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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 -
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 -
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 -
Frontiers in Bioengineering and... 2023Inhibitory compounds generated from lignocellulose pretreatment would inhibit Poly (malic acid) (PMA) production by , but the tolerance mechanism of to lignocellulosic...
Inhibitory compounds generated from lignocellulose pretreatment would inhibit Poly (malic acid) (PMA) production by , but the tolerance mechanism of to lignocellulosic inhibitor is poorly understood. In this study, the cellular response of to lignocellulosic inhibitor stress was studied. Among the three groups of inhibitors (furans, weak acids and phenolic aldehydes), phenolic aldehyde was the dominant inhibitor for PMA production. Phenolic aldehyde was mainly converted into phenolic alcohol by , and phenolic alcohol also exhibited severe inhibition on PMA production. Furthermore, the effect of detoxification methods on inhibitor-removal and PMA fermentation was investigated, both CaCO and overliming presented poor detoxification effect, whereas resin H103 could remove both furan derivatives and phenolic compounds efficiently, thereby producing 26.27 g/L of PMA with a yield of 0.30 g/g in batch fermentation. This study will be beneficial for the development of PMA production from lignocellulosic biomass.
PubMed: 38152284
DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1339982 -
IBRO Neuroscience Reports Dec 2023This exploratory case-control study is to evaluate the effects of supplementation of -N-163 strain produced 1,3-1,- 6 beta glucan in young patients with Duchenne...
Beneficial immune-modulatory effects of the N-163 strain of -produced 1,3-1,6 Beta glucans in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Results of an open-label, prospective, exploratory case-control clinical study.
BACKGROUND
This exploratory case-control study is to evaluate the effects of supplementation of -N-163 strain produced 1,3-1,- 6 beta glucan in young patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
METHODS
Twenty-seven male subjects aged 5-19 years with DMD were included, nine in the control arm and 18 in the treatment arm to receive N-163 beta glucan along with conventional therapies for 45 days. While performing the analysis, steroid usage was also taken into consideration, those not administered steroids (Steroid -ve) (Control, n = 5; treatment, n = 9), those administered steroids (Steroid +ve) (Control, n = 4; treatment, n = 9).
RESULTS
IL-6 showed a significant decrease in the treatment groups, especially the N-163 Steroid -ve group. IL-13 decreased in both treatment groups and TGF-β levels showed a significant decrease in the treatment groups, especially the N-163 Steroid -ve group, (p < 0.05). Dystrophin levels increased by up to 32% in the treatment groups compared to the control. Medical research council (MRC) grading showed slight improvement in muscle strength improvement in 12 out of 18 patients (67%) in the treatment group and four out of nine (44%) subjects in the control group.
CONCLUSION
Supplementation with the N-163 beta glucan food supplement produced beneficial effects: a significant decrease in inflammation and fibrosis markers, increase in serum dystrophin and slight improvement in muscle strength in DMD subjects over 45 days, thus making this a potential adjunct treatment for DMD after validation.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The study was registered in Clinical trials registry of India, CTRI/2021/05/033346. Registered on 5th May, 2021.
PubMed: 38053632
DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.06.007 -
Heliyon Nov 2023In an attempt to enhance the value of sugarcane leaf, xylan was extracted and used for xylooligosaccharide (XO) production via enzymatic hydrolysis using xylanase from...
In an attempt to enhance the value of sugarcane leaf, xylan was extracted and used for xylooligosaccharide (XO) production via enzymatic hydrolysis using xylanase from the black yeast . The xylan was extracted from sugarcane leaf using alkali extraction according to the response surface methodology. The highest xylan yield (99.42 ± 4.05 % recovery) was obtained using 14.32 % (w/v) NaOH, 13.25:1 liquid: solid ratio, at 121 °C and 15 lb.in for 32 min. Sugar composition and FTIR spectrum analyses confirmed its structure as arabinoxylan. The extracted arabinoxylan had a relatively high molecular weight compared to previous studies. Crude endoxylanase from NRRL 58523 was selected for enzymatic hydrolysis of the xylan. The enzyme hydrolyzed well at 50 °C, pH 4.0 and was relatively stable under this condition (87.38 ± 1.26 % of the activity remained after 60 h). XOs, especially xylobiose and xylotriose, were obtained at the maximum yield of 237.51 ± 17.69 mg/g xylan via endoxylanase hydrolysis under the optimum conditions (50 °C, pH 4.0, 65.31 U/g xylan, 53 h). XOs exhibited species-specific prebiotic activity toward three strains of spp. but not toward spp.
PubMed: 38034795
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22107 -
Heliyon Nov 2023Red dragon fruit (RDF) is well-known for its high nutritional content, especially the red pigment betacyanins that possess high antioxidant activity. Natural...
Red dragon fruit (RDF) is well-known for its high nutritional content, especially the red pigment betacyanins that possess high antioxidant activity. Natural fermentation is an ancient yet outstanding technique that relies on the autochthonous microbiota from fruits and vegetables surfaces to preserve and improve the nutritional values and quality of the food product. The present study was to evaluate and identify the indigenous microbial community (bacteria and fungi) that are involved in the natural fermentation of RDF. Results revealed a total of twenty bacterial pure cultures and nine fungal pure cultures were successfully isolated from fermented red dragon fruit drink (FRDFD). For the first time, the PCR amplification of 16S rRNA and ITS regions and sequence analysis suggested nine genera of bacteria and three genera of fungi (, , and ) present in the FRDFD. Four dominant (≥10 % isolates) bacteria species identified from FRDFD were , , and . The carbohydrate fermentation test showed that all the indigenous microbes identified were able to serve as useful starter culture by fermenting sucrose and glucose, thereby producing acid to lower the pH of FRDFD to around pH 4 for better betacyanins stability. The present study provides a more comprehensive understanding of the indigenous microbial community that serves as the starter culture in the fermentation of RDF. Besides, this study provides a useful guide for future research to be conducted on studying the rare bacterial strains (such as ) identified from the FRDFD for their potential bioactivities and applications in medical treatment and functional foods industries.
PubMed: 38027851
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21940