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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2022Fungus continues to attract great attention as a promising pool of biometabolites. Wilh (Aspergillaceae) has established its capacity to biosynthesize a myriad of... (Review)
Review
Fungus continues to attract great attention as a promising pool of biometabolites. Wilh (Aspergillaceae) has established its capacity to biosynthesize a myriad of metabolites belonging to different chemical classes, such as isocoumarins, pyrazines, sterols, indole alkaloids, diketopiperazines, polyketides, peptides, quinones, polyketides, and sesquiterpenoids, revealing various bioactivities that are antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, and neuroprotective. Additionally, produces a variety of enzymes that could have variable industrial and biotechnological applications. From 1965 until June 2022, 165 metabolites were reported from isolated from different sources. In this review, the formerly separated metabolites from , including their bioactivities and biosynthesis, in addition, the industrial and biotechnological potential of are highlighted.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antiviral Agents; Aspergillus ochraceus; Diketopiperazines; Indole Alkaloids; Isocoumarins; Peptides; Polyketides; Pyrazines; Quinones; Sterols
PubMed: 36235292
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196759 -
Frontiers in Chemistry 2022, generally known as a food spoilage fungus, is the representative species in section . strains are widely distributed in nature, and usually isolated from cereal,... (Review)
Review
, generally known as a food spoilage fungus, is the representative species in section . strains are widely distributed in nature, and usually isolated from cereal, coffee, fruit, and beverage. Increasing cases suggest acts as human and animal pathogens due to producing the mycotoxins. However, in terms of benefits to mankind, is the potential source of industrial enzymes, and has excellent capability to produce diverse structural products, including polyketides, nonribosomal peptides, diketopiperazine alkaloids, benzodiazepine alkaloids, pyrazines, bis-indolyl benzenoids, nitrobenzoyl sesquiterpenoids, and steroids. This review outlines recent discovery, chemical structure, biosynthetic pathway, and bio-activity of the natural compounds from .
PubMed: 36092677
DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.938626 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2023Biotransformation of ursonic acid () by two fungal strains CGMCC 3.5324 and CGMCC 3.407 yielded thirteen new compounds (, , -, and -), along with five recognized ones....
Biotransformation of ursonic acid () by two fungal strains CGMCC 3.5324 and CGMCC 3.407 yielded thirteen new compounds (, , -, and -), along with five recognized ones. The structural details of new compounds were determined through spectroscopic examination (NMR, IR, and HR-MS) and X-ray crystallography. Various modifications, including hydroxylation, epoxidation, lactonization, oxygen introduction, and transmethylation, were identified on the ursane core. Additionally, the anti-neuroinflammatory efficacy of these derivatives was assessed on BV-2 cells affected by lipopolysaccharides. It was observed that certain methoxylated and epoxylated derivatives (, , and ) showcased enhanced suppressive capabilities, boasting IC values of 8.2, 6.9, and 5.3 μM. Such ursonic acid derivatives might emerge as potential primary molecules in addressing neurodegenerative diseases.
Topics: Aspergillus ochraceus; Aspergillus oryzae; Crystallography, X-Ray; Biotransformation
PubMed: 38138433
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28247943 -
Toxins Mar 2021Ochratoxin A (OTA) usually contaminates agricultural products such as grapes, oatmeal, coffee and spices. Light was reported as an effective strategy to control spoilage... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Ochratoxin A (OTA) usually contaminates agricultural products such as grapes, oatmeal, coffee and spices. Light was reported as an effective strategy to control spoilage fungi and mycotoxins. This research investigated the effects of light with different wavelengths on the growth and the production of OTA in and . The results showed that the growth of both fungi were extremely inhibited by UV-B. Short-wavelength (blue, violet) significantly inhibited the production of OTA in both fungi, while the inhibitory effect of white was only demonstrated on . These results were supported by the expression profiles of OTA biosynthetic genes of and . To clarify, the decrease in OTA production is induced by inhibition or degradation; therefore, the degradation of OTA under different wavelengths of light was tested. Under UV-B, the degradation rate of 10 μg/mL OTA standard pure-solution samples could reach 96.50% in 15 days, and the degradation effect of blue light was relatively weak. Furthermore, infection experiments of pears showed that the pathogenicity of both fungi was significantly decreased under UV-B radiation. Thus, these results suggested that light could be used as a potential target for strategies in the prevention and control of ochratoxigenic fungi.
