Madre Monte Natural Conservation Area in the Colombian Andes as Model for Preservation of Fungi in Quercus humboldtii Forests

Abstract Few conservation studies have been done with Agaricales fungi (mushrooms) of the Andes and conservation areas created in many countries have no priorities in protecting fungi. Small areas can be also very important to preserve rare and unknown fungi species, but evaluations are still needed. Applying the technique of the transects in the natural reserve of Madre Monte in Arcabuco, Boyacá Province, in the Colombian Andes (a characteristic oak forest - Quercus humboldtii - Fagaceae), the diversity and ecological data were collected and compared to the fungi already known in the country and their conservation status, to understand how fungi are protected indirectly with the creation of preservation areas. The samples were identified at the Laboratorio del Grupo de Investigación Biología para la Conservación de la Universidad Pedagogica y Tecnológica of Colombia. A total of 331 specimens and 46 species of Agaricales were collected and identified. The presence of rare species, like Lactifluus gerardii, Cortinarius violaceus and Cortinarius boyacensis, reinforces the importance of creating more small areas in the preservation of mushroom species. Only 43 species of Agaricales were reported to the province, being 19 new citations to the area, what is an indication that the diversity in the Colombian Andes is higher than suspected and that even small conservation areas have of profound impact in fungi conservation. Some of the mushrooms found are also first references to Colombia, like Panaeolus rickenii and Protostropharia dorsipora, but these were found growing in horse manure, being introduced. The impact of domestic animals and exotic trees in the mycobiota of preservation areas needs to be better evaluated.

Colonización por hongos ambientales en el paciente alérgico respiratorio no controlado / Colonization by environmental fungi in the uncontrolled respiratory allergic patient

Introducción: La presencia de hongos en las vías respiratorias puede provocar en personas susceptibles diversas manifestaciones alérgicas. Objetivo: Determinar si las especies fúngicas aisladas de la mucosa nasal de pacientes alérgicos respiratorios pueden ser definidas como alergenos sensibilizantes a través de las pruebas cutáneas. Métodos: Estudio observacional, prospectivo y de corte transversal, donde el universo estuvo constituido por todos los pacientes con diagnóstico de alergia respiratoria o inicio de asma bronquial variable descompensada, mayores de 2 años y menores de19,que se asistieron en las consultas de alergia en La Habana, desde enero 2016 a enero 2017. La muestra obtenida fue de 80 pacientes alérgicos respiratorios. Resultados: Del total de pacientes con clínica de asma, rinitis o ambas, se obtuvieron pruebas cutáneas por el test de Prick positivas a hongos en 52 de ellos (65 por ciento) con una polisensibilización en 24 para 46,1 por ciento. La reactividad cruzada de mayor relevancia se produjo con los alérgenos de Aspergillus, Penicillium y Alternaria. El cultivo resultó positivo en 54 muestras nasales (67 por ciento). El género de hongos predominante en los pacientes alérgicos fue el Aspergillus en 70,3 por ciento y dentro de este el Aspergillus fumigatus en 52,6 por ciento. Conclusiones: El estudio de la micobiota nasal es una prueba que debe interpretarse junto con las pruebas cutáneas para el diagnóstico de enfermedades alérgicas por hongos ambientales y tener en cuenta su importancia para el control epidemiológico en la exposición a hongos(AU)

Introduction: The presence of fungi in the respiratory tract can cause different allergic manifestations in sensitive persons. Objective: To determine if fungi species isolated from the nasal mucosa of respiratory allergic patients can be defined as allergen-sensitive by means of skin tests. Methods: Observational, prospective and cross-sectional study, where the overall sample consisted of all patients with a diagnosis of respiratory allergy or onset of decompensated variable bronchial asthma, over 2 years old and under 19 years old who attended to Allergy consultations in Havana, from January 2016 to January 2017. The sample obtained was 80 respiratory allergic patients. Results: Of the total number of patients with symptoms of clinical asthma, rhinitis or both, Prick´s skin tests were obtained by fungal positive test in 52 of them (65 percent) with a polysensitization in 24 (46.1 percent). The most relevant cross reactivity occurred with the allergens of Aspergillus, Penicillium and Alternaria. The culture was positive in 54 nasal samples (67 percent). The predominant fungal genus in allergic patients was Aspergillus in 70.3 percent and within this Aspergillus fumigatus in 52.6 percent. Conclusions: The study of nasal mycobiota is a test that should be interpreted together with skin tests for the diagnosis of allergic diseases due to environmental fungi and it must be taken into account its importance for epidemiological control in fungal exposure(AU)

In situ analysis of a composting plant located in São Paulo city: fungal ecology in different composting phases

The National Plan for Solid Waste has set out to reduce by 25% the amount of organic waste disposed of in landfills, mostly food residues from street fairs, besides determining the implementation of municipal composting plants, and it also mentions improving the capacity of plants already installed. The purpose of the study was to analyze which decomposing fungi are involved in the different composting phases, in a plant located in the city of São Paulo. Data was collected in four composting seasons from 2016 to 2017 and the analysis of 49 samples showed twelve genera belonging to the Ascomycetes and Zygomycetes phyla, but only at the mesophilic phase. In all seasons, yeasts and Aspergillus fumigatus were predominant with a total count of 1.0 x 109 cfu g-1 and 7.4 x 108 cfu g-1, respectively. These fungi can be applied in future studies of biostimulation to optimize the cycle at the municipal plant.

