Improving furfural tolerance in a xylose-fermenting yeast Spathaspora passalidarum CMUWF1-2 via adaptive laboratory evolution.

BACKGROUND: Spathaspora passalidarum is a yeast with the highly effective capability of fermenting several monosaccharides in lignocellulosic hydrolysates, especially xylose. However, this yeast was shown to be sensitive to furfural released during pretreatment and hydrolysis processes of lignocellulose biomass. We aimed to improve furfural tolerance in a previously isolated S. passalidarum CMUWF1-2, which presented thermotolerance and no detectable glucose repression, via adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE). RESULTS: An adapted strain, AF2.5, was obtained from 17 sequential transfers of CMUWF1-2 in YPD broth with gradually increasing furfural concentration. Strain AF2.5 could tolerate higher concentrations of furfural, ethanol and 5-hydroxymethyl furfuraldehyde (HMF) compared with CMUWF1-2 while maintaining the ability to utilize glucose and other sugars simultaneously. Notably, the lag phase of AF2.5 was 2 times shorter than that of CMUWF1-2 in the presence of 2.0 g/l furfural, which allowed the highest ethanol titers to be reached in a shorter period. To investigate more in-depth effects of furfural, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation was observed and, in the presence of 2.0 g/l furfural, AF2.5 exhibited 3.41 times less ROS accumulation than CMUWF1-2 consistent with the result from nuclear chromatins diffusion, which the cells number of AF2.5 with diffuse chromatins was also 1.41 and 1.24 times less than CMUWF1-2 at 24 and 36 h, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: An enhanced furfural tolerant strain of S. passalidarum was achieved via ALE techniques, which shows faster and higher ethanol productivity than that of the wild type. Not only furfural tolerance but also ethanol and HMF tolerances were improved.

Recent progress in the characterization and application of exo-electrogenic microorganisms.

Exo-electrogenic microorganisms are characterized by their special metabolic capability of transferring metabolic electrons out of their cell, into insoluble external electron acceptors such as iron or manganese oxides and electrodes, or vice versa take up electron from electrodes. Their conventional application is primarily limited to microbial fuel cells for electrical power generation and microbial electrolysis cells for the production of value-added products such as biohydrogen, biomethane and hydrogen peroxide. The utility of exo-electrogenic organisms has expanded into many other applications in recent times. Such examples include microbial desalination cells, microbial electro-synthesis cells producing value-added chemicals such as bio-butanol and their applications in other carbon sequestration technologies. Additionally, electrochemically-active organisms are now beginning to be employed in biosensor applications for environmental monitoring. Additionally, the utility of biocathodes in bio-electrochemical systems is also a novel application in catalyzing the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction to enhance their electrochemical performance. Advances have also been made in the expansion and use of other organisms such as the usage of photosynthetic microorganisms for the fabrication of self-sustained bio-electrochemical systems. This review attempts to provide a comprehensive picture of the state-of the art of exo-electrogenic organisms and their novel utility in bioelectrochemical systems.

First Report of Anthracnose on Giant Philodendron Caused by Colletotrichum siamense in Thailand.

