Treatment Strategies for Filamentous Fungi Keratitis.

INTRODUCTION: This research aims to describe clinical findings, epidemiology and treatment outcomes in patients with filamentous fungi keratitis of a tertiary centre in Germany over a 7-year period and to compare the efficacy of different antifungal treatments and the effect of additive topical steroids. METHODS: This retrospective study included 25 eyes of 23 patients from October 2013 to December 2020 with cultural isolates of filamentous fungi and corresponding keratitis. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), clinical signs, symptoms, risk factors and outcome were extracted from medical records. RESULTS: Improvement of BVCA was noted in 68% of eyes. Mean BCVA of the study population increased from 0.75 logMAR [median 0.40, standard deviation (SD) 0.82, range 0-2.3] to 0.48 logMAR (median 0.10, SD 0.88, range - 0.1 to 3). The most commonly used antifungal topical treatment was a combination of natamycin 5% and voriconazole 2% (44% of eyes), followed by voriconazole 2% in 36% of cases. An antiinflammatory topical steroid was applied in 52%. In 16% of the eyes, penetrating keratoplasty (pKP) was performed. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of filamentous fungi keratitis is often difficult or delayed. Outcomes can be poor even with intensive treatment because of high resistance to common antifungals. Access to natamycin 5% seems to lead to favourable outcomes in filamentous fungi keratitis.

Formic acid sandwich method is well-suited for filamentous fungi identification and improves turn around time using Zybio EXS2600 mass spectrometry.

OBJECTIVES: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is extensively employed for the identification of filamentous fungi on MALDI Biotyper (Bruker Daltonics) and Vitek MS (biomerieux), but the performance of fungi identification on new EXS2600 (Zybio) is still unknow. Our study aims to evaluate the new EXS2600 system's (Zybio) ability to rapidly identify filamentous fungi and determine its effect on turnaround time (TAT) in our laboratory. METHODS: We tested 117 filamentous fungi using two pretreatment methods: the formic acid sandwich (FA-sandwich) and a commercial mold extraction kit (MEK, Zybio). All isolates were confirmed via sequence analysis. Laboratory data were extracted from our laboratory information system over two 9-month periods: pre-EXS (April to December 2022) and post-EXS (April to December 2023), respectively. RESULTS: The total correct identification (at the species, genus, or complex/group level) rate of fungi was high, FA-sandwich (95.73%, 112/117), followed by MEK (94.02%, 110/117). Excluding 6 isolates not in the database, species-level identification accuracy was 92.79% (103/111) for FA-sandwich and 91.89% (102/111) for MEK; genus-level accuracy was 97.29% (108/111) and 96.39% (107/111), respectively. Both methods attained a 100% correct identification rate for Aspergillus, Lichtheimia, Rhizopus Mucor and Talaromyces species, and were able to differentiate between Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium proliferatum within the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex. Notably, high confidence was observed in the species-level identification of uncommon fungi such as Trichothecium roseum and Geotrichum candidum. The TAT for all positive cultures decreased from pre EXS2600 to post (108.379 VS 102.438, P < 0.05), and the TAT for tissue decreased most (451.538 VS 222.304, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The FA-sandwich method is more efficient and accurate for identifying filamentous fungi with EXS2600 than the MEK. Our study firstly evaluated the performance of fungi identification on EXS2600 and showed it is suitable for clinical microbiology laboratories use.

Genetic diversity and population structure of Penicillium roqueforti isolates from Turkish blue cheeses.

