Fungal bioactive compounds

Fungi are ubiquitous in the atmosphere and may play an important role in atmospheric processes. We investigated the composition and diversity of fungal communities over the Amazon rainforest canopy and compared these communities to fungal communities found in terrestrial environments. We characterized the total fungal community and the metabolically active portion of the community using high-throughout DNA and RNA sequencing and compared these data to predictions generated by a mass-balance model. We found that the total community was primarily comprised of fungi from the phylum Basidiomycota. In contrast, the active community was primarily composed of members of the phylum Ascomycota and included a high relative abundance of lichen fungi, which were not detected in the total community. The relative abundance of Basidiomycota and Ascomycota in the total and active communities was consistent with our model predictions, suggesting that this result was driven by the relative size and n...

A strain of Monascus purpureus CMU001 was used to<br> prepare red yeast rice from Thai glutinous rice Korkor 6 (RD 6).<br> Adding of different amounts of histidine (156, 312, 625 and 1250 mg<br> in 100 g of rice grains)) under aerobic and air limitation (air-lock)<br> condition were used in solid fermentation. Determination of the yield<br> as well as monacolin K content was done. Citrinin content was also<br> determined in order to confirm the safety use of prepared red yeast<br> rice. It was found that under air-lock condition with 1250 mg of<br> histidine addition gave the highest yield of 37.40 g of dried red yeast<br> rice prepared from 100 g of rice. Highest 5.72 mg content of<br> monacolin K was obtained under air-lock condition with 312 mg<br> histidine addition. In the other hand, citrinin content was found to be<br> less than 24462 ng/g of all dried red yeast rice samples under the<br> experiment...

The growth of fungus in grains and feed is favored by improper humidity and temperature during storage contributing to loss of grain quality, infections among animals and humans and production of mycotoxins. Therefore, the current study was aimed to isolate and identify fungal species among stored grains and feedstuff of Potohar region of Pakistan. For fungal screening, ten different samples were collected from storage houses situated in different cities. These samples included wheat and corn grains from Taxila, Gujar Khan and Chakwal cities, while cattle feed samples were collected from Attock city. The investigation confirmed the presence of Rhizopus arrhizus in wheat from two different localities in Taxila and cattle feed, respectively, Aspergillus foetidus and Achaetomium globosum in wheat from Gujar Khan and Taxila, and Mucor indicus in maize from Chakwal. The most predominant fungal species was Rhizopus arrhizus. Here we are reporting the prevalence of pathogenic and toxigenic fungal species in stored grains and cattle feed of Potohar region for the first time. Inadequate storage conditions can lead to uncontrolled multiplication of fungus, so this study will assist in optimizing the storage conditions to curb its growth for assurance of healthy food for humans and animals.

have discussed the potential of tropical fungal species as producers of active metabolites . In nature, plant debris support the growth of a wide variety of filamentous fungi. Among the microfungi colonizing leaf litter, species of the genus Idriella are found frequently. The genus Idriella was established in 1956 , around 36 species have been described so far . In addition to plant debris, Pectobacterium carotovorum, P. crhysanthemi y Erwinia amylovora (CMI = 0. 625 mg/ml).

Nigeria and other developing countries have abundant biomass resources that can be converted to many value-added products. However, these biomass resources are usually exported un-processed at very low prices because of lack of appropriate technology for processing. One of such limitations is lack of simple bioreactors for large scale cultivation of cells. The conventional bioreactors are usually very complex, expensive and require constant power supply for mixing and agitation. They are therefore not suitable for developing countries where electricity supply is very unsteady. The aim of the present research is to develop a simple airlift bioreactor which can be operated even without electricity supply. The bioreactor was constructed of acrylic panels and demarcated into a riser and a down comer chambers. The total volume of the bioreactor was 3.9 L with a working volume of 3.0 L. Mixing was achieved by aeration using mechanically operated gasoline-powered air compressor. Mixing eff...

Background and Objective. Diabetes, a prevalent metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia primarily due to insulin action and secretion, poses significant health challenges, particularly in low to medium-income countries such as the Philippines. Quassia amara, a shrub indigenous to South America and present in the Philippines, holds a rich history of utilization in alternative and complementary therapies. While previous studies have demonstrated the hypoglycemic effects of Quassia amara stem wood, investigations into the potential impact of its leaves on blood glucose levels remain scarce. Thus, this study aimed to assess the blood glucose-lowering effects of the aqueous leaf extract of Quassia amara (ALQa) on ICR strain mice.

Mushrooms are rich in vitamin D, antioxidants, and phenolic compounds. Different processing techniques may be used to increase shelf life and reduce spoilage of mushrooms. The objective of this study was to determine total phytochemical and total antioxidant activity of extracts of five varieties (Portabella, White Button, White Beech, Oyster & Seafood) of mushrooms (fresh, oven dried & sautéed). The antioxidant activity was measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical solution (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), Trolox equivalence antioxidant capacity assay (TEAC), and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity (NORS). All samples were freeze-dried followed by preparation of methanol extracts. Oven dried and cooked Portabella, and Oyster Mushrooms had lower total phenolic (295.05 and 135.54 μg GAE/100g DW) compared to sautéed (417.49 μg GAE/100g DW) and raw (446.95 and 309.28 μg GAE/100g DW). Sautéed Portabella (111.97 μg C.E/100g DW) and Oyster samples had higher total flavonoid content compared to fresh (81.45 and 64.70 μg C.E/100g DW) and oven dried (72.38 and 66.45 μg C.E/100g DW) samples. Highest FRAP activity was observed in raw Portabella (3.94 mM Fe(II)/100g DW) and Oyster extracts (2.62 mM Fe(II)/100g DW) compared to sautéed samples (3.03mM Fe(II)/100g DW) with 1.3 times lower activity. Followed by 1.9 folds reduced FRAP activity in oven-dried Portabella (2.07mM Fe(II)/100g DW), and 1.69 folds' lower action in oven-dried Oyster (1.55mM Fe(II)/100g DW). All the Portabella treatments had 1-2.5 folds higher total phenolic, flavonoid content and FRAP activity compared to Oyster mushrooms. Future research will include using the extracts for the prevention of chronic disease studies. Data from this study will be helpful to determine the processing conditions which will maximize phytochemicals and antioxidants with implications in the development of functional food products.

