Resistance to diseases of sour, sweet and wild passion fruit genotypes

The cultivation of passion fruit is important for Brazil, since the country is currently the largest producer and consumer of fruit in the world. However, the fields of passion fruit still face important problems due to the incidence and severity of diseases in the field. Thus, the present study aimed to assess resistance to bacterial and fungal diseases in 13 genotypes of sour, sweet and wild passion fruit, in field conditions in the Distrito Federal, Brazil. For this, a field experiment was installed in a randomized block design, with four replications and 13 treatments (genotypes). The characteristics of incidence, severity and degree of resistance for bacteriosis, septoriosis, scab and anthracnose diseases were evaluated in 5 fruits per plot of each genotype. Genetic parameters of the evaluated traits were also estimated. High heritability values and CVg/Cve ratio were observed for most of the evaluated characteristics. The genotypes presented mean values of incidence and severity of bacteriosis, septoriosis, scab and anthracnose different among them, and the one that presented the best results in the degree of resistance for all diseases was F1 (MAR20 # 24 x ECL7 P1 R4).

Emericella nidulans (4DP5), Cladosporium herbarum (7DF12) and Bacillus subtilis improve the nutritional value of palm kernel cake (PKC) through solid-state fermentation (SSF)

Aims@#Palm kernel cake (PKC) is a high-protein, high-energy food that is widely utilized in the animal feed business. However, the high fibre and limited amino acid content of untreated PKC were the main issues for it to be used as animal feed, particularly in non-ruminants. To improve the quality of PKC, this study combined the use of solid-state fermentation (SSF) and consortia of fungi and bacteria to treat the PKC.@*Methodology and results@#Two fungi, Emericella nidulans (4DP5) and Cladosporium herbarum (7DF12) and three strains of bacteria, Bacillus subtilis, which were active mannanase producers, were used in different combinations to reduce the hemicellulose content and improve the crude protein content of PKC in a lab-scale solid-state fermentation. PKC inoculated separately with five types of mixed culture treatments were allowed to ferment. The fermentation conditions were 20% inoculum (w/v), 85-92% humidity, pH 7.0 and PKC particle size 0.8 mm. PKC treatments with two fungi, E. nidulans (4DP5) and C. herbarum (7DF12), as well as a fungus-bacterium combination, E. nidulans (4DP5) and B. subtilis, outperformed the other three treatments. The crude protein levels were increased by 3.34% and 1.86%, respectively, due to these treatments. Furthermore, the level of aflatoxins produced increased marginally but remained within the permissible limits.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#The treated PKC has more sugar and crude protein and less than 20 parts per billion (ppb) of aflatoxin, making it appropriate for animal consumption. The SSF technique of combining fungi and Bacilli enhanced the nutritional and market value of PKC substantially, which can be upscaled.

Morphological and molecular identification of Cladosporium sphaerospermum isolates collected from tomato plant residues / Identificação morfológica e molecular de isolados de Cladosporium sphaerospermum coletados de resíduos de plantas de tomate

This study was conducted at the Agriculture College University of Karbala, Iraq to isolate and morphologically and molecularly diagnose thirteen Cladosporium isolates collected from tomato plant residues present in desert regions of Najaf and Karbala provinces, Iraq. We diagnosed the obtained isolates by PCR amplification using the ITS1 and ITS4 universal primer pair followed by sequencing. PCR amplification and analysis of nucleotide sequences using the BLAST program showed that all isolated fungi belong to Cladosporium sphaerospermum. Analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the identified C. sphaerospermum isolates 2, 6, 9, and 10 showed a genetic similarity reached 99%, 98%, 99%, and 99%, respectively, with those previously registered at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBl). By comparing the nucleotide sequences of the identified C. sphaerospermum isolates with the sequences belong to the same fungi and available at NCBI, it was revealed that the identified C. sphaerospermum isolates 2, 6, 9, and 10 have a genetic variation with those previously recorded at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBl); therefore, the identified sequences of C. sphaerospermum isolates have been registered in GenBank database (NCBI) under the accession numbers MN896004, MN896107, MN896963, and MN896971, respectively.

Este estudo foi conduzido na Agriculture College University of Karbala, Iraque, para isolar e diagnosticar morfológica e molecularmente treze isolados de Cladosporium coletados de resíduos de plantas de tomate presentes nas regiões desérticas das províncias de Najaf e Karbala, no Iraque. Diagnosticamos os isolados obtidos por amplificação por PCR usando o par de primers universais ITS1 e ITS4 seguido de sequenciamento. A amplificação por PCR e a análise de sequências de nucleotídeos usando o programa BLAST mostraram que todos os fungos isolados pertencem a Cladosporium sphaerospermum. A análise das sequências de nucleotídeos dos isolados 2, 6, 9 e 10 de C. sphaerospermum identificados mostrou similaridade genética de 99%, 98%, 99% e 99%, respectivamente, com aqueles previamente registrados no National Center for Biotechnology Informações (NCBl). Ao comparar as sequências de nucleotídeos dos isolados de C. sphaerospermum identificados com as sequências pertencentes aos mesmos fungos e disponíveis no NCBI, foi revelado que os isolados 2, 6, 9 e 10 de C. sphaerospermum identificados têm variação genética com aqueles anteriormente registrados no National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBl). Portanto, as sequências identificadas de isolados de C. sphaerospermum foram registradas no banco de dados GenBank (NCBI) sob os números de acesso MN896004, MN896107, MN896963 e MN896971, respectivamente.