Blue cheeses, including renowned mold-ripened varieties such as Roquefort (France), Gorgonzola (Italy), Stilton (UK), Danablue (Denmark), and Cabrales (Spain), owe their distinct blue-green color and unique flavor to the fungal species Penicillium roqueforti. In Turkey, traditional cheeses similar to blue cheeses, namely mold-ripened Tulum and Civil, employ production techniques distinct from their European counterparts. Notably, mold-ripening in Turkish cheeses is spontaneous and does not involve starter cultures. Despite P. roqueforti being recognized for its distinct genetic populations sourced from various blue cheeses and non-cheese origins globally, the characteristics of the P. roqueforti population within Turkish cheeses remain unexplored. This study aimed to unravel the genetic characteristics and population structure of P. roqueforti from Turkish mold-ripened cheeses. Analysis of mold-ripened Civil (n = 22) and Tulum (n = 8) samples revealed 66 P. roqueforti isolates (76.6 % of total fungal isolates). Subsequently, these isolates (n = 66) and those from previous studies (Tulum n = 53, Golot n = 1) were used to assess genetic characteristics and mating genotypes. All 120 isolates harbored horizontal transfer regions (Wallaby and CheesyTer) and predominantly possessed the MAT1-2 mating genotype, similar to global blue cheese populations. However, most lacked the mpaC deletion associated with such populations. Analysis of the population with three polymorphic microsatellite markers revealed 36 haplotypes (HTs). Some cheeses contained isolates with different HTs or opposite mating genotypes, aligning with spontaneous fungal growth. Tulum and Civil isolates exhibited similar population diversity without forming distinct subgroups. Phylogenetic analysis of 20 selected isolates showed 75 % aligning with global blue cheese isolates, while 25 % formed unique clades. Overall, Turkish P. roqueforti isolates share genetic similarities with global populations but exhibit unique characteristics, suggesting potential new clades deserving further investigation. This research illuminates the characteristics of P. roqueforti isolates from Turkish cheeses, contributing to the knowledge of the global intraspecific diversity of the P. roqueforti species.

3D imaging and analysis to unveil the impact of microparticles on the pellet morphology of filamentous fungi.

Controlling the morphology of filamentous fungi is crucial to improve the performance of fungal bioprocesses. Microparticle-enhanced cultivation (MPEC) increases productivity, most likely by changing the fungal morphology. However, due to a lack of appropriate methods, the exact impact of the added microparticles on the structural development of fungal pellets is mostly unexplored. In this study synchrotron radiation-based microcomputed tomography and three-dimensional (3D) image analysis were applied to unveil the detailed 3D incorporation of glass microparticles in nondestructed pellets of Aspergillus niger from MPEC. The developed method enabled the 3D analysis based on 375 pellets from various MPEC experiments. The total and locally resolved volume fractions of glass microparticles and hyphae were quantified for the first time. At increasing microparticle concentrations in the culture medium, pellets with lower hyphal fraction were obtained. However, the total volume of incorporated glass microparticles within the pellets did not necessarily increase. Furthermore, larger microparticles were less effective than smaller ones in reducing pellet density. However, the total volume of incorporated glass was larger for large microparticles. In addition, analysis of MPEC pellets from different times of cultivation indicated that spore agglomeration is decisive for the development of MPEC pellets. The developed 3D morphometric analysis method and the presented results will promote the general understanding and further development of MPEC for industrial application.

[Filamentous morphology: a new frontier for genetic modification of filamentous fungal cell factories].

Filamentous fungi are a group of eukaryotic microorganisms widely found in nature. Some filamentous fungi have been developed as "cell factories" and extensively used for the production of recombinant proteins, organic acids, and secondary metabolites due to their strong protein secretion capabilities or effective synthesis of many natural products. The growth morphology of filamentous fungi significantly influences the quality and quantity of fermented products. Previous research conducted by the authors' group revealed that an increase in hyphal branches leads to enhanced protein secretion during liquid fermentation. With the development of morphological engineering of filamentous fungi, an increasing number of studies have focused on modifying fungal mycelium morphology to improve the yield of target metabolites during fermentation. While there have been a few reviews on the relationship between fungal fermentation morphology and productivity, research in this area is rapidly developing and requires updates. The paper presents a comprehensive review of domestic and international research reports, along with the authors' own research findings, to systematically review the morphological patterns of filamentous fungi, the impact of fungal morphology on industrial fermentation, as well as methods and strategies for regulating mycelial morphology. The aim of this review is to enhance the understanding of relevant domestic scholars regarding the morphological development of filamentous fungi and provide ideas for the rational engineering of fungal strains suitable for industrial fermentation.

The cytosolic form of dual localized BolA family protein Bol3 is important for adaptation to iron starvation in Aspergillus fumigatus.