Chemical profile of the Agaricus bisporus samples were analyzed using GC/MS method in ethanolic extracts. A total of 174 metabolic products were detected, which included 13 significant metabolites between 1.2 to 83 % (w/w); other 13 metabolites at 1% (w/w) and 148 metabolites less than 1% classified into 12 categories. These metabolites had many medicinal activities, which included anti-cancer, anti-cardiovascular diseases, anti-hypercholesterol, anti-microbial, hepatoprotective, human health supporting and immune enhancer. HPLC analysis of water extracts of the A. bisporus samples showed that the spores and gills in the fresh adult mushroom had higher percentage of agaritine mycotoxin than the other parts. These contents were decreased by different treatments especially by boiling, preservation and cooking. The selenium contents (ppb) was measured by Galvanometric analysis and highest content was recorded in fresh whole mushroom sample (0.97) followed by cooked preserved (0.4) and fried sample (0.11).

Aspergillus niger IFO 8541 was found to be an efficient biocatalyst for the biotransformation of/3ionone into hydroxy and oxo derivatives. The reaction had to be carried out with an inoculum made of about 4 x 10 7 fresh spores/1 and with a preliminary growth period giving at least 3 g/1 biomass. The fungus developed in the form of pellets when cultivated as free mycelium; entrapment of the microorganism in calcium alginate beads was an efficient way to mimic this feature in an aerated, stirred bioreactor. The biotransformation was carried out using a fed-batch mode of operation involving sequential precursor addition. /3-Ionone stopped the fungal growth and was converted into metabolites only when the carbon source remained present in the medium; it was fully oxidized after sucrose exhaustion. These conditions allowed recovery of about 2.5 g/1 aroma compounds after 230 h cultivation with a molar yield close to 100%.

Mushrooms, the fruiting bodies of fungi, play significant roles in ecosystems and offer potential benefits in medicine and biotechnology. This paper discusses the biological characteristics of mushrooms, their ecological importance, and their applications in medicine and industry. Additionally, it explores their unique metabolic processes and the challenges faced in harnessing their full potential. By summarizing key research findings, this study aims to highlight the multifaceted contributions of mushrooms to environmental health and human well-being.

Angkak is a natural red colourant which is usually made by culturing Monascus spp. on cooked rice. Changing from rice to other raw materials which are richer in nutrients could increase pigment yield. Adlay (Chinese pearl barley) has been used as a health food supplement and in traditional Chinese medicine and could be used as a new substrate for angkak production. Evidence also exists that mycotoxin formation during the culture of Monascus on adlay is less. The main objective of these studies was to increase Monascus pigment production by its culture on different types of adlay and to develop a continuous process for solid-state fermentation. Adlay angkak had higher concentrations of red pigments than rice angkak when Monascus was cultured on cooked grains with 50% water content in 250 Erlenmeyer flasks. Maximum red pigment production on cooked whole grain adlay was obtained at a moisture content of 60 %. Adding sugar to adlay increased the pigment formation and fructose was better than glucose and sucrose. Adding a nitrogen source had more effect on the pigment production of adlay angkak than a carbon source. Adding histidine was superior to using monosodium glutamate (MSG) and sodium nitrate. Red pigment production was increased from 9.5 to 77 OD units per gram of dry matter when 2% histidine was added to adlay. Co-culture of Monascus with yeast only slightly increased the pigment yield. Puffed adlay material was found to be a superior material for angkak production compared to whole grains. Optimization of the production process on 100 g puffed adlay showed that adding 4 g histidine, 20 g sugar and 200 g of water increased the pigment concentration 10 fold in fixed tray bioreactors. Oxygen transport limitation in a static bed normally limits angkak production to a layer of a few cm. Fine particles formed a bed which gave more problems with oxygen transport than whole grain particles. Mixing the bed can overcome such problems but cooked whole grain adlay was difficult to mix due to its high adhesivity. It was discovered that cooked puffed adlay at a moisture content of 60% gave high productivity yet low adhesitivity, and could be mixed easily. A rotating drum bioreactor was used to produce angkak on puffed adlay. In a continuously rotating culture at low speed, cells were damaged by shear. An intermittently rotating reactor gave poorer mixing but higher yield. The best condition was an intermittent speed with a low rotating speed and frequency of rotation. DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to my parents, Chuan Maniyom and Sujitra Maniyom my sister, Tippawan Maniyom, my brother, Supachit Maniyom and also my wife and best friend, Patcharee Pattanagul who has supported and encouraged me throughout my period of research.

The indiscriminate use of synthetic fertilizer disrupts the natural ecosystem. This conventional way of agricultural production is still prevalent because the negative environmental impact is shrouded by the temporary return of investment by farmers and agriculturists. However, the negative consequences in the soil due to unsystematic use of chemical fertilizers will become evident in a few years. This present research attempts to circumvent this deleterious agricultural scheme by using beneficial microorganisms bioactivated organic fertilizers, instead of using the synthetic ones. The effective microorganisms present in the organic fertilizer are expected to create a bioremediating effect when laundry wastes are used to water eggplant. A true experimental design was utilized using randomized complete block design. Two hundred ten eggplant seedlings were grown in pots and organic fertilizers with effective microbes were applied. These eggplants were watered with different levels of laundry waste and were allowed to grow. Results of the present study show the bioremediating effect of beneficial microbes in the organic fertilizers used. Eggplants grown in soils with organic fertilizer containing effective microbes were significantly taller to those eggplants that received chemical fertilizer treatments, even if these eggplants were watered with laundry waste. The effective microbes potentially converted the toxic materials found in laundry waste into useful products or nutrients that are readily assimilated by the eggplants causing the plants to grow better than the control groups. In conclusion, effective microbes found in organic fertilizers have bioremediating role to improve the vegetative growth response of eggplants. Therefore, laundry waste can be used to water eggplants in soils amended with organic fertilizers with effective microbes.