Giant philodendron (Philodendron giganteum Schott) is cultivated in Thailand and has become an important ornamental houseplant with great economic value. During the rainy season in July 2022, anthracnose disease on this plant was observed at a nursery in Saraphi District, Chiang Mai Province (18°40'18" N, 99°03'17" E), Thailand. The area investigated was approximately 800 m². The disease incidence was estimated at above 15% according to the total number of plants (220 plants). The disease severity of each plant was between 25 and 50% of the necrotic lesion on the leaf. Initially, symptoms with brown spots, appeared on leaves, gradually becoming enlarged, elongate, 1 to 11 cm long by 0.3 to 3.5 cm wide, irregular, sunken, dark brown, with a yellow halo surrounding each lesion. Then, the diseased leaves eventually withered and died. Leaf pieces (5 × 5 mm2) of the margins between lesions and the healthy tissue were surface sterilized in 1% NaClO for 1 min, 70% ethanol for 30 s, and rinsed three times with sterile distilled water. Tissues were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 25°C in darkness. After three days of incubation, pure fungal colonies were purified by a single hyphal tip method on PDA (Korhonen and Hintikka 1980). Two fungal isolates (SDBR-CMU471 and SDBR-CMU472) with similar morphology were obtained. Fungal colonies on PDA were white and 38 to 40 mm in diameter after 3 days of incubation at 25 °C, then grayish white with cottony mycelia, the reverse side pale yellow after one week of incubation. Both isolates produced asexual structures on PDA. Setae were brown with 1 to 3 septa, 50 to 110 × 2.4 to 4.0 µm, with a cylindrical base, and acuminate tip. Conidiophores were hyaline to pale brown, septate, and branched. Conidiogenous cells were hyaline to pale brown, cylindrical to ampulliform, 9.5 to 35 µm long (n = 50). Conidia were single-celled, straight, hyaline, smooth-walled, cylindrical, ends rounded, guttulate, 9.1 to 19.6 × 3.5 to 5.6 µm (n = 50). Appressoria were brown to dark brown, oval to irregular, smooth-walled, 5 to 10 × 5 to 7.5 µm (n = 50). Morphologically, both fungal isolates resembled members of the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex (Weir et al. 2012; Jayawardena et al. 2021). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA, actin (act), ß-tubulin (tub2), calmodulin (CAL), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) genes were amplified using primer pairs ITS5/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), ACT-512F/ACT-783R (Carbone and Kohn 1999), T1/T22 (O'Donnell and Cigelnik 1997), CL1C/CL2C (Weir et al. 2012), and GDF1/GDR1 (Templeton et al. 1992), respectively. Sequences were deposited in GenBank (ITS: OQ699280, OQ699281; act: OQ727122, OQ727123; tub2: OQ727124, OQ727125; CAL: OQ727126, OQ727127; GAPDH: OQ727128, OQ727129). Multi-gene (combined data set of ITS, GAPDH, CAL, act, and tub2) maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that both isolates were identified as C. siamense with 100% support. In a pathogenicity test, leaves of healthy plants were surface sterilized with a 0.1% NaClO solution for 3 min, rinsed three times with sterile distilled water. After being air-dried, a uniform wound (5 pores, 3 mm in width) was made at the equator of each leaf using aseptic needles. Conidial suspensions were collected from two-week-old cultures and suspended in sterile distilled water with 0.05% Tween-20. Fifteen microliters of the conidial suspension (1 × 106 conidia/ml) were placed on wounded attached leaves. As well, wounded control leaves were mock inoculated with sterile distilled water. Ten replications were conducted for each treatment and experiments were repeated twice. The inoculated plants were stored in a greenhouse at conditions of 25 to 30°C and 75 to 85% relative humidity. After 14 days, all the inoculated leaves showed disease symptoms, brown lesions with yellow halos, whereas control leaves remained asymptomatic. The pathogen C. siamense was consistently re-isolated on PDA from the inoculated tissues to complete Koch's postulates. Colletotrichum siamense has been reported as a causal agent on a wide range of host plants in Thailand and throughout the world (Farr and Rossman 2021; Jayawardena et al. 2021). Prior to this study, C. endophytica, C. karsti, C. orchidearum, C. philodendricola, and C. pseudoboninense were identified as causal agents of anthracnose on philodendrons (Xue et al. 2020; Zhang et al. 2023). However, anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum species on giant philodendron (P. giganteum) has not been previously reported. Thus, we propose C. siamense as a new causal agent of anthracnose disease on giant philodendron. This study provides information for further investigation into the epidemiology and management of this disease. Moreover, further investigations should be carried out in other philodendron growing areas of Thailand in order to specifically search for this pathogen.

First Report of Rose Apple Leaf Spot Caused by Colletotrichum siamense in Thailand.

