Contribution to the knowledge of Camillea (Ascomycota, Graphostromataceae) in the Amazon forest in Pará, Brazil

Three species of the Ascomycetes genus Camillea were recorded in a fragment of Amazon rainforest in the region of Santarém, Pará state, Brazil. The occurrence of C. leprieurii, C. cyclops and C. bilabiata expand the range of distribution of these species in the state. Camillea leprieurii has previous records in the regions of Marabá, Oriximiná, Itaituba and Novo Progresso, while C. cyclops had been recorded in the west of the state. This is the first record of C. bilabiata for Pará. We provide a morphological description of the specimens and an identification key for Camillea species found in Pará. (AU)

The potential of compounds isolated from Xylaria spp. as antifungal agents against anthracnose

ABSTRACT Anthracnose is a crop disease usually caused by fungi in the genus Colletotrichum or Gloeosporium. These are considered one of the main pathogens, causing significant economic losses, such as in peppers and guarana. The current forms of control include the use of resistant cultivars, sanitary pruning and fungicides. However, even with the use of some methods of controlling these cultures, the crops are not free of anthracnose. Additionally, excessive application of fungicides increases the resistance of pathogens to agrochemicals and cause harm to human health and the environment. In order to find natural antifungal agents against guarana anthracnose, endophytic fungi were isolated from Amazon guarana. The compounds piliformic acid and cytochalasin D were isolated by chromatographic techniques from two Xylaria spp., guided by assays with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The isolated compounds were identified by spectrometric techniques, as NMR and mass spectrometry. This is the first report that piliformic acid and cytochalasin D have antifungal activity against C. gloeosporioides with MIC 2.92 and 2.46 µmol mL-1 respectively. Captan and difenoconazole were included as positive controls (MIC 16.63 and 0.02 µmol mL-1, respectively). Thus, Xylaria species presented a biotechnological potential and production of different active compounds which might be promising against anthracnose disease.

A new alkaloid from Nodulisporium sp / 中国中药杂志

The genus Nodulisporium, is known to produce secondary metabolites with structural diversity. A new alkaloid, 2-hy- droxy-1,1-dimethyl-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-one(1), was isolated from the extract of a fungal strain Nodulisporium sp. fermented with rice, together with three known phenols, tyrosol(2), hydroxytyrosol(3), and hydroxytyrosol acetate(4). Their structures were identified by detailed spectroscopic analyses.

Optimization of zofimarin production by an endophytic fungus, Xylaria sp. Acra L38

To optimize the medium for high zofimarin production, sucrose maltose, glucose, tryptone and peptone were used in an orthogonal array design experiment, where the highest value of zofimarin produced was 25.6 µg/mL. This value was about 3 times higher than that obtained with Czapek yeast extract (CzYE) culture medium. A study with Plackett-Burman design showed that sucrose, maltose, glucose and NaNO3 were significant factors in zofimarin production. Further studies using central composite design (CCD) showed the significance of glucose and the interactions of these critical components affecting zofimarin production. Multiple regression analysis of the data yielded a poor fit as shown by the mismatch of the model with these variable factors. When a polynomial equation was applied, the maximum zofimarin production was predicted to be 201.9 µg/mL. Experimental verification yielded a much lower amount of zofimarin, at around 70 µg/mL. Reconsideration of the CCD data and repetition of some runs with high zofimarin production resulted in reproducible zofimarin yield at 79.7 µ/mL. Even though the amount was lower than the predicted value, the medium optimization study was considered to be quite successful as the yield increased to around 8 times that obtained with the original CzYE culture medium.

A phthalide derivative isolated from endophytic fungi Pestalotiopsis photiniae induces G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human HeLa cells

MP [4-(3′,3′-dimethylallyloxy)-5-methyl-6-methoxyphthalide] was obtained from liquid culture of Pestalotiopsis photiniae isolated from the Chinese Podocarpaceae plant Podocarpus macrophyllus. MP significantly inhibited the proliferation of HeLa tumor cell lines. After treatment with MP, characteristic apoptotic features such as DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation were observed in DAPI-stained HeLa cells. Flow cytometry showed that MP induced G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Western blotting and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were used to investigate protein and mRNA expression. MP caused significant cell cycle arrest by upregulating the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27KIP1 protein and p21CIP1 mRNA levels in HeLa cells. The expression of p73 protein was increased after treatment with various MP concentrations. mRNA expression of the cell cycle-related genes, p21CIP1 , p16INK4a and Gadd45α, was significantly upregulated and mRNA levels demonstrated significantly increased translation of p73, JunB, FKHR, and Bim. The results indicate that MP may be a potential treatment for cervical cancer.

