J. Fungi, Volume 9, Issue 9 (September 2023) – 89 articles

During the research on rust fungi in medicinal plants of Guizhou Province, China, a total of 9 rust fungal species were introduced, including 3 new species (Hamaspora rubi-alceifolii, Nyssopsora altissima, and Phragmidium cymosum), as well as 6 known species (Melampsora laricis-populina, Melampsoridium carpini, Neophysopella ampelopsidis, Nyssopsora koelrezidis, P. rosae-roxburghii, P. tormentillae). Notably, N. ampelopsidis and P. tormentillae were discovered for the first time in China, while M. laricis-populina, Me. carpini, and Ny. koelreuteriae were first documented in Guizhou Province. Morphological observation and molecular phylogenetic analyses of these species with similar taxa were compared to confirm their taxonomic identities, and taxonomic descriptions, illustrations and host species of those rust fungi on medicinal plant are provided. Full article

The oil palm Elaeis guineensis represents one of the most important crops in Ecuador. Considering that bud rot disease is deadly in Ecuador, more attention has been given to identifying possible causes for palm debility from this disease. We studied the involvement of fungi and nutrients in triggering bud rot disease in E. guineensis. Special emphasis was given to the molecules synthesized by the plant to protect against this devastating disease. Techniques like Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) and metagenomic analysis were used to understand the possible implications of biotic and abiotic factors in the development of bud rot disease in oil palm in Ecuador. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis was used to identify the phenolic protection barrier of the palm facing the disease. Our results indicate that fungi from Ascomyceta phylum were found in the tested samples. The species directly involved are different in soil compared with plants. The results indicate a deficiency of chemical elements, such as Ca, Mn, Mg, and Fe, which are responsible for palm debility from bud rot disease. More than 30 compounds with protective roles were identified in the leaves of symptomatic plants from the first stage of the infection. Full article

White-rot fungi are the most important group of lignin biodegraders. Phanerochaete sordida YK-624 has higher ligninolytic activity than that of model white-rot fungi. However, the underlying mechanism responsible for lignin degradation by white-rot fungi remains unknown, and the induced compounds isolated from white-rot fungi for lignin degradation have never been studied. In the present study, we tried to screen ligninolytic-inducing compounds produced by P. sordida YK-624. After large-scale incubation of P. sordida YK-624, the culture and mycelium were separated by filtration. After the separation and purification, purified compounds were analyzed by high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. The sterilized unbleached hardwood kraft pulp was used for the initial evaluation of ligninolytic activity. Ergosterol was isolated and identified and it induced the lignin-degrading activity of this fungus. Moreover, we investigated ergosterol metabolites from P. sordida YK-624, and the ergosterol metabolites ergosta-4,7,22-triene-3,6-dione and ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one were identified and then chemically synthesized. These compounds significantly improved the lignin-degrading activity of the fungus. This is the first report on the ligninolytic-inducing compounds produced by white-rot fungi. Full article

The genus Lasiodiplodia, a member of the family Botryosphaeriaceae, is an important fungal disease genus in agriculture. However, the Lasiodiplodia species survey and genetic diversity in Taiwan remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the Lasiodiplodia species associated with various fruit species to explore the cryptic Lasiodiplodia species diversity, validate species delimitation, and unveil cryptic genetic diversity. Overall, six Lasiodiplodia species were identified, with several new records of infection identified. Additionally, phylogenetic analyses indicated that the relations of all isolates of L. theobromae might be paraphyletic. They were grouped with L. brasiliense based on Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD), Automatic Partitioning (ASAP) and structure-based clustering analyses. These analyses did not provide conclusive evidence for L. brasiliensis as a stable species. It may be necessary to gather more information to clarify the species delineation. The multiple new records of Lasiodiplodia species with high genetic diversity and differentiation revealed that the diversity of Lasiodiplodia in Taiwan was underestimated in the past. We found that L. theobromae has the highest number of haplotypes but the lowest number of haplotype and nucleotide diversities, indicating a recent population expansion. This was supported by the significant negative Tajima’s D and Fu and Li’s D* tests. The high genetic diversity, low gene flow, and host-associated differentiation of Lasiodiplodia species indicate that they might harbour powerful evolutionary potential in Taiwan. This study provided critical insights into genetic variation, host-associated differentiation, and demography of Lasiodiplodia species, which would be helpful for disease management of related pathogens. Full article

