce different mycotoxins which are toxic to human and livestock's that use wheat grains as source of food. In this study, several samples were randomly collected from each of five store-pits located in different areas of Markazi Province including: Arak, Mahallat, Khomein, Saveh and Sarband. Grains were treated on PDA, and blotter, agar and washing test also used for isolating and detection of fungi. At least 100 grains per each sample were randomly used for each test and treatment. The fungi that determined in this study were Cochliobolus australiensis, Cladosporium herbarum, Epicoccum sp., Tilletia leavis, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. fumigatus, Alternaria alternata, Alternaria sp., Penicillium italicum, P. digitatum, Fusarium sp., Rhizopus sp., Ustilago tritici, Scytalidium sp. Among these fungi the most isolates were belonged to Cladosporium, Alternaria, Rhizopus and Fusarium. Cladosporium herbarum was the most common in different sampling areas. Tilletia laevis and Ustilago tritici were just recovered in washing test. This study revealed that different fungi are associated with wheat grains in store-pits in Markazi Province. Some of them like Aspergillus flavus normally produce aflatoxin, a very toxic and carcinogenic mycotoxin that is harmful for human.     

Occurrence of mites and fungi in the homes of patients with allergic manifestations

This survey was carried out to evaluate mites and moulds concentrations in the homes of patients with allergic manifestations and positive skin-test for mites and/or fungi. The home environments of 277 patients were evaluated by questionnaire, by sampling of airborne fungal spores and by determining the occurrence of mites and moulds in dust samples. Among the 277 patients examined, 83% reacted positively to house dust mites. The fungal allergen most frequently responsible for skin positivity was Alternaria tenuis. The prevalent airborne fungi were Cladosporium, Penicillium and Alternaria, followed by Aspergillus and Aureobasidium. The other genera were found in less than 50% of the homes. The presence of domestic mites in dust was documented in more than 85% of the homes sampled. The occurrence of fungi in dust was generally higher than in the air. The most common genera recovered were Penicillium, Candida, Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Alternaria and Cladosporium. The homes investigated were divided into two groups, damp and dry, on the basis of the reported presence of wet or damp spots on inside surfaces and moulds growing inside the home. Our results showed that the concentration of mites and moulds in dust was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in damp homes as compared to dry ones.In general, a good agreement between skin positivity and presence of the same allergens in patients' home environment was observed for mites and, among fungi, for Alternaria, Cladosporium and Aspergillus. Our results seem to confirm that the study of mycoaeroflora and the quantification of mites and moulds in dust samples of allergic patients' homes could lead to more precise diagnoses and therefore to better prophylactic and therapeutic programs for each individual patient.     

Cellulose-decomposing fungi of salt marshes in Egypt

Seventy-five species and three varieties which belong to thirty-four genera were identified from 74 soil samples collected from salt marshes in Egypt. The most frequent fungi wereAspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium herbarum andAlternatia alternata, followed byAspergillus terreus,Curvularia spicifera andPenicillium notatum. Six genera were of moderate occurrence:Penicillium, Futarium, Curvularia, Rhizopus, Stachybotrys, andChaetomium. Five genera were of low occurrence:Paecilomyces, Oephalosporium, Epicoccum, Mucor andMyrothecium.     

A comparative study on the airborne fungi in Athens,Greece, by viable and non-viable sampling methods

Airborne fungi were studied in the city of Athens using two complementary methods in which 136 concurrent samplings were carried out during the 12-month period from January until December 1998. A portable Burkard air sampler for agar plates was used for trapping the culturable portion of the mycobiota. Nineteen genera of fungi were identified and assessed in terms of total numbers and fluctuations in concentration (Alternaria, Arthrinium, Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Botrytis, Chrysonilia, Cladosporium, Drechslera, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Mucor, Nigrospora, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Sclerotinia, Scopulariopsis, Trichoderma and Ulocladium), with the exception of those included in the Sphaeropsidales, the yeasts, and the non-sporulating fungi, which were counted as groups. A volumetric Burkard air sampler for glass slides was operating simultaneously for detecting the total mycobiota, including the non-culturable and the non-viable portion. Ascospores, basidiospores, spores of Myxomycetes, Ustilaginales, Uredinales and Erysiphales, teliospores of Puccinia, as well as conidia of the genera Curvularia, Helminthosporium, Periconia, Pestalotiopsis, Pithomyces, Polythrincium, Stachybotrys, Stemphylium and Torula were also recorded. Only seven of the genera were recovered by both samplers. The total numbers of fungal spores, which had a maximum concentration of 3,175 spores/m³, as well as the spore concentrations of the genera Cladosporium (2,565 spores/m³) and Alternaria (280 spores/m³) were underestimated by the viable method (2,435 CFU/m³ for the total, 2,169 CFU/m³ for Cladosporium and 180 CFU/m³ for Alternaria). The non-viable method fails to resolve the identification of the genera Penicillium and Aspergillus, which are major components of the airborne mycobiota (1,068 CFU/m³ and 204 CFU/m³, respectively) based on recovery by the viable method.     

Airborne fungal spores in the coastal plain of Israel: A preliminary survey

Airborne spores were monitored during the years 1993–1995 in three cities along the coastal plain of Israel: Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv (Ramat Aviv) and Haifa. Seasonal fluctuations in the concentration of airborne spores were recorded. The following genera of fungi were identified:Alternaria, Cladosporium, Coprinus, Curvularia, Drechslera. Diplococcum, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Leptosphaeria, Pithomyces, Puccinia, Sphacelotheca, Stemphylium andUstilago. Unidentified spores were very rare and in negligible numbers. The dominant airborne fungal spores wereCladosporium andAlternaria. The monthly variations in airborne spores, observed among the three cities, seem to be rather minor. The recorded levels of airborne spores were below the concentrations that are accepted as threshold levels for provocation of clinical responses.     

Airborne fungi in vegetable growing areas of Edirne, Turkey

We aimed at the investigation of the airborne fungiand their outdoor incidence in five vegetable growingareas in Edirne province (Turkey) by exposing a petridish with potato dextrose agar medium to air for 15minutes and then counting the number of growingcolonies. Sampling procedure for fungi was performed6 times in research stations at an interval of onemonth between April–September 1996. From the 90petri dishes obtained fungi were isolated and 1166colonies were counted. 12 genera (Absidia,Alternaria, Aspergillus, Botryotrichum, Chlamydomyces,Cladosporium, Endocochlus, Fusarium, Nematochtonus,Penicillium, Trichoderma and Torula) and 25species were identified. Among them, Aspergillusclavato-nanica and Penicillium estinogenum arevery likely to be new records for Turkey. Cladosporium carpophilum and Alternariaalternata were the most abundant species in the studyarea. Correlation analyses were applied to the data.     

Czapek-Dox agar containing iprodione and dicloran as a selective medium for the isolation of Fusarium species

A new selective medium for Fusarium species has been developed using Czapek-Dox agar (CZ) containing the fungicides iprodione (3 mg/1) and dicloran (2 mg/1). This new medium (CZID) is selective against numerous species of Alternaria, Epicoccum, Penicillium and mucoraceous fungi. CZID was compared with CZ using samples of barley, malt, sorghum, bean and pea. Fusarium species produced large and easily recognizable colonies on CZID while isolates of Alternaria, Epicoccum and Rhizopus were significantly restricted on CZID compared with their growth on CZ. The use of CZID thus facilitates the isolation and subculturing of Fusarium species.