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Toxins Feb 2024Different preventive strategies are needed to minimize the intake risks of mycotoxins, including zearalenone (ZEN). The aim of this study was to determine the ZEN...
Different preventive strategies are needed to minimize the intake risks of mycotoxins, including zearalenone (ZEN). The aim of this study was to determine the ZEN adsorption ability of an autolyzed biomass preparation of polymorphic yeast A.p.-3. The evaluation of the antitoxic properties of the preparation was also performed in relation to yeast (ATCC 2366, ATCC 7090 and ATCC 9763) used as a model cell exposed to a toxic ZEN dose. The preparation at a dose of 5 mg/mL showed the adsorption of ZEN present in model systems at concentrations between 1 μg/mL to 100 μg/mL. The highest degree of adsorption was established for ZEN concentrations of 1 μg/mL and 5 μg/mL, becoming limited at higher doses of the toxin. Based on the Langmuir model of adsorption isotherms, the predicted maximum ZEN adsorption was approx. 190 µg/mL, regardless of pH. The growth of three strains of yeast cells in the medium with ZEN at concentrations within the range of 1.56 μg/mL-100 μg/mL was analyzed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration. The growth of all tested strains was especially limited by high doses of ZEN, i.e., 50 and 100 μg/mL. The protective effect of the tested preparation was noted in relation to yeast cells exposed to toxic 100 μg/mL ZEN doses. The highest yeast cell growth (app. 36% percentage) was noted for a ATCC 9763 strain compared to the medium with ZEN but without preparation. More detailed tests determining the antitoxic mechanisms of the preparation are planned in the future, including cell culture bioassays and animal digestive tract models.
Topics: Animals; Zearalenone; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Adsorption; Biomass; Aureobasidium
PubMed: 38393183
DOI: 10.3390/toxins16020105 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024Verticillium wilt of olive (VWO) caused by is considered a major olive () disease in Mediterranean-type climate regions. The lack of effective chemical products against...
Verticillium wilt of olive (VWO) caused by is considered a major olive () disease in Mediterranean-type climate regions. The lack of effective chemical products against VWO makes it necessary to search for alternatives such as biological control. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of six spp. strains as biological control agents (BCAs) against VWO. All of them were molecularly characterized by sequencing 16S or 23S rRNA genes and via phylogenetic analysis. Their effect was evaluated in vitro on the mycelial growth of (isolates V004 and V323) and on microsclerotia (MS) viability using naturally infested soils. Bioassays in olive plants inoculated with were also conducted to evaluate their effect against disease progress. In all the experiments, the reference BCAs FO12 and AP08 were included for comparative purposes. The six strains were identified as spp., and they were considered as potential new species. All the BCAs, including strains, showed a significant effect on mycelial growth inhibition for both isolates compared to the positive control, with FO12 being the most effective, followed by AP08, while the spp. strains showed an intermediate effect. All the BCAs tested also showed a significant effect on the inhibition of germination of MS compared to the untreated control, with FO12 being the most effective treatment. Irrigation treatments with strain CBQ-EBa-21 or FO12 were significantly more effective in reducing disease severity and disease progress in olive plants inoculated with compared to the remaining treatments. This study represents the first approach to elucidating the potential effect of strains against VWO.
PubMed: 38392810
DOI: 10.3390/jof10020138 -
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Feb 2024Aureobasidium is omnipresent and can be isolated from air, water bodies, soil, wood, and other plant materials, as well as inorganic materials such as rocks and marble.... (Review)
Review
Aureobasidium is omnipresent and can be isolated from air, water bodies, soil, wood, and other plant materials, as well as inorganic materials such as rocks and marble. A total of 32 species of this fungal genus have been identified at the level of DNA, of which Aureobasidium pullulans is best known. Aureobasidium is of interest for a sustainable economy because it can be used to produce a wide variety of compounds, including enzymes, polysaccharides, and biosurfactants. Moreover, it can be used to promote plant growth and protect wood and crops. To this end, Aureobasidium cells adhere to wood or plants by producing extracellular polysaccharides, thereby forming a biofilm. This biofilm provides a sustainable alternative to petrol-based coatings and toxic chemicals. This and the fact that Aureobasidium biofilms have the potential of self-repair make them a potential engineered living material avant la lettre. KEY POINTS: •Aureobasidium produces products of interest to the industry •Aureobasidium can stimulate plant growth and protect crops •Biofinish of A. pullulans is a sustainable alternative to petrol-based coatings •Aureobasidium biofilms have the potential to function as engineered living materials.
Topics: Aureobasidium; Biofilms; Calcium Carbonate; Crops, Agricultural; Gasoline
PubMed: 38349550
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13025-5 -
Polymers Jan 2024Infections of agricultural crops caused by pathogen ic fungi are among the most widespread and harmful, as they not only reduce the quantity of the harvest but also...
