Laccase immobilization and its degradation of emerging pollutants: A comprehensive review.

The chronic lack of effective disposal of pollutants has resulted in the detection of a wide variety of EPs in the environment, with concentrations high enough to affect ecological health. Laccase, as a versatile oxidase capable of catalyzing a wide range of substrates and without producing toxic by-products, is a potential candidate for the biodegradation of pollutants. Immobilization can provide favorable protection for free laccase, improve the stability of laccase in complex environments, and greatly enhance the reusability of laccase, which is significant in reducing the cost of industrial applications. This study introduces the properties of laccase and subsequently elaborate on the different support materials for laccase immobilization. The research advances in the degradation of EDs, PPCPs, and PAHs by immobilized laccase are then reviewed. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of laccase immobilization, as well as the advantages of various support materials, facilitating the development of more economical and efficient immobilization systems that can be put into practice to achieve the green degradation of EPs.

Determination and Chemotaxonomic Analysis of Lanostane Triterpenoids in the Mycelia of Ganoderma spp. Using Ultra-performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (I).

A comprehensive and sensitive method combining ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the quantification of characteristic triterpenoids in Ganoderma mycelia. Eight ganoderic acids previously isolated from the mycelia of Ganoderma lingzhi were separated with a binary mobile phase on a reversed-phase C18 column. A triple quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source was used as the detector in the negative ion mode. Identification and quantitation of target ganoderic acids were accomplished using the dynamic multiple reaction monitoring mode. The developed method was validated in terms of linearity, precision, accuracy, stability, and recovery. The method was first applied to quantify the contents of eight ganoderic acids in the mycelia of G. lingzhi at different times to determine the optimum fermentation conditions. Subsequently, the distribution of triterpenoids and the contents of eight ganoderic acids in sixteen different Ganoderma species were investigated. The results indicated that UV chromatography combined with dynamic multiple reaction monitoring quantification was an effective chemotaxonomy method for Ganoderma species identification. This study also provided a helpful analytical methodology for both scientific and industrial applications in the quality control of Ganoderma triterpenoids.

Fungal diversity notes 1512-1610: taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions on genera and species of fungal taxa.