In grassland ecosystems, the occurrence and transmission of foliar fungal diseases are largely dependent on grazing by large herbivores. However, whether herbivores that have different body sizes differentially impact foliar fungal diseases remains largely unexplored. Thus, we conducted an 8-year grazing experiment in an alpine grassland on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau in China and tested how different types of livestock (sheep (Ovis aries), yak (Bos grunniens), or both)) affected foliar fungal diseases at the levels of both plant population and community. At the population level, grazing by a single species (yak or sheep) or mixed species (sheep and yak) significantly decreased the severity of eight leaf spot diseases. Similarly, at the community level, both single species (yak or sheep) and mixed grazing by both sheep and yak significantly decreased the community pathogen load. However, we did not find a significant difference in the community pathogen load among different types of livestock. These results suggest that grazing by large herbivores, independently of livestock type, consistently decreased the prevalence of foliar fungal diseases at both the plant population and community levels. We suggest that moderate grazing by sheep or yak is effective to control the occurrence of foliar fungal diseases in alpine grasslands. This study advances our knowledge of the interface between disease ecology, large herbivores, and grassland science. Full article

The use of the cationic, dye thioflavin T (ThT), to estimate the electric plasma membrane potential difference (PMP) via the fluorescence changes and to obtain its actual values from the accumulation of the dye, considering important correction factors by its binding to the internal components of the cell, was described previously for baker’s yeast. However, it was considered important to explore whether the method developed could be applied to other yeast strains. Alternative ways to estimate the PMP by using flow cytometry and a multi-well plate reader are also presented here. The methods were tested with other strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (W303-1A and FY833), as well as with non-conventional yeasts: Debaryomyces hansenii, Candida albicans, Meyerozyma guilliermondii, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa. Results of the estimation of the PMP via the fluorescence changes under different conditions were adequate with all strains. Consistent results were also obtained with several mutants of the main monovalent transporters, validating ThT as a monitor for PMP estimation. Full article

Alternaria is a saprophytic and opportunistic fungus with a worldwide distribution that can affect the quality of various agricultural products, such as fruits, cereals, and pseudocereals. This research was carried out to investigate the population of this genus associated with quinoa cultivation in plots located in the Boyacá department (Colombia), the country’s third-largest quinoa-producing department. The present study found 17 Alternaria isolates, of which 13 were identified as A. alternata and 4 as A. scrophulariae (formerly A. conjuncta) employed molecular markers of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and translation elongation factor 1α (TEF-1α). In the pathogenicity test under greenhouse conditions, all the Alternaria isolates showed some degree of pathogenicity on Piartal quinoa cultivar plants although no significant differences were found in isolates. The severity indices ranged from 2 to 5, and the percentage of affected leaves per plant ranged between 15% and 40%. This fungus affected the foliar tissue of quinoa, resulting in chlorotic and necrotic spots, symptoms that can generate a reduction in the quality and productivity of crops. This is the first time that the pathogenicity of Alternaria spp. in the Piartal variety has been described and the first report of this genera in quinoa crops of Colombia. Full article

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a neglected endemic mycosis in Latin America. Most cases occur in Brazil. It is classified as PCM infection and PCM disease and is subdivided into chronic (adult type) or acute (juvenile type) disease, with the latter being less frequent and more severe. In 2016, we reported an increase in the numbers of patients diagnosed with acute PCM after a highway’s construction. We conducted a study at INI-Fiocruz, a reference center for infectious diseases, including endemic mycoses, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, aiming to deepen the analysis of this new clinical and epidemiological profile of PCM. The authors developed a retrospective study including 170 patients diagnosed with PCM between 2010 and 2019. There was an increase in the number of atypical and severe forms, starting in 2014. In subsequent years, we detected a higher incidence of adverse outcomes with patients requiring more hospitalizations and an increased mortality rate. We estimate that PCM has become more severe throughout the Rio de Janeiro state, affecting a greater number of young individuals and leading to a greater number of and longer hospitalizations. Surveillance measures and close monitoring of future notification data in the state, with emphasis on children, adolescents, and young adults are necessary for a better understanding of the perpetuation of this public health challenge. Full article