Morphological and molecular identification of Cladosporium sphaerospermum isolates collected from tomato plant residues / Identificação morfológica e molecular de isolados de Cladosporium sphaerospermum coletados de resíduos de plantas de tomate

This study was conducted at the Agriculture College University of Karbala, Iraq to isolate and morphologically and molecularly diagnose thirteen Cladosporium isolates collected from tomato plant residues present in desert regions of Najaf and Karbala provinces, Iraq. We diagnosed the obtained isolates by PCR amplification using the ITS1 and ITS4 universal primer pair followed by sequencing. PCR amplification and analysis of nucleotide sequences using the BLAST program showed that all isolated fungi belong to Cladosporium sphaerospermum. Analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the identified C. sphaerospermum isolates 2, 6, 9, and 10 showed a genetic similarity reached 99%, 98%, 99%, and 99%, respectively, with those previously registered at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBl). By comparing the nucleotide sequences of the identified C. sphaerospermum isolates with the sequences belong to the same fungi and available at NCBI, it was revealed that the identified C. sphaerospermum isolates 2, 6, 9, and 10 have a genetic variation with those previously recorded at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBl); therefore, the identified sequences of C. sphaerospermum isolates have been registered in GenBank database (NCBI) under the accession numbers MN896004, MN896107, MN896963, and MN896971, respectively.

Este estudo foi conduzido na Agriculture College University of Karbala, Iraque, para isolar e diagnosticar morfológica e molecularmente treze isolados de Cladosporium coletados de resíduos de plantas de tomate presentes nas regiões desérticas das províncias de Najaf e Karbala, no Iraque. Diagnosticamos os isolados obtidos por amplificação por PCR usando o par de primers universais ITS1 e ITS4 seguido de sequenciamento. A amplificação por PCR e a análise de sequências de nucleotídeos usando o programa BLAST mostraram que todos os fungos isolados pertencem a Cladosporium sphaerospermum. A análise das sequências de nucleotídeos dos isolados 2, 6, 9 e 10 de C. sphaerospermum identificados mostrou similaridade genética de 99%, 98%, 99% e 99%, respectivamente, com aqueles previamente registrados no National Center for Biotechnology Informações (NCBl). Ao comparar as sequências de nucleotídeos dos isolados de C. sphaerospermum identificados com as sequências pertencentes aos mesmos fungos e disponíveis no NCBI, foi revelado que os isolados 2, 6, 9 e 10 de C. sphaerospermum identificados têm variação genética com aqueles anteriormente registrados no National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBl). Portanto, as sequências identificadas de isolados de C. sphaerospermum foram registradas no banco de dados GenBank (NCBI) sob os números de acesso MN896004, MN896107, MN896963 e MN896971, respectivamente.

Dos interesantes contaminantes fúngicos filamentosos en muestras clínicas positivas a Trychophyton rubrum: una situación de curiosidad morfológica / Two interesting filamentous fungal contaminants in clinical samples positive to Trychophyton rubrum: a situation of morphological curiosity

Las dermatofitosis corresponden a un grupo de enfermedades micóticas comunes en piel y fanéreas, donde Trichophyton rubrum es el agente causante más frecuente a nivel mundial y presente en nuestros 2 casos de pacientes masculinos con estas micosis, una en uñas y la otra en piel. Sin embargo, el enfoque de esta publicación se basa principalmente en la presencia de 2 interesantes contaminantes (uno en cada caso clínico) presentes solo en los cultivos de las primeras siembras como saprófitos y por ende como propágulos de dispersión, asociados al ambiente y sin intervención clínica demostrada en ambas micosis. La descripción morfofisiológica de estos 2 contaminantes Metarhizium purpureo-genum(similis) y Monascus ruber fue más bien una curiosidad esencial que el micólogo clínico adquiere en su contínua formación y ante la posibilidad de infecciones mixtas, pudiendo conjugar sus hallazgos junto al análisis taxonómico y los factores geográficos y edáficos asociados a su distribución. (AU)

Dermatophytoses belongs to a group of common mycotic diseases in skin and pharynals, where Trichophyton rubrum is the most frequent causative agent worldwide and present in our 2 cases of male patients with these mycoses, one in nails and the other in skin. However, the focus of this publication is mainly about the presence of 2 interesting contaminants (one in each clinical case) present only in the crops of the first sowings as saprophytes and therefore as dispersal propagules, associated with the environment and without clinical intervention demonstrated in both mycoses. The morphophysiological description of these 2 contaminants, Metarhizium purpureogenum (similis) and Monascus ruber was rather an essential curiosity that the clinical mycologist acquires in his continuous training and in the face of the possibility of mixed infections, being able to combine his findings together with the taxonomic analysis and the geographic and edaphic factors associated with its distribution. (AU)

