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Toxins Feb 2023, a Chinese herbal medicine, is susceptible to molds during storage, reducing its quality, and even generating mycotoxins with toxic effects on human health. Fresh was...
Isolation of the Main Pathogens Causing Postharvest Disease in Fresh during Different Storage Stages and Impacts of Ozone Treatment on Disease Development and Mycotoxin Production.
, a Chinese herbal medicine, is susceptible to molds during storage, reducing its quality, and even generating mycotoxins with toxic effects on human health. Fresh was harvested from Min County of Gansu Province in China and kept at room temperature. Naturally occurring symptoms were observed during different storage stages. Molds were isolated and identified from the diseased using morphological and molecular biology methods. The impact of ozone treatment on postharvest disease development and mycotoxin production was investigated. The results indicated that decay began on day 7 of storage and progressed thereafter. Nine mold species were isolated and characterized: day 7, two ; day 14, ; day 21, two species and ; day 28, and ; and day 49, . Ozone treatment markedly inhibited the development of postharvest disease and the mycotoxin production (such as, patulin, 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol, and sterigmatocystin) in the rotten tissue of inoculated with the nine isolates.
Topics: Humans; Mycotoxins; Angelica sinensis; Ozone; Patulin; Sterigmatocystin; Penicillium
PubMed: 36828468
DOI: 10.3390/toxins15020154 -
Central European Journal of Public... Sep 2015The aim of this study was to determine the antifungal activity of titanium dioxide activated by indoor light on Czapek Yeast Agar (CYA).
AIM
The aim of this study was to determine the antifungal activity of titanium dioxide activated by indoor light on Czapek Yeast Agar (CYA).
METHODS
The agar plate method was used and titania P25 (Evonik) was added to the medium in the amount of 20 g.dm(-3). The control experiments without titania were also carried out. The water activity (a(w)) of the basal media was adjusted to 0.999, 0.997, 0.975, 0.950, 0.900 and 0.850 with sodium chloride. The photoactivity of titania was tested for six strains of potentially pathogenic fungi: Aspergillus versicolor (WB130, W11), Stachybotrys chartarum (STA1), Pseudallescheria boydii (AP25), Pseudallescheria ellipsoidea (ZUT1 2), Scedosporium apiospermum (ZUT1 1), Scedosporium aurantiacum (ZUT4BIS). After inoculation with fungal spore suspensions, one part of CYA plates was incubated in dark, while another part was daily exposed to indoor light for 12 hours per day.The plates were incubated at 25°C for 10 days. The daily growth rates (mm x day(-1)) were calculated from the linear regression equation.
RESULTS
The CYA supplementation with titanium dioxide for different availability of water resulted in the decrease of fungal growth rates in dark and under irradiation. The lowest and the highest rates of daily growth were obtained in the presence and absence of titania for the low and high water activity (0.900 a(w) and 0.999 a(w)), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Fungi did not grow on all examined media with the lowest water activity (a(w) ≤ 0.850) which confirmed necessity of water for their growth. The fungi Pseudallescheria-Scedosporium were the most sensitive to titania and water activity, while the strains of Aspergillus versicolor were the most resistant to the presence of titania and lack of water. It has been shown that the lack of accessible water resulted in the strongest action of titanium dioxide both in dark and under irradiation. For the lowest amount of accessible water irradiation of titania resulted in complete inhibition of fungal growth. While, under dark conditions, titania presence enhanced the growth of persistent fungi, i.e., Aspergillus versicolor. It is assumed that these fungi could obtain water from the water-rich titania surface.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Fungi; Humans; Lighting; Titanium; Water
PubMed: 26615661
DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4054 -
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology :... May 2011While there is a large variation of prevalence of asthma symptoms worldwide, what we do know is that it is on the rise in developing countries. However, there are few...