Infections of agricultural crops caused by pathogen ic fungi are among the most widespread and harmful, as they not only reduce the quantity of the harvest but also significantly deteriorate its quality. This study aims to develop unique seed-coating formulations incorporating biopolymers (polyhydroxyalkanoate and pullulan) and beneficial microorganisms for plant protection against phytopathogens. A microbial association of biocompatible endophytic bacteria has been created, including D5, A2, B5, and D7. These strains exhibited agronomically valuable properties: synthesis of the phytohormone IAA (from 45.2 to 69.2 µg mL), antagonistic activity against and (growth inhibition zones from 1.8 to 3.0 cm), halotolerance (5-15% NaCl), and PHA production (2.77-4.54 g L). A pullulan synthesized by C7 showed a low viscosity rate (from 395 Pa·s to 598 Pa·s) depending on the concentration of polysaccharide solutions. Therefore, at 8.0%, / concentration, viscosity virtually remained unchanged with increasing shear rate, indicating that it exhibits Newtonian flow behavior. The effectiveness of various antifungal seed coating formulations has been demonstrated to enhance the tolerance of barley plants to phytopathogens.
PubMed: 38337265
DOI: 10.3390/polym16030376 -
Natural Product Research Feb 2024Three new griseofulvin derivatives, griseofulvinoside A-C (-), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the solid fermentation product of . Their structures were...
Three new griseofulvin derivatives, griseofulvinoside A-C (-), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the solid fermentation product of . Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic data analysis of MS, 1D and 2D NMR. The antifungal activities of new compounds were evaluated against four phytopathogenic fungi , and all test compounds demonstrated inhibitory effects. Among them, compound exhibited the most potent activities against the four selected phytopathogenic fungi with inhibitory rates ranging from 40.2 to 75.8% at 0.2 mg/mL.
PubMed: 38329014
DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2024.2312428 -
The Plant Pathology Journal Feb 2024The conservation of the endangered Korean fir, Abies koreana, is of critical ecological importance. In our previous study, a yeast-like fungus identified as...
The conservation of the endangered Korean fir, Abies koreana, is of critical ecological importance. In our previous study, a yeast-like fungus identified as Aureobasidium pullulans AK10, was isolated and shown to enhance drought tolerance in A. koreana seedlings. In this study, the effectiveness of Au. pullulans AK10 treatment in enhancing drought tolerance in A. koreana was confirmed. Furthermore, using transcriptome analysis, we compared A. koreana seedlings treated with Au. pullulans AK10 to untreated controls under drought conditions to elucidate the molecular responses involved in increased drought tolerance. Our findings revealed a predominance of downregulated genes in the treated seedlings, suggesting a strategic reallocation of resources to enhance stress defense. Further exploration of enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways and protein-protein interaction networks revealed significant alterations in functional systems known to fortify drought tolerance, including the terpenoid backbone biosynthesis, calcium signaling pathway, pyruvate metabolism, brassinosteroid biosynthesis, and, crucially, flavonoid biosynthesis, renowned for enhancing plant drought resistance. These findings deepen our comprehension of how AK10 biostimulation enhances the resilience of A. koreana to drought stress, marking a substantial advancement in the effort to conserve this endangered tree species through environmentally sustainable treatment.
PubMed: 38326956
DOI: 10.5423/PPJ.FT.11.2023.0161 -
Scientific Reports Jan 2024Yeast species are a group of coexistent microorganisms in the oral cavity that can cause opportunistic infections in vulnerable individuals, including addicts. This...
Yeast species are a group of coexistent microorganisms in the oral cavity that can cause opportunistic infections in vulnerable individuals, including addicts. This study aimed to identify the yeast species profile responsible for oral yeast colonization (OYC) and the associated risk factors in patients with substance use disorder (SUD) in Ahvaz, Iran. Oral samples were collected from drug users hospitalized in 12 addiction treatment centers, and the related clinical information was mined. Oral yeast species were identified using 21-plex PCR and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2). A total of 244 yeast strains were identified from 245 individuals with substance abuse. Candida albicans was the most common species (37.7%) and non-albicans Candida was responsible for 57.7% of OYC, primarily C. dubliniensis (33.2%) and C. glabrata (11.9%). Moreover, uncommon oral yeasts constituted 5.3% of species, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Clavispora lusitaniae, Pichia kluyveri, Geotrichum candidum, Magnusiomyces capitatus, Hanseniospora opuntiae, Wickerhamomyces subpelliculosus, Trichosporon asahii, and Aureobasidium pullulans. Importantly, OYC exhibited associations with such factors as duration of drug use, daily drug consumption rate, opioid utilization, oral drug administration, and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) score. The present study is the pioneering investigation revealing the prevalence and diversity of oral yeast species, along with associated risk factors, in individuals with SUD in southwestern Iran. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of developing efficient and cost-effective diagnostic methods tailored for resource-constrained settings.