Study on secondary metabolites of endophytic fungus Cladosporium sp. JJM22 hosted in Ceriops tagal / 中国中药杂志

Nine secondary metabolites(S)-5-hydroxy-4-methylchroman-2-one(1), 4-methoxynaphthalene-1,5-diol(2), 8-methoxynaphthalene-1,7-diol(3), 1,8-dimethoxynaphthalene(4),(2R,4S)-2,3-dihydro-2-methyl-benzopyran-4,5-diol(5),(2R,4R)-3,4-dihydro-4-methoxy-2-methyl-2H-1-benzopyran-5-ol(6), 7-O-α-D-ribosyl-2,3-dihydro-5-hydroxy-2-methyl-chromen-4-one(7),(R)-3-methoxyl-1-(2,6-dihydroxyphenyl)-butan-1-one(8) and helicascolide A(9) were isolated from endophytic fungus Cladosporium sp. JJM22 by using column chromatographies of silica gel and ODS, and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were analyzed on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical data, especially NMR and MS. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activities by examining the inhibitory activities on nitric oxide(NO) production induced by lipopolysaccharide in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells in vitro. Compounds 2-4 showed inhibitory activities.

Loofah immobilized with Cladosporium cladosporioides CEL14 is a potential bioremediating agent for hexavalent chromium in tannery wastewater

Aims@#Chromium salt possesses unique characteristics that render it useful in numerous applications in several industrial processes, especially tanning of animal hides which act as a major source of hexavalent chromium toxicity in environment. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of loofah immobilized Cladosporium cladosporioides CEL14 in remediate tannery wastewater which contains hexavalent chromium. @*Methodology and results@#A total of 18 fungal species were isolated from three different sites of tannery wastewater in Egypt, of which C. cladosporioides CEL14 was the most capable species of chromate remediation with 81% after 7 days of incubation as free cells. The experiments were conducted in minimum salt medium supplemented with 200 ppm chromate in the form of potassium dichromate. Different process parameters studies demonstrated that chromate was completely removed at 30 °C, pH 6, 0.1% malt extract and 0.2% glucose after 7 days of incubation with 20% inoculum size. After that, C. cladosporioides was immobilized on a natural support material (loofah). The removal ability of chromate was enhanced through permanent viable immobilization on loofah pieces, which showing complete removal of chromate within 3 days. The toxicity assessment of treated tannery effluents revealed that 74% of Brassica napus seeds were germinated upon exposure to the treated effluent.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#This study revealed that C. cladosporioides CEL14 isolate has high potential as bioremediating agent against toxic hexavalent chromium. The removal ability of toxic chromate was enhanced through permanent viable immobilization on loofah pieces. This technology is simple, cost effective, efficient and environmentally friendly. The loofah immobilized with C. cladosporioides CEL14 has potential to be applied in wastewater treatment of small-scale tanneries after onsite trials.

Monitoramento de fungos anemófilos no ambiente de uma biblioteca no Município de São José do Rio Preto - Sp, Brasil / Anemophilic fungi monitoring in a library environment in the city of São Jose do Rio Preto, Brazil

Os fungos desempenham vários papéis que impactam a humanidade de diversas maneiras. Suas características metabólicas são importantes na biotecnologia, porém, tais microrganismos podem desencadear alguns problemas de saúde pública e até mesmo serem letais. Objetivo: detectar a presença de fungos no acervo de uma biblioteca no município de São José do Rio Preto. Metodologia: foram coletadas quarenta amostras nas superfícies inanimadas (livros, estantes, documentos, mapas, artigos e revistas) das principais salas da biblioteca com o auxílio de swabs umedecidos em solução salina estéril, posteriormente encaminhados ao laboratório de Biomedicina da Universidade Paulista ­ UNIP. As amostras foram semeadas em meio de cultura ágar Sabouraud Dextrose (SDA), tendo adicionado cloranfenicol e incubadas a 30 °C. Foi realizada a colônia gigante em todas as cepas crescidas em SDA para a realização da técnica de microcultivo para a identificação dos fungos, de acordo com o Manual de Detecção e Identificação dos Fungos de Importância Médica da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária. Resultados: Houve positividade em trinta e uma amostras (78%) e em quatro delas foi observado mais de um tipo de colônia (13%). Das vinte e duas superfícies de livros analisadas, foram isolados e identificados: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Cunninghamella sp., Cladosporium sp., Curvularia sp., Mucor sp. e Nigrospora sp. Nas oito superfícies de estantes: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus versicolor, Penicillium sp. e Scopulariopsis sp. e, nos dez documentos: Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus sp., Cladosporium sp., Cunninghamella sp. e Trichoderma sp. Conclusão: Os fungos encontrados estão amplamente distribuídos no ambiente como solo e ar e, por diversos fatores, instalam-se em locais como bibliotecas. Em condições favoráveis, podem infectar o homem e causar perdas patrimoniais para os acervos.