The rose apple (Syzygium samarangense (Blume) Merr. & L.M.Perry) plant has been commonly cultivated in Thailand. In May of 2022, leaf spot disease of rose apple was discovered in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, with approximately 30% disease incidence. The typical symptoms initially showed brown spots (0.1 to 0.5 mm in diameter) with a yellow halo surrounding. These spots then expanded with black edges and the infected leaves appear blighted and desiccated. In humid conditions, pale yellow conidiomata formed on the lesions. Small pieces (5 × 5 mm2) of the margins between lesions and the healthy tissue were surface disinfected with 1% NaClO for 1 min, 70% ethanol for 30 s, and washed three times with sterile distilled water. Tissues were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 25 ºC for three days. Three fungal isolates (SDBR-CMU419, SDBR-CMU420, and SDBR-CMU421) were obtained that exhibited similar morphology. Fungal colonies appeared white to gray with cottony mycelia after incubation on PDA at 25 ºC for one week. All fungal isolates produced asexual morph on PDA. Setae were 5590 × 2.53.5 µm, brown with 13-septa, cylindrical base, and tip rounded. Conidiophores were hyaline to pale brown, septate, and branched. Conidiogenous cells were hyaline to pale brown, cylindrical to ampulliform, 2050 µm long (n = 50). Conidia were one-celled, hyaline, smooth-walled, aseptate, straight, cylindrical, end round, guttulate, 1017 × 35 µm (n = 50). Appressoria were mostly formed from mycelia, oval to irregular, brown to dark brown, smooth-walled, 610 × 57 µm (n = 50). Morphologically, all fungal isolates resembled to Colletotrichum (Weir et al. 2012; Jayawardena et al. 2021). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA, actin (act), ß-tubulin (tub2), calmodulin (CAL), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were amplified using primer pairs ITS5/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), ACT-512F/ACT-783R (Carbone and Kohn 1999), T1/T22 (O'Donnell and Cigelnik 1997), CL1C/CL2C (Weir et al. 2012), and GDF1/GDR1 (Templeton et al. 1992), respectively. The ITS (ON740892 to ON740894), act (ON759242 to ON759244), tub2 (ON759245 to ON759247), CAL (ON759248 to ON759250), and GAPDH (ON759251 to ON759253) sequences were deposited in GenBank. Multi-gene (combined data set of ITS, GAPDH, CAL, act, and tub2) maximum phylogenetic analyses indicated that all fungal isolates clustered with C. siamense ICMP 18578 (type strain) with strong statistical (99% ML) support. For pathogenicity test, asymptomatic leaves, stems and fruits detached from healthy plants were surface disinfected using 0.1% NaClO for 3 min, washed three times with sterile distilled water, and air-dried. A uniform wound (3 pores, 1 mm in width) was made at the equator of each leaf, stem and fruit using aseptic needles. Mycelial plugs (5 mm in diameter) and conidia suspensions (1 × 106 conidia/ml) of each fungal isolate grown on PDA at 25 ºC for one week were used to inoculate both wounded and unwounded samples by the detached method (Huda­Shakirah et al. 2022; Suwannarach et al. 2022). Plugs of PDA and sterile distilled water were used as controls. Ten replications were performed for each treatment and the experiment was repeated twice. All inoculated samples were incubated in a moist chamber at 25 ºC with 90% relative humidity. The disease severity index was used to evaluate the specimens (Acar et al. 2008; Ngegba et al. 2017). After one week, both wounded and unwounded leaves that inoculated with mycelial plugs and conidia suspensions showed brown leaf spots and a weak infection. Mycelial plugs inoculated on both wounded and unwounded fruits revealed a moderate infection, but inoculation of conidia suspensions showed a weak infection. No symptoms of disease were observed on the inoculated stems. Control leaves, stems and fruits remained asymptomatic. The pathogen C. siamense was re-isolated from spot and rot lesions on PDA in order to fulfill Koch's postulates. Phoulivong et al. (2012) reported that C. siamense is a causal agent of fruit rot in rose apples cultivated in Lao and Thailand. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. siamense causing leaf spots on rose apple plants in Thailand. Importantly, these findings will provide crucial information for epidemiologic studies and in the development of appropriate management strategies for this newly emerging disease.

Ten decadal advances in fungal biology leading towards human well-being.

Fungi are an understudied resource possessing huge potential for developing products that can greatly improve human well-being. In the current paper, we highlight some important discoveries and developments in applied mycology and interdisciplinary Life Science research. These examples concern recently introduced drugs for the treatment of infections and neurological diseases; application of -OMICS techniques and genetic tools in medical mycology and the regulation of mycotoxin production; as well as some highlights of mushroom cultivaton in Asia. Examples for new diagnostic tools in medical mycology and the exploitation of new candidates for therapeutic drugs, are also given. In addition, two entries illustrating the latest developments in the use of fungi for biodegradation and fungal biomaterial production are provided. Some other areas where there have been and/or will be significant developments are also included. It is our hope that this paper will help realise the importance of fungi as a potential industrial resource and see the next two decades bring forward many new fungal and fungus-derived products.

