Lignin-Degrading Enzymes of the Commercial Button Mushroom, Agaricus bisporus

Agaricus bisporus, grown under standard composting conditions, was evaluated for its ability to produce lignin-degrading peroxidases, which have been shown to have an integral role in lignin degradation by wood-rotting fungi. The activity of manganese peroxidase was monitored throughout the production cycle of the fungus, from the time of colonization of the compost through the development of fruit bodies. Characterization of the enzyme was done with a crude compost extract. Manganese peroxidase was found to have a pI of 3.5 and a pH optimum of 5.4 to 5.5, with maximal activity during the initial stages of fruiting (pin stage). The activity declined considerably with fruit body maturation (first break). This apparent developmentally regulated pattern parallels that observed for laccase activity and for degradation of radiolabeled lignin and synthetic lignins by A. bisporus. Lignin peroxidase activity was not detected in the compost extracts. The correlation between the activities of manganese peroxidase and laccase and the degradation of lignin in A. bisporus suggests significant roles for these two enzymes in lignin degradation by this fungus.     

Inheritance of Strain Instability (Sectoring) in the Commercial Button Mushroom, Agaricus bisporus

The button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, is a commercially important cultivated filamentous fungus. During the last decade, the button mushroom industry has depended mainly on two strains (or derivatives of these two strains). Using one of these highly successful strains (strain U1) we examined the phenomenon of strain instability, specifically, the production of irreversible sectors. Three “stromatal” and three “fluffy” sectors were compared with a healthy type U1 strain and with a wild-collected isolate. Compost colonization and fruit body morphology were examined. The main objective of this study, however, was to examine the meiotic stability of the sectored phenotype. Single basidiospores were isolated and subjected to a grain bioassay in which the ability to produce sectors was measured. Our results were as follows: (i) basidiospore cultures obtained from a wild-collected isolate showed no tendency to produce sectors; (ii) approximately 5% of the basidiospore cultures obtained from healthy type U1 strains produced irreversible sectors in the grain bioassay; (iii) the five primary sectors examined produced basidiospore cultures, half of which produced normal-looking growth in the grain bioassay and half of which produced some degree of sectoring; and (iv) the one sectored isolate that represented the F2 generation gave ratios similar to the 1:1 ratio observed for the F1 cultures.     

Inoculation of Scytalidium thermophilum in Button Mushroom Compost and Its Effect on Yield

Scytalidium thermophilum isolates in culture, as well as the endogenous strain(s) in mushroom compost, were inactivated at 70°C. This temperature was used to pasteurize composts for experiments. Of nine thermophilic fungal species, only S. thermophilum and Myriococcum thermophilum grew well on pasteurized compost in test tubes. The effect of both species on the crop yield of Agaricus bisporus mushrooms was studied. In solid-state fermentation rooms called tunnels, compost was pasteurized and inoculated. After incubation, the inoculated organisms were reisolated and counted, showing their successful colonization. The yield of mushrooms on inoculated composts was almost twice that on the pasteurized control. This result demonstrates the effectiveness of S. thermophilum in compost preparation. Inoculation is not necessary for traditional compost preparation. Naturally occurring strains of S. thermophilum, present in ingredients, readily colonize compost during preparation. Inoculation may be vital if compost is pretreated at a high temperature in tunnels. This finding is of relevance for the environmentally controlled production of high-yielding compost.     

几种食用菌菌丝体液体培养条件的研究

研究了鲍鱼菇、黑灵芝、猴头菇和羊肚菌等4种食用菌菌丝体的最佳液体培养条件。结果各食用菌适宜的培养条件为：鲍鱼菇：果糖20g／L,酵母浸膏2g／L,KHP040．5g／L,VC0．001g／L,适宜培养温度28℃,pH5;黑灵芝：葡萄糖20g／L,蛋白胨2g／L,K2HP040．5g／L,VB20．001g／L,适宜培养温度35℃,pH6;猴头菇：麦芽糖20g／L,酵母浸膏2g／L,K2HID040．5g／L,MgSO,0．5g／L,VB10．001g／L,适宜培养温度28℃,pH7;羊肚菌：蔗糖20g／L,蛋白胨2g／L,K2HP040．5g／L,VB10．001g／L,适宜培养温度28℃,pH7。     

In Vitro and In Vivo Characteristics of a Thermogelling Rectal Delivery System of Etodolac

Rectal etodolac–Poloxamer gel systems composed of Poloxamer and bioadhesive polymers were developed and evaluated. Hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, poly)vinyl) pyrrolidone, methyl cellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, and carbopol were examined as mucoadhesive polymers. The characteristics of the rectal gels differed according to the properties of mucoadhesive polymers. The physicochemical properties such as gelation temperature, gel strength, and bioadhesive force of various formulations were investigated. The analysis of release mechanism showed that the release of etodolac was proportional to the square root of time, indicating that etodolac might be released from the suppositories by Fickian diffusion. The anti-inflammatory effect of etodolac–Poloxamer gel system was also studied in rats. Moreover, liquid suppository of etodolac did not cause any morphological damage to the rectal tissues. These results suggested that in situ gelling liquid suppository with etodolac and mucoadhesive polymer was a physically safe, convenient, and effective rectal dosage form for etodolac.     