Aspergillus fumigatus is the predominant mould pathogen for humans. Adaption to host-imposed iron limitation has previously been demonstrated to be essential for its virulence. [2Fe-2S] clusters are crucial as cofactors of several metabolic pathways and mediate cytosolic/nuclear iron sensing in fungi including A. fumigatus. [2Fe-2S] cluster trafficking has been shown to involve BolA family proteins in both mitochondria and the cytosol/nucleus. Interestingly, both A. fumigatus homologues, termed Bol1 and Bol3, possess mitochondrial targeting sequences, suggesting the lack of cytosolic/nuclear versions. Here, we show by the combination of mutational, proteomic and fluorescence microscopic analyses that expression of the Bol3 encoding gene leads to dual localization of gene products to mitochondria and the cytosol/nucleus via alternative translation initiation downstream of the mitochondrial targeting sequence, which appears to be highly conserved in various Aspergillus species. Lack of either mitochondrial Bol1 or Bol3 was phenotypically inconspicuous while lack of cytosolic/nuclear Bol3 impaired growth during iron limitation but not iron sensing which indicates a particular importance of [2Fe-2S] cluster trafficking during iron limitation. Remarkably, cytosolic/nuclear Bol3 differs from the mitochondrial version only by N-terminal acetylation, a finding that was only possible by mutational hypothesis testing.

Essential roles of Rad6 in conidial property, stress tolerance, and pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana.

Rad6 functions as a ubiquitin-conjugating protein that regulates cellular processes in many fungal species. However, its role in filamentous entomopathogenic fungi remains poorly understood. This study characterizes Rad6 in Beauveria bassiana, a filamentous fungus widely employed as a critical fungicide globally. The results demonstrate a significant association between Rad6 and conidial properties, heat shock response, and UV-B tolerance. Concurrently, the mutant strain exhibited heightened sensitivity to oxidative stress, cell wall interfering agents, DNA damage stress, and prolonged heat shock. Furthermore, the absence of Rad6 significantly extended the median lethal time (LT50) of Galleria mellonella infected by B. bassiana. This delay could be attributed to reduced Pr1 proteases and extracellular cuticle-degrading enzymes, diminished dimorphic transition rates, and dysregulated antioxidant enzymes. Additionally, the absence of Rad6 had a more pronounced effect on genetic information processing, metabolism, and cellular processes under normal conditions. However, its impact was limited to metabolism in oxidative stress. This study offers a comprehensive understanding of the pivotal roles of Rad6 in conidial and hyphal stress tolerance, environmental adaptation, and the pathogenesis of Beauveria bassiana.

Immune Mechanisms of Filamentous Fungal Keratitis.

Filamentous fungal keratitis is a particularly serious eye infection that often results in ulceration, corneal perforation, and blindness. The cornea acts as a natural barrier against harmful agents due to the close connection of its epithelial cells. In addition, on its surface, there is a large number of substances with anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties, such as secretory IgA and mucin glycoproteins, and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), such as human ß-defensin 2 (HBD-2) and LL-37, which are especially increased in filamentous fungal keratitis. The interaction between pathogenic fungi and the host's immune mechanisms is a complex process: pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) molecules (chitin, ß-glucan, and mannan) found in the fungal cell wall are recognized by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) (toll-like receptors {TLRs}, C-type lectin receptors {CLRs}, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors {NLRs}, and scavenger receptors {SR}) found in host defense cells, triggering the secretion of various types of cytokines, such as interleukins (IL), tumor necrosis factors (TNFs), and chemokines, which recruit macrophages and neutrophils to migrate to the site of infection and activate inflammatory responses. In addition, the interaction of hyphae and corneal epithelial cells can activate cluster of differentiation (CD) 4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and B cells and induce secretion of T-helper (Th)-type cytokines 2 (IL-4 and IL-13) and IgG.

Live cell imaging of ß-tubulin mRNA reveals spatiotemporal expression dynamics in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus oryzae.