Fungal diversity notes 1387-1511: taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions on genera and species of fungal taxa.

This article is the 13th contribution in the Fungal Diversity Notes series, wherein 125 taxa from four phyla, ten classes, 31 orders, 69 families, 92 genera and three genera incertae sedis are treated, demonstrating worldwide and geographic distribution. Fungal taxa described and illustrated in the present study include three new genera, 69 new species, one new combination, one reference specimen and 51 new records on new hosts and new geographical distributions. Three new genera, Cylindrotorula (Torulaceae), Scolecoleotia (Leotiales genus incertae sedis) and Xenovaginatispora (Lindomycetaceae) are introduced based on distinct phylogenetic lineages and unique morphologies. Newly described species are Aspergillus lannaensis, Cercophora dulciaquae, Cladophialophora aquatica, Coprinellus punjabensis, Cortinarius alutarius, C. mammillatus, C. quercoflocculosus, Coryneum fagi, Cruentomycena uttarakhandina, Cryptocoryneum rosae, Cyathus uniperidiolus, Cylindrotorula indica, Diaporthe chamaeropicola, Didymella azollae, Diplodia alanphillipsii, Dothiora coronicola, Efibula rodriguezarmasiae, Erysiphe salicicola, Fusarium queenslandicum, Geastrum gorgonicum, G. hansagiense, Helicosporium sexualis, Helminthosporium chiangraiensis, Hongkongmyces kokensis, Hydrophilomyces hydraenae, Hygrocybe boertmannii, Hyphoderma australosetigerum, Hyphodontia yunnanensis, Khaleijomyces umikazeana, Laboulbenia divisa, Laboulbenia triarthronis, Laccaria populina, Lactarius pallidozonarius, Lepidosphaeria strobelii, Longipedicellata megafusiformis, Lophiotrema lincangensis, Marasmius benghalensis, M. jinfoshanensis, M. subtropicus, Mariannaea camelliae, Melanographium smilaxii, Microbotryum polycnemoides, Mimeomyces digitatus, Minutisphaera thailandensis, Mortierella solitaria, Mucor harpali, Nigrograna jinghongensis, Odontia huanrenensis, O. parvispina, Paraconiothyrium ajrekarii, Parafuscosporella niloticus, Phaeocytostroma yomensis, Phaeoisaria synnematicus, Phanerochaete hainanensis, Pleopunctum thailandicum, Pleurotheciella dimorphospora, Pseudochaetosphaeronema chiangraiense, Pseudodactylaria albicolonia, Rhexoacrodictys nigrospora, Russula paravioleipes, Scolecoleotia eriocamporesi, Seriascoma honghense, Synandromyces makranczyi, Thyridaria aureobrunnea, Torula lancangjiangensis, Tubeufia longihelicospora, Wicklowia fusiformispora, Xenovaginatispora phichaiensis and Xylaria apiospora. One new combination, Pseudobactrodesmium stilboideus is proposed. A reference specimen of Comoclathris permunda is designated. New host or distribution records are provided for Acrocalymma fici, Aliquandostipite khaoyaiensis, Camarosporidiella laburni, Canalisporium caribense, Chaetoscutula juniperi, Chlorophyllum demangei, C. globosum, C. hortense, Cladophialophora abundans, Dendryphion hydei, Diaporthe foeniculina, D. pseudophoenicicola, D. pyracanthae, Dictyosporium pandanicola, Dyfrolomyces distoseptatus, Ernakulamia tanakae, Eutypa flavovirens, E. lata, Favolus septatus, Fusarium atrovinosum, F. clavum, Helicosporium luteosporum, Hermatomyces nabanheensis, Hermatomyces sphaericoides, Longipedicellata aquatica, Lophiostoma caudata, L. clematidis-vitalbae, Lophiotrema hydei, L. neoarundinaria, Marasmiellus palmivorus, Megacapitula villosa, Micropsalliota globocystis, M. gracilis, Montagnula thailandica, Neohelicosporium irregulare, N. parisporum, Paradictyoarthrinium diffractum, Phaeoisaria aquatica, Poaceascoma taiwanense, Saproamanita manicata, Spegazzinia camelliae, Submersispora variabilis, Thyronectria caudata, T. mackenziei, Tubeufia chiangmaiensis, T. roseohelicospora, Vaginatispora nypae, Wicklowia submersa, Xanthagaricus necopinatus and Xylaria haemorrhoidalis. The data presented herein are based on morphological examination of fresh specimens, coupled with analysis of phylogenetic sequence data to better integrate taxa into appropriate taxonomic ranks and infer their evolutionary relationships.