Beneficial associations are very important for plants and soil-dwelling microorganisms in different ecological niches, where communication by chemical signals is relevant. Among the chemical signals, the release of phytohormones by plants is important to establish beneficial associations with fungi, and a recently described association is that of the entomopathogenic ascomycete fungus Metarhizium with plants. Here, we evaluated the effect of four different phytohormones, synthetic strigolactone (GR24), sorgolactone (SorL), 3-indolacetic acid (IAA) and gibberellic acid (GA₃), on the fungus Metarhizium guizhouense strain HA11-2, where the germination rate and hyphal elongation were determined at three different times. All phytohormones had a positive effect on germination, with GA₃ showing the greatest effect, and for hyphal length, on average, the group treated with synthetic strigolactone GR24 showed greater average hyphal length at 10 h of induction. This work expands the knowledge of the effect of phytohormones on the fungus M. guizhouense, as possible chemical signals for the rapid establishment of the fungus–plant association. Full article

Round spot is a destructive disease that limits of Panax notoginseng production in China. However, the genetic diversity of its etiological agent Mycocentrospora acerina has yet to be studied. In this work, firstly, we developed 32 M. acerina polymorphic microsatellite markers using MISA and CERVUS 3.0 and selected 14 for further analysis. Then, we studied the genetic diversity of 187 isolates collected from P. notoginseng round spot using simple sequence repeat markers and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The genetic diversity ranged from 0.813 to 0.946, with 264 alleles detected at the 14 microsatellite loci. The expected average heterozygosity was 0.897. Full article

In the study of fungal pathogenesis, alternative methods have gained prominence due to recent global legislation restricting the use of mammalian animals in research. The principle of the 3 Rs (replacement, reduction, and refinement) is integrated into regulations and guidelines governing animal experimentation in nearly all countries. This principle advocates substituting vertebrate animals with other invertebrate organisms, embryos, microorganisms, or cell cultures. This review addresses host–fungus interactions by employing three-dimensional (3D) cultures, which offer more faithful replication of the in vivo environment, and by utilizing alternative animal models to replace traditional mammals. Among these alternative models, species like Caenorhabditis elegans and Danio rerio share approximately 75% of their genes with humans. Furthermore, models such as Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor demonstrate similarities in their innate immune systems as well as anatomical and physiological barriers, resembling those found in mammalian organisms. Full article

Thirty-one alpine species of Cortinarius (Agaricales, Cortinariaceae) were described from the alpine zone of the Alps during the second half of the XX century, by the Swiss mycologist Jules Favre, and by the French mycologists Denise Lamoure and Marcel Bon. Notoriously difficult to identify by macro- and microscopical characters, most of these species, which belong to subgen. Telamonia, have been thoroughly revised in global publications based on type sequencing. Recent surveys in the alpine areas of France (Savoie) and Italy (Lombardy), as well as the sequencing of D. Lamoure’s collections, identified three new species that are here described and illustrated: C. dryadophilus in sect. Castanei, C. infidus in sect. Verni, and C. saniosopygmaeus in sect. Saniosi. The holotypes of C. caesionigrellus Lamoure and C. paleifer var. brachyspermus Lamoure could be sequenced. A recent collection of the former is described and illustrated here for the first time, and based on available data, the latter name is recombined as Cortinarius flexipes var. brachyspermus comb. nov. Lastly, C. argenteolilacinus var. dovrensis is reported from the alpine zone for the first time and a new combination, Thaxterogaster dovrensis comb. & stat. nov. is introduced in the present work. Full article

Penicillium digitatum has become one of the main pathogens in citrus due to its high spore production and easy spread. In this study, the function of the APSES transcription factor StuA in P. digitatum was characterized, and the results indicated that it was involved in conidium and conidiophore development. No conidiophores were observed in the mycelium of the ∆PdStuA mutant that had grown for two days, while an abnormal conidiophore was found after another two days of incubation, and only small thin phialides as well as a very small number of spores were formed at the top of the hyphae. Moreover, it was observed that the ∆PdStuA mutant showed various defects, such as reduced hydrophobicity and decreased tolerance to cell wall inhibitors and H₂O₂. Compared to the original P. digitatum, the colony diameter of the ∆PdStuA mutant was not significantly affected, but the growth of aerial hyphae was obviously induced. In in vivo experiments, the spore production of the ∆PdStuA mutant grown on citrus fruit was remarkably decreased; however, there was no significant difference in the lesion diameter between the mutant and original strain. It could be inferred that less spore production might result in reduced spread in citrus, thereby reducing the green mold infection in citrus fruit during storage. This study provided a gene, PdStuA, which played key role in the sporulation of P. digitatum, and the results might provide a reference for the molecular mechanisms of sporulation in P. digitatum. Full article

