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Applied and Environmental Microbiology Jun 2011Fungal growth in damp or water-damaged buildings worldwide is an increasing problem, which has adverse effects on both the occupants and the buildings. Air sampling...
Fungal growth in damp or water-damaged buildings worldwide is an increasing problem, which has adverse effects on both the occupants and the buildings. Air sampling alone in moldy buildings does not reveal the full diversity of fungal species growing on building materials. One aim of this study was to estimate the qualitative and quantitative diversity of fungi growing on damp or water-damaged building materials. Another was to determine if associations exist between the most commonly found fungal species and different types of materials. More than 5,300 surface samples were taken by means of V8 contact plates from materials with visible fungal growth. Fungal identifications and information on building material components were analyzed using multivariate statistic methods to determine associations between fungi and material components. The results confirmed that Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus versicolor are the most common fungal species in water-damaged buildings. The results also showed Chaetomium spp., Acremonium spp., and Ulocladium spp. to be very common on damp building materials. Analyses show that associated mycobiotas exist on different building materials. Associations were found between (i) Acremonium spp., Penicillium chrysogenum, Stachybotrys spp., Ulocladium spp., and gypsum and wallpaper, (ii) Arthrinium phaeospermum, Aureobasidium pullulans, Cladosporium herbarum, Trichoderma spp., yeasts, and different types of wood and plywood, and (iii) Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus melleus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus ochraceus, Chaetomium spp., Mucor racemosus, Mucor spinosus, and concrete and other floor-related materials. These results can be used to develop new and resistant building materials and relevant allergen extracts and to help focus research on relevant mycotoxins, microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs), and microparticles released into the indoor environment.
Topics: Biodiversity; Colony Count, Microbial; Environmental Microbiology; Fungi; Housing
PubMed: 21531835
DOI: 10.1128/AEM.02513-10 -
International Journal of Food Science 2022Spices and herbs are widely used food ingredients that enhance most organoleptic features of prepared foods. They are also used for medicinal and preservative purposes....
Spices and herbs are widely used food ingredients that enhance most organoleptic features of prepared foods. They are also used for medicinal and preservative purposes. Spices and herbs are potential carriers of bacteria, yeasts, and molds due to the nature of cultivation, harvest methods, storage conditions, packaging procedures, distribution, sale, and general handling. Although some fungi have been identified to be associated with most spices and herbs elsewhere in the world, little has been done on the presence of fungi in spices and herbs in Ghana. This study sought to identify the toxicogenic fungal profiles, mycotoxins (aflatoxins) present in some herbs, bay leaf () and garden egg leaves ("gboma") (), and spices, ginger () and "dawadawa"(), as well as to investigate the antimicrobial properties of the selected herbs and spices. The decimal reduction technique was used to plate onto Dichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol (DRBC) agar media plates for fungal growth. Aflatoxin detection was carried out with high-performance liquid chromatographer connected to a fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD). Antimicrobial properties were carried out using the agar diffusion method on solidified, freshly prepared Mueller-Hinton agar. A total of 12 species belonging to 7 genera, (, , , and ), (, ), (), (, ), (), sp., and , were identified as fungal contaminants. was the most predominant species identified. Fresh ginger recorded the greatest number of colony-forming units (3.71 log CFU/g) with bay leaves recording the least number of colony counts (2.36 log CFU/g). Mycotoxin concentration detected in gboma was2.06 ± 0.07 g/kgand in dawadawa was2.13 ± 0.09 g/kg; however, mycotoxins were not detected in bay leaf and ginger. Ginger exhibited antibacterial activity against all bacteria ranging from 7.0 ± 0.0 mm to 12.0 ± 5.66 mm zones of inhibition. Ginger, bay leaf, and gboma extracts displayed fair antimicrobial activity against the bacteria investigated. On the other hand, generally produced the least resistance against the five bacterial species but exhibited the highest zone of inhibition. All samples were slightly acidic with pH readings ranging from 5.81 to 6.76.
PubMed: 35784191
DOI: 10.1155/2022/7195890 -
Microorganisms Oct 2020Recently, specific dry-cured hams have started to be produced in San Daniele and Parma areas. The ingredients are similar to protected denomination of origin (PDO)...