This article is the 14th in the Fungal Diversity Notes series, wherein we report 98 taxa distributed in two phyla, seven classes, 26 orders and 50 families which are described and illustrated. Taxa in this study were collected from Australia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chile, China, Cyprus, Egypt, France, French Guiana, India, Indonesia, Italy, Laos, Mexico, Russia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. There are 59 new taxa, 39 new hosts and new geographical distributions with one new combination. The 59 new species comprise Angustimassarina kunmingense, Asterina lopi, Asterina brigadeirensis, Bartalinia bidenticola, Bartalinia caryotae, Buellia pruinocalcarea, Coltricia insularis, Colletotrichum flexuosum, Colletotrichum thasutense, Coniochaeta caraganae, Coniothyrium yuccicola, Dematipyriforma aquatic, Dematipyriforma globispora, Dematipyriforma nilotica, Distoseptispora bambusicola, Fulvifomes jawadhuvensis, Fulvifomes malaiyanurensis, Fulvifomes thiruvannamalaiensis, Fusarium purpurea, Gerronema atrovirens, Gerronema flavum, Gerronema keralense, Gerronema kuruvense, Grammothele taiwanensis, Hongkongmyces changchunensis, Hypoxylon inaequale, Kirschsteiniothelia acutisporum, Kirschsteiniothelia crustaceum, Kirschsteiniothelia extensum, Kirschsteiniothelia septemseptatum, Kirschsteiniothelia spatiosum, Lecanora immersocalcarea, Lepiota subthailandica, Lindgomyces guizhouensis, Marthe asmius pallidoaurantiacus, Marasmius tangerinus, Neovaginatispora mangiferae, Pararamichloridium aquisubtropicum, Pestalotiopsis piraubensis, Phacidium chinaum, Phaeoisaria goiasensis, Phaeoseptum thailandicum, Pleurothecium aquisubtropicum, Pseudocercospora vernoniae, Pyrenophora verruculosa, Rhachomyces cruralis, Rhachomyces hyperommae, Rhachomyces magrinii, Rhachomyces platyprosophi, Rhizomarasmius cunninghamietorum, Skeletocutis cangshanensis, Skeletocutis subchrysella, Sporisorium anadelphiae-leptocomae, Tetraploa dashaoensis, Tomentella exiguelata, Tomentella fuscoaraneosa, Tricholomopsis lechatii, Vaginatispora flavispora and Wetmoreana blastidiocalcarea. The new combination is Torula sundara. The 39 new records on hosts and geographical distribution comprise Apiospora guiyangensis, Aplosporella artocarpi, Ascochyta medicaginicola, Astrocystis bambusicola, Athelia rolfsii, Bambusicola bambusae, Bipolaris luttrellii, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Chlorophyllum squamulosum, Colletotrichum aeschynomenes, Colletotrichum pandanicola, Coprinopsis cinerea, Corylicola italica, Curvularia alcornii, Curvularia senegalensis, Diaporthe foeniculina, Diaporthe longicolla, Diaporthe phaseolorum, Diatrypella quercina, Fusarium brachygibbosum, Helicoma aquaticum, Lepiota metulispora, Lepiota pongduadensis, Lepiota subvenenata, Melanconiella meridionalis, Monotosporella erecta, Nodulosphaeria digitalis, Palmiascoma gregariascomum, Periconia byssoides, Periconia cortaderiae, Pleopunctum ellipsoideum, Psilocybe keralensis, Scedosporium apiospermum, Scedosporium dehoogii, Scedosporium marina, Spegazzinia deightonii, Torula fici, Wiesneriomyces laurinus and Xylaria venosula. All these taxa are supported by morphological and multigene phylogenetic analyses. This article allows the researchers to publish fungal collections which are important for future studies. An updated, accurate and timely report of fungus-host and fungus-geography is important. We also provide an updated list of fungal taxa published in the previous fungal diversity notes. In this list, erroneous taxa and synonyms are marked and corrected accordingly.

Selection of a pH- and temperature-stable laccase from Ganoderma australe and its application for bioremediation of textile dyes.

By virtue of screening, purification, and properties characterization, this study captures a new pH- and temperature-stable laccase, designated Galacc-F, from Ganoderma australe for dye bioremediating applications. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by salt precipitation, ionic exchange, and size exclusion chromatography with a final specific activity of 22.214 U mg-1, yielding a purification fold of 23.989 and recovery of 38.44%. Its molecular weight was estimated to be 48.0 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, zymography, Sephadex G-100 column, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, which confirmed its monomeric nature. Galacc-F exhibited high levels of activity and stability over wide ranges of pH (5.0-8.0) and temperature (10-60 °C), which are highly valuable properties in industrial processes. Broad substrate specificity was observed, wherein a better affinity was found for 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) with a low value of Km (164.137 µM) and higher kcat/Km ratio (1.663 s-1 µM-1). Activity was stimulated by Cu2+ and ß-mercaptoethanol but inhibited by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylpyrocarbonate, iodoacetic acid, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, and Hg2+, indicating that Galacc-F is a metalloprotease containing a typical histidine-cysteine-serine catalytic triad. It had high tolerance to surfactants, oxidants, and salts. Additionally, a fabricated protocol for native Galacc-F immobilization onto Fe3O4@Chitosan composite nanoparticles using glutaraldehyde as a crosslinker was developed. Most importantly, the enzyme was determined to be ideal for use in efficient treatment of dye effluents as compared with the laccases requiring redox mediators.

Phylogeny, divergence time and historical biogeography of Laetiporus (Basidiomycota, Polyporales).