Natural Bioactive Compounds from Fungi as Potential Candidates for Protease Inhibitors and Immunomodulators to Apply for Coronaviruses.

The inhibition of viral protease is an important target in antiviral drug discovery and development. To date, protease inhibitor drugs, especially HIV-1 protease inhibitors, have been available for human clinical use in the treatment of coronaviruses. However, these drugs can have adverse side effects and they can become ineffective due to eventual drug resistance. Thus, the search for natural bioactive compounds that were obtained from bio-resources that exert inhibitory capabilities against HIV-1 protease activity is of great interest. Fungi are a source of natural bioactive compounds that offer therapeutic potential in the prevention of viral diseases and for the improvement of human immunomodulation. Here, we made a brief review of the current findings on fungi as producers of protease inhibitors and studies on the relevant candidate fungal bioactive compounds that can offer immunomodulatory activities as potential therapeutic agents of coronaviruses in the future.

Cultivation of Mushrooms and Their Lignocellulolytic Enzyme Production Through the Utilization of Agro-Industrial Waste.

A large amount of agro-industrial waste is produced worldwide in various agricultural sectors and by different food industries. The disposal and burning of this waste have created major global environmental problems. Agro-industrial waste mainly consists of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, all of which are collectively defined as lignocellulosic materials. This waste can serve as a suitable substrate in the solid-state fermentation process involving mushrooms. Mushrooms degrade lignocellulosic substrates through lignocellulosic enzyme production and utilize the degraded products to produce their fruiting bodies. Therefore, mushroom cultivation can be considered a prominent biotechnological process for the reduction and valorization of agro-industrial waste. Such waste is generated as a result of the eco-friendly conversion of low-value by-products into new resources that can be used to produce value-added products. Here, we have produced a brief review of the current findings through an overview of recently published literature. This overview has focused on the use of agro-industrial waste as a growth substrate for mushroom cultivation and lignocellulolytic enzyme production.

Optimization and characterization of red pigment production from an endophytic fungus, Nigrospora aurantiaca CMU-ZY2045, and its potential source of natural dye for use in textile dyeing.

Some of the most important natural pigments have been produced from fungi and used for coloring in food, cosmetics, textiles, and pharmaceutical products. Forty-seven isolates of endophytic fungi were isolated from Cinnamomum zeylanicum in northern Thailand. Only one isolate, CMU-ZY2045, produced an extracellularly red pigment. This isolate was identified as Nigrospora aurantiaca based on morphological characteristics and the molecular phylogenetic analysis of a combined four loci (large subunit and internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA, ß-tubulin, and translation elongation factor 1-alpha genes). The optimum conditions for red pigment production from this fungus were investigated. The results indicated that the highest red pigment yield was observed in the liquid medium containing glucose as a carbon source and yeast extract as a nitrogen source, at a pH value of 5.0 and at 27 °C with shaking for 5 days. The crude red pigment revealed the highest level of solubility in methanol. A fungal red pigment was found to have high stability at temperatures ranging from 20 to 50 °C and pH values at a range of 5.0-6.0. Based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses, the red pigment was characterized as bostrycin. The extracted pigment was used for the textile dyeing process. Crude fungal red pigment revealed the highest staining ability in cotton fabrics and displayed excellent fastness to washing, which showing negative cytotoxicity at the concentrations used to cell culture. This is the first report on bostrycin production from N. aurantiaca.

The ectomycorrhizal status of a tropical black bolete, Phlebopus portentosus, assessed using mycorrhizal synthesis and isotopic analysis.