Topics: Humans; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Drug Users; Iran; Phylogeny; Yeast, Dried
PubMed: 38253731
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52105-4 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2023The zoonotic pathogens spp. infection disrupted intestinal epithelial barrier function and induced local gastroenteritis and systemic inflammation in humans and...
Sophy β-Glucan from the Black Yeast Attenuates -Induced Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Injury in Caco-2 Cell Monolayers via Exerting Anti-Oxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties.
The zoonotic pathogens spp. infection disrupted intestinal epithelial barrier function and induced local gastroenteritis and systemic inflammation in humans and animals. Sophy β-glucan, a water-soluble β-1,3/1,6-glucan synthesized from the black yeast , was reported with immune-regulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-infective properties. Here, we investigated the protective role of sophy β-glucan on serotype Enteritidis (SE)-challenged Caco-2 cells monolayer and explored underlying action mechanisms. The results showed that pretreatment with sophy β-glucan blocked the adhesion and invasion of SE onto Caco-2 cells along with alleviating SE-induced epithelial barrier injury, as evidenced by increased trans-epithelial electrical resistance, decreased fluorescently-labeled dextran 4 flux permeability, and an enhanced Claudin-4 protein level in the SE-stimulated Caco-2 cell monolayer. Moreover, treatment with β-glucan down-regulated pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-8, and TNF-α) while up-regulating anti-inflammatory factors IL-10 at mRNA and protein levels in SE-infected Caco-2 cells. Furthermore, sophy β-glucan strengthened the anti-oxidative capacity of Caco-2 monolayers cells by elevating T-AOC and SOD activity and inhibiting MDA production defending SE. Together, our data showed that sophy β-glucan could prevent intestinal epithelial injury induced by SE, possibly by exerting anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and it might be helpful for controlling SE infection.
PubMed: 38247473
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13010048 -
Phytopathology Jun 2024Root exudates play a key role in the life cycle of , the causal agent of Verticillium wilt diseases, because they induce microsclerotia germination to initiate plant...
Root Exudates Metabolic Profiling Confirms Distinct Defense Mechanisms Between Cultivars and Treatments with Beneficial Microorganisms and Phosphonate Salts Against Verticillium Wilt in Olive Trees.
Root exudates play a key role in the life cycle of , the causal agent of Verticillium wilt diseases, because they induce microsclerotia germination to initiate plant infection through the roots. In olive plants, the genotype and the application of biological control agents (BCAs) or phosphonate salts influence the ability of root exudates to decrease viability. Understanding the chemical composition of root exudates could provide new insights into the mechanisms of olive plant defense against . Therefore, the main goal of this study was to analyze the metabolomic profiles of root exudates collected from the olive cultivars Arbequina, Frantoio, and Picual subjected to treatment with BCAs ( AP08, PAB-024) or phosphonate salts (copper phosphite, potassium phosphite). These treatments were selected due to their effectiveness as inducers of resistance against Verticillium wilt in olive plants. Our metabolomic analysis revealed that the olive cultivars exhibited differences in root exudates, which could be related to the different degrees of susceptibility to . The composition of root exudates also changed with the application of BCAs or phosphonate fertilizer, highlighting the complex and dynamic nature of the interactions between olive cultivars and treatments preventing infections. Thus, the identification of genotype-specific metabolic changes and specific metabolites induced by these treatments emphasizes the potential of resistance inducers for enhancing plant defense and promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms.
Topics: Olea; Plant Diseases; Plant Roots; Plant Exudates; Ascomycota; Metabolome; Organophosphonates; Metabolomics; Disease Resistance; Verticillium
PubMed: 38205807
DOI: 10.1094/PHYTO-10-23-0406-R -
Scientific Reports Jan 2024Results of an experiment named "Test" on survival and variability of microorganisms in open space near the International Space Station are presented. It was found after...
Results of an experiment named "Test" on survival and variability of microorganisms in open space near the International Space Station are presented. It was found after two-years exposure, spore-forming bacteria of the species Bacillus subtilis, fungi of the species Aureobasidium pullulans and archaea of the species Methanosarcina mazei S-6, deposited on cotton wool, are able to survive, and their numbers decreased equally, regardless of whether the microorganisms belong to different taxonomic groups. The main factors for the long-term survival could be the result of their dehydration and partial lyophilization in the vacuum of near-Earth space. For the first time, after being in outer space, cyst-like cells of the archaea strain M. mazei S-6 and a 14-day delay in their growth were detected when cultured on a nutrient medium compared to the ground-based control strain. In 30% of fungi species strains A. pullulans, isolated after a two-year stay in outer space, the resistance to γ-radiation increased compared to the control strain. It was found that the reaction to the action of various concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and 1% chlorine in the surviving strains of the fungus A. pullulans on the ISS is less pronounced than in the control strain.
Topics: Space Flight; Extraterrestrial Environment; Bacteria; Archaea; Fungi
PubMed: 38172103
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49525-z