Primer registro de Scleroderma bovista (Boletales, Sclerodermataceae) para Colombia / First record of Scleroderma bovista (Boletales, Sclerodermataceae) for Colombia

Se describe e ilustra por primera vez a Scleroderma bovista para Colombia, un hongo gasteroide hallado en el campus de la Universidad Pedagógica Nacional (Bogotá), departamento de Cundinamarca. Se aporta información sobre su distribución, ecología y sustrato de crecimiento. Así, el género Scleroderma queda representado en el país por cuatro especies: S. albidum, S. areolatum, S. citrinum y S. bovista.

Scleroderma bovista is described and illustrated for the first time in Colombia. Scleroderma bovista is a gasteroid fungi found on the campus of the Universidad Pedagógica Nacional (Bogotá), department of Cundinamarca. Information on distribution, ecology and growth substrate is provided. Thus, the genus Scleroderma is represented in the country by four species: S. albidum, S. areolatum, S. citrinum y S. bovista

Microbiological quality of Argentinian paprika / Calidad microbiológica del pimentón argentino

The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiological quality of paprika produced in Catamarca, Argentina. Microbiological analyses were carried out for the enumeration of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, coliforms, yeasts and molds, and the detection of Salmonella in samples obtained from different local producers during three consecutive years. The mycobiota was identified paying special attention to the mycotoxigenic molds. Standard plate counts of aerobic mesophilic bacteria ranged from 2.7 x 10(5) to 3.7 x 10(7)CFU/g. Coliform counts ranged from <10 to 8.1 x 10(4) CFU/g. Salmonella was not detected in any of the samples tested. Fungal counts (including yeasts and molds) ranged between 2 x 10² and 1.9 x 10(5) CFU/g. These results showed a high level of microbial contamination, exceeding in several samples the maximum limits set in international food regulations. The study of the mycobiota demonstrated that Aspergillus was the predominant genus and Aspergillus niger (potential producer of ochratoxin A) the most frequently isolated species, followed by Aspergillus flavus (potential producer of aflatoxins). Other species of potential toxigenic fungi such as Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus westerdijkiae, Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium crustosum, Penicillium commune, Penicillium expansum and Alternaria tenuissima species group were encountered as part of the mycobiota of the paprika samples indicating a risk of mycotoxin contamination. A. westerdijkiae was isolated for the first time in Argentina.

El pimentón es considerado una de las especias más proclives a contaminarse con diversos tipos de microorganismos, incluyendo patógenos como Salmonella y hongos capaces de producir micotoxinas. Existen muy pocos datos acerca de la contaminación microbiana del pimentón producido en nuestro país. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar la calidad microbiológica del pimentón (Capsicum annum L.) producido en la provincia de Catamarca, una de las principales zonas productoras del norte argentino. Se realizó el recuento de bacterias aerobias mesófilas, coliformes totales y mohos y levaduras, y la búsqueda de Salmonella en muestras obtenidas de diferentes establecimientos productores locales durante 3 años consecutivos. Se identificaron todas las cepas fúngicas (1.622 aislamientos) a nivel de género y se determinaron las especies pertenecientes a los géneros potencialmente toxinógenos. Los recuentos totales de bacterias aerobias mesófilas variaron entre 2,7 x 10(5)y3,7 x 10(7)UFC/g. Los coliformes totales estuvieron en el rango de < 10 a 8,1 x 10(4) UFC/g. Salmonella no fue detectada en ninguna de las muestras analizadas. Los resultados obtenidos muestran un alto nivel de contaminación, que excede en varias de las muestras los límites máximos establecidos en las regulaciones alimentarias internacionales. El estudio de la micobiota demostró que Aspergillus fue el género predominante. Otros géneros encontrados fueron Cladosporium, Rhizopus, Alternaría y Penicillium. Aspergillus niger (potencial productor de ocratoxina A) fue la especie aislada con mayor frecuencia, seguida de Aspergillus flavus (potencial productor de aflatoxinas). También se encontraron otras especies toxinógenas, lo que indica un riesgo potencial de contaminación con micotoxinas. Aspergillus westerdijkiae fue aislado por primera vez en Argentina.