Recently, specific dry-cured hams have started to be produced in San Daniele and Parma areas. The ingredients are similar to protected denomination of origin (PDO) produced in San Daniele or Parma areas, and include pork leg, coming from pigs bred in the Italian peninsula, salt and spices. However, these specific new products cannot be marked as a PDO, either San Daniele or Parma dry cured ham, because they are seasoned for 6 months, and the mark PDO is given only to products seasoned over 13 months. Consequently, these products are called short-seasoned dry-cured ham (SSDCH) and are not branded PDO. During their seasoning period, particularly from the first drying until the end of the seasoning period, many molds, including spp. and spp., can grow on the surface and work together with other molds and tissue enzymes to produce a unique aroma. Both of these strains typically predominate over other molds. However, molds producing ochratoxins, such as and , can simultaneously grow and produce ochratoxin A (OTA). Consequently, these dry-cured hams may represent a potential health risk for consumers. Recently, has been isolated from SSDCHs, which could represent a potential problem for consumers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to inhibit using or or a mix of both microorganisms. Six and six strains were tested in vitro for their ability to inhibit . The strains (DIAL)1 and (Lb)4 demonstrated the highest inhibitory activity and were selected for in situ tests. The strains were inoculated or co-inoculated on fresh pork legs for SSDCH production with OTA-producing prior to the first drying and seasoning. At the end of seasoning (six months), OTA was not detected in the SSDCH treated with both microorganisms and their combination. Because both strains did not adversely affect the SSDCH odor or flavor, the combination of these strains are proposed for use as starters to inhibit OTA-producing .
PubMed: 33096725
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8101623 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2022a raw material for preparation, is highly vulnerable to aflatoxin-producing fungi. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a one-year fermentation on...
a raw material for preparation, is highly vulnerable to aflatoxin-producing fungi. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a one-year fermentation on aflatoxins and aflatoxin-producing fungi in spiked with aflatoxins B1, G1, B2, and G2 and inoculated with toxigenic . A significant reduction in aflatoxins was observed after a year of fermentation, measuring 92.58%, 100%, 98.69%, and 100% of B1, G1, B2, and G2, respectively. After a year of fermentation, 6.95 ± 3.64 µg/kg of total aflatoxin was detected, which represents a 97.88% reduction in the total aflatoxin compared with the initial value (328.83 ± 36.60 µg/kg). Several aflatoxin-degrading fungi (, , ) and bacteria (, ) isolated from were identified as the major contributors to the reduction of aflatoxin. Furthermore, it was observed that most of the aflatoxin contamination in occurred during the stage, and this stage was found to be most susceptible to contamination and growth. These findings reveal that native microorganisms mediate aflatoxin clean-up in during fermentation and support the use of such microorganisms as a starter culture for the preparation of aflatoxin-free .
PubMed: 35205943
DOI: 10.3390/jof8020190 -
Marine Drugs Mar 2022Oxidative stress has been implicated in the etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). Molecules non-covalently binding to the Keap1-Nrf2 complex could be a promising...
Oxidative stress has been implicated in the etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). Molecules non-covalently binding to the Keap1-Nrf2 complex could be a promising therapeutic approach for PD. Herein, two novel prenylated indole alkaloids asperpenazine (), and asperpendoline () with a scarce skeleton of pyrimido[1,6-]indole were discovered from the co-cultivated fungi of MCCC 3A00521 and sp. HUBU 0120. Compound exhibited potential neuroprotective activity on SH-SY5Y cells against oxidative stress. Molecular mechanism research demonstrated that inhibited Keap1 expression, resulting in the translocation of Nrf2 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, activating the downstream genes expression of HO-1 and NQO1, leading to the reduction in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the augment of glutathione. Molecular docking and dynamic simulation analyses manifested that interacted with Keap1 (PDB ID: 1X2R) via forming typical hydrogen and hydrophobic bonds with residues and presented less fluctuation of RMSD and RMSF during a natural physiological condition.
Topics: Aspergillus ochraceus; Cell Line, Tumor; Glutathione; Humans; Indole Alkaloids; Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1; Molecular Docking Simulation; Molecular Dynamics Simulation; Molecular Structure; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; Neuroprotection; Neuroprotective Agents; Oxidative Stress; Penicillium; Prenylation
PubMed: 35323490
DOI: 10.3390/md20030191 -
Applied and Environmental Microbiology Oct 1978Fungal isolates from legumes were cultured on rice and examined for production of the toxic mold metabolites xanthomegnin and viomellein. Six of 14 Aspergillus ochraceus...