Topics: Aspergillus; Aspergillus ochraceus; Food Microbiology; Fruit; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; Ochratoxins; Pyrus; Time Factors; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 33807312
DOI: 10.3390/toxins13040251 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023and are important pathogenic fungi that pose a serious threat because of their ability to produce mycotoxins, including ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxins (AFs). The...
and are important pathogenic fungi that pose a serious threat because of their ability to produce mycotoxins, including ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxins (AFs). The main method of reducing these pathogens is the use of chemical fungicides, though recently there has been a focus on finding biological control agents. The obtained results from this study indicate the great potential of two wild yeast strains, PP3 and D10, in the biological control of and and reductions in the amount of OTA and AFs they produce. In vitro, the growth of the mycelium of pathogens was reduced by 41.21% to 53.64%, and spore germination was inhibited by 58.39% to 71.22%. Both yeast strains produced the enzymes chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, and amylase, and PP3 additionally produced protease and cellulase. This yeast strain also had the ability to grow over a wide range of temperature (4-30 °C), salinity (0-12%) and pH (4-11) conditions. No growth of the yeast was observed at 37 °C, nor any biogenic amines or hydrogen sulfide production. Adding the tested yeast inoculum to the dough reduced OTA (within 14.55-21.80%) and AFs (within 18.10-25.02%) in the model bread.
PubMed: 37893764
DOI: 10.3390/foods12203871 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2021In this study, we investigated the properties of proteolytic enzymes of two species of , 1 (with a high degree of pathogenicity) and L-1 (a conditional pathogen), and...
In this study, we investigated the properties of proteolytic enzymes of two species of , 1 (with a high degree of pathogenicity) and L-1 (a conditional pathogen), and their effects on various components of the hemostasis system (in vitro) in the case of their penetration into the bloodstream. We showed that micromycete proteases were highly active in cleaving both globular (albuminolysis) and fibrillar (fibrin) proteins, and, to varying degrees, they could coagulate the plasma of humans and animals (due to proteolysis of factors of the blood coagulation cascade) but were not able to coagulate fibrinogen. The proteases of both fully hydrolyzed thrombi in 120-180 min. Micromycetes did not show hemolytic activity but were able to break down hemoglobin.
PubMed: 34440526
DOI: 10.3390/life11080782 -
Toxins Sep 2013Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a very important mycotoxin, and its research is focused right now on the new findings of OTA, like being a complete carcinogen, information about... (Review)
Review
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a very important mycotoxin, and its research is focused right now on the new findings of OTA, like being a complete carcinogen, information about OTA producers and new exposure sources of OTA. Citrinin (CIT) is another important mycotoxin, too, and its research turns towards nephrotoxicity. Both additive and synergistic effects have been described in combination with OTA. OTA is produced in foodstuffs by Aspergillus Section Circumdati (Aspergillus ochraceus, A. westerdijkiae, A. steynii) and Aspergillus Section Nigri (Aspergillus carbonarius, A. foetidus, A. lacticoffeatus, A. niger, A. sclerotioniger, A. tubingensis), mostly in subtropical and tropical areas. OTA is produced in foodstuffs by Penicillium verrucosum and P. nordicum, notably in temperate and colder zones. CIT is produced in foodstuffs by Monascus species (Monascus purpureus, M. ruber) and Penicillium species (Penicillium citrinum, P. expansum, P. radicicola, P. verrucosum). OTA was frequently found in foodstuffs of both plant origin (e.g., cereal products, coffee, vegetable, liquorice, raisins, wine) and animal origin (e.g., pork/poultry). CIT was also found in foodstuffs of vegetable origin (e.g., cereals, pomaceous fruits, black olive, roasted nuts, spices), food supplements based on rice fermented with red microfungi Monascus purpureus and in foodstuffs of animal origin (e.g., cheese).
Topics: Aspergillus; Citrinin; Diet; Food Contamination; Monascus; Ochratoxins; Penicillium
PubMed: 24048364
DOI: 10.3390/toxins5091574 -
Toxins Jan 2021Dry-cured meat products are worldwide food with high-salt content, and filamentous fungi are beneficial to the maturation process. However, some salt-tolerant strains of...