Factores extrínsecos e intrínsecos asociados a poblaciones fúngicas micotoxigénicas de granos de maíz (Zea mays L) almacenados en silos bolsa en Argentina / Extrinsic and intrinsic factors associated with mycotoxigenic fungi populations of maize grains (Zea mays L.) stored in silobags in Argentina

Con el objeto de caracterizar las poblaciones fúngicas, en particular las especies potencialmente micotoxigénicas, que pueden contaminar los granos de maíz almacenados en silos bolsa con un contenido de humedad superior al recomendado como seguro, se evaluaron 270 muestras extraídas al inicio, a los 90 días y al final de un período de almacenamiento de 5 meses. En dichas muestras se cuantificó e identificó la biota fúngica y se determinó la contaminación con fumonisinas y aflatoxinas. Asimismo, se evaluó el efecto de factores extrínsecos (ambiente), intrínsecos (granos) y tecnológicos (ubicación de los granos en el perfil del silo bolsa) sobre las poblaciones totales y micotoxigénicas. El pH de los granos y el nivel de O2 se redujeron significativamente a los 5 meses, mientras que la concentración de CO2 se incrementó en igual período. Los recuentos totales de la micobiota fueron significativamente mayores en los granos ubicados en el estrato superior del silo bolsa. Se identificaron especies micotoxigénicas de Fusarium, Aspergillus, Penicillium y Eurotium. La frecuencia de aislamiento de Fusarium verticillioides se redujo al final del almacenamiento y Aspergillus flavus solo se aisló en el inicio del almacenamiento. Los recuentos de Penicillium spp. y Eurotium spp. se incrementaron al final del almacenamiento. El 100 % de las muestras presentaron contaminación con fumonisinas, con niveles máximos de 5,707 mg/kg, mientras que las aflatoxinas contaminaron el 40 % de las muestras con niveles máximos de 0,0008 mg/kg. Las condiciones ambientales y de sustrato generadas durante el almacenamiento produjeron cambios en la composición de las poblaciones fúngicas y limitaron el desarrollo de hongos micotoxigénicos y la producción de micotoxinas.

In order to determine the behavior of mycotoxin-producing fungal populations linked with silobags stored corn grains with a moisture content greater at the recommended as safe, 270 samples taken in three times (beginning, 90 days, final) over a five month period of storage were evaluated. The fungal biota was quantified and identified and the contamination with fumonisin and aflatoxin was determined. Extrinsic factors (environment), intrinsic factors (grains) and technological factors (location of the grains in the profile of silobag) were taken into account to evaluate the presence and quantity of total and mycotoxigenic fungal populations. The pH of grains and O2 levels were significantly reduced after five months, while CO2 concentration increased in the same period. The total counts of mycobiota were significantly higher in grains located in the top layer of silobag. Mycotoxigenic species of Fusarium, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Eurotium were identified. The frequency of isolation of Fusarium verticillioides decreased at the end of storage and Aspergillus flavus was isolated only at the beginning of storage. The counts of the Penicillium spp. and Eurotium spp. were increased at the end of storage. Fumonisin contamination was found in all the samples (100 %) with maximum levels of 5.707 mg/kg whereas aflatoxin contaminated only 40 % with maximum levels of 0.0008 mg/kg. The environmental and substrate conditions generated during the storage limited the development of mycotoxigenic fungi and mycotoxin production.

The Mycobiota of Air Inside and Outside the Meju Fermentation Room and the Origin of Meju Fungi

The fungi on Meju are known to play an important role as degrader of macromolecule of soybeans. In order to elucidate the origin of fungi on traditional Meju, mycobiota of the air both inside and outside traditional Meju fermentation rooms was examined. From 11 samples of air collected from inside and outside of 7 Meju fermentation rooms, 37 genera and 90 species of fungi were identified. In outside air of the fermentation room, Cladosporium sp. and Cladosporium cladosporioides were the dominant species, followed by Cladosporium tenuissimum, Eurotium sp., Phoma sp., Sistotrema brinkmannii, Alternaria sp., Aspergillus fumigatus, Schizophyllum commune, and Penicillium glabrum. In inside air of the fermentation room, Cladosporium sp., Aspergillus oryzae, Penicillium chrysogenum, Asp. nidulans, Aspergillus sp., Cla. cladosporioides, Eurotium sp., Penicillium sp., Cla. tenuissimum, Asp. niger, Eur. herbariorum, Asp. sydowii, and Eur. repens were collected with high frequency. The concentrations of the genera Aspergillus, Eurotium, and Penicillium were significantly higher in inside air than outside air. From this result and those of previous reports, the origin of fungi present on Meju was inferred. Of the dominant fungal species present on Meju, Lichtheimia ramosa, Mucor circinelloides, Mucor racemosus, and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis are thought to be originated from outside air, because these species are not or are rarely isolated from rice straw and soybean; however, they were detected outside air of fermentation room and are species commonly found in indoor environments. However, Asp. oryzae, Pen. polonicum, Eur. repens, Pen. solitum, and Eur. chevalieri, which are frequently found on Meju, are common in rice straw and could be transferred from rice straw to Meju. The fungi grow and produce abundant spores during Meju fermentation, and after the spores accumulate in the air of fermentation room, they could influence mycobiota of Meju fermentation in the following year. This could explain why concentrations of the genera Aspergillus, Eurotium, and Penicillium are much higher inside than outside of the fermentation rooms.