Distribution of bioluminescent fungi across old-growth and secondary tropical rain forest in Costa Rica

Most research on bioluminescent fungi is concentrated on their taxonomic relationships, while the basics of their natural history and ecological relationships are poorly understood. In this study, we compared the distribution of bioluminescent fungi between old-growth and secondary forest as related to four different soil types at the tropical rainforest of La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica. The study was conducted during the wet season of 2009. Bioluminescent fungi were sought following eight different transects distributed evenly in old-growth and secondary forests across four different soil types, covering an area of 9 420m². We found fungi in four different substrates: litter, fallen branches, dead trunks, and roots, for a total of 61 samples. Correspondence analysis showed that the occurrence of fungi and soil types were related (inertia=0.21, p=0.071). We found a significant relationship between the presence of fungi and the distribution of soil types (X²=18.89, df=9, p=0.026). We found only three samples with fruiting bodies, two of which had Mycena and the other had one fungus of the order Xylariales (possibly Hypoxylon sp., Kretzschmariella sp., Xylaria sp.). Future work will concentrate on exploring other aspects of their ecology, such as their dispersal and substrate preference. This information will facilitate field identification and will foster more research on the distribution, seasonality, reproductive phenology and ecological requirements of this group of Fungi.

La mayoría de las investigaciones sobre los hongos bioluminiscentes se ha centrado en relaciones taxonómicas. Los aspectos básicos de la historia natural y relaciones ecológicas de este grupo son poco conocidos. En este estudio, comparamos la distribución de hongos bioluminiscentes entre el bosque primario y el secundario en la Estación Biológica La Selva, Costa Rica en relación con cuatro tipos de suelo. El estudio se realizó durante la estación lluviosa del 2009. Se buscaron hongos bioluminiscentes en ocho transectos distribuidos de manera uniforme en el bosque primario y secundario y en cuatro tipos de suelo, cubriendo un área de 9 420m². Se encontraron hongos en cuatro sustratos: arena, ramas caídas, troncos muertos, y raíces muertas, para un total de 61 muestras. Se encontró una relación significativa entre la presencia de hongos y la distribución de los tipos de suelo (x²=18.89, gl=9, p=0.026). Sólo se encontraron tres muestras con cuerpos fructíferos, dos de ellos del género Mycena, mientras que el otro presentaba un hongo del orden Xylariales (posiblemente Hypoxylon sp. Kretzschmariella sp. Xylaria sp.). Futuras líneas de investigación deben concentrarse en aspectos básicos de la ecología del grupo, tales como su dispersión y preferencia de sustrato. Esta información fomentará una mayor investigación sobre la distribución, la estacionalidad y fenología reproductiva, y los requerimientos ecológicos de este grupo de hongos.

Chemical constituents of endophytic fungus Nodulisporium sp. A4 from Aquilaria sinensis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the chemical constituents of an endophytic fungus, Nodulisporium sp. A4, from the medicinal plant Aquilaria sinensis and search for antitumor natural products.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The fungus was cultured in liquid medium and extracted with EtOAc. The compounds were isolated by various chromatographic methods (silica gel, reverse silica gel, Sephadex-LH20, preparative TLC and so on) and recrystallization. Structural elucidation was conducted by extensive analysis of spectroscopic data as well as by comparison with literature reports. The antitumor activity of isolated compounds was tested by MTT method in vitro.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Seven compounds were isolated and identified from the broth culture, their structures were determined to be 5-methyl-2-vinyltetrahydrofuran-3-ol (1), 6-methyl-2-(5-methyl-5-vinyltetrahydrofuran-2-yl) hept-5-en-2-ol (2), 6alpha-hydroxycyclonerolidol (3), rel-(1S,4S, 5R,7R,10R)-10-desmethyl-1-methyl-11-eudesmene (4), tyrosol (5), 8-methoxynaphthalen-1-ol (6), and 1,8-dimethoxynaphthalene (7). Three compounds were isolated and identified from the mycelia as ergosterol (8), ergosterol peroxide (9), and cerevisterol (10). The in vitro pharmalogical evaluation results displayed that compounds 3 and 4 showed 89.1%, 44.2% and 82.3%, 79.8% inhibition against tumor cell lines SF268 and NCI-H460 at 100 mg x L(-1), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound 1 was a new natural product, compounds 2, 3, 7 and 10 were reported from the genus Nodulisporium sp. for the first time. Compounds 3 and 4 exhibited weak inhibitory effects on the proliferation of tumor cell lines SF268 and NCI-H460.</p>

Chemical constitutents in fermental mycelium of Xylaria nigripes / 中国中药杂志

Nine known compounds, 5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2-methyl-4-chromanone (1), 5, 7-dihydroxy-2-methyl-4-chromanone (2), 5-hydroxyl-2-methyl-4-chromanone (3), 1-(2, 6-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxybutanone(4), 5alpha, 8alpha-epidioxyergosta-6, 22-dien-3beta-ol (5), (22E,24R)-ergost-7, 22-dien-3beta, 5alpha, 6alpha-triol (6), euphorbol (7), beta-sitosterol (8) and 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) -ethanol (9) were isolated and identified in Xylaria nigripes for the first time, and their structures were mainly determined by MS and NMR methods. Compounds 1 and 2 were isolated as the natural product for the first time.