In filamentous fungi, microtubules are important for polar growth and morphological maintenance and serve as rails for intracellular trafficking. The molecular mechanisms associated with microtubules have been analyzed. However, little is known about when and where tubulin, a component of microtubules, is biosynthesized in multinuclear and multicellular filamentous fungi. In this study, we visualized microtubules based on the enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP)-labeled α-tubulin and ß-tubulin mRNA tagged by the EGFP-mediated MS2 system in living yellow Koji mold Aspergillus oryzae cells in order to understand the spatiotemporal production mechanism of tubulin. We found that mRNA of btuA, encoding for ß-tubulin, localized at dot-like structures through the apical, middle and basal regions of the hyphal cells. In addition, some btuA mRNA dots showed microtubule-dependent motor protein-like dynamics in the cells. Furthermore, it was found that btuA mRNA dots were decreased in the cytoplasm just before mitosis but increased immediately after mitosis, followed by a gradual decrease. In summary, the localization and abundance of ß-tubulin mRNA is spatiotemporally regulated in living A. oryzae hyphal cells.

Airlift bioreactor-based strategies for prolonged semi-continuous cultivation of edible Agaricomycetes.

Submerged cultivation of edible filamentous fungi (Agaricomycetes) in bioreactors enables maximum mass transfer of nutrients and has the potential to increase the volumetric productivity of fungal biomass compared to solid state cultivation. These aspects are paramount if one wants to increase the range of bioactives (e.g. glucans) in convenient time frames. In this study, Trametes versicolor (M9911) outperformed four other Agaricomycetes tested strains (during batch cultivations in an airlift bioreactor). This strain was therefore further tested in semi-continuous cultivation. Continuous and semi-continuous cultivations (driven by the dilution rate, D) are the preferred bioprocess strategies for biomass production. We examined the semi-continuous cultivation of T. versicolor at dilution rates between 0.02 and 0.1 h-1. A maximum volumetric productivity of 0.87 g/L/h was obtained with a D of 0.1 h-1 but with a lower total biomass production (cell dry weight, CDW 8.7 g/L) than the one obtained at lower dilution rates (12.3 g/L at D of 0.04 and vs 13.4 g/L, at a D of 0.02 h-1). However, growth at a D of 0.1 h-1 resulted in a very short fermentation (18 h) which terminated due to washout (the specific D exceeded the maximum growth rate of the fungal biomass). At a D of 0.04 h-1, a CDW of 12.3 g/L was achieved without compromising the total residence time (184 h) of the fermentation. While the D of 0.04 h-1 and 0.07 h-1 achieved comparable volumetric productivities (0.5 g/L/h), the total duration of the fermentation at D of 0.07 h-1 was only 85 h. The highest glucan content of cells (27.8 as percentage of CDW) was obtained at a D of 0.07 h-1, while the lowest glucan content was observed in T. versicolor cells grown at a D of 0.02 h-1. KEY POINTS: • The highest reported volumetric productivity for fungal biomass was 0.87 g/L/h. • Semi-continuous fermentation at D of 0.02 h-1 resulted in 13.4 g/L of fungal biomass. • Semi-continuous fermentation at D of 0.07 h-1 resulted in fungal biomass with 28% of total glucans.

Performance of rapid on-site evaluation of touch imprints of bronchoscopic biopsies or lung tissue biopsies for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary filamentous fungi infections in non-neutropenic patients.

The diagnosis of invasive pulmonary fungal disease depends on histopathology and mycological culture; there are few studies on touch imprints of bronchoscopic biopsies or lung tissue biopsies for the diagnosis of pulmonary filamentous fungi infections. The purpose of the present study was to explore the detection accuracy of rapid on-site evaluation of touch imprints of bronchoscopic biopsies or lung tissue biopsies for the filamentous fungi, and it aims to provide a basis for initiating antifungal therapy before obtaining microbiological evidence. We retrospectively analyzed the diagnosis and treatment of 44 non-neutropenic patients with invasive pulmonary filamentous fungi confirmed by glactomannan assay, histopathology, and culture from February 2017 to December 2023. The diagnostic positive rate and sensitivity of rapid on-site evaluation for these filamentous fungi identification, including diagnostic turnaround time, were calculated. Compared with the final diagnosis, the sensitivity of rapid on-site evaluation was 81.8%, and the sensitivity of histopathology, culture of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and glactomannan assay of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was 86.4%, 52.3%, and 68.2%, respectively. The average turnaround time of detecting filamentous fungi by rapid on-site evaluation was 0.17 ± 0.03 hours, which was significantly faster than histopathology, glactomannan assay, and mycological culture. A total of 29 (76.3%) patients received earlier antifungal therapy based on ROSE diagnosis and demonstrated clinical improvement. Rapid on-site evaluation showed good sensitivity and accuracy that can be comparable to histopathology in identification of pulmonary filamentous fungi. Importantly, it contributed to the triage of biopsies for further microbial culture or molecular detection based on the preliminary diagnosis, and the decision on early antifungal therapy before microbiological evidence is available.