Fungi play many roles that impact humankind in different ways. Their metabolic characteristics are important in biotechnology; however, these microorganisms can trigger some public health problems or may even be lethal. Objective: detect the presence of fungi in the collection of a public library in the city of São José do Rio Preto, Brazil. Methods: a total of forty samples were collected from inanimate surfaces (books, shelves, documents, maps, articles and magazines) located in the main rooms of the library with swabs soaked in sterile saline solution and sent to the Universidade Paulista ­ UNIP laboratories. The samples were plated in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) supplemented with chloramphenicol and incubated at 30 °C. The colonies that grew in SDA were isolated in Potato Dextrose Agar for performing the slide culture technique for the identification of the fungi, performed according to the Manual of Detection and Identification of Fungi of Medical Importance from the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA). Results: Thirty-one samples (78%) were positive, and in four of them more than one fungus genus was observed (13%). From the twenty-two book surfaces analyzed, the following fungi were isolated and identified: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Cunninghamella sp., Cladosporium sp., Curvularia sp., Mucor sp. and Nigrospora sp. On the eight shelves: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus versicolor, Penicillium sp. and Scopulariopsis sp. The ten documents analyzed presented the following fungi: Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus sp., Cladosporium sp., Cunninghamella sp. and Trichoderma sp.. Conclusion: These fungi are widely distributed in the environment such as in the soil and air, and due to several factors, they colonize public places, such as libraries. In favorable conditions, they may infect humans and cause diseases.

Moringa straw as cellulase production inducer and cellulolytic fungi source / Residuo de moringa como inductor de la producción de celulasas y como fuente de hongos celulolíticos

Abstract Currently, the valorization of agroindustrial waste is of great interest. Moringa oleifera is a multipurpose tree whose softwood residues could be used as raw material for low-cost cellulase production. The aim of this study was to isolate, identify, and characterize microorganisms with cellulolytic activity in different carbon sources. We isolated and puri-fied 42 microorganisms from M. oleifera biomass. Fungi presenting the largest hydrolytic halos in carboxymethylcellulose as a substrate were molecularly identified as Penicillium funiculosum (FG1), Fusarium verticillioides (FG3) and Cladosporium cladosporioides (FC2). The ability of these fungal strains to break down cellulose was assessed in a submerged fermentation using either amorphous CMC or crystalline form (Avicel). P. funiculosum and C. cladosporioides displayed similar endoglucanase (606 U/l) and exoglucanase (205 U/l) activities in the Avicel-containing medium, whereas F. verticillioides showed the highest level of p-glucosidase activity (664 U/l) in the carboxymethylcellulose medium. In addition, the effect of three culture media (A, B, and C) on cellulase production was evaluated in P. funiculosum using moringa straw as a carbon source. The results showed a volumetric productivity improvement of cellulases that was 2.77-, 8.26-, and 2.30-fold higher for endoglucanase, exoglucanase and p-glucosidase, respectively when medium C containing moringa straw was used as a carbon source. The enzymatic extracts produced by these fungi have biotechnological potential especially for second-generation bioethanol production (2G) from moringa straw. This is the first report on the use of M. oleifera biomass to induce the production of various cellulases in P. funiculosum. © 2019 Asociación Argentina de Microbiología. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Resumen Actualmente, la valorización de los residuos agroindustriales es de gran interés. En este trabajo se emplearon residuos de madera blanda de Moringa oleifera para la producción de celulasas de bajo costo. El objetivo fue aislar, identificar y caracterizar microorganismos con actividad celulolítica en diferentes fuentes de carbono. A partir de la biomasa de M. oleifera, se aislaron e identificaron 42 microorganismos productores de celulasas. Los hongos que presentaron los mayores halos de hidrólisis en carboximetilcelulosa como sustrato fueron identificados molecularmente como Penicillium funiculosum (FG1), Fusarium verticillioides (FG3) y Cladosporium cladosporioides (FC2). Mediante fermentación sumergida, se evaluó la capacidad de estas cepas en la producción de celulasas utilizando celulosa cristalina (Avicel) y amorfa (CMC) como fuentes de carbono. P. funiculosum y C. cladosporioides presentaron las mayores actividades de endoglucanasa (606 U/l) y exoglucanasa (205 U/l) en medio Avicel, mientras que F. verticillioides mostró la mayor actividad de p-glucosidasa (664 U/l) en medio CMC. Además, se evaluó el efecto de tres medios de cultivo (A, B y C) sobre la producción de celulasas en P. funiculosum empleando residuos de moringa como fuente de carbono. Los resultados mostraron que en el medio C, la productividad volumétrica de celulasas se incrementó en 2,77; 8,26 y 2,30 veces para las actividades de endoglucanasa, exoglucanasa y p-glucosidasa, respectivamente. Los extractos enzimáticos producidos tienen gran potencial para su utilización biotecnológica, especialmente en la sacarificación de residuos de moringa y la producción de bioetanol de segunda generación. Este es el primer estudio del uso de la biomasa de M. oleifera para inducir la producción de diversas celulasas en P. funiculosum.