Mycopesticides are living preparations that use fungal cells, such as spores and hyphae, as active ingredients. They mainly include mycoinsecticides, mycofungicides, mycoherbicides and nematophagous fungi. The utilization of fungi for controlling agricultural pests can be traced back to approximately 1880, when entomopathogenic fungi were initially employed for this purpose. However, it was not until 1965 that the world’s first mycopesticide, Beauveria bassiana, was registered as Boverin^® in the former Soviet Union. In past decades, numerous novel mycopesticides have been developed for their lower R&D costs, as well as the environmentally friendly and safe nature. In this review, we investigated the mycopesticides situation of registration in USA, EU, China, Canada and Australia. Superisingly, it was found that the registered mycopesticides are extremely raised in recent years. Currently, the insecticides, fungicides (nematocides) and herbicides were respectively registered 27, 53 and 8 fungal strains. This paper also analyzes the main problems currently faced by mycopesticides and offers suggestions for their future development. Full article

Trichoderma atroviride responds to various environmental stressors through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) Tmk3 and MAPK-kinase Pbs2 signaling pathways. In fungi, orthologues to Tmk3 are regulated by a histidine kinase (HK) sensor. However, the role of T. atroviride HKs remains unknown. In this regard, the function of the T. atroviride HK Nik1 was analyzed in response to stressors regulated by Tmk3. The growth of the Δnik1 mutant strains was compromised under hyperosmotic stress; mycelia were less resistant to lysing enzymes than the WT strain, while conidia of Δnik1 were more sensitive to Congo red; however, ∆pbs2 and ∆tmk3 strains showed a more drastic defect in cell wall stability. Light-regulated blu1 and grg2 gene expression was induced upon an osmotic shock through Pbs2-Tmk3 but was independent of Nik1. The encoding chitin synthases chs1 and chs2 genes were downregulated after an osmotic shock in the WT, but chs1 and chs3 expression were enhanced in ∆nik1, ∆pbs2, and ∆tmk3. The vegetative growth and conidiation by light decreased in ∆nik1, although Nik1 was unrequired to activate the light-responsive genes by Tmk3. Altogether, Nik1 regulates responses related to the Pbs2-Tmk3 pathway and suggests the participation of additional HKs to respond to stress. Full article

Kettle holes are able to increase the soil and air humidity around them. Therefore, they create a perfect habitat for phytopathogenic fungi of the genera Fusarium and Alternaria to develop, sporulate, and immigrate into neighboring agricultural fields. In our study, we establish transects from the edges of different kettle holes and field edges up to 50 m into the fields to analyze the abundance and diversity of pathogenic fungi in these transition zones by culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. However, in 2019 and 2020, low precipitation and higher temperatures compared to the long-time average were measured, which led to limited infections of weeds in the transition zones with Fusarium and Alternaria. Therefore, the hypothesized significantly higher infection of wheat plants next to the kettle holes by a strong spread of fungal spores was not detected. Infestation patterns of Fusarium and Alternaria fungi on weeds and wheat ears were spatially different. In total, 9 different Fusarium species were found in the transition zone. The species diversity at kettle holes differed from 0 to 6 species. The trend toward increased dryness in the northeast German agricultural landscape and its impact on the changing severity of fungal infections is discussed. Full article

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most popular cereal crops, being consumed by almost half of the world’s population. Among several cultivars widely distributed in Thailand, Maled Phai is a Thai pigmented-upland rice with exceptionally high nutritional value and high demand in the local Thai market. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of producing plant growth-promoting properties (PGP) and enhancing the accumulation of phytochemicals in Maled Phai rice seeds of endophytic fungi isolated from upland black rice. Among a total of 56 isolates, the 4 most effective PGP isolates were identified as Trichoderma zelobreve PBMP16, Talaromyces pinophilus PBMP28, Aspergillus flavus KKMP34, and Trichoderma sp. PBMP4 based on their morphological characteristics and multigene (ITS, rpb2, tef-1, CaM, and BenA) phylogenetic analyses. These four endophytic fungi could promote plant growth parameters under greenhouse conditions. Outstandingly, upland rice inoculated with Tr. zelobreve PBMP16 had a significant increase in total seed weight, root length, phenolic compounds, anthocyanin, antioxidants, and N uptake, which were higher than those of the noninoculated control, and even better than the chemical fertilizer. Overall, this report shows that endophytic fungi efficiently promoted growth and increased the phenolic compounds, anthocyanin, and antioxidants of Maled Phai rice. Full article