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to characterize the molecular relationship, origin and historical biogeography of the species in important brown rot fungal genus Laetiporus from East Asia, Europe, Pan-America, Hawaii and South Africa. We used six genetic markers to estimate a genus-level phylogeny including (1) the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), (2) nuclear large subunit rDNA (nrLSU), (3) nuclear small subunit rDNA (nrSSU), (4) translation elongation factor 1-α (EF-1α), (5) DNA-directed RNA polymerase II subunit 2 (RPB2), and (6) mitochondrial small subunit rDNA (mtSSU). RESULTS: Results of multi-locus phylogenetic analyses show clade support for at least seventeen species-level lineages including two new Laetiporus in China. Molecular dating using BEAST estimated the present crown group diverged approximately 20.16 million years ago (Mya) in the early Miocene. Biogeographic analyses using RASP indicated that Laetiporus most likely originated in temperate zones with East Asia and North America having the highest probability (48%) of being the ancestral area. CONCLUSIONS: Four intercontinental dispersal routes and a possible concealed dispersal route were established for the first time.

Two new species of Fomitiporia (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) from Tibet, southwest China.

Two new species of Fomitiporia growing on Hippophae trees, F. norbulingka and F. subhippophaëicola, are described from southwest China based on morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis. Fomitiporia norbulingka is characterized by pileate basidiomata, mostly angular pores (6-9 per mm), slightly thick-walled generative hyphae, subglobose to globose basidiospores (6.5-7 × 5.5-7 µm), and absence of cystidioles. Fomitiporia subhippophaëicola is diagnostic by effused-reflexed to pileate basidiomata, angular pores (8-10 per mm), thick-walled generative hyphae, subglobose to obovoid basidiospores (6-8 × 5.5-7 µm), and presence of ventricose to fusoid cystidioles. Phylogenetic analysis inferred from combined sequences including the nuc rDNA ITS1-5.8-ITS2 region, 28S rDNA D1-D2 domains, partial sequences of translation elongation factor 1-α, and RNA polymerase II second largest subunits genes indicated that F. norbulingka and F. subhippophaëicola represent two new lineages which group together with F. hippophaëicola.

Molecular phylogeny and global diversity of the remarkable genus Bondarzewia (Basidiomycota, Russulales).

Bondarzewia is a remarkable polypore genus due to its relatively large poroid basidiocarps and belongs to order Russulales according to recent phylogenetic analyses. Two species, B. berkeleyi and B. mesenterica, are commonly reported in North America and Europe but the genus is poorly known elsewhere. We explored the phylogeny and species diversity of Bondarzewia based on a larger number of samples covering a wider geographic range, including eastern Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America. Sequences were generated from the nuc rDNA region encompassing the internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2, along with the 5.8S rDNA (ITS) and nuc 28S rDNA D1-D2 domains (28S), and the final dataset included 28 samples of which 21 ITS and 28S sequences were newly generated. As a result of phylogenetic analyses and comparison of morphological features we propose a new classification of the genus recognizing 10 species. Most of the novel taxonomic concepts are geographically restricted in contrast to the past broad species concepts, especially of B. berkeleyi In addition, a degree of host specificity is observed with B. mesenterica, B. occidentalis, B. podocarpi, B. propria and B. submesenterica apparently restricted to gymnosperms and all others on angiosperm hosts where known. Three new species, B. kirkii, B. occidentalis and B. submesenterica, are described and illustrated. Three new combinations (B. dickinsii, B. propria, B. retipora) are revived from synonymy under B. berkeleyi A key to known species of Bondarzewia is provided.

A Novel Phellinidium sp. Causes Laminated Root Rot on Qilian Juniper (Sabina przewalskii) in Northwest China.