Co-production of sugars and aroma compounds from tobacco waste using biomass-degrading enzymes produced by Aspergillus brunneoviolaceus Ab-10.

Biomass-degrading enzymes produced by microorganisms have a great potential in the processing of agricultural wastes. In order to produce suitable biomass-degrading enzymes for releasing sugars and aroma compounds from tobacco scraps, the feasibility of directly using the scraps as a carbon source for enzyme production was investigated in this study. By comparative studies of ten fungal strains isolated from tobacco leaves, Aspergillus brunneoviolaceus Ab-10 was found to produce an efficient enzyme mixture for the saccharification of tobacco scraps. Proteomic analysis identified a set of plant biomass-degrading enzymes in the enzyme mixture, including amylases, hemicellulases, cellulases and pectinases. At a substrate concentration of 100 g/L and enzyme dosage of 4 mg/g, glucose of 17.6 g/L was produced from tobacco scraps using the crude enzyme produced by A. brunneoviolaceus Ab-10. In addition, the contents of 23 volatile molecules, including the aroma compounds 4-ketoisophorone and benzyl alcohol, were significantly increased after the enzymatic treatment. The results provide a strategy for valorization of tobacco waste by integrating the production of biomass-degrading enzymes into the tobacco scrap processing system.

Three strategy rules of filamentous fungi in hydrocarbon remediation: an overview.

Remediation of hydrocarbon contaminations requires much attention nowadays since it causes detrimental effects on land and even worse impacts on aquatic environments. Tools of bioremediation especially filamentous fungi permissible for cleaning up as much as conceivable, at least they turn into non-toxic residues with less consumed periods. Inorganic chemicals, CO2, H2O, and cell biomass are produced as a result of the breakdown and mineralization of petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants. This paper presents a detailed overview of three strategic rules of filamentous fungi in remediating the various aliphatic, and aromatic hydrocarbon compounds: utilizing carbons from hydrocarbons as sole energy, Co-metabolism manners (Enzymatic and Non-enzymatic theories), and Biosorption approaches. Upliftment in the degradation rate of complex hydrocarbon by the Filamentous Fungi in consortia scenario we can say, "Fungal Talk", which includes a variety of cellular mechanisms, including biosurfactant production, biomineralization, and precipitation, etc., This review not only displays its efficiency but showcases the field applications - cost-effective, reliable, eco-friendly, easy to culture as biomass, applicable in both land and any water bodies in operational environment cleanups. Nevertheless, the potentiality of fungi-human interaction has not been fully understood, henceforth further studies are highly endorsed with spore pathogenicity of the fungal species capable of high remediation rate, and the gene knockout study, if the specific peptides cause toxicity to any living matters via Genomics and Proteomics approaches, before application of any in situ or ex situ environments.

Clinical Evaluation of VITEK MS PRIME with PICKME Pen for Bacteria and Yeasts, and RUO Database for Filamentous Fungi.

