Panus tigrinus as a potential biomass source for Reactive Blue decolorization: isotherm and kinetic study

Background: Textile and dye industries pose a serious threat to the environment. Conventional methods used for dye treatment are generally not always effective and environmentally friendly. This drove attention of scores of researchers to investigate alternative methods for the biodegradation of dyes using fungal strains. In this work, white-rot fungus (Panus tigrinus) was used as a biosorbent for the decolorization of Reactive Blue 19. The process parameters that were varied were initial concentration (50­150 mg/L), contact time (30­90 min), and pH (2­6). In addition, to gain important data for the evaluation of a sorption process, the equilibrium and kinetics of the process were determined. Results: White-rot fungus showed great potential in decolorizing Azo dyes. The strain showed the maximum decolorization of 83.18% at pH 2, a contact time of 90 min, and an initial concentration of 50 mg/L. The Langmuir isotherm described the uptake of the Reactive Blue 19 dye better than the Freundlich isotherm. Analysis of the kinetic data showed that the dye uptake process followed the pseudo second-order rate expression. Conclusion: The biosorption process provided vital information on the process parameters required to obtain the optimum level of dye removal. The isotherm study indicated the homogeneous distribution of active sites on the biomass surface, and the kinetic study suggested that chemisorption is the rate-limiting step that controlled the biosorption process. According to the obtained results, P. tigrinus biomass can be used effectively to decolorize textile dyes and tackle the pollution problems in the environment.

Characterization and biological activities of extracellular melanin produced by Schizophyllum commune (Fries).

Melanins are enigmatic pigments produced by a wide variety of microorganisms including bacteria and fungi. Here, we have isolated and characterized extracellular melanin from mushroom fungus, Schizophyllum commune. The extracellular dark pigment produced by the broth culture of S. commune, after 21 days of incubation was recovered by hot acid-alkali treatment. The melanin nature of the pigment was characterized by biochemical tests and further, confirmed by UV, IR, EPR, NMR and MALDI-TOF Mass Spectra. Extracellular melanin, at 100 µg/ml, showed significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas fluorescens and antifungal activity against Trichophyton simii and T. rubrum. At a concentration of 50 µg/ml, melanin showed high free radical scavenging activity of DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) indicating its antioxidant potential. It showed concentration dependent inhibition of cell proliferation of Human Epidermoid Larynx Carcinoma Cell Line (HEP-2). This study has demonstrated characterization of melanin from basidiomycetes mushroom fungus, Schizophyllum commune and its applications.

Isolation of Polysaccharides and Terpenoids from Some Basidiomycota and Their Antibacterial Activities.

Aims: Antibacterial chemicals were isolated from fruit bodies of three basidiomycota [Coltricia perennis (L) Murrill, Onnia tomentosa (Fr.) P. Karst., and Polyporus mori (Pollini) Fr. ] fungi and their antibacterial potential were screened against five bacteria. Study Design: All experiments were performed thrice in completely randomized design (CRD) each, with five replications per treatment (antibacterial activity). The data was subjected to ANOVA. Means of three observations were compared with Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Place and Duration of Study: Molecular Mycopathology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College, Rahara, Kolkata, between January 2012 and February 2013. Methodology: During the rainy season in the year of 2012, a survey for mushroom collection in the forest beds, infected logs in the plain of west Bengal was conducted .The fruit bodies of some basidiomycota were collected in sterile biodegradable polythene begs and brought to laboratory. The morphology, anatomy of fruit bodies and measurement of reproductive organs were recorded. The spore prints of all collected basidiocarps were taken.The collected basidiomycota were identified. The polysaccharides from the basidiocarps of the test fungi were isolated employing the methods of Mizuno et al. [17] and Wang et al.[12].Terpeniods were isolated according to the method followed by Anke and Werte [24] and Chairul et al. [25]. Their antibacteral activities were assayed against five bacteria [three Gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus roseus and Bacillus brevis ) and two Gram negative bacteria (Ralstonia solanacearum and Escherichia coli )] following the agar plates cup diffusion techniques. Results: Terpenoid isolated from Coltricia perennis was most active in inhibiting the growth of all five bacteria. This terpenoid inhibited maximum (25 ±2.4mm) growth against Staphylococcus aureus and minimum against Micrococcus roseus (17±1.1mm). The polysaccharides isolated from these three mushrooms were less active against the test five bacteria. The terpenoids isolated from Onnia tomentosa and Polyporus mori also inhibited the growth of the test bacteria. Conclusion: These three basidiomycetous mushrooms have antibacterial activity. After further research, their activity can be employed in medical science.

Larvicidal effects of endophytic and basidiomycete fungus extracts on Aedes and Anopheles larvae (Diptera, Culicidae)

Introduction In vitro bioassays were performed to access the larvicidal activity of crude extracts from the endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis virgulata (Melanconiales, Amphisphaeriaceae) and the saprophytic fungus Pycnoporus sanguineus (Basidiomycetes, Polyporaceae) against the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Anopheles nuneztovari. Methods The extracts were tested at concentrations of 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500ppm. Ethyl acetate mycelia (EAM) extracts and liquid culture media (LCM) from Pe. virgulata and Py. sanguineus were tested against third instar larvae of Ae. aegypti and An. nuneztovari. Results The larvicidal activity of the EAM extracts from Pe. virgulata against Ae. aegypti had an LC50=101.8ppm, and the extract from the basidiomycete fungus Py. sanguineus had an LC50=156.8ppm against the Ae. aegypti larvae. The Pe. virgulata extract had an LC50=16.3ppm against the An. nuneztovari larvae, and the Py. sanguineus extract had an LC50=87.2ppm against these larvae. Conclusions These results highlight the larvicidal effect of EAM extracts from the endophyte Pe. virgulata against the two larval mosquitoes tested. Thus, Pe. virgulata and Py. sanguineus have the potential for the production of bioactive substances against larvae of these two tropical disease vectors, with An. nuneztovari being more susceptible to these extracts. .