Dry-cured meat products are worldwide food with high-salt content, and filamentous fungi are beneficial to the maturation process. However, some salt-tolerant strains of and produce ochratoxin A (OTA) on these products and thus threaten food safety. In our study, proteomic analysis was performed to reveal the mechanism of adaptability to high-salt environment by . Twenty g/L and 70 g/L NaCl substrates were used to provide medium- and high-NaCl content environments, respectively. The NaCl addition could induce fungal growth, but only 20 g/L NaCl addition could induce spore production while 70 g/L repressed it. Proteomics analysis identified 2646 proteins in fc-1, of which 237 and 251 were differentially expressed with 20 g/L and 70 g/L NaCl addition, respectively. Potential factors affecting fungal growth and development were identified by GO and KEGG analyses of biological process, cellular component, and molecular function terms. The results revealed that ergosterol synthesis pathway was significantly upregulated with 20 g/L and 70 g/L NaCl addition. However, fungal growth and development including OTA production were complex processes associated with many factors including nutrient uptake, cell membrane integrity, cell cycle, energy metabolism, intracellular redox homeostasis, protein synthesis and processing, autophagy, and secondary metabolism. Reactive oxygen species may be an important window to understand the mechanism that medium-salt content was conducive to intracellular signal transduction while high-salt content caused oxidative stress. The findings would help to improve the processes and storage conditions of dry-cured meat products.
Topics: Animals; Aspergillus ochraceus; Culture Media; Food Contamination; Food Microbiology; Mycotoxins; Ochratoxins; Proteome; Sodium Chloride
PubMed: 33450861
DOI: 10.3390/toxins13010051 -
Heliyon Nov 2023Essential oils (EOs) are natural products called volatile oils or aromatic and ethereal oils derived from various parts of plants. They possess antioxidant and... (Review)
Review
Essential oils (EOs) are natural products called volatile oils or aromatic and ethereal oils derived from various parts of plants. They possess antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which offer natural protection against a variety of pathogens and spoilage microorganisms. Studies conducted in the last decade have demonstrated the unique applications of these compounds in the fields of the food industry, agriculture, and skin health. This systematic article provides a summary of recent data pertaining to the effectiveness of EOs and their constituents in combating fungal pathogens through diverse mechanisms. Antifungal investigations involving EOs were conducted on multiple academic platforms, including Google Scholar, Science Direct, Elsevier, Springer, Scopus, and PubMed, spanning from April 2000 to October 2023. Various combinations of keywords, such as "essential oil," "volatile oils," "antifungal," and " species," were used in the search. Numerous essential oils have demonstrated both and antifungal activity against different species of , including , , A. , A. , and A. ochraceus. They have also exhibited efficacy against other fungal species, such as species, , and Alternaria. The findings of this study offer novel insights into inhibitory pathways and suggest the potential of essential oils as promising agents with antifungal and anti-mycotoxigenic properties. These properties could make them viable alternatives to conventional preservatives, thereby enhancing the shelf life of various food products.
PubMed: 37954273
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21386 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) May 2023and are spoilage and mycotoxin-producing fungi that can contaminate agricultural commodities and derived products. In the present study, menthol, eugenol, and their...
and are spoilage and mycotoxin-producing fungi that can contaminate agricultural commodities and derived products. In the present study, menthol, eugenol, and their combination (mix 1:1) were tested to determine their contact and fumigation toxicity against the two fungi. Menthol, eugenol, and their mixture significantly reduced mycelial growth and spore germination at concentrations from 300 to 600 µg/mL, and the inhibitory effects showed clear dose dependence. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values against were 500 µg/mL (menthol), 400 µg/mL (eugenol), and 300 µg/mL (mix 1:1), while the MIC values for were 500 µg/mL (menthol), 600 µg/mL (eugenol), and 400 µg/mL (mix 1:1). Additionally, the analyzed compounds exhibited more than 50% protection against and by fumigation of stored cereal grains (maize, barley, and rice) in sealed containers. The binary mixture of menthol and eugenol showed synergistic effects against both fungi in both in vitro direct contact and stored grain fumigation trials. The results of the present study provide a scientific basis for the application of a combination of natural antifungals in food preservation.
PubMed: 37297353
DOI: 10.3390/foods12112108