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.

Anaphylaxis to Agaricus bisporus ingestion / Anafilaxia por ingestão de Agaricus bisporus

ABSTRACT A 33-year-old male with house dust mite allergic rhinitis and asthma reported an episode of facial and lip angioedema, dyspnea, cough and dysphagia at the age of 25, minutes after eating a mushroom ( Agaricus bisporus ) pizza. He denied any drug intake, hymenoptera stings or other possible triggers, and no identifiable cofactors were present. Since then he avoided all types of mushrooms, however an accidental contact occurred with mushroom sauce that resulted in angioedema of the lip within minutes. The allergy workup included measurements of total IgE and specific IgE to mushroom, and skin prick test to aeroallergens sources, possible food allergen sources and mushroom extract, a prick to prick test with raw and cooked A. bisporus , in addition to a SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting assay. The study revealed a specific IgE to mushroom of 0.76kUA/L positive skin prick test to mushroom extract, and prick to prick test positive to white and brown A. bisporus (raw and cooked). The immunoblotting identified two IgE binding proteins with 10kDa and 27kDa. We report a case of A. bisporus anaphylaxis probably due to primary mushroom sensitization. We detected two IgE-reactive proteins with 10kDa and 27kDa as possible culprit allergens.

RESUMO Paciente do sexo masculino, 33 anos, com asma e rinite alérgica desencadeadas por ácaros, relatou episódio de angioedema facial e labial, dispneia, tosse e disfagia aos 25 anos, minutos após a ingestão de uma pizza de cogumelo ( Agaricus bisporus ). O paciente negou consumo de medicamentos, picadas de himenópteros, ou quaisquer outros possíveis desencadeadores ou cofatores que pudessem estar presentes. Desde então, evita todos os tipos de cogumelos, até a ocorrência de um contato acidental com molho de cogumelo, que resultou em angioedema labial minutos após. O estudo imunoalergológico incluiu doseamento de IgE total e específica para cogumelos, testes cutâneos para aeroalérgenos, possíveis alérgenos alimentares e extrato de cogumelos, teste prick to prick com A. bisporus cru e cozido e teste de SDS-PAGE immunoblotting . O estudo revelou IgE específica para cogumelos de 0,76kUA/L, teste cutâneo positivo para extrato de cogumelos e teste prick to prick positivo para A. bisporus branco e castanho (cru e cozido). O immunoblotting identificou duas proteínas de ligação de IgE, de 10kDa e 27kDa. Relatamos, assim, um caso de anafilaxia por ingestão de A. bisporus , provavelmente explicado por sensibilização primária a cogumelos. Detectamos duas proteínas IgE-reativas de 10kDa e 27kDa como os possíveis alérgenos responsáveis.

Control of Anthracnose and Gray Mold in Pepper Plants Using Culture Extract of White-Rot Fungus and Active Compound Schizostatin

Fungi produce various secondary metabolites that have beneficial and harmful effects on other organisms. Those bioactive metabolites have been explored as potential medicinal and antimicrobial resources. However, the activities of the culture filtrate (CF) and metabolites of white-rot fungus (Schizophyllum commune) have been underexplored. In this study, we assayed the antimicrobial activities of CF obtained from white-rot fungus against various plant pathogens and evaluated its efficacy for controlling anthracnose and gray mold in pepper plants. The CF inhibited the mycelial growth of various fungal plant pathogens, but not of bacterial pathogens. Diluted concentrations of CF significantly suppressed the severity of anthracnose and gray mold in pepper fruits. Furthermore, the incidence of anthracnose in field conditions was reduced by treatment with a 12.5% dilution of CF. The active compound responsible for the antifungal and disease control activity was identified and verified as schizostatin. Our results indicate that the CF of white-rot fungus can be used as an eco-friendly natural product against fungal plant pathogens. Moreover, the compound, schizostatin could be used as a biochemical resource or precursor for development as a pesticide. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the control of plant diseases using CF and active compound from white-rot fungus. We discussed the controversial antagonistic activity of schizostatin and believe that the CF of white-rot fungus or its active compound, schizostatin, could be used as a biochemical pesticide against fungal diseases such as anthracnose and gray mold in many vegetables.