While there is a large variation of prevalence of asthma symptoms worldwide, what we do know is that it is on the rise in developing countries. However, there are few studies on allergens, moulds and mycotoxin exposure in schools in tropical countries. The aims were to measure selected fungal DNA, furry pet allergens and mycotoxins in dust samples from schools in Malaysia and to study associations with pupils' respiratory health effects. Eight secondary schools and 32 classrooms in Johor Bahru, Malaysia were randomly selected. A questionnaire with standardized questions was used for health assessment in 15 randomly selected pupils from each class. The school buildings were inspected and both indoor and outdoor climate were measured. Dust samples were collected by cotton swabs and Petri dishes for fungal DNA, mycotoxins and allergens analysis. The participation rate was 96% (462/480 invited pupils), with a mean age of 14 yr (range 14-16). The pupils mostly reported daytime breathlessness (41%), parental asthma or allergy (22%), pollen or pet allergy (21%) and doctor-diagnosed asthma (13%) but rarely reported night-time breathlessness (7%), asthma in the last 12 months (3%), medication for asthma (4%) or smoking (5%). The inspection showed that no school had any mechanical ventilation system, but all classrooms had openable windows that were kept open during lectures. The mean building age was 16 yr (range 3-40) and the mean indoor and outdoor CO(2) levels were 492 ppm and 408 ppm, respectively. The mean values of indoor and outdoor temperature and relative humidity were the same, 29°C and 70% respectively. In cotton swab dust samples, the Geometric Mean (GM) value for total fungal DNA and Aspergillus/Penicillium (Asp/Pen) DNA in swab samples (Cell Equivalents (CE)/m(2)) was 5.7*10(8) and 0.5*10(8), respectively. The arithmetic mean (CE/m(2)) for Aspergillus versicolor DNA was 8780, Stachybotrys chartarum DNA was 26 and Streptomyces DNA was 893. The arithmetic means (pg/m(2)) for the mycotoxins sterigmatocystin and verrucarol were 2547 and 17, respectively. In Petri dish dust samples, the GM value for total fungal DNA and Asp/Pen DNA (CE/m(2) per day) was 9.2*10(6) and 1.6*10(6), respectively. The arithmetic mean (CE/m(2) per day) for A. versicolor DNA was 1478, S. chartarum DNA was 105 and Streptomyces DNA was 1271, respectively. The GM value for cat (Fel d1) allergen was 5.9 ng/m(2) per day. There were positive associations between A. versicolor DNA, wheeze and daytime breathlessness and between Streptomyces DNA and doctor-diagnosed asthma. However, the associations were inverse between S. chartarum DNA and daytime breathlessness and between verrucarol and daytime breathlessness. In conclusion, fungal DNA and cat allergen contamination were common in schools from Malaysia and there was a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms among pupils. Moreover, there were associations between levels of some fungal DNA and reported respiratory health in the pupils.
Topics: Air Pollution, Indoor; Allergens; Animals; Asthma; Cats; DNA, Fungal; Dogs; Dust; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Malaysia; Male; Mycotoxins; Pets; Prevalence; Schools; Students
PubMed: 21457336
DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2010.01127.x -
Brazilian Journal of Microbiology :... 2017Large quantities of kitchen waste are produced in modern society and its disposal poses serious environmental and social problems. The aim of this study was to isolate...
Large quantities of kitchen waste are produced in modern society and its disposal poses serious environmental and social problems. The aim of this study was to isolate degradative strains from kitchen waste and to develop a novel and effective microbial agent. One hundred and four strains were isolated from kitchen waste and the 84 dominant strains were used to inoculate protein-, starch-, fat- and cellulose-containing media for detecting their degradability. Twelve dominant strains of various species with high degradability (eight bacteria, one actinomycetes and three fungi) were selected to develop a compound microbial agent "YH" and five strains of these species including H7 (Brevibacterium epidermidis), A3 (Paenibacillus polymyxa), E3 (Aspergillus japonicus), F9 (Aspergillus versicolor) and A5 (Penicillium digitatum), were new for kitchen waste degradation. YH was compared with three commercial microbial agents-"Tiangeng" (TG), "Yilezai" (YLZ) and Effective Microorganisms (EM), by their effects on reduction, maturity and deodorization. The results showed that YH exerted the greatest efficacy on mass loss which decreased about 65.87% after 14 days. The agent inhibited NH and HS emissions significantly during composting process. The concentration of NH decreased from 7.1 to 3.2ppm and that of HS reduced from 0.7 to 0.2ppm. Moreover, E/E (Extinction value/Extinction value) of YH decreased from 2.51 to 1.31, which meant YH had an obvious maturity effect. These results highlighted the potential application of YH in composting kitchen waste.
Topics: Bacteria; Biodegradation, Environmental; Fungi; Refuse Disposal; Vegetables
PubMed: 28279600
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjm.2016.12.011 -
Marine Drugs Jun 2020Four new indolyl diketopiperazines, aspamides A-E (- and two new diketopiperazines, aspamides F-G (), along with 11 known diketopiperazines and intermediates were...
