Diversity and antimicrobial activity of culturable fungi associated with sea anemone Anthopleura xanthogrammica

Background: The main objective of this study was to isolate fungi associated with Anthopleura xanthogrammica and measure their antimicrobial and enzymatic activities. A total of 93 fungal strains associated with A. xanthogrammica were isolated in this study, of which 32 isolates were identified using both morphological characteristics and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence analysis. The antibacterial activities of 32 fungal isolates were tested against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Edwardsiella tarda, Vibrio harveyi, Fusarium oxysporum, and Pyricularia oryzae by agar diffusion assay. Extracellular hydrolytic enzyme activities of the fungal isolates were determined by agar diffusion assays. Enzyme activities were detected from clear halo size. Results: The isolated fungi belonged to 18 genera within 7 taxonomic orders of 1 phylum. The genera Aspergillaceae were the most diverse and common. The antimicrobial activities of 32 isolates were evaluated, and 19 (59.4%) of fungi isolate displayed unique antimicrobial activities. All fungal strains displayed at least one enzyme activity. The most common enzyme activities in the fungi isolates were amylase and protease, while the least common were pectinase and xylanase. Conclusions: This is first report on the sea anemone-derived fungi with antimicrobial and enzyme activities. Results indicated that sea anemone is a hot spot of fungal diversity and a rich resource of bioactive natural products.

Isolation and identification of bacteria in fermentation broth of Mirabilitum Praeparatum / 中草药

Objective: In order to provide the standardization of production and quality control method of Mirabilitum Praeparatum, the fungi from fermentation broth of Mirabilitum Praeparatum were isolated and identificated, and the fermentation and processing of Mirabilitum Praeparatum were investigated. Methods: The traditional fermentation conditions of Mirabilitum Praeparatum such as temperature and humidity were imitated, using watermelon as culture media. Separation and purification of fungi in fermentation broth of Mirabilitum Praeparatum were carried out on PDA, CZA, and Sabourand media, using plate streaking method. The fungi isolated from fermentation broth of Mirabilitum Praeparatum were identified by morphological observation, microstructure observation, and comparison on DNA ITS sequences. Results: Six fungi were isolated from the fermentation broth of Mirabilitum Praeparatum and identified as WF-1 (Fusarium); WF-2 (Penicillium), WF-3 (Mucor); WF-4, WF-5, and WF-6 (Alternaria). Conclusion: Mirabilitum Praeparatum is produced by salt-tolerant fungi in fermentation broth of watermelon, rather than the traditional view that it is the small crystallization seeping from the watermelon.