Maize is a crucial cereal crop in China, serving both as a staple food and an essential industrial resource. Northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) is a disease of corn caused by a fungus, Exserohilum turcicum (sexual stage Setosphaeria turcica). This study aimed to assess the biocontrol potential of various Trichoderma strains against Exserohilum turcicum 101 in Jilin, China. Through dual culture tests, the Trichoderma strains were categorized into four groups based on their antagonistic abilities. Eleven Trichoderma strains exhibited strong antagonistic behavior, with comparable or faster growth rates than E. turcicum 101. Microscopic observations confirmed that T. asperellum 576 hyphae effectively encircled E. turcicum 101 hyphae, reinforcing their antagonistic behavior. The production of non-volatile and volatile substances by the Trichoderma strains was evaluated, with T. asperellum 576 showing the highest potency in producing non-volatile and volatile substances, leading to an impressive 80.81% and 65.86% inhibition of E. turcicum 101 growth. Remarkably, co-culture suspensions of T. asperellum 576 + E. turcicum 101 and T. atroviride 393 + E. turcicum 101 exhibited strong antifungal activity. Furthermore, the activities of chitinase, β-1.3-glucanase, and cellulase were evaluated using the 3, 5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) method. T. asperellum 576 + E. turcicum 101 displayed stronger cell wall degradation enzyme activity compared to T. atroviride 393 + E. turcicum 101, with values of 8.34 U/mL, 3.42 U/mL, and 7.75 U/mL, respectively. In greenhouse conditions, the application of a 10⁷ spores/mL conidia suspension of T. asperellum 576 significantly enhanced maize seed germination and plant growth while effectively suppressing E. turcicum 101 infection. Maize seedlings inoculated/treated with both E. turcicum 101 and T. asperellum 576 demonstrated substantial improvements compared to those inoculated solely with E. turcicum 101. The T. asperellum 576 treatment involved a 10⁷ spores/mL conidia suspension applied through a combination of foliar spray and soil drench. These findings highlight T. asperellum 576 as a promising biocontrol candidate against northern leaf blight in maize. Its antagonistic behavior, production of inhibitory compounds, and promotion of plant growth all contribute to its potential as an effective biocontrol agent for disease management. Full article

Mucormycosis is a rare, opportunistic, and emerging fungal infection that can rapidly develop into a severe, highly fatal clinical picture. In most cases, it is caused by fungi of the order Mucorales, which are usually avirulent but become pathogenic when the host’s immune system is compromised. This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. The databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. We chose articles that analyzed the oral manifestations of patients with mucormycosis, were published between 2018 and 2023, and met our search terms. The risk of bias in the articles was assessed using the CARE guideline for case reports and STROBE for a cross-sectional study. After the selection process, 20 articles were included in this review, all containing information about the different oral manifestations presented by people with mucormycosis. The most common oral manifestations are mainly bone exposures and oral ulcers, halitosis, pus discharge, gingival thickening, and periodontitis. However, despite the importance of recognizing these oral manifestations in the early stages of mucormycotic infection, providing early treatment, and reducing the high mortality rate of the infection, more studies are needed. Full article