Fungos isolados em travesseiros de crianças e adolescentes com rinite e/ou asma / Isolated fungi on pillows of children and teenagers with rhinitis and/or asthma

Introdução: Pouco se sabe sobre a distribuição de fungos dentro das casas e nos materiais onde ficam concentrados, como os travesseiros, objeto que passa maior tempo em contato próximo com o paciente, podendo ser um reservatório importante e facilitar a sensibilização e o desencadeamento de crises alérgicas. O conhecimento da ocorrência de fungos em locais pouco pesquisados, bem como sua taxonomia, torna-se fundamental. Objetivos: Avaliar ocorrência de fungos em travesseiros de crianças alérgicas, o ambiente e os aspectos relacionados. Métodos: Pacientes com rinite e/ou asma, e teste cutâneo positivo para fungos foram selecionados. Realizado questionário ambiental no domicílio e coletado travesseiros em uso, os quais foram aspirados na área interna e externa para obtenção de amostras de fungos. Travesseiros novos, comprados em comércio local, serviram de controle. Resultados: A prevalência de sensibilização dos pacientes a fungos foi de 5,46% (13 dos 238 avaliados). Nenhum ambiente revelou-se adequado para pacientes alérgicos. Todos os travesseiros, inclusive os controles, estavam contaminados, tanto na sua área externa como na interna; o número médio de unidades formadoras de colônias (UFC/m2) apresentou diferença significativa na parte externa, sendo maior naqueles com mais de 7 anos de uso. A diversidade e a quantidade de fungos encontrados nos travesseiros dos pacientes foi maior que nos controles. Das 39 espécies e/ou outro nível taxonômico identificados, 32 (82,0%) podem causar alergia do Tipo I - IgE mediada, e os mais frequentes foram Candida, Penicillium sp., Cladosporium sp., Mycelia sterilia, Fusarim sp., Aureobasidium pullulans e Aspergillus. Nenhum tipo de enchimento foi considerado ideal, e o que apresentou menor nível de contaminação foi o de viscoelástico. Conclusão: Travesseiros são fontes de fungos e seus alérgenos. A maioria dos fungos isolados pode causar sensibilização com resposta IgE mediada. O painel utilizado mostrou-se insuficiente para identificar sensibilização aos fungos isolados.

Introduction: Little is known about fungi distribution in houses and materials where they are concentrated. Pillows are objects that remain much time in close contact with people and can be an important fungal reservoir, thus facilitating sensitization and triggering allergic crises. The knowledge of occurrence of fungi in unfrequently reported places, as well as their taxonomy, has become fundamental. Objectives: To evaluate the occurrence of fungi in pillows of allergic children, including the environment and related aspects. Methods: Patients with rhinitis and/or asthma and positive skin test for fungi were selected. An environmental questionnaire was completed at home and pillows in use were collected and aspirated inside and outside to obtain fungal samples. New pillows, bought in local stores, served as controls. Results: The prevalence of sensitization of patients to fungi was 5.46% (13 of 238 patients evaluated). No environment proved to be suitable for allergic patients. All the pillows, including the controls, were contaminated, both inside and outside; the mean number of colony forming units (CFU/m2) showed a significant difference in the outside and was greater in pillows with more than 7 years of use. The diversity and amount of fungi found on patients' pillows was greater than in controls. Of the 39 species and/or other taxonomic level identified, 32 (82.0%) may cause type I IgE-mediated allergy, and the most frequent fungi were Candida, Penicillium sp., Cladosporium sp., Mycelia sterilia, Fusarim sp., Aureobasidium pullulans and Aspergillus. No type of filling material was considered ideal, and the one with lowest level of contamination was viscoelastic. Conclusion: Pillows are sources of fungi and their allergens. Most isolated fungi can cause sensitization with IgE-mediated response. The panel used was insufficient to identify sensitization to isolated fungi.

Avaliação microbiológica de ovos agroecológicos: promoção da segurança do alimento no setor de avicultura de postura do Colégio Técnico da Universidade Rural – CTUR / Microbiological evaluation of agroecological eggs: promotion of food safety in the posture poultry sector of the Techinical College of Rural University - CTUR

O trabalho objetivou identificar possíveis contaminações microbiológicas no setor produtivo de avicultura de postura agroecológica do Colégio Técnico da Universidade Rural – CTUR. As análises microbiológicas comprovaram a presença do fungo do gênero Cladosporium spp. os quais são altamente eficientes em produzir contaminações em ovos, sendo um potencial risco à saúde dos consumidores. Porém quando as amostras foram analisadas isoladamente de penas e ovos foi observado, mais uma vez, que havia crescimento de Cladosporium spp no isolado das penas das aves, mas não havia nenhum crescimento em nenhuma das amostras de ovos coletadas. Ou seja, não foi possível observar a infecção de forma vertical, que seria a ave transmitindo o fungo para o ovo durante a sua formação. Portanto, o setor produz ovos agroecológicos em nível seguro para o consumo.