Characteristics of Wine Produced by Mushroom Fermentation

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the main microorganism used in wine brewing, because this microbe has potent ability to produce alcohol dehydrogenase. We have recently discovered that some genera of mushroom produced alcohol dehydrogenase, and made wine by using a mushroom in place of S. cerevisiae. The highest alcohol concentration in this wine was achieved with Pleurotus ostreatus (2.6 M, 12.2%). In the case of Agaricus blazei, the same alcohol concentration (1.7 M, 8%) was produced under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. This wine produced by A. blazei contained about 0.68% β-D-glucan, which is known to have a preventive effects against cancer. The wine made by using Flammulina velutipes showed thrombosis-preventing activity, giving a prolonged thrombin clotting time 2.2-fold that of the control. Thus, the wine made by using mushroom seems to be a functional food which can be expected to have preventive effects against cancer and thrombosis     

Optimization of Nutritional Factors for Exopolysaccharide Production by Submerged Cultivation of the Medicinal Mushroom Oudemansiella radicata

Summary Effects of nutritional factors on exopolysaccharide production by submerged cultivation of the medicinal mushroom Oudemansiella radicata were investigated in shake flasks. Sucrose and peptone were optimal carbon and nitrogen sources for cell growth and exopolysaccharide production. The exopolysaccharide production was increased with an increase in initial sucrose concentration within the range of 10–40 g l⁻¹ and initial peptone concentration within the range of 1–3 g l⁻¹. To enhance further exopolysaccharide production, the effect of carbon/nitrogen ratios was studied using central composite design (CCD) and response surface analysis. The maximum exopolysaccharide production of 2.67 ± 0.15 g l⁻¹ was achieved in medium with optimized carbon and nitrogen sources, i.e. 39.3 g sucrose l⁻¹ and 3.16 g peptone l⁻¹ in the same cultivation conditions. The information obtained is helpful for the hyperproduction of exopolysaccharide by submerged cultivation of O. radicata on a large scale.     

Biomass and Biological Activity during the Production of Compost Used as a Substrate in Mushroom Cultivation

The production of a suitable substrate for the cultivation of the common white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, is referred to as composting. High microbiological activity causes temperatures of the composting material to rise as high as 80°C. At stacking, an optimal oxygen consumption rate of 140 μmol of O₂ h⁻¹ g (dry weight)⁻¹ was found in the compost at 50°C, whereas the oxygen consumption rate of the end product was lower at all temperatures tested. No significant differences were observed between biomass content and mineralization rate of ¹⁴C-labeled glutamate of the two composts. Biomass content was shown to be a major function of both temperature and the sampling site position in the stack. On the basis of the results reported here, a minimal composting time of 3.3 days for the phase I process was calculated. Further suggestions are made to reduce the time necessary for the production of a substrate for A. bisporus considerably.     

疫苗输送系统研究进展

随着疫苗学的发展,疫苗配方出现改进,疫苗内除含有抗原与佐剂成份外,还有输送系统.疫苗输送系统对于蛋白亚单位、核酸等疫苗的作用尤为重要,其除具有与其它佐剂一样能增强免疫应答外,可以较长时间内刺激动物免疫系统,减少免疫次数,从而降低费用.疫苗输送系统对开发防控人类和动物疫病的新型疫苗具有重要的理论与现实意义.笔者就近年来疫苗输送系统的研究进展做一综述.     

Nanoemulsion as a Potential Ophthalmic Delivery System for Dorzolamide Hydrochloride

Dilutable nanoemulsions are potent drug delivery vehicles for ophthalmic use due to their numerous advantages as sustained effect and high ability of drug penetration into the deeper layers of the ocular structure and the aqueous humor. The aim of this article was to formulate the antiglaucoma drug dorzolamide hydrochloride as ocular nanoemulsion of high therapeutic efficacy and prolonged effect. Thirty-six systems consisting of different oils, surfactants, and cosurfactants were prepared and their pseudoternary-phase diagrams were constructed by water titration method. Seventeen dorzolamide hydrochloride nanoemulsions were prepared and evaluated for their physicochemical and drug release properties. These nanoemulsions showed acceptable physicochemical properties and exhibited slow drug release. Draize rabbit eye irritation test and histological examination were carried out for those preparations exhibiting superior properties and revealed that they were nonirritant. Biological evaluation of dorzolamide hydrochloride nanoemulsions on normotensive albino rabbits indicated that these products had higher therapeutic efficacy, faster onset of action, and prolonged effect relative to either drug solution or the market product. Formulation of dorzolamide hydrochloride in a nanoemulsion form offers, thus, a more intensive treatment of glaucoma, a decrease in the number of applications per day, and a better patient compliance compared to conventional eye drops.     