Plant endophytic fungi and rhizosphere soil fungi are often reported as biocontrol agents against plant pathogens or with plant growth promotion potential. Four treatments were performed in field and greenhouse experiments where cucumber plants were inoculated with Trichoderma harzianum and Fusarium oxysporum in 2022. The roots, stems and leaves of cucumber plants and their rhizosphere soil were collected twice individually from the field and greenhouse for isolation of cucumber endophytic and rhizosphere soil fungi. All fungal strains were identified through sequence similarity of the ITS1-5.8s-ITS2 rDNA region. The potato dextrose agar (PDA) media yielded the highest number of genera isolated from cucumber plants, rhizosphere soil and both compared to other media. There were no significant differences among the four media for the isolation of all cucumber endophytic fungi. However, in the roots, the number of endophytic fungi isolated by MRBA was significantly higher than that isolated on malt extract agar (MEA), while in the stems, the number of fungi isolated with PDA was significantly higher than that isolated with Martin’s rose bengal agar medium (MRBA). PDA had significantly higher isolation efficiency for the rhizosphere soil fungi than MRBA. The 28 fungal genera had high isolation efficiency, and the endophytic Trichoderma strains were significantly more isolated by MEA than those of MRBA. It is suggested that PDA can be used as a basic medium, and different cultural media can be considered for specific fungal genera. Full article

The tropical montane cloud forest is the most diverse and threatened vegetation type in Mexico. In the last decade, the number of described Ascomycetes species has notably increased, reaching more than 1300 species. This study describes six new species based on their molecular and morphological characteristics. Our results suggest that Mexico has the highest number of described species in the Neotropics. However, many other Mexican lineages still need to be described. Full article

Concurrent infections caused by multiple fungal pathogens in immunocompromised patients can pose diagnostic and treatment challenges. Here, we presented the first reported case in Taiwan of an AIDS patient who had concurrent infection with Cryptococcus neoformans meningitis and Talaromyces amestolkiae lymphadenopathy. The patient presented with an enlarged inguinal lymph node and was diagnosed with T. amestolkiae lymphadenitis. The species T. amestolkiae was identified using DNA sequencing, which had the capability of differentiating it from other Talaromyces species. The patient was discharged from the hospital following treatment with amphotericin B and subsequent administration of voriconazole. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a suspicion of co-infections and utilizing appropriate diagnostic tools, such as DNA sequencing, to identify possible pathogens. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal treatment for T. amestolkiae and other co-infecting fungal pathogens. Full article

Date palm, an important crop in Morocco and many other arid regions around the world, faces significant challenges from wind, water shortages, and salinization, which contribute to vegetation loss and soil degradation in the harsh environmental conditions of oasis ecosystems with low soil fertility. Protecting and regenerating these degraded lands is crucial for sustainable agriculture and improving the dryland ecosystem. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) comprise a vital element in this dynamic within the microflora of the soil rhizosphere. This study evaluated the potential in mycorrhizal soil and identified AMF in date palm rhizospheres in eight locations within the Figuig oasis (southeastern Morocco). This study found that Extension and Zenaga had more mycorrhizal propagules than other locations. Replanted maize (Zea mays L.) in these soils exhibited higher mycorrhization rates (91–93%) compared to that in other locations, with the Lamaiz site registering the lowest rate (39%). The phosphorus content was negatively correlated with the AMF spore frequency, intensity, and density, while a positive correlation was detected between the soil pH and the AMF spore frequency and density. The morphological identification of spores revealed Glomus as the predominant species, along with Acaulospora and Sclerocystis. This study represents an initial step toward the potential application of these fungi in environmental conservation and sustainable agriculture in arid regions. Full article

Geotrichum citri-aurantii (G. citri-aurantii) is one of the most important postharvest pathogens leading to a postharvest loss of citrus by causing sour rot. In this study, the antifungal activity of trans-2-hexenal, a natural component of essential oil, against G. citri-aurantii was evaluated. Trans-2-hexenal treatment inhibited the mycelia growth of G. citri-aurantii with a minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal concentration of trans-2-hexenal at 0.50 and 1.00 μL/mL, respectively. Moreover, trans-2-hexenal efficiently reduced the incidence of sour rot of Satsuma fruit inoculated with G. citri-aurantii. Ultrastructural observations and Fourier transform infrared (FT−IR) results showed that trans-2-hexenal treatment affected the cell wall and cell membrane instructions of G. citri-aurantii. The content of β-1,3-glucan was significantly decreased after trans-2-hexenal treatment, but the cell wall permeability was not changed. The decrease in lipid and ergosterol contents might be responsible for this antifungal activity. Several important genes, FKS1, ERG1, ERG7, and ERG11, showed decreasing expression levels after trans-2-hexenal treatment. Molecule-docking results also indicated that trans-2-hexenal could join with the protein of FKS1, ERG1, ERG7, and ERG11 to impact enzyme activities. These results demonstrated that trans-2-hexenal is a promising fungicide for controlling sour rot of harvested citrus fruit by damaging the membrane integrity of G. citri-aurantii. Full article