A laminated root rot on Qilian juniper (Sabina przewalskii) caused by a species of Phellinidium (Basidiomycota) was observed in northwest China. Seventeen fungal samples collected from Qinghai Province during 2012 and 2013 were used for taxonomic and pathogenicity tests. The fungal pathogen was identified by morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses based on nLSU sequences. A new fungus is described herein as Phellinidium qilianense sp. nov. One-year-old Qilian juniper seedlings were wound-inoculated under controlled conditions to test pathogenicity of the fungal species. The fungus was successfully reisolated from decayed tissue of tested seedlings. P. qilianense is a new forest pathogen on coniferous trees in China.

Two new triterpenoids from fruiting bodies of fungus Ganoderma lucidum.

Two new triterpenoids, (24E)-9α,11α-epoxy-3ß-hydroxylanosta-7,24-dien-26-al (1) and (22Z,24Z)-13-hydroxy-3-oxo-14(13 â†’ 12)abeo-lanosta-8,22,24-trien-26,23-olide (2) were isolated from dried fruiting bodies of fungus Ganoderma lucidum. The structures of these two new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. Compound 1 possessed a lanostane skeleton, while compound 2 was based on a rare 14 (13 â†’ 12)abeo-lanostane skeleton with a 26,23-olide moiety. Both of them were evaluated for their antifungal and cytotoxic activities. Neither of them displayed obvious inhibition on Candida albicans and five human cancer cell lines.

Morphological and molecular evidence for two new species of Laetiporus (Basidiomycota, Polyporales) from southwestern China.

Two Laetiporus species, L. ailaoshanensis and L. zonatus spp. nov., are described from southwestern China based on morphological and molecular characters. Laetiporus ailaoshanensis is characterized by orange-yellow to reddish orange pileal surface and cream to buff pores when fresh, azonate to faintly zonate pileus, ovoid to ellipsoid basidiospores (5.0-6.2 × 4.0-5.0 µm), and it has been observed only on Lithocarpus. Laetiporus zonatus is characterized by white to cream pileal surface with buff to clay-buff base when fresh, concentrically zonate basidiocarps, ellipsoid to pyriform or drop-shaped basidiospores (5.8-7.2 × 4.3-5.5 µm), and it has been found only on Quercus. The phylogenetic relationships of all recognized Laetiporus species were inferred from a combined dataset of ITS and nLSU-rDNA sequences, and L. ailaoshanensis and L. zonatus represent two new lineages in this group.

Spatial variations impact the soil fungal communities of Larix gmelinii forests in Northeast China.

Soil fungi play a critical role in the biogeochemical cycles of forest ecosystems. Larix gmelinii is a strong and important timber tree species, which forms close associations with a wide range of soil fungi. However, the temporal-spatial disparity effects on the assembly of soil fungal communities in L. gmelinii forests are poorly understood. To address these questions, a total of 120 samples, including 60 bulk soil and 60 root samples, were collected from Aershan and Genhe in July (summer) and October (autumn)2021. We obtained 7,788 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) after merging, filtering, and rarefying using high-throughput sequencing. The dominant phyla are Basidiomycota, Ascomycota, Mortierellomycota, and Mucoromycota. There were 13 dominant families, among which the families with average relative abundance more than 5% included Thelephoraceae, Mortierellaceae, Archaeorhizomycoaceae, and Inocybaceae. In the functional guilds, symbiotrophic fungi had a relative advantage in the identified functions, and the relative abundances of pathotrophic and saprotrophic fungi varied significantly between sites. There were 12 families differentially expressed across compartments, 10 families differentially expressed between seasons, and 69 families were differentially expressed between sites. The variation in alpha diversity in the bulk soil was greater than that in the rhizosphere soil. Among the three parts (compartment, season, and site), the site had a crucial effect on the beta diversity of the fungal community. Deterministic processes dominated fungal community assembly in Genhe, whereas stochastic processes dominated in Aershan. Soil physicochemical properties and climatic factors significantly affected fungal community structure, among which soil total nitrogen and pH had the greatest effect. This study highlights that spatial variations play a vital role in the structure and assembly of soil fungal communities in L. gmelinii forests, which is of great significance for us in maintaining the health of the forests.

Whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomic analyses of the medicinal fungus Sanguinoderma infundibulare in Ganodermataceae.

Sanguinoderma infundibulare is a newly discovered species of Ganodermataceae known to have high medicinal and ecological values. In this study, the whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomic analyses were conducted to further understand Ganodermataceae's genomic structural and functional characteristics. Using the Illumina NovaSeq and PacBio Sequel platforms, 88 scaffolds were assembled to obtain a 48.99-Mb high-quality genome of S. infundibulare. A total of 14,146 protein-coding genes were annotated in the whole genome, with 98.6% of complete benchmarking universal single-copy orthologs (BUSCO) scores. Comparative genomic analyses were conducted among S. infundibulare, Sanguinoderma rugosum, Ganoderma lucidum, and Ganoderma sinense to determine their intergeneric differences. The 4 species were found to share 4,011 orthogroups, and 24 specific gene families were detected in the genus Sanguinoderma. The gene families associated with carbohydrate esterase in S. infundibulare were significantly abundant, which was reported to be involved in hemicellulose degradation. One specific gene family in Sanguinoderma was annotated with siroheme synthase, which may be related to the typical characteristics of fresh pore surface changing to blood red when bruised. This study enriched the available genome data for the genus Sanguinoderma, elucidated the differences between Ganoderma and Sanguinoderma, and provided insights into the characteristics of the genome structure and function of S. infundibulare.

Medicinal Value, Genetic Diversity, and Genetic Relationship Analysis of Auricularia cornea (Agaricomycetes) Based on ITS, ISSR, and SRAP Markers.

Wild resources of Auricularia cornea (A. polytricha) are abundant in China, and genetic diversity and genetic relationships analysis of A. cornea can provide basis for germplasm resource utilization and innovation and molecular marker-assisted breeding. In this study, 22 Auricularia strains collected were identified as A. cornea based on ITS sequence analysis, and its genetic diversity was examined by ISSR and SRAP markers. The results showed that a total of 415 bands were amplified by 11 selected ISSR primers, with an average amplification of 37.73 bands per primer, and the mean values of Ne, I, and H were 1.302, 0.368, and 0.219, respectively. A total of 450 bands were amplified by 10 SRAP primers, with an average of 45 bands per primer, and the average of Ne, I, and H were 1.263, 0.302, and 0.183, respectively. The unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means analysis based on ISSR-SRAP marker data revealed that the genetic similarity coefficient between the tested strains was 0.73-0.97, and the strains could be divided into five groups at 0.742, which had a certain correlation with regional distribution. The results of PCOA and population structure analysis based on ISSR-SRAP data also produced similar results. These results demonstrate the genetic diversity and distinctness among wild A. cornea and provide a theoretical reference for the classification, breeding, germplasm innovation, utilization, and variety protection of A. cornea resources.

Spatial Distribution Patterns and Assembly Processes of Abundant and Rare Fungal Communities in Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica Forests.

Revealing the biogeography and community assembly mechanisms of soil microorganisms is crucial in comprehending the diversity and maintenance of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica forests. Here, we used high-throughput sequencing techniques and null model analysis to explore the distribution patterns and assembly processes of abundant, rare, and total fungal communities in P. sylvestris var. mongolica forests based on a large-scale soil survey across northern China. Compared to the abundant and total taxa, the diversity and composition of rare taxa were found to be more strongly influenced by regional changes and environmental factors. At the level of class, abundant and total taxa were dominated by Agaricomycetes and Leotiomycetes, while Agaricomycetes and Sordariomycetes were dominant in the rare taxa. In the functional guilds, symbiotrophic fungi were advantaged in the abundant and total taxa, and saprotrophic fungi were advantaged in the rare taxa. The null model revealed that the abundant, rare, and total taxa were mainly governed by stochastic processes. However, rare taxa were more influenced by deterministic processes. Precipitation and temperature were the key drivers in regulating the balance between stochastic and deterministic processes. This study provides new insights into both the biogeographical patterns and assembly processes of soil fungi in P. sylvestris var. mongolica forests.