Proliferodiscus inspersus var. magniascus and Rodwayella citrinula, Two Unrecorded Taxa of Hyaloscyphaceae (Tribe Arachnopezizeae) in Korea

A fungal survey that targeted the tribe Arachnopezizeae (Hyaloscyphaceae, Helotiales) was conducted in Korea. One variety belonging to Proliferodiscus and one species belonging to Rodwayella are recorded for the first time from Korea. Proliferodiscus inspersus var. magniascus differs from P. earoleucus by its amyloid reaction in ascal apices and larger asci. Rodwayella citrinula is distinguished from other members of the genus by small ascospores and its occurrence on grasses. The descriptions, illustrations and cultural characteristics of the species are provided.

Checklist of Hymenomycetes (Aphyllophorales s.l.) and Heterobasidiomycetes in Israel

A checklist is presented concerning the species composition of Hymenomycetes (Aphyllophorales s.l.) and Heterobasidiomycetes in Israel based on data of previous studies and field sample collections. In total, 242 species are presented, of which five are new records for the Israeli mycobiota, namely Australohydnum dregeanum, Ceriporiopsis consobrina, C. resinascens, Fibroporia vaillantii, and Postia inocybe. The distribution and habitat of each species in Israel are also summarized. This checklist will serve as valuable data for future species diversity studies of these fungi in Israel.

Hemibeltrania urbanodendrii sp. nov. and Pseudobeltrania angamosensis: new fungal records from the brazilian tropical seasonal semi-deciduous montane forest

The new species Hemibeltrania urbanodendrii, associated to leaf-spots on Urbanodendron verrucosum (Lauracea) and Pseudobeltrania angamosensis, associated with leaf-spots on Virola gardneri (Myristicaceae), are recorded for the first time in Brazil. They represent additions to the mycobiota of the Tropical Seasonal Semi-Deciduous Montane Forest in Viçosa (Minas Gerais, Brazil), a highly threatened ecosystem.

Novas ocorrências de fungos relacionados a manchas foliares são apresentadas: Hemibeltrania urbanodendrii sp. nov., associado a Urbanodendron verrucosum (Lauracea) e Pseudobeltrania angamosensis, associado a Virola gardneri (Myristicaceae). Eles representam adições à micobiota da Floresta Tropical Estacional Semidecidual Montana de Viçosa (Minas Gerais), um ecossistema fortemente ameaçado.

Inhibitory Effects of Na-Hypochlorite and Heating on the Mycobiota Associated with Fruits or Juice of Passion (Passiflora edulis Sims) in Uganda

A total of 34 species belonging to 21 genera of fungi were recorded on passion fruits of both pure and hybrid origin in Uganda, however, the pure type exhibited wider spectrum (28 species and 16 genera) than the hybrid type (21 & 15). Also, yeasts (unidentified and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa) were also encountered in high numbers. Moreover, the mean count of all mycobiota obtained from the pure type was higher than that of hybrid, despite the bigger size of the later. Members of yeasts and Cladosporium followed by Phoma, Penicillium, Fusarium and Alternaria species dominated on passion fruits of pure origin, while only C. cladosporioides, F. solani and yeasts dominated on the hybrid type. Treatment with Na-hypochlorite exhibited inhibitory effects on the total mycobiotic propagules as well as the dominant species from fruits of both types. The current results, therefore, suggest the use of Na-hypochlorite to control the post-harvest mycobiota associated with passion fruits. Regarding the mycobiota contaminating passion juice, yeasts were found to be the major contaminants with Candida parapsilosis being the most common. Moulds constituted only a minor proportion with Acremonium strictum followed by Fusarium chlamydosporum, F. moniliforme, F. acuminatum and F. solani as the most dominant species. In the heat-treated juice samples, the counts of the most commonly encountered mycobiota (both yeasts and molds) were significantly inhibited or completely eliminated. Some unidentified Bacillus species were also recovered from the juice, however, their counts in the heated samples were increased but insignificantly.