Airborne fungi isolated from different environments of a primary school in the city of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil / Fungos anemófilos isolados de diferentes ambientes de uma escola primária na cidade de Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil

Introduction: Airborne fungi can cause respiratory diseases, including pulmonary mycoses. The objective of this study was to isolate and identify airborne fungi from external and internal environments at a full-day primary school in Manaus, Brazil, and ascertain the influence of seasonality on the incidence of these microorganisms. Methods: Airborne fungi were collected by exposing Sabouraud agar plates at various external and internal locations in the school. Results: A total of 2,386 fungal colonies were isolated, 1,041 in the rainy season and 1,345 during the dry season. Of these, 1,858 were identified and distributed into 34 genera. The most prevalent were Cladosporium sp. (22.6%); Aspergillus sp. (17.14%); Penicillium sp. (8.55%); Curvularia sp. (6.83%); and Drechslera sp. (5.7%). During the dry season, the most prevalent genre was Aspergillus (19.3%), while in the rainy season, Cladosporium predominated (34.6%). Conclusion: Seasonality influenced fungal incidence, especially of the genus Cladosporium, which increased significantly during the rainy season. Cladosporium can be considered a bioindicator of the rainy season in the Brazilian Amazon.

Introdução: Os fungos presentes no ar, denominados anemófilos, possuem uma ampla diversidade em locais de clima tropical e são causadores de micoses pulmonares e outras doenças do aparelho respiratório. O objetivo do estudo foi isolar e identificar os fungos do ar de uma escola de ensino fundamental de tempo integral, a partir de ambientes externos e internos, e verificar se a sazonalidade influencia a incidência desses microrganismos. Métodos: Para coleta dos fungos do ar, placas de Petri contendo Sabouraud foram expostas nos ambientes externos e internos da escola. Resultados: Foram isoladas 2.386 colônias de fungos, sendo 1.041 na estação chuvosa e 1.345 na estação seca. Foram identificados 1.858 fungos, que puderam ser distribuídos em 34 gêneros. Os gêneros mais frequentes foram Cladosporium sp. (22,6%), Aspergillus sp. (17,14%), Penicillium sp. (8,55%), Curvularia sp. (6,83%) e Drechslera sp. (5,7%). Durante o período seco, o gênero mais frequente foi o Aspergillus (19,21%), e no período chuvoso, o gênero Cladosporium (34,8%). Conclusão: A sazonalidade influenciou principalmente o gênero Cladosporium, que obteve aumento significativo na estação chuvosa, constituindo um biomarcador dessa estação.

Antimicrobial and Antitumor Photodynamic Effects of Phleichrome from the Phytopathogenic Fungus Cladosporium Phlei

Fungal perylenequinones have photodynamic activity and are promising photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Here, we investigated the bactericidal and antitumor activities of phleichrome from the fungal perylenequinone family in vitro. Photodynamic bactericidal activity of phleichrome was analyzed by agar-well diffusion method under dark and illuminated conditions. The photodynamic antitumor activity of phleichrome was analyzed in MCF-7, HeLa, SW480, and HepG2 human cancer cell lines using in vitro cytotoxicity assays. Photodynamic bactericidal activities against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria were species-specific. Antitumor activity against all tumor cell lines increased under the illuminated condition. Depending on the results of the analyses, Phleichrome has potential for further drug development related to its antibacterial and antitumor activities.

Pathogenicity and transmission of fungi detected on Passiflora alata seeds / Patogenicidade e transmissão de fungos detectados em sementes de Passiflora alata

Passion fruit is usually propagated by seeds because of the ease and lower cost in seedling production. However, the seed is the most efficient agent for the spread of pathogens. The damages from seed-borne diseases occur mainly during the germination stages or at the formation of seedlings in nurseries. Considering the need for knowledge on the pathology of sweet passion fruit seeds, the objective was to evaluate the transmission and pathogenicity of the fungi Alternaria sp., Botrytis fabae, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Fusarium spp. and Lasiodiplodia theobromae, known as potentially pathogenic to this crop, and isolated from sweet passion fruit seeds. Therefore, tests on seed health, germination and seedling emergence in a sterilized commercial substrate were conducted using seeds from this species, inoculated with those fungal isolates. Leaves, stems and fruit from this plant were also inoculated with the same fungi. Alternaria sp., Fusarium spp. and L. theobromae were identified in seedlings obtained from inoculated seeds, confirming the transmission of these fungi by seeds. L. theobromae was also considered the most harmful fungus to passion fruit crop, as it causes seed rot and other disease symptoms on the leaves, stem and fruit. These findings inferred that healthy seeds of sweet passion fruit are essential for producing seedlings and to prevent the spread of the diseases caused by these fungi to exempt areas.(AU)

O maracujazeiro geralmente é propagado por meio de sementes em virtude da facilidade e do menor custo na produção de mudas. No entanto, a semente é o agente mais eficiente de disseminação de patógenos, sendo que os danos decorrentes das doenças transmitidas por elas ocorrem principalmente durante os estágios de germinação ou na formação de mudas nos viveiros. Considerando a necessidade de informações acerca da patologia de sementes de maracujá-doce nesse contexto, objetivou-se obter informações sobre a transmissão e a patogenicidade dos fungos Alternaria sp., Botrytis fabae, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Fusarium spp. e Lasiodiplodia theobromae, isolados de sementes de maracujá-doce e potencialmente patogênicos à cultura. Para tanto, testes de sanidade, germinação e emergência de plântulas em substrato comercial esterilizado foram conduzidos com sementes dessa espécie, inoculadas com esses isolados. Folhas, colo e frutos dessa planta também foram inoculados com os mesmos fungos. Alternaria sp., Fusarium spp. e L. theobromae foram identificados em plântulas obtidas de sementes inoculadas, confirmando a transmissão por sementes. L. theobromae foi considerado o mais agressivo à cultura do maracujá, por ter causado podridão nas sementes, além de maiores lesões nas folhas, no colo da planta e nos frutos. Dessa forma, infere-se que a obtenção de sementes de maracujá-doce sadias é imprescindível para a produção de mudas, evitando-se assim a disseminação desses patógenos em áreas isentas.(AU)