Four new indolyl diketopiperazines, aspamides A-E (- and two new diketopiperazines, aspamides F-G (), along with 11 known diketopiperazines and intermediates were isolated from the solid culture of , which is an endophyte with the sea crab ( ). Further chiral high-performance liquid chromatography resolution gave enantiomers (+)- and (-)-, respectively. The structures and absolute configurations of compounds - were determined by the comprehensive analyses of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS), and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation. All isolated compounds were selected for the virtual screening on the coronavirus 3-chymoretpsin-like protease (Mpro) of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the docking scores of compounds -, , , and were top among all screened molecules, may be helpful in fighting with Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) after further studies.
Topics: Antiviral Agents; Aquatic Organisms; Aspergillus; Betacoronavirus; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Coronavirus 3C Proteases; Cysteine Endopeptidases; Diketopiperazines; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Mass Spectrometry; Molecular Docking Simulation; SARS-CoV-2; Stereoisomerism; User-Computer Interface; Viral Nonstructural Proteins
PubMed: 32605149
DOI: 10.3390/md18070338 -
Marine Drugs Nov 2017Asperlin is a marine-derived natural product with antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities in vitro. In the present study, we isolated asperlin from a marine LZD4403...
Asperlin is a marine-derived natural product with antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities in vitro. In the present study, we isolated asperlin from a marine LZD4403 fungus and investigated its anti-atherosclerotic effects in vitro and in vivo. Asperlin significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharides (LPS)- but not oxidated low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-evoked foam cell formation and promoted cholesterol efflux in RAW264.7 macrophages. Supplementation with asperlin also suppressed LPS-elicited production of pro-inflammatory factors in RAW264.7 macrophages, decreased the expression levels of iNOS, IL-1β and TNFα, and increased the expression of IL-10 and IL-4, indicating a remarkable shift in M1/M2 macrophages polarization. In vivo experiments in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed ApoE mice showed that oral administration of asperlin for 12 weeks remarkably suppressed atherosclerotic plaque formation in the aorta, as revealed by the reduced aortic dilatation and decreased atherosclerotic lesion area. Asperlin also decreased serum levels of pro-inflammatory factors but showed little impact on blood lipids in ApoE atherosclerotic mice. These results suggested that asperlin is adequate to prevent atherosclerosis in vivo. It may exert atheroprotective function through suppressing inflammation rather than ameliorating dyslipidemia.
Topics: Animals; Aorta; Apolipoproteins E; Atherosclerosis; Cell Line; Diet, High-Fat; Epoxy Compounds; Foam Cells; Inflammation; Interleukin-1beta; Lipopolysaccharides; Lipoproteins, LDL; Macrophages; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Plaque, Atherosclerotic; Pyrones; RAW 264.7 Cells; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
PubMed: 29135917
DOI: 10.3390/md15110358 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2021To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the efficiency of hydro-alcoholic extract (ASE) againstFigure growth, biofilm development, and...
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the efficiency of hydro-alcoholic extract (ASE) againstFigure growth, biofilm development, and soluble factor production of more than 200 biodeteriogenic microbial strains isolated from cultural heritage objects and buildings. The plant extract composition and antioxidant activities were determined spectrophotometrically and by HPLC-MS. The bioevaluation consisted of the qualitative (adapted diffusion method) and the quantitative evaluation of the inhibitory effect on planktonic growth (microdilution method), biofilm formation (violet crystal microtiter method), and production of microbial enzymes and organic acids. The garlic extract efficiency was correlated with microbial strain taxonomy and isolation source (the fungal strains isolated from paintings and paper and bacteria from wood, paper, and textiles were the most susceptible). The garlic extract contained thiosulfinate (307.66 ± 0.043 µM/g), flavonoids (64.33 ± 7.69 µg QE/g), and polyphenols (0.95 ± 0.011 mg GAE/g) as major compounds and demonstrated the highest efficiency against the (MIC 3.12-6.25 mg/mL) (MIC: 3.12 mg/mL) (MIC 6.25-12.5 mg/mL), and (MIC 3.12-50 mg/mL) strains. The extract inhibited the adherence capacity (IIBG% 95.08-44.62%) and the production of cellulase, organic acids, and esterase. This eco-friendly solution shows promising potential for the conservation and safeguarding of tangible cultural heritage, successfully combating the biodeteriogenic microorganisms without undesirable side effects for the natural ecosystems.