Aedes, Dengue y la posibilidad de un enfoque diferente de lucha / Aedes, dengue and the possibility of an approach different from fight

El dengue es una virosis transmitida por mosquitos del género Aedes, y es un problema de importancia mundial en salud pública. Su incidencia ha aumentado con el paso de los años debido a los avances en el transporte y a las bajas condiciones socioeconómicas en las áreas afectadas. Ni el control tradicional, a base de insecticidas contra mosquitos adultos, ni la aplicación de larvicidas a las aguas de los criaderos han dado resultados aceptables. Como medidas de control alternativas, adjuntas a la fumigación, señalamos el control biológico y el fomento de la participación comunitaria, con las que se ha logrado recientemente la erradicación de mosquito vector en una comunidad de Vietnam. Se busca que las comunidades participen activamente en el control del vector, y que usen enemigos naturales de larvas de Aedes, incluyendo B. thuringiensis, B. sphaericus, copépodos, planadas, nemátodos y peces de agua dulce

Permanencia de la actividad larvicida de Bacillus sphaericus strains 2362 y 2297 en larvas muestras de CX quinquefasciatus (díptera-culicidae) / Permanence of larvicidad activity of bacillus sphaericus strains 2362 and 2297 in dead (diptera-culicidae)

Mediante bioensayos de laboratorio fue evaluada la persistencia de la toxicidad de Bacillus sphaericus cepas 2362 y 2297 sobre larvas de Culex quinquefasciatus, por eso formulaciones de B.sphaericus 2362 con título de 1,10x10 a la 9 esp/ml y cepa 2297 con título de 1,14x10 a la 9 esp/ml a una concentración de 1.000 ppm. Fueron ensayadas frente a 50 larvas de II Instar de Cx. quinquefasciatus provenientes de insectario. Se hicieron dos series, una en la cual se extraían los cadáveres de larvas a las 72 horas y otra en la cual los cadáveres no se retiraban. Cada semana se colocaban 50 larvas sanas en cada recipiente. La mortalidad fue evaluada a las 72 horas en la primera fase de experimentación y después cada 7 días durante 15 semanas. Desde la 7a. a la 10a. semana existió una disminución estadísticamente significativa en la mortalidad alcanzada en los bioensayos donde se retiraban los cadáveres, la cual fue recuperada a la 11a. semana alcanzando una mortalidad de 98 por ciento al 100 por ciento debido a que al momento de extraen los cadáveres éstos estaban casi desintegrados por la acción de la toxina y era difícil extraerlos completos, permaneciendo en esos restos esporas viables tóxicas para larvas sanas. En la serie donde los cadáveres no se retiraban, la mortalidad observada fue del 99 por ciento al 100 por ciento durante las 15 semanas

Laboratory studies on the larvicidal activity of Bacillus Sphaericus-2362 and 2297 against Anopheles dirus and Anopheles annularis

The larvicidal efficacy of Bacillus sphaericus -2362 and 2297 was tested against larvae of Anophales Dirus (Mudon strain) and Anophales annularis (DDT-resistant strain from Sittwe), using the method of Dubitskij (1) with some modifications. The results showed that although both the strains of B.sphaericus were effective larvicides, strains 2363 was found to be much more potent than strain 2297. Anopheles dirus was also found to be more susceptible than An.annularis. Larval cadavers were found to play an important role in the maintenance and recycling of B.sphaericus-2362.

Primeira ocorrência de Podosordaria mexicana Ellis & Holway no Brasil / First occurrence of Podosordaria mexicana Ellis & Holway in Brazil

Podosordaria mexicana Ellis & Holway é pela primeira vez citada para o Brasil. Trata-se de um fungo da familia Xylariaceae comumente encontrado sobre fezes de burro, coelho, vaca e cavalo. Esta espécie se distingue das demais pelo estroma obcónico e curto-estipitado e pelo tamanho dos seus ascosporos. As outras espécies curto-estipitadas possuem ascosporos pequenos. Os espécimens estudados estäo depositados no Herbário do Departamento de Micología da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (URM) sob n§ 73600 e 74489 respectivamente, coletadas no município de Agrestina - PE, no ano de 1977

Revisäo histórica das Xylariaceae do Brasil / Historical review of Xylariaceae of Brasil

Neste trabalho estäo relacionadas por ordem cronológica, as espécies de Xylariaceae das diferentes regiöes do Brasil, estudadas por especialistas estrangeiros principalmente no século XIX e por especialistas nacionais a partir de 1944