RESUMO
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.
RESUMO
Flower blight caused by Neopestalotiopsis clavispora is an emerging disease of flamingo flower (Anthurium andraeanum Lind.) that negatively impacts flower production. The use of rhizosphere fungi as biocontrol agents is an alternative way to control this disease instead of using synthetic fungicides. This research aimed to screen the potential of rhizosphere fungi, Trichoderma spp., with diverse antifungal abilities to control N. clavispora and to reduce flower blight in flamingo flowers. A total of ten isolates were tested against N. clavispora by dual culture assay, and T1-02 was found to be the most effective isolate against N. clavispora, with inhibition of 78.21%. Morphology and molecular phylogeny of multiple DNA sequences of the genes, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1-α), and RNA polymerase 2 (rpb2) identified isolate T1-02 as Trichoderma virens. Sealed plate method revealed T. virens T1-02 produced volatile antifungal compounds (VOCs) against N. clavispora, with inhibition of 51.28%. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was applied to trap volatiles, and GC/MS profiling showed VOCs emitted from T. virens T1-02 contained a sesquiterpene antifungal compound-germacrene D. The pre-colonized plate method showed that T. virens T1-02 aggressively colonized in tested plates with inhibition of 100% against N. clavispora, and microscopy revealed direct parasitism onto fungal hyphae. Furthermore, the application of T. virens T1-02 spore suspension reduced the disease severity index (DSI) of flower blight in flamingo flowers. Based on the results from this study, T. virens T1-02 displays multiple antagonistic mechanisms and has the potential ability to control flower blight of flamingo flowers caused by N. clavispora.
RESUMO
Asexual species of Tubeufiaceae are characterised as helicosporous hyphomycetes and are abundantly discovered in tropical and subtropical regions. The present study collected helicosporous fungal samples from rotting tissues of Caryotamitis, Elaeisguineensis and E.oleifera in Xishuangbanna, Yunan Province, China. Fungal isolates were identified, based on the morphological characteristics and multi-gene phylogeny with DNA sequence data of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), part of the large subunit nuclear rRNA gene (LSU), translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene (tef 1-α) and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit gene (rpb2). Herein, we introduce three new species viz. Helicomaoleifera, Neohelicosporiumguineensis and N.xishuangbannaensis. In addition, we introduce two new host records of Helicomaguttulatum and H.rufum on Caryotamitis. The illustrations of all identified species, detailed descriptions and in-depth phylogenetic analyses are provided. Our results add new knowledge of fungal species associated with palm hosts in southern China. Moreover, our data will contribute to the biodiversity of fungi in tropical China.