Aims: To carry out phytochemical screening and acute oral toxicity test to validate their safety and efficacy. Study Design: Standard phytochemical screening tests were used to highlight phytochemical compounds of roots of the plants. The evaluation of acute toxicity of the root extracts of the plants followed the model of Acute Toxicity Class based on OECD 423 Guideline, 2001.

The indiscriminate use of synthetic fertilizer disrupts the natural ecosystem. This conventional way of agricultural production is still prevalent because the negative environmental impact is shrouded by the temporary return of investment by farmers and agriculturists. However, the negative consequences in the soil due to unsystematic use of chemical fertilizers will become evident in a few years. This present research attempts to circumvent this deleterious agricultural scheme by using beneficial microorganisms bioactivated organic fertilizers, instead of using the synthetic ones. The effective microorganisms present in the organic fertilizer are expected to create a bioremediating effect when laundry wastes are used to water eggplant. A true experimental design was utilized using randomized complete block design. Two hundred ten eggplant seedlings were grown in pots and organic fertilizers with effective microbes were applied. These eggplants were watered with different levels of laundry waste and were allowed to grow. Results of the present study show the bioremediating effect of beneficial microbes in the organic fertilizers used. Eggplants grown in soils with organic fertilizer containing effective microbes were significantly taller to those eggplants that received chemical fertilizer treatments, even if these eggplants were watered with laundry waste. The effective microbes potentially converted the toxic materials found in laundry waste into useful products or nutrients that are readily assimilated by the eggplants causing the plants to grow better than the control groups. In conclusion, effective microbes found in organic fertilizers have bioremediating role to improve the vegetative growth response of eggplants. Therefore, laundry waste can be used to water eggplants in soils amended with organic fertilizers with effective microbes.

Ingoldian fungi are known to occur beyond their preferred lotic habitats. There are many reports on their occurrence in tree canopies (stemflow, through fall and tree holes) and terrestrial leaf litter. This study aimed to assess the assemblage and diversity of Ingoldian fungi in terrestrial damp woody litter of five tree species grown in scrub jungles of the southwest India, following bubble (2 days) and damp chamber (14 days) incubations of segments of bark and cambium samples. Conidia released into water were trapped using Millipore filters, stained and assessed. Total 30 fungal species were recorded, with a higher species richness in bubble chamber as compared to damp chamber incubation method (25 spp. vs. 18 spp.). The bark samples in bubble chamber incubation method yielded more species than cambium samples (19 spp. vs. 16 spp.). The bark samples in bubble chamber incubation also showed the highest number of exclusive species as compared to cambium samples (8 spp. vs. 6 spp.). Simpson and Shannon diversities were higher in bark samples than cambium samples in bubble chamber incubation with low Pielou's equitability. The frequency of occurrence of the top three species (Anguillospora longissima, Flagellospora curvula and Triscelophorus acuminatus) and top two species (A. longissima and F. curvula) were same in both samples in bubble and damp chamber incubations, respectively. The bark samples of Terminalia paniculata and cambium samples of Ficus benghalensis showed the highest number of average species in bubble chamber incubation. The bark samples of Acacia auriculiformis as well as F. benghalensis possess the highest number of average species in damp chamber incubation, while the cambium samples of Artocarpus heterophyllus showed the highest number of average species. All tree species showed the higher number of average conidia in bark samples as compared to cambium samples in bubble chamber incubation, with a highest frequency in Anacardium occidentale. The bark of Acacia auriculiformis and cambium of F. benghalensis showed the highest average conidia in damp chamber incubation. Bubble chamber incubation served as a rapid and efficient method of assessment of Ingoldian fungi in damp woody litter.

Excessive lipid accumulation in the body causes people to become overweight and obese, conditions that are associated with an amplified risk of serious diseases. The fungi of genus Monascus produce various secondary metabolites such as monacolins, citrinin and fungal pigments, which are water-insoluble and have inhibitory potency for the lipid accumulation in adipocytes. However, water-soluble adipogenesis inhibitors derived from Monascus-fermented products have not yet been reported. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory activity against intracellular lipid accumulation of water-soluble fractions of Monascus-fermented red mold rice (RMR) and red mold barley (RMB) on murine 3T3-L1 cells. Water soluble fractions of ten different Monascus strains were used and the inhibitory activity of their water-soluble fractions on lipid accumulation by differentiated 3T3-L1 cells was evaluated for 8 days using oil red staining. The water-soluble fraction from Monascus pilosus NBRC4507 fer...

Human life has been significantly impacted by the creation and spread of novel species of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and virus strains that are difficult to manage. Scientists and researchers have recently been motivated to seek out alternatives and other sources of safe and ecologically friendly active chemicals that have a powerful and effective effect against a wide variety of pathogenic bacteria as a result of all these hazards and problems. In this review, endophytic fungi and their bioactive compounds and biomedical applications were discussed. Endophytes, a new category of microbial source that can produce a variety of biological components, have major values for study and broad prospects for development. Recently, endophytic fungi have received much attention as a source for new bioactive compounds. In addition, the variety of natural active compounds generated by endophytes is due to the close biological relationship between endophytes and their host plants. The bioactiv...