Contribution to the Knowledge of Fungal Biodiversity in Senegal by a Study of Basidiomycete Species of the Order of Agaricales in the Dakar Region

Agaricales is one of the most diverse orders of Basidiomycete leaf mushrooms. Most species of this order are of great scientific interest and economic interest. Despite this huge diversity, Agaricales and mushrooms, in general, have been the subject of very few studies in Senegal. This study was undertaken to contribute to a better knowledge of fungal biodiversity in Senegal, particularly Basidiomycetes species of the order of Agaricales in the Dakar region. For this, observations were carried out in four sites namely; the Botanical Gardens of the Faculty of Science, the Botanical Gardens of the Faculty of Medicine, the Mbao Classified Forest and the Hann Forest Park. The description and identification of the samples were made based on both the macroscopic and ecological characteristics of the harvested mushrooms. This work enabled to make an inventory of seven species of Agaricales from which three were identified. Among the 4 unidentified species, some could probably be new species. All of these inventoried species belong to three genera (Agaricus, Leucoagaricus and Leucocoprinus) and two families (Agaricaceae and Lepiotaceae). This preliminary work also permitted to elaborate keys of the determination of harvested species, and a basic list of mushrooms belonging to the order of Agaricales.

Dos registros de Agaricales (Basidiomycota) exóticos en bosques nativos de la Patagonia argentina / Two records of exotic Agaricales (Basidiomycota) in native forests of the Argentinean Patagonia

Inocybe sindonia (Fr.) P. Karst. y Amanita rubescens Pers. son especies típicamente asociadas a bosques de Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco y Pinus radiata D. Don respectivamente. Se reporta por primera vez su presencia en Argentina en bosques de Nothofagus de la Patagonia andina como resultado de la invasión de especies forestales introducidas como recurso maderero. I. sindonia fue colectado en bosques de N. dombeyi (Mirb.) Oerst. y A. rubescens en bosques de N. pumilio (Poepp. & Endl.) Krasser en áreas protegidas con invasión evidente de coníferas exóticas.

Inocybe sindonia (Fr.) P. Karst. and Amanita rubescens Pers. are species typically associated to Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco and Pinus radiata D. Don respectively. Both species have been introduced in South America together with timber species plantations. Basidiomes of I. sindonia were found occurring under Nothofagus dombeyi (Mirb.) Oerst., while basidiomes of A. rubescens were found under N. pumilio (Poepp. & Endl.) Krasser in protected areas that are under invasion of exotic conifers.

Mushroom Flora of Ulleung-gun and a Newly Recorded Bovista Species in the Republic of Korea

We conducted five times surveys, in June, September and October in 2012; June and September 2013, to catalog the mushroom flora in Ulleung-gun, Republic of Korea. More than 400 specimens were collected, and 317 of the specimens were successfully sequenced using the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer barcode marker. We also surveyed the morphological characteristics of the sequenced specimens. The specimens were classified into 2 phyla, 7 classes, 21 orders, 59 families, 122 genera, and 221 species, and were deposited in the herbarium of Korea National Arboretum. Among the collected species, 72% were saprophytic, 25% were symbiotic, and 3% were parasitic. The most common order was Agaricales (189 specimens, 132 species), followed by Polyporales (47 specimens, 27 species), Russulales (31 specimens, 22 species), Boletales (10 specimens, 7 species), and so on. Herein, we also reported the first Bovista species in Korea, which was collected from Dokdo, the far-eastern island of Korea.

Hongos tóxicos en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires y alrededores / Toxic fungi in Buenos Aires City and surroundings

