New Report of Three Unrecorded Species in Trichoderma harzianum Species Complex in Korea

The genus Trichoderma (Hypocreaceae, Ascomycota) consists of globally distributed fungi. Among them, T. harzianum, one of the most commonly collected Trichoderma species, had been known as a polyphyletic or aggregate species. However, a total of 19 species were determined from the polyphyletic groups of T. harzianum. Thus, we explored Korean “T. harzianum” specimens that were collected in 2013–2014. These specimens were re-examined based on a recent study with translate elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1α) sequences to reveal cryptic Trichoderma species in Korea. As a result, four different species, T. afroharzianum, T. atrobruneum, T. pyramidale, and T. harzianum, were identified. Except T. harzianum, the other three species have not been reported in Korea. In this work, we describe these species and provide figures.

Investigation of Filamentous Fungi Producing Safe, Functional Water-Soluble Pigments

The production of water-soluble pigments by fungal strains indigenous to South Korea was investigated to find those that are highly productive in submerged culture. Among 113 candidates, 34 strains that colored the inoculated potato dextrose agar medium were selected. They were cultured in potato dextrose broth and extracted with ethanol. The productivity, functionality (radical-scavenging activities), and color information (CIELAB values) of the pigment extracts were measured. Five species produced intense yellowish pigments, and two produced intense reddish pigments that ranked the highest in terms of absorbance units produced per day. The pigment extracts of Penicillium miczynskii, Sanghuangporus baumii, Trichoderma sp. 1, and Trichoderma afroharzianum exhibited high radical-scavenging activity. However, the S. baumii extract showed moderate toxicity in the acute toxicity test, which limits the industrial application of this pigment. In conclusion, P. miczynskii KUC1721, Trichoderma sp. 1 KUC1716, and T. afroharzianum KUC21213 were the best fungal candidates to be industrial producers of safe, functional water-soluble pigments.

Five New Records of Soil-Derived Trichoderma in Korea: T. albolutescens, T. asperelloides, T. orientale, T. spirale, and T. tomentosum

Despite the huge worldwide diversity of Trichoderma (Hypocreaceae, Ascomycota), only about 22 species have been reported in Korea. Thus, between 2013 and 2015, soil-derived Trichoderma spp. were isolated to reveal the diversity of Korean Trichoderma. Phylogenetic analysis of translation elongation factor 1 alpha gene was used for identification. Among the soil-derived Trichoderma, Trichoderma albolutescens, T. asperelloides, T. orientale, T. spirale, and T. tomentosum have not been previously reported in Korea. Thus, we report the five Trichoderma species as new in Korea with morphological descriptions and images.

Optimization of Fungal Enzyme Production by Trichoderma harzianum KUC1716 through Surfactant-Induced Morphological Changes

The morphological optimization of Trichoderma harzianum was carried out using several surfactants to achieve increased cellulase production. Addition of the surfactants to the culture medium successfully modified the fungal morphology from an aggregated form to a dispersed form. Optimization of the fungal morphology increased cellulase activity up to 177%. The morphologically optimized conditions enhanced the accessibility of the fungus to substrates and thus promoted cellulase production.

Phylogenetic Identification of Korean Gymnopus spp. and the First Report of 3 Species: G. iocephalus, G. polygrammus, and G. subnudus

Gymnopus is a cosmopolitan genus of agaric fungi and consists of ~300 species. In Korea, Gymnopus represents common saprobic mushrooms, and 12 species have been reported in Korea. Several Gymnopus specimens were collected in Korea between 2008 and 2015. To identify them exactly, phylogenetic analysis was performed by means of the internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal-DNA sequences from the collected Gymnopus specimens. Among them, G. iocephalus, G. polygrammus, and G. subnudus have not been reported in Korea. A phylogenetic tree and images are provided.

Diversity of Wood-Inhabiting Polyporoid and Corticioid Fungi in Odaesan National Park, Korea

Polyporoid and corticioid fungi are among the most important wood-decay fungi. Not only do they contribute to nutrient cycling by decomposing wood debris, but they are also valuable sources for natural products. Polyporoid and corticioid wood-inhabiting fungi were investigated in Odaesan National Park. Fruit bodies were collected and identified based on morphological and molecular analyses using 28S and internal transcribed spacer regions of DNA sequences. As a result, a total of 149 species, 69 genera, 22 families, and 11 orders were recognized. Half (74 species) of the species were polypores, and the other half (75 species) were corticioid fungi. Most of the species belonged to Polyporales (92 species) followed by Hymenochaetales (33 species) and Russulales (11 species). At the genus level, a high number of species was observed from Steccherinum, Hyphodontia, Phanerochaete, Postia, and Trametes. Concerning distribution, almost all the species could be found below 1,000 m, and only 20% of the species were observed from above 1,000 m. Stereum subtomentosum, Trametes versicolor, T. hirsuta, T. pubescens, Bjerkandera adusta, and Ganoderma applanatum had wide distribution areas. Deciduous wood was the preferred substrate for the collected species. Sixty-three species were new to this region, and 21 species were new to Korea, of which 17 species were described and illustrated.

Wood Decay Fungi in South Korea: Polypores from Seoul

In Seoul, a majority of plant communities have undergone significant changes over the last few decades; however, how wood decay fungi have responded and adapted to the changes in vegetation remains unknown. Through an ongoing investigation of Korean indigenous fungi, ca. 300 specimens with poroid basidiocarp were collected in Seoul during 2008~2012. Morphological examination and molecular analysis using the internal transcribed spacer and nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA region sequences helped identify 38 species belonging to 28 genera, 10 families, and 5 orders in this area. Among them, three polypores, Abundisporus pubertatis, Coriolopsis strumosa, and Perenniporia maackiae were found to be new to South Korea.

Four Unrecorded Wood Decay Fungi from Seoul in Korea

During the investigation of Korean indigenous fungi from Seoul, three genera-Fuscoporia, Porostereum, and Trametopsis, and four species-Fuscoporia senex, Phlebia acerina, Porostereum spadiceum, and Trametopsis cervina were found. Their morphological characteristics were examined and their identification was confirmed by molecular analysis based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA region sequences. These fungi are new to Korea and registered here with descriptions.