Keratinolytic Fungi in Egyptian Soils

The frequency of occurrence of keratinolytic fungi in seventy soil samples, collected from different sites in Upper Egypt and in the coastal area of the Mediterranean, was determined by baiting with human and animal hairs and pigeon feathers. Twenty-one species, in addition to an unidentified species, which belong to sixteen genera were collected. Chrysosporium indicum, C. tropicum, C. keratinophilum, and Microsporum gypseum were the most frequent fungal species recovered from the baited soils. The soil samples collected from the salt marshes of the coastal Mediterranean area were completely free from any keratinolytic fungi, whereas the soil samples collected from cultivated soils contributed species, ranging from one to four species.     

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.     

Keratinolytic fungi in Egyptian soils

The frequency of occurrence of keratinolytic fungi in seventy soil samples collected from different sites in Upper Egypt and in the coastal area of the Mediterranean and baited with human and animal hair and pigeon feathers was determined.Twenty-one species in addition to an unidentified species, which belong to sixteen genera were collected.Chrysosporium indicum, C. tropicum, C. keratinophilum andMicrosporum gypseum were the most frequent fungal species recovered from baited soils.The eight soil samples collected from the salt marshes of the coastal Mediterranean area were completely free from any keratinolytic fungi, whereas the sixty-two soil samples collected from cultivated soils contributed a species ranging from one to four species.     

Diversity and antibacterial activities of culturable fungi associated with coral Porites pukoensis

The diversity of coral associated fungi is not enough understood, especially for scleractinian corals. Members of Porites are common and dominant species of scleractinian corals. To date, the fungal communities associated with coral Porites pukoensis have been not reported. In this paper, the diversity and activity of coral associated fungi in P. pukoensis were explored, 23 fungal strains were isolated, belonging to 10 genera and Aspergillus sp. (30.4 %) was predominant fungal genera. The sequence of isolate C1-23 in GenBank was only 90 % similarity to the most closely related sequences. It is concluded that rich fungal symbionts are attached to P. pukoensis, the rate of isolates with antibacterial activity was up to 30 %, particularly some isolates showed stronger bioactivities to gram-negative bacteria. It is included that the diversity of coral associated fungi in P. pukoensis is abundant and its activity is obviously. So the activities of fungi in P. pukoensis were deserved for further study.     

Survey of the mycoflora of barley grains in Egypt

The fungi of 40 samples of barley grains collected from Upper Egypt were estimated using the dilution- and the grain-plate methods. 33 genera and 109 species, in addition to 2 varieties of Aspergillus nidulans, one variety of Aspergillus flavus and one variety of Penicillium cyclopium were identified. The spectrum of fungal genera and species collected by the grain-plate method (29 genera and 94 species+3 varieties) was broader than by the dilutionplate method (27 genera and 71 species+3 varieties), but the order of frequency of occurrence of fungal genera and species was basically similar in the two methods. The most frequent genera were Aspergillus (25 species+3 varieties), Penicillium (32 species+1 variety), Rhizopus (2 species), Alternaria (2 species), Fusarium (6 species) and Drechslera (5 species) and were represented (as assayed by the grainplate method) in 100 %, 77.5 %, 85 % 62,5 %, 60 % and 52.5 % of the samples constituting 60.4 %, 10.2 %, 7.7 %, 3.7 %, 5 % and 2.3 % of the gross total count of fungi respectively. From the preceding genera A. niger, A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. sydowii, P. notatum, P. citrinum, F. oxysporum, F. moniliforme, F. solani, R. stolonifer, A. alternata and D. spicifera were the most frequent.     

Aspergillus insulicola sp. nov.

A strain of Aspergillus sp. is described and proposed as a new species under the name ‘Aspergillus insulicola sp. nov.’ Montemayor & Santiago, 1973. This strain was isolated from soil samples taken in ‘Aves Island’ during a scientific expedition. — Aves Island, situated at 15°, 40′, 42″ N and 63°, 36′, 47″ W, about 665 Km of the coast of Venezuela, has very special ecological conditions. Due to its smallness: 550 m long and 40 to 120 m across and to its low profile only 3 m over sea level, it is swept by the sea during the periodical storms and hurricanes in the area. It has thus a very interesting fauna and flora. We took a series of soil samples to study its mycological flora. Forty samples were inoculated by dilution method. In this first paper a species is described and proposed as a new species because of its macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, as well as by its biological properties, under the name ‘Aspergillus insulicola sp. nov.’. In its study we have tried to follow as closely as possible the methods recommended by Kennet B. Raper & Dorothy Fenell, world authorities on the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium. The strain is being kept in USB under the number T1, and has been sent to ATCC & CBSC to be incorporated in their collections.     