En la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales de la Universidad de Buenos Aires (FCEN-UBA) funciona el Servicio de Identificación de Hongos Tóxicos. Lo integran los investigadores del Programa de Plantas Medicinales y Programa de Hongos que Intervienen en la Degradación Biológica (PROPLAME-PRHIDEB, CONICET) y colabora con servicios médicos, estatales y privados, identificando los materiales remitidos en casos de intoxicaciones con hongos, permitiendo, en muchos casos, realizar el tratamiento adecuado. El presente trabajo da a conocer los casos atendidos por el servicio desde 1985 hasta 2012 inclusive, además de una tabla para reconocer las especies tóxicas más comunes de la región. Según esta información, el 47% de las consultas que se recibieron correspondieron a pacientes menores de 18 años de edad que ingirieron materiales fúngicos de forma accidental (o al menos se sospechaba que lo hubieran hecho). El 53% restante correspondió a adultos que afirmaron ser capaces de distinguir hongos comestibles de tóxicos. Se determinó que Chlorophyllum molybdites fue la principal especie causante de intoxicaciones, la cual es comúnmente confundida con el hongo comestible Macrolepiota procera. En segundo lugar Amanita phalloides, un hongo altamente tóxico, que se caracteriza por presentar inicio de síntomas en forma tardía (latencia de 6-10 horas), evolucionando a falla hepática con el consiguiente requerimiento de trasplante o la muerte, si no se realiza el tratamiento adecuado en forma oportuna.

In Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires there is a service called Servicio de Identificación de Hongos Tóxicos, directed by researchers of the Program of Medicinal Plants and Fungi Involved in Biological Degradation (PROPLAME-PRHIDEB, CONICET) that assist hospitals and other health establishments, identifying the different samples of fungi and providing information about their toxicity, so that patients can receive the correct treatment. The objective of the present study was to analyze all the cases received from 1985 to 2012. This analysis permitted the confection of a table identifying the most common toxic species. The information gathered revealed that 47% of the patients were under 18 years of age and had eaten basidiomes; the remaining 53% were adults who insisted that they were able to distinguish edible from toxic mushrooms. Chlorophyllum molybdites turned out to be the main cause of fungal intoxication in Buenos Aires, which is commonly confused with Macrolepiota procera, an edible mushroom. In the second place Amanita phalloides was registered, an agaric known to cause severe symptoms after a long period of latency (6-10 hours), and which can lead to hepatic failure even requiring a transplant to prevent severe internal injuries or even death, is not early and correctly treated.

Anthropometric assessment of men with colorectal cancer after dietary supplement with Agaricus sylvaticus fungus

INTRODUCTION: Cancer is the second cause of death in Brazil, coming after cardiovascular disease. Medicinal fungi have been used in cancer patients due to their immunomodulatory effects. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anthropometric status of men with colorectal cancer after supplementation with Agaricus sylvaticus. METHODS: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted in a public hospital in the Federal District. The sample consisted of 24 male patients with colorectal cancer, separated into Agaricus sylvaticus (30 mg/kg/day) and placebo groups. Weight, height, body mass index, arm circumference, triceps skinfold, arm muscle circumference and fat percentage were evaluated during treatment. The results were analyzed before treatment and after three and six months of supplementation with the Student's t test and F test, with 5% significance. RESULTS: The Agaricus sylvaticus group showed significant increase in arm muscle circumference after six months of supplementation, but not in the placebo group. There were significant changes in both groups as to body mass index, arm circumference, percent body fat and triceps skinfold thickness during treatment. CONCLUSION: The dietary supplement with Agaricus sylvaticus is able to significantly improve muscle mass in male patients with colorectal cancer.

INTRODUÇÃO: O câncer é a segunda causa de óbitos no Brasil, subsequente às doenças cardiovasculares. Fungos medicinais têm sido utilizados em pacientes oncológicos devido a seus efeitos imunomoduladores. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o estado antropométrico de homens com câncer colorretal após suplementação com fungos Agaricus sylvaticus. MÉTODOS: Ensaio clínico randomizado, duplo-cego, placebo-controlado realizado em um hospital público do Distrito Federal. Amostra de 24 pacientes com câncer colorretal, sexo masculino, separados em grupos Agaricus sylvaticus (30 mg/kg/dia) e placebo. Foram avaliados peso, estatura, índice de massa corporal, circunferência do braço, dobra cutânea tricipital, circunferência muscular do braço e percentual de gordura durante o tratamento. Os resultados foram analisados antes do tratamento, com três e seis meses de suplementação, por meio dos testes t de Student e F, com significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: O grupo Agaricus sylvaticus apresentou aumento significativo da circunferência muscular do braço após seis meses de suplementação, fato não observado no grupo placebo. Não foram encontradas, em ambos os grupos, alterações significativas no índice de massa corporal, circunferência do braço, percentual de gordura corporal e dobra cutânea tricipital ao longo do tratamento. CONCLUSÃO: A suplementação dietética com Agaricus sylvaticus é capaz de melhorar significativamente a massa muscular de pacientes do sexo masculino com câncer colorretal.