Fungal threats to public health, food security, and biodiversity have escalated, with a significant rise in mycosis cases globally. Around 300 million people suffer from severe fungal diseases annually, while one-third of food crops are decimated by fungi. Vertebrate, including livestock, are also affected. Our limited understanding of fungal virulence mechanisms hampers our ability to prevent and treat cattle mycoses. Here we aim to bridge knowledge gaps in fungal virulence factors and the role of melanin in evading bovine immune responses. We investigate mycosis in bovines employing a PRISMA-based methodology, bioinformatics, and data mining techniques. Our analysis identified 107 fungal species causing mycoses, primarily within the Ascomycota division. Candida, Aspergillus, Malassezia, and Trichophyton were the most prevalent genera. Of these pathogens, 25% produce melanin. Further research is required to explore the involvement of melanin and develop intervention strategies. While the literature on melanin-mediated fungal evasion mechanisms in cattle is lacking, we successfully evaluated the transferability of immunological mechanisms from other model mammals through homology. Bioinformatics enables knowledge transfer and enhances our understanding of mycosis in cattle. This synthesis fills critical information gaps and paves the way for proposing biotechnological strategies to mitigate the impact of mycoses in cattle. Full article

Phenylacetylcarbinol (PAC) is a precursor for the synthesis of several pharmaceuticals, including ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and norephedrine. PAC is commonly produced through biotransformation using microbial pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) in the form of frozen–thawed whole cells. However, the lack of microorganisms capable of high PDC activity is the main factor in the production of PAC. In addition, researchers are also looking for ways to utilize agro-industrial residues as an inexpensive carbon source through an integrated biorefinery approach in which sugars can be utilized for bioethanol production and frozen–thawed whole cells for PAC synthesis. In the present study, Candida tropicalis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and the co-culture of both strains were compared for their biomass and ethanol concentrations, as well as for their volumetric and specific PDC activities when cultivated in a sugarcane bagasse (SCB) hydrolysate medium (SCBHM). The co-culture that resulted in a higher level of PAC (8.65 ± 0.08 mM) with 26.4 ± 0.9 g L⁻¹ ethanol production was chosen for further experiments. Biomass production was scaled up to 100 L and the kinetic parameters were studied. The biomass harvested from the bioreactor was utilized as frozen–thawed whole cells for the selection of an initial pyruvate (Pyr)-to-benzaldehyde (Bz) concentration ([Pyr]/[Bz]) ratio suitable for the PAC biotransformation in a single-phase emulsion system. The initial [Pyr]/[Bz] at 100/120 mM resulted in higher PAC levels with 10.5 ± 0.2 mM when compared to 200/240 mM (8.60 ± 0.01 mM). A subsequent two-phase emulsion system with Pyr in the aqueous phase, Bz in the organic phase, and frozen–thawed whole cells of the co-culture as the biocatalyst produced a 1.46-fold higher PAC level when compared to a single-phase emulsion system. In addition, the cost analysis strategy indicated preliminary costs of USD 0.82 and 1.01/kg PAC for the single-phase and two-phase emulsion systems, respectively. The results of the present study suggested that the co-culture of C. tropicalis and S. cerevisiae can effectively produce bioethanol and PAC from SCB and would decrease the overall production cost on an industrial scale utilizing the two-phase emulsion system with the proposed multiple-pass strategy. Full article