Topics: Antioxidants; Bacteria; Biofilms; Carboxylic Acids; Enzymes; Fungi; Garlic; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Plant Extracts; Polyphenols; Solubility
PubMed: 34885775
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26237195 -
RSC Advances Apr 2022A new epoxy ergostane sterol, named versisterol, was isolated from , an endophytic fungus from . The structure of the isolated compound was deduced by means of one- and...
A new epoxy ergostane sterol, named versisterol, was isolated from , an endophytic fungus from . The structure of the isolated compound was deduced by means of one- and two-dimensional NMR and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The absolute stereochemistry was elucidated by NOESY analysis, and experimental and calculated time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) circular dichroism spectroscopy. Versisterol inhibited 3CL protease (3CL) with an IC value of 2.168 ± 0.09 μM. Binding affinities and molecular interactions of versisterol towards 3CL were scrutinized and compared to lopinavir with the help of the combination of docking computations and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. calculations demonstrated a comparable binding affinity of versisterol with a docking score of -9.4 kcal mol, and MM-GBSA binding energy over 200 ns MD simulation of -29.1 kcal mol, with respect to lopinavir (-9.8 and -32.2 kcal mol, respectively). These findings suggested that versisterol can be an auspicious prototype for developing new 3CL drug candidates against COVID-19.
PubMed: 35480378
DOI: 10.1039/d2ra00877g -
International Journal of Environmental... Mar 2019Damp indoor environments contaminated with different mold species may contribute to the development and exacerbation of respiratory illnesses. Human bronchial epithelial...
Damp indoor environments contaminated with different mold species may contribute to the development and exacerbation of respiratory illnesses. Human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells were exposed to X-ray treated spores and hyphal fragments from pure cultures of , , and . Hyphal fragments of and induced expression and release of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-6 and the chemokine IL-8, while none of the other hyphal preparations had effects. Hyphal fragments from and also increased the expression of IL-1α, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, but these cytokines were not released. X-ray treated spores had little or no inflammatory potential. Attenuating Toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 by blocking antibodies strongly reduced the and hyphae-induced IL-6 and IL-8 release, whereas TLR4 antagonist treatment was without effects. Untreated spores formed hyphae and triggered expression of pro-inflammatory genes with similarities to the effects of hyphal fragments. In conclusion, while X-ray treated spores induced no pro-inflammatory responses, hyphal fragments of and enhanced a TLR2-dependent expression and release of IL-6 and IL-8.
Topics: Air Pollution, Indoor; Aspergillus; Cell Line; Cytokines; Epithelial Cells; Humans; Hyphae; Penicillium; Spores, Fungal; Stachybotrys; Toll-Like Receptor 2; X-Rays
PubMed: 30917597
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16061085 -
Journal of Clinical Microbiology Aug 2004We developed a PCR-based assay to differentiate medically important species of Aspergillus from one another and from other opportunistic molds and yeasts by employing...
We developed a PCR-based assay to differentiate medically important species of Aspergillus from one another and from other opportunistic molds and yeasts by employing universal, fungus-specific primers and DNA probes in an enzyme immunoassay format (PCR-EIA). Oligonucleotide probes, directed to the internal transcribed spacer 2 region of ribosomal DNA from Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus ustus, and Aspergillus versicolor, differentiated 41 isolates (3 to 9 each of the respective species; P < 0.001) in a PCR-EIA detection matrix and gave no false-positive reactions with 33 species of Acremonium, Exophiala, Candida, Fusarium, Mucor, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Scedosporium, Sporothrix, or other aspergilli tested. A single DNA probe to detect all seven of the most medically important Aspergillus species (A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. nidulans, A. niger, A. terreus, A. ustus, and A. versicolor) was also designed. Identification of Aspergillus species was accomplished within a single day by the PCR-EIA, and as little as 0.5 pg of fungal DNA could be detected by this system. In addition, fungal DNA extracted from tissues of experimentally infected rabbits was successfully amplified and identified using the PCR-EIA system. This method is simple, rapid, and sensitive for the identification of medically important Aspergillus species and for their differentiation from other opportunistic fungi.
Topics: Animals; Aspergillosis; Aspergillus; Base Sequence; DNA Primers; DNA Probes; DNA, Fungal; DNA, Ribosomal; Food Microbiology; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Rabbits; Yeasts
PubMed: 15297489
DOI: 10.1128/JCM.42.8.3495-3504.2004