Endophytic fungi are microorganisms that exist almost ubiquitously inside the various tissues of living plants where they act as an important reservoir of diverse bioactive compounds. Recently, endophytic fungi have drawn tremendous attention from researchers; their isolation, culture, purification, and characterization have revealed the presence of around 200 important and diverse compounds including anticancer agents, antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, immunosuppressants, and antimycotics. Many of these anticancer compounds, such as paclitaxel, camptothecin, vinblastine, vincristine, podophyllotoxin, and their derivatives, are currently being used clinically for the treatment of various cancers (e.g., ovarian, breast, prostate, lung cancers, and leukemias). By increasing the yield of specific compounds with genetic engineering and other biotechnologies, endophytic fungi could be a promising, prolific source of anticancer drugs. In the future, compounds derived from endophytic f...

Nowadays, microbial production of natural products represents a hot spot point in our environment and becomes an alternative way to chemical synthetic. In our research, Aspergillus flavus No. 3 shows great power in both biomass and kojic acid production. Plackett-Burman design utilize Egyptian sugarcane molasses as a sole carbon source giving kojic acid production of 0.82 (predicted 1.04) g/l to 24.65 (predicted 23.74) g/l, consuming sugar at 27.33 (predicted 26.96) % to 89.87 (predicted 87.46) % and forming dry biomass between 3.6 (predicted 3.8) g/l and 28.2 (predicted 28.05) g/l. The maximum kojic acid (24.65 g/l) and biomass value (28.2 g/l) obtained at 25°C; 9, 5 days of incubation, pH 3, 5; 0.5%, 2% inoculum size and the shaking rate at 150 rpm using fermentation medium (g/l) of sugarcane molasses, 60; yeast extract,

The root of Combretum dolichopetalum (Combreatacea) is used in ethnomedicine for the management of diabetes mellitus. Though some compounds have been isolated from it, the antidiabetic principles have not been identified. The present study was designed to evaluate the chemical constituents from the root of C. dolichopetalum with a view to identifying the antidiabetic principles. The constituents include the alkaloids, echinulin (1) and arestrictin B (2), the terpenoids, arjunolic acid (3) and 4'-dihydrophaseic acid (4) as well as the phenolic acids, ellagic acid (5) and 3, 4, 3'-triO -methylellagic acid (6). Twenty eight mice (in seven groups, n = 4) were made diabetic using alloxan monohydrate (i.p., 120 mg/kg) and treated orally with either the vehicle (control group), any of the constituents or glibenclamide (standard drug). The fasting blood glucose of the diabetic animals was monitored for nine hours. Results showed that all the chemical constituents (1-6) exhibited significant (p < 0.05) antidiabetic activity comparable to glibenclamide. The alkaloids exhibited the most profound antidiabetic activity. The present study has thus identified the antidiabetic principles of C. dolichopetalum root as echinulin, arestrictin B, arjunolic acid, 4'-dihydrophaseic acid, ellagic acid and 3, 4, 3'-triO -methylellagic acid. The study has further validated the ethnomedicinal use of the root of C. dolichopetalum in diabetes.

ABSTRACTDiversity studies of endophytic assemblages are emerging challenges, which unveil novel phenotypes producing interesting chemical entities and a better understanding of their ecological significance. In the present investigation, we selected an extremely complex and unique environment supporting unexplored endophytes, ‘Macroalgae of Kerala coast, India’. Unlike terrestrial flora and mangroves, reports displaying endophytic assemblages of marine flora remain limited, especially from India. The main goal of this study was to expose hidden endophytic fungi from macroalgae and examination of their bioactive potential. An ecological investigation of four red, four green and three brown algae resulted in 133 fungal taxa with 29 distinct morphospecies. Aspergillus and Penicillium were found to be the dominant genera. Penicillium chrysogenum was the sole fungi that contributed 11% of the entire endophytic community. Antimicrobial activity against various aquaculture/human pathogens ...

This study examines the effect of ecophysiology on growth of cells and production of enzymes and secondary metabolites produced by the fungi Aspergillus niger (lysozyme) and a Phoma sp. (squalestatin S1). The effect of interactions of water activity (a w) (0.99-0.90), temperature (20, 30 and 35°C) and modifying a w solute (glycerol, NaCl) on growth and sporulation of a wild type strain of Aspergillus niger (W) and two genetically engineered lysozyme producing strains (L11, B1) was examined for the first time. Maximum growth rates were achieved for both strains (L11 and B1) under moderate a w levels. Optimum conditions for growth of strain L11 were estimated by means of contour plot surfaces and found to be 0.965 a w with glycerol as a solute at 35ºC (10.5 mm day-1). A model combining the effect of a w and temperature on growth of strains of Aspergillus niger, and comparison with data on food spoilage moulds in the literature was developed. The growth of two strains of A. niger, as a function of temperature (25-30 o C) and a w (0.90-0.99) was developed. The estimation of the minimum a w (a wmin) and optimal a w (a wopt) levels were in accordance with data in the literature for a range of other Aspergillus and related species, regardless of the solutes used for a w modification. A central composition design was used to describe the effects of water activity (a w , 0.98, 0.97 and 0.96), inoculum size (2.7x10 5 , 2.7x10 4 and 2.7x10 3 spores ml-1), and three autoclaving procedure (A = all components autoclaved together, B = medium autoclaved + maltose filtered and, C = medium autoclaved + maltose & soya milk filtered) on the production of lysozyme by two genetically-engineered strains of Aspergillus niger (B1 and L11) in a liquid culture fermentation. Although both strains produced similar lysozyme concentrations (15 mg l-1), different production patterns were found under the experimental conditions. However, strain B1 produced relatively higher amounts of lysozyme under water stress (0.96 a w) with all the substrates autoclaved together. Subsequently, a central composition design was used to investigate: different immobilized polymer types (alginate and pectate), polymer concentration (2 and 4% (w/v)), inoculum support ratios (1:2 and 1:4) and gel-inducing agent concentration (CaCl 2 , 2 and 3.5% (w/v)) on lysozyme production. Overall immobilization in Ca-pectate resulted in higher lysozyme production compared to immobilization in Ca-alginate. Similar effects were observed when the polymer concentration was reduced. A 13 fold higher