Fungal isolates from legumes were cultured on rice and examined for production of the toxic mold metabolites xanthomegnin and viomellein. Six of 14 Aspergillus ochraceus isolates produced from 0.3 to 1.3 mg of xanthomegnin per g and 0.1 to 1.0 mg of viomellein per g. One of nine isolates of Penicillium cyclopium produced 0.1 mg of xanthomegnin per g and 0.06 mg of viomellein per g. Three of nine P. viridicatum isolates produced from 0.4 to 1.6 mg of xanthomegnin per g and 0.2 to 0.4 mg of viomellein per g. This is the first report of xanthomegnin and viomellein production by A. ochraeus and P. cyclopium.
Topics: Aspergillus; Culture Media; Fabaceae; Food Microbiology; Mycotoxins; Naphthoquinones; Oryza; Penicillium; Plants, Medicinal; Species Specificity
PubMed: 708029
DOI: 10.1128/aem.36.4.552-554.1978 -
Journal of Food Protection Oct 1999The effects of nisin and propionic acid (PA) on aflatoxin production and on mycelial growth and spore germination of the mycotoxigenic fungi Aspergillus parasiticus, A....
The effects of nisin and propionic acid (PA) on aflatoxin production and on mycelial growth and spore germination of the mycotoxigenic fungi Aspergillus parasiticus, A. ochraceus, and Fusarium moniliforme were investigated. The growth of A. ochraceus was completely inhibited on media containing PA with nisin in concentrations of 0.05% PA with 1,000 ppm nisin, and 0.1% PA with 500 or 1,000 ppm nisin. The growth of both F. moniliforme and A. parasiticus was completely inhibited by PA with nisin at a concentration of 0.1% PA with 1,000 ppm nisin. Nisin alone caused a significant increase in mycelial growth when applied to A. ochraceus at 500 or 1,000 ppm and when applied to A. parasiticus at 1,000 ppm. Spore germination of A. ochraceus was completely inhibited on media containing 0.1% PA with 500 or 1,000 ppm nisin. Spores of F. moniliforme failed to germinate in 0.05% PA with 500 or 1,000 ppm nisin, whereas spores of A. parasiticus did not germinate on media containing 0.1% PA with 1,000 ppm nisin. For all three fungi tested, the inhibitory effect on mycelial growth was found to be fungistatic rather than fungicidal. The combined treatment of PA with nisin produced better fungistatic activity than treatment involving either material alone. Nisin, applied alone, did not stimulate aflatoxin production (expressed by microg toxin/mg mycelium), but the combined treatment at certain concentrations was inhibitory to aflatoxin B1 or G1. The production of aflatoxin G1, but not of B1, was stimulated in 0.05% PA with 1,000 ppm nisin and on media containing 0.1% PA with 100 ppm nisin. Nisin is currently applied in foods to prevent spoilage induced by bacteria but not by mold. The results of the present study indicate that a combined treatment of nisin in small concentrations of PA might be useful in preventing mold damage in certain foods and stored grain.
Topics: Aflatoxins; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Aspergillus; Drug Synergism; Fusarium; Ionophores; Nisin; Propionates
PubMed: 10528732
DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x-62.10.1223 -
Microorganisms Apr 2023The current investigation addressed the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using newly isolated silver-resistant rare actinomycetes, SNPRA1 and SNPRA2,...