黑龙江省药用植物根际土壤真菌多样性

为了解黑龙江省药用植物根际土壤真菌的种群结构和区系分布特点,于2010年7月份和10月份,在黑龙江省的伊春、铁力、绥化、哈尔滨、牡丹江和佳木斯6个中药材产区共采集土壤样品220份,所采集的药用植物种类主要有五味子、平贝母、刺五加、党参、防风、柴胡、桔梗、黄芩等14种.经稀释平板法和土壤颗粒平板法分离共获得1016株真菌,经形态鉴定归为35属86种,其中接合菌7属10种,占7.78％;子囊菌1属2种,占0.69％;无性型真菌27属74种,占70.76％,其余20.77％的菌株为不产孢真菌.试验结果表明,黑龙江省药用植物根际土壤真菌的种群多样性丰富,其中青霉属Penicillium、曲霉属Aspergillus、木霉属Trichoderma、镰孢菌属Fusarium是优势种群,粘帚霉属Gliocladium、金孢属Chrysosporium、毛霉属Mucor、枝孢属Cladosporium、枝顶孢属Acremonium、根霉属Rhizopus是亚优势种群.不同药用植物根际土壤真菌区系的结构和组成存在一定的差异.除无孢类群外,青霉属Penicillium、曲霉属Aspergillus、木霉属Trichoderma和镰孢菌属Fusarium是14种药用植物根际土壤真菌的优势菌群.五味子、平贝母和柴胡是黑龙江省种植的主要中药材,它们在6个采样地点间的真菌种群的多样性水平存在差异,其中伊春地区的多样性指数(H’=2.9574)和丰富度指数(R=5.6683)最高,而佳木斯地区的均匀度指数(J=0.9200)最高.不同地区的相似性水平也存在差异,其中牡丹江与绥化的药用植物根际土壤真菌种群组成之间的相似性系数最高(Cj=0.6315),牡丹江与哈尔滨的相似性最低(Cj=0.3704).     

Microbial Diversity of Some Sabkha and Desert Sites in Saudi Arabia

Several studies isolated fungal and bacterial species from extreme environments, such as Sabkha and hot deserts, as their natural habitat, some of which are of medicinal importance. Current research aimed investigating the microbial (fungi and bacteria) diversity and abundance in Sabkha and desert areas in Saudi Arabia. Soil samples from nine different geographical areas (Al-Aushazia lake, AlQasab, AlKasar, Tabuk, Al-Kharj, Al-Madina, Jubail, Taif and Abqaiq) were collected and cultured for microbial isolation. Isolated fungi and bacteria were identified by molecular techniques (PCR and sequencing). Based on 18S rDNA sequencing, 203 fungal species belonging to 33 genera were identified. The most common fungal genera were Fusarium, Alternaria, Chaetomium, Aspergillus Cochliobolus and Pencillium, while the most common species were Chaetomium globosum and Fusarium oxysporum. By 16S rDNA sequencing 22 bacterial species belonging to only two genera, Bacillus and Lactobacillus, were identified. The most commonly isolated bacterial species were Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus murinus. Some fungal species were confined to specific locations, such as Actinomyces elegans, Fusarium proliferatum, Gymnoascus reesii and Myzostoma spp. that were only isolated from Al-Aushazia soil. AlQasab soil had the highest microbial diversity among other areas with abundances of 23.5% and 4.4% of total fungi, and bacteria, respectively. Findings of this study show a higher degree of fungal diversity than that of bacteria in all studied areas. Further studies needed to investigate the connection between some isolated species and their habitat ecology, as well as to identify those of medicinal importance.     

Mycoflora and mycotoxins of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seeds in Egypt. 1-sugar fungi and natural occurrence of mycotoxins

Sixty-four species and 2 varieties which belong to nineteen genera of fungi were identified from 40 peanut seed samples collected from different places in Egypt by using a dilution-plate method on glucose-Czapek's medium. The most frequent genera were Aspergillus (21 species & 2 varieties), Penicillium (16 species) and Fusarium (6 species). A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, P. chrysogenum and F. oxysporum were the most common fungal species. Forty seven percent of the samples proved to be toxic to brine shrimp (Artemia salina) larvae. Thin-layer Chromatographic analysis revealed that peanuts were contaminated by aflatoxins (11 samples), thrichothecene-toxins (10 samples), zearalenone (one sample) and citrinin (one sample). We believe that this is the first report of the natural occurrence of zearalenone and trichothecene-toxins in peanuts.     