ABSTRACTDiversity studies of endophytic assemblages are emerging challenges, which unveil novel phenotypes producing interesting chemical entities and a better understanding of their ecological significance. In the present investigation, we selected an extremely complex and unique environment supporting unexplored endophytes, ‘Macroalgae of Kerala coast, India’. Unlike terrestrial flora and mangroves, reports displaying endophytic assemblages of marine flora remain limited, especially from India. The main goal of this study was to expose hidden endophytic fungi from macroalgae and examination of their bioactive potential. An ecological investigation of four red, four green and three brown algae resulted in 133 fungal taxa with 29 distinct morphospecies. Aspergillus and Penicillium were found to be the dominant genera. Penicillium chrysogenum was the sole fungi that contributed 11% of the entire endophytic community. Antimicrobial activity against various aquaculture/human pathogens ...

Filamentous fungal cell factories are efficient producers of platform chemicals, proteins, enzymes and natural products. Stirred-tank bioreactors up to a scale of several hundred m³ are commonly used for their cultivation. Fungal hyphae self-assemble into various cellular macromorphologies ranging from dispersed mycelia, loose clumps, to compact pellets. Development of these macromorphologies is so far unpredictable but strongly impacts productivities of fungal bioprocesses. Depending on the strain and the desired product, the morphological forms vary, but no strain- or product-related correlations currently exist to improve process understanding of fungal production systems. However, novel genomic, genetic, metabolic, imaging and modelling tools have recently been established that will provide fundamental new insights into filamentous fungal growth and how it is balanced with product formation. In this primer, these tools will be highlighted and their revolutionary impact on ration...

Among the ways of pigment production, microbial synthesis has gained more interest for high growth rate, easy extraction and high yield. Pigments are used in the food industry as natural colorants and preservatives; they also have pharmaceutical applications. In this study, fungus Monascus purpureus PTCC 5303 was used to produce red, orange and yellow pigments. At first, significant variables were screened based on Plackett-Burman's design. The optimized value of two effective factors, i.e. concentration of yeast extract and K 2 HPO 4 by three-level, was more studied by the response surface method (RSM). The most suitable level was 2.75 g/L for yeast extract and 1.5 g/L for K 2 HPO 4. Antimicrobial activity of the pigments was shown on Gram-positive food-borne bacteria under optimal conditions. Moreover, pigment production at optimal conditions in a bioreactor was evaluated, and the rate of production of red, orange and yellow pigments was obtained to be 2.05, 1.55 and 0.78 (ODU/ml), respectively.

Among the ways of pigment production, microbial synthesis has gained more interest for high growth rate, easy extraction and high yield. Pigments are used in the food industry as natural colorants and preservatives; they also have pharmaceutical applications. In this study, fungus Monascus purpureus PTCC 5303 was used to produce red, orange and yellow pigments. At first, significant variables were screened based on Plackett-Burman's design. The optimized value of two effective factors, i.e. concentration of yeast extract and K 2 HPO 4 by three-level, was more studied by the response surface method (RSM). The most suitable level was 2.75 g/L for yeast extract and 1.5 g/L for K 2 HPO 4. Antimicrobial activity of the pigments was shown on Gram-positive food-borne bacteria under optimal conditions. Moreover, pigment production at optimal conditions in a bioreactor was evaluated, and the rate of production of red, orange and yellow pigments was obtained to be 2.05, 1.55 and 0.78 (ODU/ml), respectively.

Angkak or red mold rice is produced from the fermentation of white rice using Monascus purpureus, which results in the red color of the fermented rice. Angkak has been used as a natural coloring agent for food, spices, and medicine. The active compound in angkak that contributes to lower blood cholesterol is known as monacolin (monacolin K). However, the presence of citrinin, the byproduct of angkak fermentation, needs to be considered as it can cause hepato-nephrotoxic mycotoxin. The contents of pigments, monacolins, and citrinin as secondary metabolites depends on the Monascus strain and fermentation conditions. This study aims to analyze simultaneously monacolins and citrinin in angkak produced by M. purpureus strains using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LCMS/MS). The angkak was prepared by fermentation using M. purpureus FNCC 6008 and M. purpureus JK2. A total of 107 M. purpureus spores/mL was inoculated into the rice. The fermentation was carried out at room temperatu...

Nigerloxin (2-amido-3-hydroxy-6-methoxy-5-methyle-4-(prop-1'enyl) benzoic acid) is a Lipoxygenase and Aldose reductase inhibitor produced by Aspergillus niger MTCC 5116. It is produced only under solid state fermentation (SSF) and the inoculum required for the inhibitor production is developed in submerged condition. As this is a newly discovered enzyme inhibitor with potential commercial success against diabetic complications, such as neuropathy and cataract, its complete fermentation process parametric study is not reported. In this study, the role of physical parameters (spore suspension, initial pH, incubation temperature and agitation) in spore germination and pellet size in inoculum development broth in submerged fermentation for the enhanced production of nigerloxin through SSF has been studied. It was concluded that 500 µl of spore suspension in the inoculum development broth at pH 7, incubated at 30C and 200 rpm gave an ideal pellet size 1.23 mm resulting in 6.0 mg of nigerloxin/g dry weight of wheat bran in SSF.