Phlebopus portentosus is one of the most popular wild edible mushrooms in Thailand and can produce sporocarps in the culture without a host plant. However, it is still unclear whether Phlebopus portentosus is a saprotrophic, parasitic, or ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungus. In this study, Phlebopus portentosus sporocarps were collected from northern Thailand and identified based on morphological and molecular characteristics. We combined mycorrhizal synthesis and stable isotopic analysis to investigate the trophic status of this fungus. In a greenhouse experiment, ECM-like structures were observed in Pinus kesiya at 1 year after inoculation with fungal mycelium, and the association of Phlebopus portentosus and other plant species showed superficial growth over the root surface. Fungus-colonized root tips were described morphologically and colonization confirmed by molecular methods. In stable isotope measurements, the δ(13)C and δ(15)N of natural samples of Phlebopus portentosus differed from saprotrophic fungi. Based on the isotopic patterns of Phlebopus portentosus and its ability to form ECM-like structures in greenhouse experiments, we conclude that Phlebopus portentosus could be an ECM fungus.

Plant Growth Promotion and Biological Control against Rhizoctonia solani in Thai Local Rice Variety "Chor Khing" Using Trichoderma breve Z2-03.

Several strains of Trichoderma are applied in the field to control plant diseases due to their capacity to suppress fungal pathogens and control plant diseases. Some Trichoderma strains also are able to promote plant growth through the production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). In southern Thailand, the local rice variety "Chor Khing" is mainly cultivated in the Songkhla province; it is characterized by slow growth and is susceptible to sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani. Therefore, this research aimed to screen Trichoderma species with the ability to promote plant growth in this rice variety and enact biological control against R. solani. A total of 21 Trichoderma isolates were screened for indole compound production using the Salkowski reagent. The Z2-03 isolate reacted positively to the Salkowski reagent, indicating the production of the indole compound. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPCL) confirmed that Z2-03 produced IAA at 35.58 ± 7.60 µg/mL. The cell-free culture filtrate of the potato dextrose broth (CF) of Z2-03 induced rice germination in rice seeds, yielding root and shoot lengths in cell-free CF-treated rice that were significantly higher than those of the control (distilled water and culture broth alone). Furthermore, inoculation with Trichoderma conidia promoted rice growth and induced a defense response against R. solani during the seedling stage. Trichoderma Z2-03 displayed an antifungal capacity against R. solani, achieving 74.17% inhibition (as measured through dual culture assay) and the production of siderophores on the CAS medium. The pot experiment revealed that inoculation with the Trichoderma sp. Z2-03 conidial suspension increased the number of tillers and the plant height in the "Chor Khing" rice variety, and suppressed the percentage of disease incidence (PDI). The Trichoderma isolate Z2-03 was identified, based on the morphology and molecular properties of ITS, translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-α), and RNA polymerase 2 (rpb2), as Trichoderma breve Z2-03. Our results reveal the ability of T. breve Z2-03 to act as a plant growth promoter, enhancing growth and development in the "Chor Khing" rice variety, as well as a biological control agent through its competition and defense induction mechanism in this rice variety.

A New Edible Wild Mushroom Species, Panus sribuabanensis (Panaceae, Polyporales) from Northern Thailand and Its Nutritional Composition, Total Phenolic Content, and Antioxidant Activity.

A new edible wild mushroom species, described herein as Panus sribuabanensis, was collected from local markets and natural forests located in northern Thailand. This species is characterized by its medium to large-sized basidiomata, broadly ellipsoid to ellipsoid-shaped basidiospores, dimitic hyphal system, and the absence of hyphal pegs. A molecular phylogenetic analysis of combined the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (nrLSU) of nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences supported the monophyly of P. sribuabanensis as a distinct lineage within the genus Panus. Full description, illustrations, color photographs, and a phylogenetic tree to show the placement of P. sribuabanensis are provided. The dried mushroom showed a nutritional composition within the range of 2.58%-2.67% for fat content, 27.10%-27.98% for protein, and 43.97%-44.10% for carbohydrates. The ethanolic extracts from this mushroom exhibited a total phenolic content ranging from 0.66 to 0.74 mg GAE/g dry weight (dw). Moreover, the antioxidant activities of ethanolic extracts evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (0.90-1.08 mg TE/g dw) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (0.93-1.08 mg TE/g dw) assays demonstrate higher activity compared to the 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay (0.44-0.51 mg TE/g dw). The outcomes of this study provide significant information on the nutritional value, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity potential of this new mushroom species discovered in northern Thailand.

Insights into the molecular phylogeny and morphology of three novel Dothiora species, along with a worldwide checklist of Dothiora.