The VITEK MS PRIME (bioMérieux, Marcy-l'Étoile, France), a newly developed matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) system, alongside the VITEK PICKME pen (PICKME), offers easy sample preparation for bacteria and yeasts. The VITEK MS PRIME also offers two software platforms for filamentous fungi: the IVD database and the RUO database. Our study evaluated its identification agreement on 320 clinical isolates of bacteria and yeasts, comparing PICKME and traditional wooden toothpick sampling techniques against MicroIDSys Elite (ASTA) results. Additionally, we assessed the IVD (v3.2) and SARAMIS (v4.16) RUO databases on 289 filamentous fungi against molecular sequencing. The concordance rates for species-level identification of bacteria and yeasts were about 89.4% (286/320) between the PICKME and wooden toothpick, and about 83.4-85.3% between the VITEK MS PRIME and ASTA MicroIDSys Elite. Retesting with PICKME improved concordance to 91.9%. For filamentous fungi, species-level identification reached 71.3% with the IVD database and 85.8% with RUO, which significantly enhanced basidiomycetes' identification from 35.3% to 100%. Some strains in the IVD database, like Aspergillus versicolor, Exophiala xenobiotica, and Nannizzia gypsea, failed to be identified. The VITEK MS PRIME with PICKME offers reliable and efficient microorganism identification. For filamentous fungi, combined use of the RUO database can be beneficial, especially for basidiomycetes.

The Role of Olorofim in the Treatment of Filamentous Fungal Infections: A Review of In Vitro and In Vivo Studies.

Invasive fungal infections have recently been recognized by the WHO as a major health, epidemiological, and economic issue. Their high mortality rates and the emergence of drug resistance have driven the development of new molecules, including olorofim, an antifungal belonging to a new family of compounds, the orotomides. A review was conducted on the PubMed database and the ClinicalTrials.gov website to summarize the microbiological profile of olorofim and its role in the treatment of filamentous fungal infections. Twenty-four articles were included from the search and divided into two groups: an "in vitro" group focusing on minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) results for various fungi and an "in vivo" group evaluating the pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), efficacy, and tolerability of olorofim in animal models of fungal infection and in humans. Olorofim demonstrated in vitro and in vivo activity against numerous filamentous fungi, including azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus, various dermatophytes, and endemic and dimorphic fungi. in vitro results showed higher MICs for certain Fusarium species and dematiaceous fungi Alternaria alternata and Exophiala dermatitidis; further in vivo studies are needed. Published PK-PD data in humans are limited. The results of the ongoing phase III clinical trial are eagerly awaited to evaluate olorofim's clinical impact.

Antimicrobial Properties of Flavonoid Derivatives with Bromine, Chlorine, and Nitro Group Obtained by Chemical Synthesis and Biotransformation Studies.

The search for new substances of natural origin, such as flavonoids, is necessary in the fight against the growing number of diseases and bacterial resistance to antibiotics. In our research, we wanted to check the influence of flavonoids with chlorine or bromine atoms and a nitro group on pathogenic and probiotic bacteria. We synthesized flavonoids using Claisen-Schmidt condensation and its modifications, and through biotransformation via entomopathogenic filamentous fungi, we obtained their glycoside derivatives. Biotransformation yielded two new flavonoid glycosides: 8-amino-6-chloroflavone 4'-O-ß-D-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside and 6-bromo-8-nitroflavone 4'-O-ß-D-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside. Subsequently, we checked the antimicrobial properties of the aforementioned aglycon flavonoid compounds against pathogenic and probiotic bacteria and yeast. Our studies revealed that flavones have superior inhibitory effects compared to chalcones and flavanones. Notably, 6-chloro-8-nitroflavone showed potent inhibitory activity against pathogenic bacteria. Conversely, flavanones 6-chloro-8-nitroflavanone and 6-bromo-8-nitroflavanone stimulated the growth of probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Pediococcus pentosaceus). Our research has shown that the presence of chlorine, bromine, and nitro groups has a significant effect on their antimicrobial properties.

Optimised Degradation of Lignocelluloses by Edible Filamentous Fungi for the Efficient Biorefinery of Sugar Beet Pulp.

The degradation of the complex structure of lignocellulosic biomass is important for its further biorefinery to value-added bioproducts. The use of effective fungal species for the optimised degradation of biomass can promote the effectiveness of the biorefinery of such raw material. In this study, the optimisation of processing parameters (temperature, time, and s/w ratio) for cellulase activity and reducing sugar (RS) production through the hydrolysis of sugar beet pulp (SBP) by edible filamentous fungi of Aspergillus, Fusarium, Botrytis, Penicillium, Rhizopus, and Verticillium spp. was performed. The production of RS was analysed at various solid/water (s/w) ratios (1:10-1:20), different incubation temperatures (20-35 °C), and processing times (60-168 h). The Aspergillus niger CCF 3264 and Penicillium oxalicum CCF 3438 strains showed the most effective carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) degrading activity and also sugar recovery (15.9-44.8%) from SBP biomass in the one-factor experiments. Mathematical data evaluation indicated that the highest RS concentration (39.15 g/100 g d.w.) and cellulolytic activity (6.67 U/g d.w.) could be achieved using A. niger CCF 3264 for the degradation of SBP at 26 °C temperature with 136 h of processing time and a 1:15 solid/water ratio. This study demonstrates the potential of fungal degradation to be used for SBP biorefining.