Seeds of weeds as an alternative host of phytopathogens / Sementes de plantas daninhas como hospedeiras alternativas de fitopatógenos

Weeds compete with agricultural crops for water, light, nutrients and space, besides having an extensive seed bank. However, another aspect to be considered relates to few studies pointing out weeds as hosts of phytopathogenic fungi. Many fungi, the main cause of diseases in plants, are known to use seeds as an efficient means of survival and dispersal. The objective of this work was to evaluate the health of weed seeds and the pathogenicity of fungi associated to plants of agricultural importance. The seeds were collected manually in Cerrado areas located in the municipality of Gurupi, Tocatins, Brazil. The blotter test method was used to evaluate seed health. The incidence of fungi was evaluated through an individual analysis of seeds using a stereoscopic and an optical microscope. The pathogenicity of fungi from weed seeds was evaluated by inoculation in plants of agronomic interest and, when pathogenic, we inoculated them in the host plant of the fungus. Weed seeds have been identified in fungi of the genus Alternaria, Aspergillus, Bipolaris, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Fusarium, Nigrospora, Papularia, Rhizopus and Pythium. The seeds of Acanthospermum australe, Bidens pilosa, Cenchrus echinatus, Digitaria horizontalis, Echinochloa crus-pavonis, Eleusine indica, Ipomoea sp., Pennisetum setosum, Sida rhombifolia, Spermacoce latifolia, Tridax procumbens and Vernonia polyanthes carry and disseminate fungi that, once inoculated, cause infection in plants of agricultural importance, such as Oryza sativa, Phaseolus vulgaris, Vigna unguiculata, Zea mays and Glycine max.(AU)

As plantas daninhas competem com culturas agrícolas por água, luz, nutrientes e espaço, além de possuírem um extenso banco de sementes. Entretanto, outra vertente a ser considerada é quanto aos poucos estudos relacionando plantas daninhas como hospedeiras de fungos fitopatogênicos. É sabido que muitos fungos, principais causadores de doenças em plantas, utilizam as sementes como meio eficiente de sobrevivência e de dispersão. Dessa forma, o trabalho objetivou avaliar a sanidade de sementes de plantas daninhas e a patogenicidade dos fungos associados às plantas de importância agrícola. As sementes foram coletadas manualmente em áreas de cerrado localizadas no município de Gurupi, Tocantins, utilizando o método blotter test para avaliação da sanidade. A incidência dos fungos foi avaliada com auxílio de microscópio estereoscópico e ótico. A patogenicidade dos fungos oriundos das sementes de plantas daninhas foi avaliada por meio da inoculação em plantas de interesse agronômico e, quando patogênico, a inoculação foi na própria planta daninha hospedeira do fungo. Foram identificados os fungos dos gêneros Alternaria, Aspergillus, Bipolaris, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Fusarium, Nigrospora, Papularia, Rhizopus e Pythium. As sementes de Acanthospermum australe, Bidens pilosa, Cenchrus echinatus, Digitaria horizontalis, Echinochloa crus-pavonis, Eleusine indica, Ipomoea sp., Pennisetum setosum, Sida rhombifolia, Spermacoce latifolia, Tridax procumbens e Vernonia polyanthes transportam e disseminam fungos que, uma vez inoculados, causam infecção em plantas de importância agrícola, como Oryza sativa, Phaseolus vulgaris, Vigna unguiculata, Zea mays e Glycine max.(AU)

Degradation of keratin substrates by keratinolytic fungi

Background: The hydrolysis of keratin wastes by microorganisms is considered a biotechnological alternative for recycling and valorization through keratinolytic microorganisms. Despite their resistant structure, keratin wastes can be efficiently degraded by various microorganisms through the secretion of keratinases, which are promising enzymes for several applications, including detergents, fertilizers, and leather and textile industry. In an attempt to isolate keratinolytic microorganisms that can reach commercial exploitation as keratinase producers, the current work assesses the dynamics of keratin biodegradation by several keratinolytic fungal strains isolated from soil. The activity of fungal strains to degrade keratin substrates was evaluated by SEM, FTRIR-ATR spectra and TGA analysis. Results: SEM observations offered relevant information on interactions between microorganism and structural elements of hair strands. FTIR spectra of the bands at 1035­1075 cm-1 assigned to sulfoxide bond appeared because of S­S bond breaking, which demonstrated the initiation of keratin biodegradation. According to TGA, in the second zone of thermal denaturation, where keratin degradation occurs, the highest weight loss of 71.10% was obtained for sample incubated with Fusarium sp. 1A. Conclusions: Among the tested strains, Fusarium sp. 1A was the most active organism in the degradation process with the strongest denaturation of polypeptide chains. Because keratinolytic microorganisms and their enzymes keratinases represent a subject of scientific and economic interest because of their capability to hydrolyze keratin, Fusarium sp. 1A was selected for further studies.