Afforestation-Induced Shifts in Soil Bacterial Diversity and Community Structure in the Saihanba Region.

Afforestation plays a pivotal role in ecosystem restoration, exemplified by the Saihanba Mechanized Forest Farm, the world's largest planted forest; however, the assembly mechanisms and interactions of soil microbial communities in such forests remain inadequately understood. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of different afforestation tree species, namely Larix gmelinii var. principis-rupprechtii, Picea asperata, and Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica, on soil bacterial diversity and community structure in comparison to grassland. Sixty soil samples were collected at a 20 cm depth, and high-throughput sequencing was employed to identify bacterial communities and assess their interactions with environmental factors. A total of 6528 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified, with Solirubrobacter, Conexibacter, Bacillus, Massilia, Gaiella, Acidibacter, and Vicinamibacter being the dominant genera. Afforestation significantly impacted soil bacterial alpha diversity, with notable influence from key soil chemical properties, including available phosphorus (AP), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of soil organic matter (SOM-C/N). The Mantel test highlighted pH, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and spatial variable (dbMEM) as primary environmental factors influencing dominant bacterial genera. The bacterial community structure demonstrated deterministic homogeneous selection, wherein SOM-C/N emerged as a significant factor influencing the dissimilarity of soil bacterial communities. Furthermore, plantation soils exhibited a more complex network structure than grassland soil, highlighting the crucial role of bacterial communities in vegetation changes and providing valuable insights into their response to environmental factors during the reforestation process.

Molecular phylogeny and morphology reveal a new species of Amyloporia (Basidiomycota) from China.

Amyloporia pinea sp. nov. is described and illustrated on the basis of collections from southern China. Morphology and phylogenetic analysis of rDNA ITS sequences support this new species. Morphologically, it is characterized by resupinate, annual basidiocarps, cream to yellowish buff pore surface when fresh, which becomes yellowish brown to clay-buff upon drying, a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and inamyloid skeletal hyphae, fusoid cystidioles, and cylindrical basidiospores; moreover, it causes a brown rot. Molecular phylogeny inferred from ITS sequence data suggested a close relationship between A. pinea and Amyloporia crassa sensu lato. Antrodia subxantha has amyloid skeletal hyphae, and grouped within the Amyloporia clade, hence, it is transferred to Amyloporia, and a new combination Amyloporia subxantha is proposed.

Morphological and molecular identification of four new resupinate species of Perenniporia (Polyporales) from southern China.

Four new resupinate species, Perenniporia hainaniana, P. macropora, P. russeimarginata and P. subtephropora, are described as new from southern China on the basis of morphological and molecular examination. Perenniporia hainaniana is characterized by a perennial growth habit, cream to buff pore surface, a dimitic to trimitic hyphal system with amyloid skeletal hyphae and presence of dendrohyphidia. Perenniporia macropora is distinguished by an annual growth habit, large pores (2-3 per mm), a dimitic hyphal system with branched skeletal hyphae and presence of dendrohyphidia. Perenniporia russeimarginata differs from other species in the genus by a perennial growth habit, white to cream pore surface and reddish to reddish brown sterile margin. Perenniporia subtephropora is characterized by a perennial growth habit, cream-buff to grayish buff pore surface, hymenophoral trama becoming black in KOH and a dimitic hyphal system with branched skeletal hyphae. Phylogenetic analysis inferred from the ITS and LSU-rDNA regions revealed eight clades for Perenniporia sensu lato with the four new species recognized in Perenniporia sensu stricto. The Perenniporia ochroleuca group, P. vicina group, P. martia group, P. subacida, Microporellus, Perenniporiella and Abundisporus, formed monophyletic entities respectively, and they are not related to P. medulla-panis (generic type), which belongs to Perenniporia sensu stricto. Abundisporus, Microporellus and Perenniporiella were widely applied as generic names. Other generic or clade names, Hornodermoporus, Truncospora, Vanderbylia and the P. subacida clade, have not been widely applied, but they are valid higher level taxa containing former species of Perenniporia. A key to genera and clades allied with Perennioporia sensu stricto and a key to species of Perennioporia are provided.