Contamination of common spices in Saudi Arabia markets with potential mycotoxin-producing fungi

Fifteen spices obtained from common markets were examined for their mould profile. A total of 520 fungal isolates, representing 57 species, were recovered and identified from dried and ground spice samples on three different media using standard dilution plate method. The most heavily contaminated spice samples examined were observed in ginger in order of magnitude of 5325–6800 cfu/g. The most predominant fungal genera encountered were Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Rhizopus. Relative occurrence values of taxa disclosed ranged between 80% for Aspergillusflavus, Aspergillusniger and Penicilliumarenicola, and 10% for some species. Samples obtained from sumac encountered very rare colony counts indicating its antifungal prosperities. The present magnitude of contamination and spectra of mycobiota approximate those reported for similar spice samples. Several potentially mycotoxigenic fungi were isolated from the majority of samples. The present study attracts the attention to potential risk for mycotoxins contamination may be caused as a result of using these spices, especially in great quantities. The study strongly recommends reduction in application of heavily contaminated spices like ginger in food processing and using some others like clove and sumac due to their antimicrobial properties.     

Studies on mycoflora of salt marshes in Egypt. IV=osmophilic fungi

Ninety-five species and seven varieties which belong to thirty-nine genera were isolated from 74 soil samples from salt marshes. At 28°C, on 30% sucrose Czapek's agar, ninety species and four varieties which belong to thirty-six genera were encountered, from which A. niger, A. fumigatus A. terreus and P. notatum were the most frequent. On 60% sucrose Czapek's agar, sixty-three species and three varieties were recovered which belong to twenty-five genera, from which A. niger, A. fumigatus, Cladosporium herbarum and A. terreus were the most frequent.At 45°C, on 30% sucrose, sixteen species and four varieties were identified, but on 60% sucrose, fourteen species and three varieties were isolated. A. fumigatus and A. niger were the most frequent on both sucrose concentrations.The results reveal that the soil samples poor in total osmophilic fungi (at 28°C) were significantly higher in their content of total soluble salts, Na and K and significantly lower in the average number of species per soil samples than the rich ones; the difference was nonsignificant in case of organic matter.     

Soil fungal diversity in three nature reserves of Jiuzhaigou County,Sichuan Province,China

Jiuzhaigou County is located at the southern transition zone of Sichuan Basin and the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and is the site of three famous nature reserves, namely, the Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve (JZNR), Baihe Nature Reserve (BHNR) and Wujiao Nature Reserve (WJNR). The soil fungal diversity in this region has not yet been investigated. In this study, we collected 25 soil samples from these three nature reserves. Soil fungi were isolated using the soil dilution plate technique and Rose Bengal agar medium. The culturable soil fungal density based on analysis of the 25 samples ranged from 2.18 log to 4.38 log CFU g^?1 dry weight soil, with the fungal density being highest in samples from JZNR and lowest in those from BHNR. Based on morphological characters and the results of phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the rDNA operon, we identified 38 genera (two genera could not be identified) belonging to Ascomycota, Zygomycota and Basidiomycota. The dominant genera were Penicillium, Humicola, Aspergillus and Trichoderma. The species richness index S, biodiversity index H′ and evenness index E of the 25 sampling sites were in the range 10–29, 1.96–3.05 and 0.74–0.95, respectively. The highest mean values of the S, H′ and E indices were in soil samples from BHNR, where the values of these indices were 20.00, 2.66 and 0.90, respectively. These results indicate that the diversity of culturable fungi in these three nature reserves was high. Furthermore, a total 14 Trichoderma isolates were tested for their antagonism activity against mycelium growth of three pathogens: Bipolaris maydis, Curvularia lunata, Rhizoctonia solani. The results showed that six Trichoderma isolates had good antagonistic effects on the three pathogenic fungi.     

Osmophilous fungi in the salt marshes of Kuwait.

During an investigation of the mycoflora inhabiting saline soils in Kuwait, special attention was focused on osmophilous fungi. A total of 101 species belonging to 46 genera were encountered from 40 soil samples collected from salt marshes using Czapek's agar supplemented with 40% sucrose. Soil samples were collected from different habitats at different distances from the water edge. Soils near to the water edge were poor in their fungal content, while those taken from areas covered by Juncus arabicus contained highest fungal populations. The recorded genera were classified as follows: 7 were of high frequency of occurrence, 8 moderate, 17 low, and 13 were rare. The order of dominance was Aspergillus, Alternaria, Penicillium, Cephalosporium, Fusarium, Stachybotrys, and Drechslera. Comparison between our results and those in other studies showed that there is no fungal flora characteristic of saline soils.     