Contaminación por mohos y aislamiento de cladosporium spp. y thamnidium spp. en cámaras frigoríficas de plantas procesadoras de alimentos marinos y empresas frigoríficas del sur de Chile / Mould contamination and isolation of cladosporium spp. and thamnidium spp. in frigorific chambers of sea-food processing plants and frigorific enterprises from South of Chile

La apertura de nuevos mercados para los productos hidrobiológicos chilenos ha impuesto el análisis del estatus sanitario de cámaras frigoríficas donde estos productos son almacenados. Para medir el estatus sanitario, la Unión Econó- mica Euroasiática (UEE) exige un recuento total de mohos e identificación de los géneros Cladosporium y Thamnidium en paredes y ambiente de las cámaras frigoríficas. Poco se sabe sobre los niveles de contaminación de mohos en cámaras frigoríficas de productos de exportación en Chile. Aquí, los resultados de 88 análisis de mohos en paredes y aire, realizados a 24 empresas diferentes que poseen cámaras frigoríficas conteniendo productos hidrobiológicos, son mostrados. El recuento total de mohos y el número de colonias de Cladosporium spp. y Thamnidium spp. fueron determinados. Además, los niveles de contaminación por mohos fueron comparados entre plantas procesadoras de alimentos y empresas frigoríficas. Thamnidium spp. no fue encontrado en ninguno de los análisis realizados. Los resultados indican que los niveles de contaminación por mohos son aceptables para la UEE. Este es el primer reporte de niveles de contaminación de mohos en cámaras frigoríficas de productos hidrobiológicos en el sur de Chile.

The opening of new markets for Chilean hydrobiological products had imposed the analysis of the sanitary status of frigorific chambers where those products are kept. To measure the sanitary status, the Euroasiatic Economical Union (EEU) requires a total mould count and identification of Cladosporium and Thamnidium in walls and air of the frigorific chambers. Little is known about contamination levels of moulds in frigorific chambers of export products in Chile. Here, the results of 88 mould analyses in walls and air, performed to 24 different enterprises that possess frigorific chambers containing hydrobiological products, are shown. Total mould count and Cladosporium spp. and Thamnidium spp. colony number were determined. Additionally the levels of moulds contamination were compared between food-processing plants and frigorific enterprises. Thamnidium spp. was not found in any of the analyses performed. The results indicate that levels of moulds contamination are acceptable to the EEU. This is the first report of mould contamination levels in frigorific chambers of hydrobiological products from south of Chile.

Cladosporium cladosporioides isolado de gato com carcinoma de células escamosas / Cladosporium cladosporioides isolated from a cat with squamous cell carcinoma

Este relato descreve o caso do Cladosporium cladosporioides isolado de uma lesão periocular de um felino atendido no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, em Cuiabá. A principal queixa do proprietário era uma lesão periocular, com piora no decorrer do tempo, havia aproximadamente quatro meses. Foi descrita a tentativa de tratamento da lesão com anti-inflamatórios e antibióticos, sem sucesso. Na anamnese foi relatado que o animal tinha acesso à rua e a hábitos de caça e que não havia outros animais da casa com lesão semelhante. O animal foi submetido à biópsia e citologia para um diagnóstico mais preciso do caso. Um fragmento foi encaminhado para o Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária e outro para o de Microbiologia Veterinária. Nas análises histopatológicas, houve compatibilidade com carcinoma de células escamosas e, nas lâminas de citologia, foi evidenciado um processo inflamatório agudo. Nas características macroscópicas e microscópicas da colônia, houve compatibilidade com Cladosporium sp. Posteriormente, o DNA foi extraído e sequenciado, confirmando a espécie Cladosporium cladosporioides. O objetivo deste relato foi descrever o isolamento dessa espécie em um felino com carcinoma de células escamosas.(AU)

This report describes a case of Cladosporium cladosporioides isolated from a cat with a periocular lesion at the Veterinary Hospital, Cuiaba- Brazil. Owner described his animal as having a periocular lesion treated unsuccessfully with anti-inflamatories and antibiotics. During anamnesis, it was reported that the animal has access to the street, hunting habits and none of the other animals of the house had a similar injury. The animal underwent biopsy and cytology for more accurate diagnosis of the case. A fragment was referred to the Veterinary Pathology Laboratory and another for Veterinary Microbiology. In the histopathological analysis of biopsy, it was compatible with squamous cell carcinoma and the cytology slides showed an acute inflammatory process. Microbiogical analysis isolated fungus with Cladosporium sp. Subsequently, DNA was extracted and sequenced confirming Cladosporium cladosporioides species. This paper reports the isolation of this species in a feline with squamous cell carcinoma.(AU)