The current investigation addressed the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using newly isolated silver-resistant rare actinomycetes, SNPRA1 and SNPRA2, and investigated their impact on the mycotoxigenic fungi ATCC 11498 and ATCC 60532. The formation of AgNPs was evidenced by the reaction's color change to brownish and the appearance of the characteristic surface plasmon resonance. The transmission electron microscopy of biogenic AgNPs produced by SNPRA1 and SNPRA2 (designated Gn-AgNPs and La-AgNPs, respectively) revealed the generation of monodispersed spherical nanoparticles with average sizes of 8.48 ± 1.72 nm and 9.67 ± 2.64 nm, respectively. Furthermore, the XRD patterns reflected their crystallinity and the FTIR spectra demonstrated the presence of proteins as capping agents. Both bioinspired AgNPs exhibited a remarkable inhibitory effect on the conidial germination of the investigated mycotoxigenic fungi. The bioinspired AgNPs caused an increase in DNA and protein leakage, suggesting the disruption of membrane permeability and integrity. Interestingly, the biogenic AgNPs completely inhibited the production of total aflatoxins and ochratoxin A at concentrations less than 8 μg/mL. At the same time, cytotoxicity investigations revealed the low toxicity of the biogenic AgNPs against the human skin fibroblast (HSF) cell line. Both biogenic AgNPs exhibited feasible biocompatibility with HSF cells at concentrations up to 10 μg/mL and their IC values were 31.78 and 25.83 μg/mL for Gn-AgNPs and La-AgNPs, respectively. The present work sheds light on the antifungal prospect of the biogenic AgNPs produced by rare actinomycetes against mycotoxigenic fungi as promising candidates to combat mycotoxin formation in food chains at nontoxic doses.
PubMed: 37110430
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11041006 -
Mycobiology 2023is one of the largest and diverse genera of fungi with huge economical, biotechnological, and social significance. Taxonomically, is divided into six subgenera...
is one of the largest and diverse genera of fungi with huge economical, biotechnological, and social significance. Taxonomically, is divided into six subgenera comprising 27 sections. In this study, 235 strains of subgenus (section: , , , , and ) preserved at the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection (KACC) were analyzed and re-identified using a combined dataset of partial β-tubulin (), Calmodulin () gene sequences and morphological data. We confirmed nineteen species to be priorly reported in Korea (, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and ). Among the studied strains, three species (, , and ), previously unreported or not officially documented, were discovered in Korea, to the best of our knowledge. We have given a detailed description of the characteristic features of the three species, which remain uncharted in Korea.
PubMed: 37929011
DOI: 10.1080/12298093.2023.2257997 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024Nowadays, unprecedented health challenges are urging novel solutions to address antimicrobial resistance as multidrug-resistant strains of bacteria, yeasts and moulds...
Nowadays, unprecedented health challenges are urging novel solutions to address antimicrobial resistance as multidrug-resistant strains of bacteria, yeasts and moulds are emerging. Such microorganisms can cause food and feed spoilage, food poisoning and even more severe diseases, resulting in human death. In order to overcome this phenomenon, it is essential to identify novel antimicrobials that are naturally occurring, biologically effective and increasingly safe for human use. The development of gemmotherapy extracts (GTEs) using plant parts such as buds and young shoots has emerged as a novel approach to treat/prevent human conditions due to their associated antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and/or antimicrobial properties that all require careful evaluations. Seven GTEs obtained from plant species like the olive ( L.), almond ( L.), black mulberry ( L.), walnut ( L.), blackberry ( L.), blackcurrant ( L.) and bilberry ( L.) were tested for their antimicrobial efficiency via agar diffusion and microbroth dilution methods. The antimicrobial activity was assessed for eight bacterial (, , subsp. , , , , and ), five moulds (, , , , ) and one yeast strain (). The agar diffusion method revealed the blackberry GTE as the most effective since it inhibited the growth of three bacterial, four moulds and one yeast species, having considered the total number of affected microorganism species. Next to the blackberry, the olive GTE appeared to be the second most efficient, suppressing five bacterial strains but no moulds or yeasts. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were then determined for each GTE and the microorganisms tested. Noticeably, the olive GTE appeared to feature the strongest bacteriostatic and bactericidal outcome, displaying specificity for , and . The other GTEs, such as blueberry, walnut, black mulberry and almond (the list indicates relative strength), were more effective at suppressing microbial growth than inducing microbial death. However, some species specificities were also evident, while the blackcurrant GTE had no significant antimicrobial activity. Having seen the antimicrobial properties of the analysed GTEs, especially the olive and black mulberry GTEs, these could be envisioned as potential antimicrobials that might enhance antibiotic therapies efficiency, while the blackberry GTE would act as an antifungal agent. Some of the GTE mixtures analysed have shown interesting antimicrobial synergies, and all the antimicrobial effects observed argue for extending these studies to include pathological microorganisms.
PubMed: 38391567
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13020181