Most species of Dothiora are known from the dead parts of various host plants as saprobic fungi in terrestrial habitats occurring in tropical and temperate regions. In the present study, samples of Dothiora were collected from dead twigs and branches of Capparis spinosa, Rhaponticum repens, and an unknown angiosperm plant from the Tashkent and Jizzakh regions of Uzbekistan. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses based on a combined ITS, LSU, SSU, TEF1, and TUB2 sequence data revealed their taxonomic positions within the Dothideaceae. Three new species of Dothiora, namely, Dothiora capparis, Dothiora rhapontici, and Dothiora uzbekistanica were proposed by molecular and morphological data. Likewise, the phylogenetic relationship and morphology of Dothiora are discussed. In addition, we provide a list of accepted Dothiora species, including host information, distribution, morphology descriptions, and availability of sequence data, to enhance the current knowledge of the diversity within Dothiora.

Sustainable Innovation: Fabrication and Characterization of Mycelium-Based Green Composites for Modern Interior Materials Using Agro-Industrial Wastes and Different Species of Fungi.

Mycelium-based bio-composites (MBCs) represent a sustainable and innovative material with high potential for contemporary applications, particularly in the field of modern interior design. This research investigates the fabrication of MBCs for modern interior materials using agro-industrial wastes (bamboo sawdust and corn pericarp) and different fungal species. The study focuses on determining physical properties, including moisture content, shrinkage, density, water absorption, volumetric swelling, thermal degradation, and mechanical properties (bending, compression, impact, and tensile strength). The results indicate variations in moisture content and shrinkage based on fungal species and substrate types, with bamboo sawdust exhibiting lower shrinkage. The obtained density values range from 212.31 to 282.09 kg/m3, comparable to traditional materials, suggesting MBCs potential in diverse fields, especially as modern interior elements. Water absorption and volumetric swelling demonstrate the influence of substrate and fungal species, although they do not significantly impact the characteristics of interior decoration materials. Thermal degradation analysis aligns with established patterns, showcasing the suitability of MBCs for various applications. Scanning electron microscope observations reveal the morphological features of MBCs, emphasizing the role of fungal mycelia in binding substrate particles. Mechanical properties exhibit variations in bending, compression, impact, and tensile strength, with MBCs demonstrating compatibility with traditional materials used in interior elements. Those produced from L. sajor-caju and G. fornicatum show especially promising characteristics in this context. Particularly noteworthy are their superior compression and impact strength, surpassing values observed in certain synthetic foams multiple times. Moreover, this study reveals the biodegradability of MBCs, reaching standards for environmentally friendly materials. A comprehensive comparison with traditional materials further supports the potential of MBCs in sustainable material. Challenges in standardization, production scalability, and market adoption are identified, emphasizing the need for ongoing research, material engineering advancements, and biotechnological innovations. These efforts aim to enhance MBC properties, promoting sustainability in modern interior applications, while also facilitating their expansion into mass production within the innovative construction materials market.

Four new species of Dothideomycetes (Ascomycota) from Pará Rubber (Heveabrasiliensis) in Yunnan Province, China.

The tropical areas in southern and south-western Yunnan are rich in fungal diversity. Additionally, the diversity of seed flora in Yunnan Province is higher than in other regions in China and the abundant endemic species of woody plants provide favourable substrates for fungi. Rubber plantations in Yunnan Province are distributed over a large area, especially in Xishuangbanna. During a survey of rubber-associated fungi in Yunnan Province, China, dead rubber branches with fungal fruiting bodies were collected. Morphological characteristics and multigene phylogenetic analyses (ITS, LSU, SSU, rpb2 and tef1-α) revealed four distinct new species, described herein as Melomastiapuerensis, Nigrogranalincangensis, Pseudochaetosphaeronemalincangensis and Pseudochaetosphaeronemaxishuangbannaensis. Detailed descriptions, illustrations and phylogenetic trees are provided to show the taxonomic placements of these new species.

Three novel woody litter inhabiting fungi in Didymosphaeriaceae, Phaeoseptaceae and Synnemasporellaceae from Zhujiangyuan Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province, P.R. China.