Cogumelos: compostos bioativos e propriedades antioxidantes / Mushrooms: bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties

O presente trabalho apresenta revisão da literatura que evidencia a importância nutricional, medicinal e antioxidante dos cogumelos. Na pesquisa foram descritos os principais compostos antioxidantes dos cogumelos, tais como ácidos fenólicos, flavonoides e tocoferóis, bem como seus mecanismos de ação. Os principais métodos in vitro utilizados para a avaliação da atividade antioxidante desses compostos foram abordados. As influências da polaridade do solvente e do tipo de extração na obtenção dos compostos antioxidantes também foram discutidas. Foi possível concluir que os cogumelos são fontes de carboidratos, proteínas e minerais, conferindo a eles propriedades nutricionais. As propriedades funcionais e medicinais são atribuídas às glucanas, além de serem excelentes fontes de antioxidantes naturais. Com relação ao processo de extração, verificou-se que a polaridade do solvente utilizado no processo de extração é determinante na obtenção de compostos antioxidantes.

This study presents a literature review which shows the nutritional, medicinal and antioxidant importance of mushrooms. In this research, the main antioxidant compounds of mushrooms, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids and tocopherols, as well as their mechanisms of action were described. The main in vitro methods used for evaluation of the antioxidant activity of these compounds were approached. The influences from the solvent polarity and the kind of extraction in the acquisition of the antioxidant compounds were also discussed. It was possible to conclude that mushrooms are a source of carbohydrates, proteins and minerals, thus presenting nutritional properties. The functional and medicinal properties are attributed to glucans, besides being excellent sources of natural antioxidants. Regarding the extraction process, it was noticed that the solvent polarity used in the extraction process is determinant in the obtainment of antioxidant compounds.

Efeito de cogumelos medicinais na reabilitação da inflamação químio-induzida / Effect of medicinal mushrooms on rehabilitation of chemotherapy induced inflammation

Introdução: A inflamação químio-induzida é uma complicação dose limitante comum no tratamento citorredutor do câncer. Caracteriza-se por inflamação e ulceração da mucosa oral cuja severidade pode levar a alteração ou até interrupção do tratamento oncológico. Objetivo: comparar, por meio de análises clínicas e histopatológicas, a ação do Cogumelo do Sol® no processo inflamatório e reparador da mucosite quimionduzida. Métodos: Foram utilizados 30 Golden hamsters que receberam injeção intraperitoneal de quimioterápico 5-FU nos dias 0 e 2 do experimento. Nos dias 3 e 4, a mucosa jugal direita foi arranhada com a ponta de uma agulha estéril. A partir do 5º dia, foi iniciada a terapêutica com o fitoterápico. Nos dia 0, 2, 5, 10 e 12 foi feita avaliação clínica e três animais foram sacrificados e a mucosa jugal removida para análise histopatológica. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise estatística pelo teste ANOVA complementado por Tukey. Resultados: após o quinto dia, houve o desenvolvimento de inflamação com o 5-FU e a maior severidade foi observada no décimo dia. Não houve redução clínica e histopatológica significativa do grau de inflamação com o tratamento tópico empregado. Conclusão: o extrato de cogumelo utilizado não foi efetivo na reabilitação da inflamação químio-induzida em hamsters.

Introduction: the chemotherapy induced inflammation is considered a significant complication of cancer treatment. This condition is characterized by inflammation and ulceration of the oral mucosa that can directly affect the clinical status of the patient and interfere with the patient oncological treatment. Objective: to compare the effect of medicinal mushrooms on the rehabilitation of chemoinduzed inflammation by clinical and histophatological evaluation. Methods: the inflammation was induced in 30 male Golden hamsters by two intraperitoneal administrations of 5-FU on the 0 and 2nd days of the experiment followed by mechanical trauma of the cheek pouch on the third and fourth day. Animals received the topical medicinal mushrooms daily since the 5th day until the end of the experiment on the 12th day. Macroscopic and histopathological analyses were evaluated and graded. The data were compared by Anova (p < 0.05) with Tukey's post hoc test. Results: after the 5th day the inflammation was observed and the most severe aspect was note after 10 days. The topical treatment with medicinal mushrooms do not improved clinically or histopathologically the recovery from 5-fluorouracil-induced damage. Conclusion: the medicinal mushrooms extract was not effective on the rehabilitation of chemotherapy induced inflammation.