Evaluation of pretreatment methods for filamentous fungal detection.

In order to obtain the best mass spectrometry identification results for using the most appropriate methods in clinical practice, we explore the optimal pretreatment methods for different species and morphologies of filamentous fungi. 98 fungal strains were treated with formic acid sandwich method, dispersion method, extraction method, and other methods using a medium element mass spectrometer (EXS3000) as a platform. Each strain had three targets, and the identification rates and confidence differences under different pre-treatment methods were compared to evaluate the identification effects of these methods. The mass spectrometry identification rates of 98 filamentous fungi obtained after pre-treatment with formic acid sandwich method, dispersion method, and extraction method were 85.71%, 82.65%, and 75.51%, respectively. The identification rate of the formic acid sandwich method was significantly higher than the other two methods (P < 0 005) has the best identification ability and the obtained confidence is also higher than the other two methods. The use of formic acid sandwich method for mass spectrometry identification of filamentous fungi can achieve ideal identification results, which is suitable for mass spectrometry identification of filamentous fungi in conventional laboratories.

Lignocellulosic materials valorization in second generation biorefineries: an opportunity to produce fungal biopigments.

Second generation biorefineries play an important role in the production of renewable energy and fuels, utilizing forest and agro-industrial residues and by-products as raw materials. The integration of novel bioproducts, such as: xylitol, ß-carotene, xylooligosaccharides, and biopigments into the biorefinery's portfolio can offer economic benefits in the valorization of lignocellulosic materials, particularly cellulosic and hemicellulosic fractions. Fungal biopigments, known for their additional antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, are appealing to consumers and can have applications in various industrial sectors, including food and pharmaceuticals. The use of lignocellulosic materials as carbon and nutrient sources for the growth medium helps to reduce production costs, increasing the competitiveness of fungal biopigments in the market. In addition, the implementation of biopigment production in biorefineries allows the utilization of underutilized fractions, such as hemicellulose, for value-added bioproducts. This study deals with the potential of fungal biopigments production in second generation biorefineries in order to diversify the produced biomolecules together with energy generation. A comprehensive and critical review of the recent literature on this topic has been conducted, covering the major possible raw materials, general aspects of second generation biorefineries, the fungal biopigments and their potential for incorporation into biorefineries.

Mycoproteins and their health-promoting properties: Fusarium species and beyond.

Filamentous fungal mycoproteins have gained increasing attention as sustainable alternatives to animal and plant-based proteins. This comprehensive review summarizes the nutritional characteristics, toxicological aspects, and health-promoting effects of mycoproteins, focusing on those derived from filamentous fungi, notably Fusarium venenatum. Mycoproteins are characterized by their high protein content, and they have a superior essential amino acid profile compared to soybeans indicating excellent protein quality and benefits for human nutrition. Additionally, mycoproteins offer enhanced digestibility, further highlighting their suitability as a protein source. Furthermore, mycoproteins are rich in dietary fibers, which have been associated with health benefits, including protection against metabolic diseases. Moreover, their fatty acids profile, with significant proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids and absence of cholesterol, distinguishes them from animal-derived proteins. In conclusion, the future of mycoproteins as a health-promoting protein alternative and the development of functional foods relies on several key aspects. These include improving the acceptance of mycoproteins, conducting further research into their mechanisms of action, addressing consumer preferences and perceptions, and ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. To fully unlock the potential of mycoproteins and meet the evolving needs of a health-conscious society, continuous interdisciplinary research, collaboration among stakeholders, and proactive engagement with consumers will be vital.