Biosorption kinetics of a direct azo dye Sirius Blue K-CFN by Trametes versicolor

In this study, lyophilized Trametes versicolor biomass is used as a sorbent for biosorption of a textile dye, Sirius Blue K-CFN, from an aqueous solution. The batch sorption was studied with respect to dye concentration, adsorbent dose and equilibrium time. The effect of pH and temperature on dye uptake was also investigated and kinetic parameters were determined. Optimal initial pH (3.0), equilibrium time (2 hrs), initial dye concentration ( 100 mg l-1) and biomass concentration (1.2 mg l-1) were determined at 26ºC. The maximum biosorption capacity (q max) of Sirius Blue K-CFN dye on lyophilized T. versicolor biomass is 62.62 mg/g. The kinetic and isotherm studies indicated that the biosorption process obeys to a pseudo-second order model and Langmuir isotherm model. In addition, the biosorption capacities of fungal biomass compared to other well known adsorbents such as activated carbon and Amberlite, fungal biomass biosorptions capacities were found to be more efficient.

Evaluation of crude sesquiterpenoid extract of Phellinus fastuosus as a natural preservative.

It has been revealed that the use of synthetic food preservatives has variety of various side effects and hence search of safe and effective natural preservative has become a need. With the afore said objective the present study to screen the possibility of using sesquiterpenoid extract of local folk mushroom Phellinus fastuosus as food preservative was undertaken. Microbial growth inhibition by sesquiterpenoid extract of Phellinus was evaluated in the media with natural ingredient such as milk agar (MA), tomato juice agar (TJA), wheat flour agar (WFA) and pineapple juice agar (PAJA) with the composition with Phellinus extract, sodium benzoate and combinations. Three strains of bacteria and one strain of fungus were used astest organisms. The sesquiterpenoid extract of Phellinus at 0.02% concentration significantly inhibited the growth of all test organisms on natural media and the results were comparable with sodium benzoate. Similarly combination of Phellinus extract and sodium benzoate completely inhibited the growth of all microorganisms in all media, suggesting the possibility of using the Phellinus extract as food preservative.

Análise bioquímica, antigênica e alergênica de extratos de Hemileia vastatrix (Ferrugem do café) / Biochemistry analysis, antigenic, allergenic of Hemileia vastatrix extracts

Os fungos basidiomicetos sao aeroalérgenos ainda pouco estudados. O basidiomiceto Hemileia vastatrix é conhecido por causar a ferrugem em plantaçoes de café. Esse fungo produz abundantes esporos anemófilos que podem alcançar alturas superiores a mil metros e propagar-se por longas distâncias na atmosfera. Um estudo preliminar no Brasil, demonstrou que a inalaçao desses esporos pode sensibilizar indivíduos que residem em regioes cafeicultoras do. Com a finalidade de demonstrar a presença de IgE específica a esse fungo e a possível relaçao com doenças respiratórias alérgicas, foram realizados testes cutâneos de leitura imediata em 378 indivíduos utilizando-se extratos de Hemileia vastatrix. Os extratos foram preparados com esporos do fungo usando-se líquido de Coca e Tris-HCl como soluçoes extratoras. Para os testes intradérmicos utilizou-se extrato na concentraçao de 0,02 mg de proteína/mL, e para os testes de punctura, na concentraçao de 2 mg/mL. Os indivíduos foram divididos em quatro grupos de acordo com a procedência (regioes cafeicultoras e nao-cafeicultoras) e a ocorrência de sintomas alérgicos, e um grupo de 50 trabalhadores rurais em fazendas de café. Observamos que houve número significantemente maior de pacientes sensibilizados no Grupo IV (atópicos de zonas cafeicultoras) em realçao aos grupos 1 e 2 (indivíduos procedentes de regioes nao-cafeicultoras). Pela técnica de "Western blotting" foi detectada IgE específica a vinte bandas protéicas do Hemileia vastatrix no soro de indivíduos que apresentaram testes positivos para este fungo. Concluímos que o basidiomiceto Hemileia vastatrix é capaz de sensibilizar o ser humano, induzindo a síntese de IgE específica, e que há maior sensibilizaçao em indivíduos atópicos residentes em regioes cafeicultoras.

A hemolytic protein from cultured mycelia of mushroom, Termitomyces clypeatus.

A hemolytic protein was purified from cultured mycelia of T. clypeatus. Some of the physico-chemical properties of the hemolysin were studied. The protein was analysed to be a lipoprotein and delipidation removed its hemolytic property. The monomeric protein subunit of the lipoprotein had a molecular weight of 64,000. Mode of action of the hemolysin were studied by observing protections of sugar and lipid components to hemolysin mediated lysis of red blood cells. It was observed that the hemolysin possibly interacted with the phospholipid components of the blood cells causing lysis.