A comparative study on the effect of ethanol bark and methanol leaf extract of Kigelia africana on some biochemical parameters in alloxan induced diabetic rats, was carried out. The ethanol bark and methanol leaf extracts of this plant was fed to alloxan-induced diabetic rats for a period of 14days and its effect on some biochemical parameters on the blood serum of the rats were assayed. Twenty-five (25) male albino rats were divided into five groups: normal rats (group 1), diabetic untreated rats (group 2), diabetic rats treated with glibenclamide (group 3), diabetic rats treated with ethanol bark extract (group 4) and diabetic rats treated with methanol leaf extract (group 5), with groups 1 and 2 serving as positive and negative control respectively. The treatment groups were orally administered 300mg/kg of each extract and their serum analysed for fasting blood sugar (FBS), MDA, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Creatinine levels. The result reviewed significant (p&lt;0.5) decre...

To detect and assess the activity of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes and to find differences in enzymograms between fungi isolated from wheat and rye samples and grown on Czapek-Dox Broth and Sabouraud Dextrose Broth enriched with cereal (wheat or rye). Isolated strains were also classified in the scale of biosafety levels (BSL). Material and methods: The study used 23 strains of fungi cultured from samples of wheat and rye (grain, grain dust obtained during threshing and soil) collected in the Lublin region (eastern Poland). API ZYM test (bioMérieux) was carried out according to the manufacturer's instructions. Classification of BSL (Biosafety levels) was based on the current literature. Results: High enzymatic activity was found in strains cultured in media containing 1% of wheat grain (Bipolaris holmi, Penicillium decumbens) and with an addition of 1% of rye grain (Cladosporium herbarum, Aspergillus versicolor, Alternaria alternata). The total number of enzymes varied depending on the type of media, and in most cases it was higher in the culture where an addition of cereal grains was used. Conclusions: Isolated strains of fungi reveal differences in the profiles of the enzyme assay. It can be assumed that the substrate enriched in grains stimulate the higher activity of mold enzymes.

In this study an atomic force microscope (AFM) was used as a nanoindentor to measure cell wall mechanical properties of the model fungus Aspergillus nidulans in both hyphal 5 and spore 6 forms. For fungal hyphae the nanoindentation data were compared to finite element analysis (FEMLAB v3.0, Burlington MA) to simulate AFM indentation because no suitable analytical models were available. The elastic modulus of wild type hyphae grown in complete medium was determined to be 110 ± 10 MPa. This decreased to 64 ± 4 MPa when grown in 0.6 M KCl, implying growth medium osmotic conditions have significant effects on cell wall elasticity. These values are comparable with other microbial systems (e.g., yeast and bacteria). Comparisons with a mutant strain (ΔcsmA) further indicate that the differences in mechanical properties may be dependent on varying molecular structure of hyphal cell walls as opposed to wall composition. AFM images showed characteristic "rodlet" protein structures covering spore surface. This feature can be removed by sonication. Nanoindentation measurements on the spores showed that rodlet-covered spores had surface stiffness of 110 ± 10 N/m and cell wall elastic modulus of 6.6 ± 0.4 GPa, both lower than those of rodlet-free spores. These results imply the rodlet layer is significantly softer than the underlying portion of the cell wall.

Angkak (red fungi rice, red yeast rice) is a traditional fermentation by fungi Monascus in a lot of Asia Countries, which is useful as a natural food colorant. The aim of this research was to obtain pure isolate of red fungus from angkak in Semarang. The growth and the red pigment production of the selected isolate in the different initial medium pH and nitrogen sources were observed. The treatment was done by growing the isolate in PDB (Potato Dextrose Broth) medium at initial pH 3, 5, 7 and 9 and as well as optimization of nitrogen sources with 1% ammonium chloride, 1% ammonium nitrate, and 1% peptone. The results showed that the highest absorbance value of pigment (0.81) was obtained at pH 7, and the highest value of the cell dry weight was also obtained at pH 7 (1.23 g/L). The results showed that 1% ammonium chloride was the best nitrogen source for red pigment production which gives the highest absorbance (0.82) and the highest of dry weight (2.56 g/L) was obtained by using medium with 1% ammonium nitrate as a nitrogen source.

Medicinal plant Terminalia Arjuna are used in the treatment of the various disease and disorder since ancient time. This study validated with modern drug approaches. The main objective of this review was to explore the pharmacological aspect of Terminalia arjuna, a indigenous medicinal plant. Medicinal plants have been recognized as major source of therapeutic agents to cure the human disease, as green medicine is healthier than synthetic products. The Arjuna plant was introduced into Ayurveda as a treatment for heart disease by Vagbhata (c. 7th century CE). It is traditionally prepared as a milk decoction. This plant was a known practice for thousands of years, in ancient Indian Vedas, Vagbhata mentions Arjuna in the treatment of wounds, hemorrhages and ulcers, applied topically as a powder. There is a vast variety of plants, which are rich source of bioactive compounds and several more might still be lying unexplored. The available compounds of Arjuna are more potent against snail-borne diseases and used as molluscicidal agents. Arjuna has also been found effective as an antioxidant, protect cardiovascular diseases and very helpful in regulating the hormonal system of the body. Ailments like eczema, itching, rashes scars and serious skin conditions like psoriasis can also be treated with the regular use of Terminalia arjuna. On the basis of ongoing literature and scientific reports the medicinal plant Terminalia arjuna has natureʼs boon to mankind.

Endophytic fungi play pivotal roles in the ecological balance and health of plants by contributing to their growth, development, and defense mechanisms. This study aims to explore the biodiversity of endophytic fungi residing within three prominent African plant species, namely Africanus Prunus, Ricinus communis, and Cathas edulis, and assess their potential to secrete active extracellular metabolites.

