Diversity of the Bambusicolous Fungus Apiospora in Korea: Discovery of New Apiospora Species

Many Apiospora species have been isolated from bamboo plants – to date, 34 bambusicolous Apiospora species have been recorded. They are known as saprophytes, endophytes, and plant pathogens. In this study, 242 bambusicolous Apiospora were isolated from various bamboo materials (branches, culms, leaves, roots, and shoots) and examined using DNA sequence similarity based on the internal transcribed spacer, 28S large subunit ribosomal RNA gene, translation elongation factor 1-alpha, and beta-tubulin regions. Nine Apiospora species (Ap. arundinis, Ap. camelliae-sinensis, Ap. hysterina, Ap. lageniformis sp. nov., Ap. paraphaeosperma, Ap. pseudohyphopodii sp. nov., Ap. rasikravindrae, Ap. saccharicola, and Ap. sargassi) were identified via molecular analysis. Moreover, the highest diversity of Apiospora was found in culms, and the most abundant species was Ap. arundinis. Among the nine Apiospora species, two (Ap. hysterina and Ap. paraphaeosperma) were unrecorded in Korea, and the other two species (Ap. lageniformis sp. nov. and Ap. pseudohyphopodii

Molecular Networking-based De-replication Strategy Leads to the Isolation of a New Chromone from Pleosporales sp

A new chromone analogue (1) was isolated from an EtOAc-extract of Pleosporales sp. culture medium, together with five known chromones (2 – 6). The isolation workflow was guided by a Molecular Networking-based dereplication strategy. The chemical structure of the new compound was elucidated using NMR and MS spectroscopy, and the absolute configuration was established by the Mosher's method. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitirc oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Compound 1 showed marginal inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 118.7 μM.

Molecular Networking-based De-replication Strategy Leads to the Isolation of a New Chromone from Pleosporales sp

A new chromone analogue (1) was isolated from an EtOAc-extract of Pleosporales sp. culture medium, together with five known chromones (2 – 6). The isolation workflow was guided by a Molecular Networking-based dereplication strategy. The chemical structure of the new compound was elucidated using NMR and MS spectroscopy, and the absolute configuration was established by the Mosher's method. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitirc oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Compound 1 showed marginal inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 118.7 μM.

Isolation and Analysis of the Enzymatic Properties of Thermophilic Fungi from Compost

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on thermophilic fungi isolated in Korea. Three species of thermophiles were isolated from compost and were identified as Myriococcum thermophilum, Thermoascus aurantiacus, and Thermomyces lanuginosus. They can grow at temperatures above 50degrees C and produce high levels of cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes at high temperatures. Notably, the considerable thermostability of the endo-glucanase produced by T. aurantiacus has made the fungus an attractive source of industrial enzymes.

Sapstain and Mold Control on Radiata Pine Lumber: Laboratory and Field Tests of Selected Fungicides

The susceptibility of radiata pine sapwood to fungal attack and the ability of selected fungicides to control colonization of sapstain and mold fungi on green radiata pine sapwood were evaluated. Radiata pine sapwood was highly susceptible to fungal staining, suggesting that prompt application of fungicides after sawing is essential for preventing fungal colonization. The ability of commercial fungicides to prevent fungal discoloration on radiata pine sapwood was assessed using an accelerated 6-week test on small samples in the laboratory, and in field tests using bulk-piled boards exposed outdoors for 6 weeks during summer rainy season. In laboratory tests, Hylite extra provided excellent protection against fungal discoloration even at the lowest concentrations. Hylite clear, Britewood S, and NP-1 Plus provided good short-term protection (2 to 4 weeks), but higher chemical loadings were required for long-term protection (6 weeks). Woodguard produced little or no protection over the test periods. In field tests, Kathon 893 provided markedly superior protection at the concentration of 0.5 percent or higher. NP-1 Plus provided relatively good protection at all concentrations evaluated. Hylite extra was effective only for short-term protection (2 to 4 weeks) at all concentrations tested, but higher solution strengths were needed for long-term protection.

Fungi Colonizing Sapwood of Japanese Red Pine Logs in Storage

The Korean sawmills have recently recognized the importance of prevention of fungal discoloration due to increased losses in revenue. Before establishing integrated control strategies of fungal discoloration, more complete knowledge about causal organisms is needed. As a first step, we initiated a through survey of fungi colonizing commercially important softwood (Pinus densiflora, Pinus koraiensis, and Pinus radiata) logs and lumber in Korea. In this paper we report results obtained from Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) log study. In summer 2000, fungi were isolated from Japanese red pine logs in storage, and identified based on their cultural and morphological characteristics. A total of 595 fungi were isolated, representing 21 genera and 30 species. Mold fungi, mostly Trichoderma species, were the most frequently isolating fungi, representing more than half of all isolates. Dematiaceous fungi represented approximately one fifth of the isolates, and Rhinocladiella atorvirens was the most abundant in all samples. Opiostoma species represented 7% of all isolates from cores planted on malt extract agar (MEA) and the incidence of these species doubled with the addition of streptomycin and cycloheximide to MEA. The results indicate that Japanese red pine sapwood is susceptible to colonization by a variety of fungal species. As a result, control strategies that concentrate on one fungus may have limited success because of interference from competing flora.