We studied the risk factors, etiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment outcomes of COVID-19-associated invasive candidiasis (COVID-IC) in adult patients admitted to six medical facilities in St. Petersburg. (November 2020–December 2022). In this retrospective study, we included 72 patients with COVID-IC with a median age of 61 years (range 29–96), 51% of whom were women. The predisposing factors for COVID-IC were a central venous catheter (CVC) for more than 10 days (the odds ratio (OR) = 70 [15–309]), abdominal surgical treatment performed in the previous 2 weeks (OR = 8.8 [1.9–40.3]), bacteremia (OR = 10.6 [4.8–23.3]), pulmonary ventilation (OR = 12.9 [5.9–28.4]), and hemodialysis (OR = 11.5 [2.5–50.8]). The signs and symptoms of COVID-IC were non-specific: fever (59%), renal failure (33%), liver failure (23%), and cardiovascular failure (10%). Candida albicans (41%) predominated among the pathogens of the candidemia. The multidrug-resistant Candida species C. auris (23%) and C. glabrata (5%) were also identified. Empirical therapy was used in 21% of COVID-IC patients: azole-93%, echinocandin–7%. The majority of COVID-IC patients (79%) received, after laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis of IC, fluconazole (47%), voriconazole (25%), echinocandin (26%), and amphotericin B (2)%. The 30 days overall survival rate was 45%. The prognosis worsened concomitant bacteremia, hemodialysis, and long-term therapy by systemic glucocorticosteroids (SGCs), bronchial colonization with Candida spp. The survival prognosis was improved by the early change/replacement of CVC (within 24 h), the initiation of empirical therapy, and the use of echinocandin. Conclusions: We highlighted the risk factors that predispose COVID-19 patients to candidiasis and worsen the survival prognosis. Their individual effects in patients with COVID-19 must be well understood to prevent the development of opportunistic co-infections that drastically lower chances of survival. Full article

This study aimed to determine the differences and drivers of oomycete diversity and community composition in alder- and birch-dominated park and natural forest soils of the Fennoscandian and Baltic countries of Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden. For this, we sequenced libraries of PCR products generated from the DNA of 111 soil samples collected across a climate gradient using oomycete-specific primers on a PacBio high-throughput sequencing platform. We found that oomycete communities are most affected by temperature seasonality, annual mean temperature, and mean temperature of the warmest quarter. Differences in composition were partly explained by the higher diversity of Saprolegniales in Sweden and Norway, as both total oomycete and Saprolegniales richness decreased significantly at higher longitudes, potentially indicating the preference of this group of oomycetes for a more temperate maritime climate. None of the evaluated climatic variables significantly affected the richness of Pythiales or Peronosporales. Interestingly, the relative abundance and richness of Pythiales was higher at urban sites compared to forest sites, whereas the opposite was true for Saprolegniales. Additionally, this is the first report of Phytophthora gallica and P. plurivora in Estonia. Our results indicate that the composition of oomycetes in soils is strongly influenced by climatic factors, and, therefore, changes in climate conditions associated with global warming may have the potential to significantly alter the distribution range of these microbes, which comprise many important pathogens of plants. Full article

In recent years, the optimization of straw-rotting formulations for cultivating edible mushrooms and the management of the resulting spent mushroom substrate have emerged as new challenges. This study aimed to investigate the composting of spent mushroom substrate produced from mushroom cultivation with various straw additions, under conditions where chicken manure was also used. Parameters measured during the composting process included temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), germination index (GI), moisture, and total nitrogen content. Additionally, changes in nutrient content within the compost piles before and after composting were determined, and the variations in bacterial and fungal communities across different treatments before and after composting were analyzed using 16S rRNA and ITS sequencing. The results indicated that the spent mushroom substrate produced by adding 20% straw during mushroom cultivation was more suitable for composting treatment. The findings suggest that incorporating an appropriate amount of straw in mushroom cultivation can facilitate subsequent composting of spent mushroom substrate, providing an effective strategy for both environmental protection and cost reduction. Full article

Conocybe belongs to the Bolbitiaceae. The morphological classification and molecular phylogenetics of Conocybe section Pilosellae are not in agreement. In this study, based on the specimens from China, we investigated the sect. Pilosellae and identified 17 species, including 7 new species: Conocybe pilosa, with a densely hairy pileus and stipe; C. reniformis, with reniform spores; C. ceracea, with waxy dehydration of the lamellae; C. muscicola, growing on moss; C. sinobispora, with two-spored basidia; C. hydrophila, with a hygrophanous pileus; C. rufostipes, growing on dung with a brown stipe; and C. pseudocrispa, one new record for China. A key was compiled for the sect. Pilosellae in China. Here, the sect. Pilosellae, and new species and records from China are morphologically described and illustrated. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses were performed using a combined nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and nuc 28S rDNA (nrLSU), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-α) dataset to reconstruct the relationships of this section. We found that the sect. Pilosellae was the basal clade of Conocybe, and its evolutionary features may shed light on the characteristics of Conocybe. By integrating morphological classification and phylogenetic analysis, we explored the possible phylogenetic relationships among the species of the sect. Pilosellae in China. Full article