Fungal diversity in ancient documents. A case study on the Archive of the University of Coimbra

This multidisciplinary research combines knowledge in molecular biology with fungal morphology, aiming at the identification of infecting fungi from historical documents on the Archive of the University of Coimbra. The identification of infecting fungi on several bibliographic documents and support materials was based both on ribosomal DNA loci amplification and sequencing, and morphological identification, using macro- and microscopical traits. A high fungal diversity was found in all types of support: parchment, laid-paper and wood-pulp paper. Fourteen fungal genera were isolated, identified, and kept in culture. The most frequent were Cladosporium, Penicillium and Aspergillus, and other less frequent genera, such as Alternaria, Botrytis, Chaetomium, Chromelosporium, Epicoccum, Phlebiopsys and Toxicocladosporium were also present. Within these genera, 20 different species were identified, from which 15 were found only in a single support type. Cladosporium cladosporioides and Penicillium chrysogenum were the only species present in all support types.     

Mycobiota of ground red pepper and their aflatoxigenic potential

To investigate contamination of ground red pepper with fungi and mycotoxin, we obtained 30 ground red pepper samples from 15 manufacturers in the main chili-pepper-producing areas in Korea. Fungal contamination was evaluated by spreading diluted samples on potato dextrose agar plates. The total fungi counts ranged from 0 to 7.3 × 10³ CFU/g. In the samples, the genus Aspergillus had the highest incidence, while Paecilomyces was isolated most frequently. The next most frequent genera were Rhizopus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, and Alternaria. Within Aspergillus, A. ruber was predominant, followed by A. niger, A. amstelodami, A. ochraceus, A. terreus, A. versicolor, A. flavus, and A. fumigatus. The samples were analyzed for aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, and citrinin by ultra-perfomance liquid chromatography (UPLC) with a fluorescence detector. Ochratoxin A was detected from three samples at 1.03?2.08 μg/kg, whereas no aflatoxins or citrinin were detected. To test the potential of fungal isolates to produce aflatoxin, we performed a PCR assay that screened for the norB-cypA gene for 64 Aspergillus isolates. As a result, a single 800-bp band was amplified from 10 A. flavus isolates, and one Aspergillus sp. isolate. UPLC analyses confirmed aflatoxin production by nine A. flavus isolates and one Aspergillus sp. isolate, which produced total aflatoxins at 146.88?909.53 μg/kg. This indicates that continuous monitoring of ground red pepper for toxigenic fungi is necessary to minimize mycotoxin contamination.     

Zoosporic fungi from Tunisia,and the Seychelles Islands (Indian Ocean)

Twenty-two zoosporic fungi were recovered from soil samples collected in Tunisia and in the Seychelles Islands in the Indian Ocean. One, Phlyctochytrium chandlerii is described as new. Most of the others are referred, sometimes tentatively, to existing species or genera.     

Distributional patterns of mesophilous and thermophilous microfungi in two bahamian soils

This study focuses on the characteristics displayed by mesophilous and thermophilous microfungal populations occurring in two tropical monodominant plant communities, a Cocos nucifera grove and a Casuarina equisetifolia forest, that provide distinctly different edaphic conditions. The mesophilous population sampled at 25°C by the dilution plate method and the thermophilous population that developed on soil plates incubated at 45°C consisted of 1693 isolates representing 60 species and 29 genera and 8887 isolates representing 20 species and 10 genera, respectively. The mesophilous propagules averaged 9,990 per gram dry soil in the coconut grove that lacks a litter layer, is low in moisture and organic matter and is subjected to high solar irradiation. The population was characterized by the prevalence of aspergilli and dematiaceous-sphaeropsidaceous forms and the near absence of mucoraceous isolates. Ascomycetes were common. The only widespread taxa were the three species, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Cladosporium cladosporioides. Species diversity was high and 73% of the isolates were cellulolytic. In the casuarina forest, adequate moisture and organic matter and a protecting litter layer provide a mesic environment. The mean number of mesophilous fungi per gram dry soil was 32,800. This figure is considerably lower than ones reported for mesic temperate communities and may be due to more rapid propagule removal through accelerated microfaunal and microbial activity. An abundance of mucoraceous and moniliaceous isolates and penicillia, and the rarity of aspergilli, dematiaceous-sphaeropsidaceous forms and ascomycetes characterize the population. The infrequency of aspergilli is thought to be due to their poor competitive ability. Eight species, Absidia cylindrospora, Penicillium notatum, Pestalotia cocculi?, Cylindrocarpon heteronema, Gliocladium roseum, Trichoderma viride, Paecilomyces marquandii, and Penicillium funiculosum were widespread in the area. Species diversity equaled that observed in mesic temperate communities. Less than one third of the isolates were cellulolytic. Phytopathogens were common, a feature characteristic of tropical populations. Thermophilous fungi averaged 33 per gram dry soil in the casuarina forest and increased to 943 per gram in the insolated soil of the coconut grove. Thermotolerant forms (94% of the isolates) were abundant and were principally species of Aspergillus and Chaetomium. Thermophilic fungi were rare and of the six species isolated only Chaetomiun britannicum was widespread. Four species, Ch. osmaniae, Ch. medusarum, Ch. sulphureum, and Thielavia arenaria, appear to be new records for western hemisphere soils.     