The research methodology involves the isolation and identification of endophytic fungi from the selected plant species through surface sterilization and tissue culture techniques. Morphological and molecular characterization methods will be employed to classify the isolated fungi to the genus or species level.

Furthermore, the ability of the isolated endophytic fungi to secrete active extracellular metabolites will be evaluated through bioassays and chromatographic analyses. These metabolites will be screened for antimicrobial, antifungal, and other bioactive properties.

The significance of this study lies in its potential to unravel the diverse community of endophytic fungi harbored within African plant species and their capacity to produce bioactive compounds with pharmacological and agricultural applications. Understanding the interactions between endophytic fungi and their host plants could pave the way for the development of novel biocontrol agents, bioremediation strategies, and pharmaceutical compounds.

Ultimately, this research contributes to the broader field of microbiology and plant biology, shedding light on the intricate relationships between plants and their associated microorganisms and exploring the untapped potential of endophytic fungi as a valuable resource for sustainable agriculture and medicine.

A number of plant pathogenic fungi belonging to the genus Rhizopus are infamous for causing rice seedling blight. This plant disease is typically initiated by an abnormal swelling of the seedling roots without any sign of infection by the pathogen 1-4. This characteristic symptom is in fact caused by the macrocyclic polyketide metabolite rhizoxin that has been isolated from cultures of Rhizopus sp. 5,6. The phytotoxin exerts its destructive effect by binding to rice b-tubulin, which results in inhibition of mitosis and cell cycle arrest 7,8. Owing to its remarkably strong antimitotic

Pathogenic bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae is the cause of pneumonia disease in infants and adults. Antibiotics treatment is usually used to treat this disease. However, synthetic antibiotic use could lead to bacterial resistance. Therefore, novel antibiotics from natural resources are required to overcome this problem. The aim of present study is to determine the antibacterial activity of endophytic fungal extracts from mangrove plants Rhizophora apiculata and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza against K. pneumonia ATCC 700 603. Isolation, cultivation, extraction and antibacterial activity test were conducted. Fourteen endophytic fungi were derived from the two mangrove species, where the two fungal isolates: Penicilium sp.2 and Penicilium sp.4 showed the highest antibacterial activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration of K. pneumoniae for both fungal extract is 3.6 mg mL-1, where bactericidal effect was observed. Additionally, antibacterial activity from the extract of Penncillium sp.4 is h...

Gida endustrisinin en onemli katki bilesenlerinden bir tanesi renklendiricilerdir. Sentetik renklendiricilerin zararli etkileri ile gidalarda dogal olan renklendiriciler tercih edilmektedir. Bu calismanin amaci, Monascus purpures’un urunu olan pigmentinin cesitli gida atiklarinin kullanilarak uretiminin incelenmesi ve kiyaslanmasidir. Verim, pigment profili ve Monascus metabolitleri acisindan M.purpureus’ un ureme parametreleri tanimli ve kompleks ortamlarda 14 gun boyunca izlenmistir. Elde edilen bulgular, gida atiklarindan sut urunlerinin ve bayat ekmeklerin M.purpureus ile pigment uretimi icin ekonomik bir substrat olabilecegini gostermistir

Monascus purpureus, a species of red filamentous mould, has been widely used in fermented food as a potential source of natural pigments. The pigments can be produced by solid-state fermentation using a solid culture substrate; an example includes cheese that provides a substantial amount of nutrients required for its growth and red pigment synthesis. Monascus purpureus needs appropriate organic nitrogen in the form of amino acids at a particular concentration. This study aimed to determine the effects of methionine level on cheese colour as the solid substrate in M. purpureus fermentation. The mould strain M. purpureus JK2 was cultivated from cheese without the addition of methionine and added with 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 1% methionine, then incubated at room temperature (25‒30oC) for 14 days. The growth of M. purpureus JK2 in cheese as a solid substrate was visually observed. Colour changes were distinguished quantitatively based on the CIELAB colour characterization system. The result...

Phytochemical screening and antidiabetic effects of methanolic extract of Azadirachtaindica leaf was investigated in Alloxan induced diabetic rats. The phytochemical screening indicates the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins and phenolic compounds. The methanolic leaf extract of A. indica administered orally, significantly (P<0.05) lowered blood glucose concentration (mg/dl) in alloxan induced diabetic rats from (444.75 + 36.36) to (83.00 + 4.26) at 500mg/kg b.w while the standard drug Glibenclamide significantly (P<0.05) lowered blood glucose from (350.75 + 60.91) to (84.50 + 569) at 0.6mg/kg b.w. The methanolic leaf extract had no significant (P>0.05) effect on the weight of the rats. However, there was significant weight (g) loss for the untreated rats from (167.25 + 2.01) to (129 + 1.89). In this study, the results obtained revealed that A. indica is a potent hypoglycemic agent as Glibenclamide and could serve as a remedy in the management and treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Six Monascus purpureus (red mould) strains were cultivated on brown rice and millet as substrates. They underwent strain selection for high lovastatin and pigment production, and low citrinin mycotoxin production, with particular reference to potential for millet as substrate. For most of these strains, substrate dry matter loss was 54-60% on rice and 46-48% on millet, although the 'MOPU GS1' strain showed 18% and 17% dry matter loss, respectively. 'MOPU GS1' was also the only strain with detectable levels of lovastatin (1.3 and 1.6 mg lovastatin/g substrate dry weight [dw], respectively) and citrinin under the limit of detection. In the other strains, citrinin varied from 0.3 to 18.2 mg/g substrate dw. Among the six strains, 'EBY3' provided high pigment production when grown on rice, although it produced 1.1 mg citrinin/g substrate dw. Millet showed good potential as an alternative substrate to rice, due to higher lovastatin and lower citrinin production; however, rice was the better substrate for production of M. purpureus pigments.