Taxonomy and phylogeny of the genus Megasporoporia and its related genera.

Taxonomic and phylogenetic studies on Megasporoporia s.l. were carried out. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS and nLSU sequences showed that Megasporoporia s.l. belonging to the core polyporoid clade, however, it is not monophyletic, and four clades were recognized. The Megasporoporia s.s. clade includes M. setulosa and two new species, M. bannaensis and M. minor spp. nov. Two monophyletic clades were segregated from Megasporoporia s.l., and two new genera were established. Megasporia gen. nov. is composed of M. cystidiolophora, M. ellipsoidea, M. hexagonoides, M. major, M. violacea, and two new species, M. guangdongensis and M. hengduanensis spp. nov. Megasporoporiella gen. nov. including M. cavernulosa, M. rhododendri, M. subcavernulosa, and two new species, M. lacerata and M. pseudocavernulosa spp. nov. Megasporoporia quercina grouped with Grammothele fuligo in the Grammothele clade, so it is transferred to Grammothele and a new combination, G. quercina, is proposed. The main morphological characters of Megasporoporia and the two new genera are discussed, and identification keys to the three genera are provided.

Study of the physiological characteristics of the medicinal mushroom Trametes pubescens (higher Basidiomycetes) during the laccase-producing process.

The study of the physiological characteristics of the medicinal mushroom Trametes pubescens was conducted under submerged cultures, suggesting that the laccase activity was positively correlated with oxidative level and culture conditions. Mycelial biomass and laccase activity in medium I were higher than those in medium II, which indicated that laccase activity was correlated with mycelium growth. The enhancement in mycelial biomass presented the logarithmic increase at days 6-8 and the peak value on the day 12 after inoculation. During liquid cultivation, increases in the amounts of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and ascorbic acid were observed. In addition, the higher activities of superoxide dismutase and total antioxidative capacity still could be detected during this period. However, better ability to restrain hydroxyl free radical and catalase had a negative influence on laccase activity. It was evident that the fungal strain T. pubescens was under oxidative stress during the laccase-producing process. When the concentrations of H2O2 and Fe2+ were 3 and 30 mmol/L, respectively, the laccase activity reached to its peak at 37.21 U/L after a 14-day incubation period. It was concluded that a relationship between laccase synthesis and antioxidative capability existed in fungal cells, which could be regulated by reactive oxygen.

Chemical characterization and structure of exopolysaccharides from submerged culture of new medicinal mushroom from China, Phellinus mori (higher Basidiomycetes).

Two different exopolysaccharides (EPSs) were first time-fractionated from submerged mycelia culture of Phellinus mori (PM) by gel-filtration chromatography: PM-EPS1 and PM-EPS3. Results of compositional analysis using high-performance anion exchange chromatography indicated that both PM-EPS1 and PM-EPS3 were heteropolysaccharides consisting of mannose, glucose, galactose, and rhamnose. Gel permeation chromatography analysis showed that the weight-average molecular mass of PM-EPS1 and PM-EPS3 were 4,990 g/mol and 27,890 g/mol, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectral analysis of PM-EPS1 and PM-ESP3 revealed prominent characteristic groups corresponding to carbohydrates. 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis indicated that PM-EPS3 had a (1→4)-linked mannopyranosyl backbone, with branches of (1→4)-linked glucosyl residues and (1→3, 4)-linked galactopyranosyl residues. Preliminary activity tests in vitro revealed that the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and total superoxide dismutase activities of PM-EPS3 obviously increased with an increase in concentration at the range 0.1-2.5 mg/mL.