簇生沿丝伞的生物学特性

文中以对采自山东省的子实体进行组织分离获取的菌株作为试验材料,对其生物学特性进行研究,对温度、pH、碳源、氮源4个因素进行单因素试验。温度组选取15,20,25,30,35℃5个梯度,pH组选取pH5,6,7,8这4个梯度,碳源组选取葡萄糖、蔗糖、麦芽糖、可溶性淀粉、乳糖、果糖6种,氮源组选取酵母膏、蛋白胨、硫酸铵、牛肉膏、黄豆粉、亚硝酸钠6种,进行单因素试验。根据菌丝在培养皿中的日均生长速度和生长势综合比较,分别选取4个因素中最优的3个,温度组选取20,25,30℃;pH组选取pH 5,6,7;碳源组选取葡萄糖、蔗糖和麦芽糖;氮源组选取蛋白胨、牛肉膏、硫酸铵。然后通过4因素3水平的正交试验,结果表明:4种因子对簇生沿丝伞的影响程度为温度>氮源>碳源>pH,各因素之间呈极显著差异,最终得出该菌菌丝生长的最佳培养条件为温度20℃,pH 5,碳源为蔗糖,氮源为牛肉膏。     

A Method for Preparation of Synaptonemal Complexes of Meiotic Chromosomes from Basidial Protoplasts of the White Button Mushroom Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach.

For the first time, preparations of synaptonemal complexes (SCs) were made from meiotic chromosomes of white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) basidia. It is the first experience of obtaining SC preparations of filamentous fungi from isolated meiosporangium protoplasts. Previously, only yeast SC preparations were obtained following this approach. The method includes four major stages: isolation of basidium protoplasts by treatment of basidia with lytic enzymes, spreading of protoplast nuclei on a filmy support by osmotic shock, staining the preparations with silver nitrate, and examination under light and electron microscopes. The structures of spread premeiotic nuclei, axial elements of chromosomes, SCs, chromatin, and nucleoli were studied at the leptotene–diplotene stage of meiotic prophase I.     

Odorous Sulfur Compounds Emitted during Production of Compost Used as a Substrate in Mushroom Cultivation

Large-scale composting facilities are known to cause environmental problems, mainly through pungent air emitted by composting material. In air samples taken above stacks set up to prepare compost used as a substrate in mushroom cultivation, several volatile compounds were identified by means of the coupled techniques of gas chromatography and mass spectrography. Among the compounds identified, sulfur-containing compounds [H₂S, COS, CH₃SH, CS₂, (CH₃)₂S, (CH₃)₂S₂, and (CH₃)₂S₃] are the most conspicuous in causing a nuisance. Quantification of these compounds was performed by concentrating a relatively small air sample on Tenax GC. The sampling method appeared to be very useful under field conditions. During the composting process, the concentration of the volatile sulfur compounds in emitted air ranged from 1 to 35 μmol/m³. The highest concentrations were obtained at the end of the outdoor process. Total sulfur emission amounted to 8.3 mg of sulfur per kg (fresh weight) of compost. The end product still contained 2.58 g of sulfur per kg (fresh weight) of compost. Suggestions about the origin of the volatile sulfur compounds are made.     

Single-Injection HPLC Method for Rapid Analysis of a Combination Drug Delivery System

Developing combination drug delivery systems (CDDS) is a challenging but necessary task to meet the needs of complex therapy regimes for patients. As the number of multi-drug regimens being administered increases, so does the difficulty of characterizing the CDDS as a whole. We present a single-step method for quantifying three model therapeutics released from a model hydrogel scaffold using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) hydrogel tablets were fabricated via photoinitiated crosslinking and subsequently loaded with model active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), namely, porcine insulin (PI), fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled bovine serum albumin (FBSA), prednisone (PSE), or a combination of all three. The hydrogel tablets were placed into release chambers and sampled over 21 days, and APIs were quantified using the method described herein. Six compounds were isolated and quantified in total. Release kinetics based on chemical properties of the APIs did not give systematic relationships; however, PSE was found to have improved device loading versus PI and FBSA. Rapid analysis of three model APIs released from a PEGDMA CDDS was achieved with a direct, single-injection HPLC method. Development of CDDS platforms is posited to benefit from such analytical approaches, potentially affording innovative solutions to complex disease states.Key words: combination drug delivery systems, combination therapy, controlled release, HPLC, hydrogel, PEGDMA, protein therapeutic     

siRNA分子的生物体内给药系统

小分子干扰RNA（small interference RNA,siRNA）能特异性地沉默靶基因的表达,具有治疗某些基因异常引起的疾病的应用前景.但是siRNA分子在生物体内应用时存在很多缺陷,要发挥其疾病治疗作用,就必需对其进行稳定性结构修饰并设计合适的生物体内给药系统.