Endophytic fungi reside in the intercellular space of plant nourished by the plant. In return, they provide bioactive molecules which can play critical roles on plant defense system. Fifty six endophytes were isolated from the leaves, root, bark and fruits of Sonneratia apetala, a pioneer mangrove plant in the Sundarbans, Bangladesh. A total of 56 isolates were obtained and 12 different species within 8 genera were identified using morphological and molecular characteristics. Antimicrobial activity of ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and methanolic (MeOH) extracts of these 12 different species were analyzed by resazurin assay and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined. The fungal extracts showed antimicrobial activities against more than one tested bacterium or fungus among 5 human pathogenic microbes, i.e. Escherichia coli NCTC 12241, Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 12981, Micrococcus lutus NCTC 7508, Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCTC 7508 and Candida albicans ATCC 90028. Overall, methanolic extracts showed greater activity than that of ethyl acetate extracts. Of the isolates identified, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium equiseti were the most active isolates and showed activity against microorganisms under investigation. Methanolic extracts of C. gloeosporioides and A. niger showed the lowest MIC (0.0024 mg/mL) against P. aeruginosa. The study indicates that endophytic fungi isolated from S. apetala species possess potential antimicrobial properties, which could be further investigated.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-rheumatoid activity of secondary metabolites produced by endophytic mycobiota in Egypt. A total of 27 endophytic fungi were isolated from 10 dominant medicinal plant host species in Wadi Tala, Saint Katherine Protectorate, arid Sinai, Egypt. Of those taxa, seven isolates of Chaetomium globosum (CG1-CG7), being the most frequent taxon, were recovered from seven different host plants and screened for production of active anti-inflammatory metabolites. Isolates were cultivated on half-strength potato dextrose broth for 21 days at 28 • C on a rotatory shaker at 180 rpm, and extracted in ethyl acetate and methanol, respectively. The probable inhibitory effects of both extracts against an adjuvant induced arthritis (AIA) rat model were examined and compared with the effects of methotrexate (MTX) as a standard disease-modifying anti-rheumatoid drug. Disease activity and mobility scoring of AIA, histopathology and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to evaluate probable inhibitory roles. A significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the severity of arthritis was observed in both the methanolic extract of CG6 (MCG6) and MTX treatment groups 6 days after treatment commenced. The average arthritis score of the MCG6 treatment group was (10.7 ± 0.82) compared to (13.8 ± 0.98) in the positive control group. The mobility score of the MCG6 treatment group (1.50 ± 0.55) was significantly lower than that of the positive control group (3.33 ± 0.82). In contrast, the ethyl acetate extract of CG6 (EACG6) treatment group showed no improvements in arthritis and mobility scores in AIA model rats. Histopathology and TEM findings confirmed the observation. Isolate CG6 was subjected to sequencing for confirmation of phenotypic identification. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1-5.8 s-ITS2 rDNA sequences obtained were compared with those deposited in the GenBank Database and registered with accession number KC811080 in the NCBI Database. The present study revealed that the methanol extract of endophytic fungus C. globosum (KC811080) recovered from maidenhair fern has an inhibitory effect on inflammation, histopathology and morphological features of rheumatoid arthritis in an AIA rat model.

Resinous exudate obtained from the aerial parts of Adesmia boronioides Hook.f. were evaluated to determine anti-phytopathogenic effects. Briefly, resinous exudate was obtained by dipping fresh plant material in dichloromethane; chemical composition was determined by GC-MS; and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were evaluated against four phytopathogenic bacteria. Resinous exudate yield was 8.5% (resin/fresh plant), of which esquel-6-en-9-one (14.25%), esquel-7-en-9-one (5.86%), and veratric acid (2.59%) were the effective antibacterial compounds. Tested against Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovora, Erwinia amylovora, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas syringae, MICs and MBCs ranged from 16 to 128 µg/mL and 32-256 µg/mL, respectively. These results provide initial evidence that resinous bush A. boronioides is a new and alternative source of substances with agricultural interest. .

Marine-derived microorganisms are vital sources of bioactive secondary metabolites. Secondary metabolites of coral-derived fungi have several essential bioactivities. Asterric acid 1 is a broadspectrum bioactive secondary metabolite of several fungal genera, especially Aspergillus and Penicillium. It has a wide range of interesting bioactivities such as antifungal, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, fungicidal, pesticidal, nematicidal, seed germination inhibition, anti-HIV activity, as a first non-peptide for endothelin binding inhibition, anti-plasmodial activity against the erythrocyte stages of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum, having vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitory activity and as medicine for the initial stage of an endothelin receptor agonist. In this study, the yield of asterric acid was improved to a multi-gram quantity from the soft coral-derived fungus Aspergillus sp. through media optimization. The pure spoors of Aspergillus sp. were fermented at room temperature in the absence of sodium chloride salt. The yield of asterric acid was 650 mg/L at optimal conditions. The optimal conditions for the high yield of asterric acid were found as rice medium, room temperature, 56 days incubation and absence of sodium chloride salt.

Marine-derived microorganisms are vital sources of bioactive secondary metabolites. Secondary metabolites of coral-derived fungi have several essential bioactivities. Asterric acid 1 is a broad-spectrum bioactive secondary metabolite of several fungal genera, especially Aspergillus and Penicillium. It has a wide range of interesting bioactivities such as antifungal, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, fungicidal, pesticidal, nematicidal, seed germination inhibition, anti-HIV activity, as a first non-peptide for endothelin binding inhibition, anti-plasmodial activity against the erythrocyte stages of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum, having vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitory activity and as medicine for the initial stage of an endothelin receptor agonist. In this study, the yield of asterric acid was improved to a multi-gram quantity from the soft coral-derived fungus Aspergillus sp. through media optimization. The pure spoors of Aspergillus sp. were fermented at room tem...