Zhujiangyuan Nature Reserve, located in Qujing City, Yunnan Province, China, is reported with high fauna and floral diversity, while the fungal diversity of the region is poorly documented. During the summer season in 2023, decaying wood-inhabiting microfungi were collected from different microhabitats. The novel species were identified based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses (based on combined datasets of ITS, LSU, SSU, tef1-α, and rpb2 regions). Two species belong to Dothideomycetes (viz., Spegazziniazhujiangyuanensis sp. nov. and Phaeoseptumzhujiangyuanense sp. nov. in Pleosporales) while the other one resides in Sordariomycetes (Synnemasporellafanii sp. nov. in Diaporthales). The results are in conformity with the earlier studies that predicted higher fungal diversity in this region.

Exploring ascomycete diversity in Yunnan II: Introducing three novel species in the suborder Massarineae (Dothideomycetes, Pleosporales) from fern and grasses.

This article presents the results of an ongoing inventory of Ascomycota in Yunnan, China, carried out as part of the research project series "Exploring ascomycete diversity in Yunnan". From over 100 samples collected from diverse host substrates, microfungi have been isolated, identified and are currently being documented. The primary objective of this research is to promote the discovery of novel taxa and explore the ascomycete diversity in the region, utilising a morphology-phylogeny approach. This article represents the second series of species descriptions for the project and introduces three undocumented species found in the families Bambusicolaceae, Dictyosporiaceae and Periconiaceae, belonging to the suborder Massarineae (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes). These novel taxa exhibit typical morphological characteristics of Bambusicola, Periconia and Trichobotrys, leading to their designation as Bambusicolahongheensis, Periconiakunmingensis and Trichobotryssinensis. Comprehensive multigene phylogenetic analyses were conducted to validate the novelty of these species. The results revealed well-defined clades that are clearly distinct from other related species, providing robust support for their placement within their respective families. Notably, this study unveils the phylogenetic affinity of Trichobotrys within Dictyosporiaceae for the first time. Additionally, the synanamorphism for the genus Trichobotrys is also reported for the first time. Detailed descriptions, illustrations and updated phylogenies of the novel species are provided, and thus presenting a valuable resource for researchers and mycologists interested in the diversity of ascomycetes in Yunnan. By enhancing our understanding of the Ascomycota diversity in this region, this research contributes to the broader field of fungal taxonomy and their phylogenetic understanding.

Identification and Characterization of Fusarium Species Causing Watermelon Fruit Rot in Northern Thailand.

Fruit rot caused by phytopathogenic fungi is one of the major diseases affecting watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) around the world, which can result in unmarketable fruits and significant economic losses. Fruit rot was observed on watermelons throughout the postharvest storage periods in Phayao Province, northern Thailand in 2022. For the present study, a total of ten fungal isolates were isolated from the rot lesions of watermelons. All obtained fungal isolates were then characterized in terms of their pathogenicity. The results indicated that only four fungal isolates caused rot disease with similar symptoms during the postharvest storage period. Based on their morphological characteristics, these four fungal isolates were identified as belonging to the genus Fusarium. Using multi-gene phylogenetic analyses with a combination of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef-1), calmodulin (cam), and RNA polymerase second largest subunit (rpb2) genes, the fungal isolates were subsequently identified as Fusarium compactum and F. paranaense. Taken together, the results of this study indicate that F. compactum and F. paranaense cause fruit rot disease in watermelons. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report F. compactum and F. paranaense as novel pathogens of watermelon fruit rot both in Thailand and elsewhere in the world.

Taxonomic Novelties and New Records of Amanita Subgenus Amanitina from Thailand.

The Amanita subgenus Amanitina contains six sections, and the species diversity of this subgenus has still not been explored in Thailand. Twenty samples collected in 2019 and 2020, which had the morphological characteristics of the Amanita subgen. Amanitina, were observed in this study. Both the microscopical characteristics and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of the ITS, nrLSU, RPB2, TEF1-α, and TUB gene regions revealed that the 20 samples represented nine species and dispersed into four sections. Remarkably, three taxa were different from any other currently known species. Here, we describe them as new to science, namely A. albifragilis, A. claristriata, and A. fulvisquamea. Moreover, we also recognized six interesting taxa, including four records that were new to Thailand, viz. A. cacaina, A. citrinoannulata, A. griseofarinosa, and A. neoovoidea, as well as two previously recorded species, A. caojizong and A. oberwinkleriana. Moreover, we provide the first RPB2 and TEF1-α gene sequences for A. cacaina. Detailed descriptions, illustrations as line drawings, and comparisons with related taxa are provided.