Isolation, identification and antimicrobial activities of some fungi associated with marine algae

Ninety four fungal isolates belonging to nineteen fungal genera and thirty seven species were isolated from different algae samples collected from Abou-keer, Alexandria, Egypt, during the four seasons of 2004. The marine fungal genera were Helicascus, Sigmoidea and Varicosporina, while the terrestrial fungal genera were Acremonium, AIternaria, Aspergillus, Chrysonilia, Cladosporium, Dendryphiopsis, Fusarium, Geotriclium, Helminthosporium, Moniliella, Mucor, Penicillium. Scopulariopsis, Trichoderma, Ulocladium and Verticillium. All fungal isolates were tested against some pathogenic bacteria, yeast and fungi. The results revealed that, Penicillium brevicompactum [APt] and Varicsporina ramulosa [SPa] were the most promising fungi which were active against gram positive, gram negative bacteria and fungi

Isolation and identification of fungi associated with feed stuffs and determination of mycotoxin producing ability

A general survey was carried out during the period 1987 / 88 on the microflora associated with animal feedstuffs collected from different factories in east Alger. A total number of 139 fungal isolates were obtained and classified in 12 different genera, namely: Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Cordana, Cunning/lamella, Fusarium, Gliocladium, Mycotypha, Penicillium, Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Rhopalomyces. Aspergillus isolates were found most widely distributed in the samples. They were 68.3% of the total isolates obtained. Aspergillus ochraceus was 36.8% of the Aspergillus isolated and 25% of the total fungal isolates. Isolates were tested for their ability to produce antibiotics in culture media. All were capable of producing different levels of toxins active against gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Subsequent investigations have revealed that the majority of fungal organisms included in the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium are able to produce ochratoxins

Production of ochratoxin A in a semisynthetic medium

Seven Aspergillus and two Penicillium strains were tested for the production of ochratoxin A and B. The isolates were grown on Czapek liquid medium supplemented with varying amounts of sucrose [0-4%]. All of the isolates were capable of producing different levels of ochratoxin A in nutrient medium containing 4% sucrose and 2% yeast extract after 13 days of incubation at 28° as static cultures. Aspergillus ochraceus produced up to 31.36mg/100ml of ochratoxin A and trace amount of ochratoxin B under these conditions. The Penicillium strains produced less ochratoxin A than A. ochraceus

SCP Production from methanol as sole source of carbon using fungi

Nine fungal isolates related to four genera. Aspergillus, Gliocladium, Penicillium and Trichoderma were screened for their capabilities to assimilate methanol. The isolates were grown on methanol 2% containing medium as a sole carbon source for different incubation periods under shaken and static conditions. G. deliquescens [I] has shown to produce the maximal mycelial yield and protein content. Maximal mycelial yield was obtained after 8 days of incubation under static condition. The protein content of mycelium increased [21.5%] at elevated concentrations of methanol [4%]. The content of all of the individual amino acids in the protein was determined. With the exception of an insufficient content of methionine, the essential amino acids composition were consistent and in excess of the content of many other sources of protein

effect of halothane anaesthesia on blood and plasma volumes in bilharzial hepatosplenomegaly

Ten male patients with bilharzial hepatosplenomegaly were the subject of this study. Another ten male patients of nearly the same age and body weight were taken as control. The plasma and blood volumes were estimated before and 30 minutes after 2% halothane anaesthesia without any surgical interference. The plasma volume was determined by Evens blue dye method and the total blood volume was calculated from the haematocrit value. There was no significant difference between the mean blood volumes of the two groups before the administration of halothane. The 2% halothane administration for 30 minutes, significantly increased the mean total blood volumes in both groups, although the difference between the mean percent increases was not significant. The mean haematocit values of both groups did not display any significant change before or following the exposure to halothane. Patients with bilharzial hepatosplenomegaly developed more hypervolaemia during halothane anaesthesia, possibly mainly due to an increase in the plasma volume. The effect of halothane anaesthesia on the blood volume was the subject of conflicting reports. Some authors [Payne and colleagues, 1959, and Grable and associates, 1962] reported an increase in blood volume, while other [Morse and colleagues, 1963] could not detect any change in blood volume following the administration of halothane. Hepatosplenic bilharziasis is a disease associated with changes in haemodynamic pattern [Mousa, 1967] and these changes can be modified by the action of various drugs especially the vasoactive ones. The purpose of this study is to report the effect of halothane anaesthesia on the plasma and blood volumes in hepatosplenic bilharziasis