Mycoflora isolation and molecular characterization of Aspergillus and Fusarium species in Tunisian cereals

Wheat, barley and maize are the mainly consumed cereals in Tunisia. This study aimed to determine the mycoflora of these cereals with special focus on the mycotoxigenic Aspergillus and Fusarium species. Freshly harvested samples and other stored samples of each type of cereal (31 and 34 samples, respectively) were collected in Tunisia and cultured for fungal isolation and identification. Identification of fungal genera was based on morphological features. Aspergillus and Fusarium species were identified by species specific PCR assays complemented with DNA sequencing. Alternaria (70.83%), Eurotium (62.50%), Aspergillus (54.17%) and Penicillium (41.67%) were the most frequent fungi isolated from wheat. Penicillium (75%), Aspergillus (70%), Eurotium (65%) and Alternaria (65%) were the most frequently recovered genera from barley. The predominant genera in maize were Aspergillus (76.19%), Eurotium (42.86%), and Penicillium (38.09%). Aspergilllus, Penicillium, Fusarium and Alternaria were detected in both stored and freshly harvested grain samples. The frequencies of contamination with Aspergillus, Fusarium and Alternaria were higher in freshly harvested samples, whereas Penicillium species were more frequent in stored samples. The predominant Aspergillus species detected were A. flavus and A. niger. The Fusarium species detected were F. equiseti, F. verticillioides, F. nygamai, and F. oxysporum. This study suggested the potential risk for Aflatoxins and, to a lesser extent, for Ochratoxin A in Tunisian cereals. This is the first survey about mycoflora associated with wheat, barley and maize in Tunisia.     

Seasonal variation and distribution of microfungi in forest soils of Delhi

Seasonal occurrence and abundance of microfungi at three different depths in tropical forest soils of Delhi were studied using the soil dilution and soil plate techniques. Surface layer in all the soil types exhibited the highest population and species number which gradually declined with depth increase. In total, 58 genera comprising 118 species were isolated of which theDeuteromycetes was represented by 38 genera and 90 species, thePhycomycetes by 10 genera and 18 species, theAscomycetes by 6 genera and 8 species, and theBasidiomycetes andMyxomycetes by single genus and species. Besides the surface vegetation, the edaphic and environmental factors had a profound influence on the occurrence and distribution of microfungi at various depths of soils.     

Fungi Isolated from Flue-cured Tobacco at Time of Sale and After Storage

The fungi isolated from 100 samples of flue-cured tobacco from 12 markets in 2 tobacco belts comprised 11 genera, including 10 species of Aspergillus. The mean percentage per sample isolated from 62 samples of tobacco from Middle Belt markets was Alternaria, 40.6%; Aspergillus niger, 47.8%; Aspergillus repens, 38.0%; and Penicillium, 25.8%. The mean percentage per sample isolated from 38 samples of tobacco from Old Belt markets was Alternaria, 74.0%; Penicillium, 52.5%; Aspergillus repens, 38.0%; and Aspergillus ruber, 36.2%. Damaged (74 samples) and nondamaged (26 samples) stored tobacco yielded species of six genera of fungi, including eight species of Aspergillus. Species of Aspergillus and Penicillium were commonly isolated from both damaged and nondamaged tobacco, whereas species of Alternaria, Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Rhizopus were isoalted more frequently from nondamaged tobacco. The fungi that occurred in the highest population in damaged tobacco were Aspergillus repens, A. niger, A. ruber, and Penicillium species.