Ocorrência do gênero Marasmius Fr. (Tricholomataceae, Agaricales) na Reserva Biológica Walter Egler, Amazonas, Brasil / Occurrence of the genus Marasmius Fr. (Tricholomataceae, Agaricales) in the Reserva Biologica Walter Egler, Amazonas, Brazil

O gênero Marasmius Fr. (Tricholomataceae, Agaricales) compreende fungos comumente conhecidos como cogumelos. São cosmopolitas, mas muito mais numerosos em corpos de frutificação e espécies nas regiões tropicais do que em regiões temperadas ou frias. Ocorrem mais freqüentemente sobre madeira ou folhas mortas ou vivas e mais raramente entre musgos ou gramíneas no solo. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo de estudo os representantes do gênero Marasmius Fr. ocorrentes na Reserva Biológica Walter Alberto Egler, município de Rio Preto da Eva, Amazonas. As coletas foram realizadas no período de dezembro de 2000 a junho de 2001 e seguiu-se a metodologia usual para identificação de Agaricales. Foi estudado um total de nove espécies: Marasmius bellus, Marasmius haedinus var. haedinus,Marasmius cf. leoninus, Marasmius cf. mazatecus, Marasmius cf. ruber,Marasmius cf. setulosifolius, Marasmius tageticolor, Marasmius cf. variabiliceps var. variabiliceps e Marasmius sp. Os táxons Marasmius cf. mazatecus, Marasmius cf. setulosifolius e Marasmius cf. variabiliceps var. variabiliceps são citados pela primeira vez para o Brasil. Com exceção de M. tageticolor Berk, as demais espécies são citadas pela primeira vez para a Reserva Walter Egler. São apresentadas descrições morfológicas, chave para identificação dos taxa e ilustrações.

The genus Marasmius Fr. (Tricholomataceae, Agaricales) take in fungus commonly well-known as mushrooms. It's cosmopolitan, but much more numerous in carpophore production and number of species in the tropical regions than in the temperate and frigid zones. Most frequently on wood or leaves, dead or living, more rarely among mosses or grasses on earth. A study of the representatives of the genus Marasmius occurring in the Reserva Biológica Walter Egler, Rio Preto da Eva, in the Amazon State, was carried out. The collection was carried out from December 2000 to June 2001 and the mushrooms were identified based on usual methodology for identification of Agaricales. A total of nine species were studied: Marasmius bellus, Marasmius haedinus var. haedinus, Marasmius cf.leoninus, Marasmius cf.mazatecus, Marasmius cf. ruber, Marasmius cf. setulosifolius, Marasmius tageticolor, Marasmius cf. variabiliceps var. variabiliceps and Marasmius sp. The taxa Marasmius cf.mazatecus, Marasmius cf. setulosifolius and Marasmius cf.variabiliceps var. variabiliceps are here cited for the first time from Brazil. Except of M. tageticolor Berk, all species are cited for the first time as occurring in Reserva Walter Egler. Morphological descriptions, identification-key of the taxa and illustrations are supplied.

Mycota on Some Agarics Found in Assiut

This study is aimed to investigate about the fungal flora of some agaric fungi in Assiut, Egypt wild mushroom were collected during cold weather from November to February in the years 1995 and 1996 respectively. Twenty three species and one variety belong to 12 genera in 7 families of the order Agaricales from Assuit were identifled. The common genera were Agaricus, Macrolepiota and Corprinus. From the preceeding genera, four species from each genus were collected. Agaricus bitorquis, A. campestris, A. hortensis, A. perraus, Macrolepioya, M. rhacodes, M. rhacodes var. Hortensis, Marcrolepiota sp., Coprinus afamentarus, C. comatus, C. picaceus and C. nosoustii.