Comprehensive Characterization of Tuber maculatum, New in Uruguay: Morphological, Molecular, and Aromatic Analyses.

Although only a few species of Tuber account for the major truffle sales volume, many species that are not considered delicacies are finding their way to the market, especially in regions where the traditionally appreciated ones do not occur. This is the case for whitish truffles. Specimens of whitish truffles were collected in pecan (Carya illinoinensis) orchards in Uruguay in October 2021. Morphological and molecular methods were used to characterize and assess their identity as Tuber maculatum Vittad. An SPME extraction of volatile compounds and GC-MS analyses were performed to characterize the aromatic profile of these specimens and evaluate their potential applications. Among the 60 VOCs detected, 3-octenone (mushroom odor), 3-octanol (moss, nut, mushroom odor), and 2H-pyran-2-one (no odor), followed by octen-1-ol-acetate (no odor) and 2-undecanone (orange, fresh, green odor) were the major compounds in T. maculatum fruiting bodies. The attributes of exotic edible mushrooms of commercial value in the region are highlighted. In particular, this work emphasizes the characteristics of truffles as a byproduct of pecan cultivation.

A Review of Substrates for Solid-State Fermentation of Lingzhi or Reishi Medicinal Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (Agaricomycetes), for Basidiome Production and Effect on Bioactive Compounds.

Mushrooms in the genus Ganoderma have been collected and used as medicine since ancient times. However, commercial basidiome production has only recently been achieved. The solid substrates for basidiome production usually consist of lignocellulosic materials as the major component and the supplements (e.g., different types of bran and flour) as the minor segment. Research on substrates for solid-state fermentation with the purpose of basidiome production has focused on investigating locally available agrowaste materials, and their suitability is judged by the economic outputs. This review summarizes the formulations of the substrates and discusses their effects on the yield of basidiome or its bioactive compounds. Through a comprehensive look, this review concludes that future research focused on various treatments to modulate extracellular enzyme production may bring more options to the table for innovative solid substrate formulation.

Pattern formation features might explain homoplasy: fertile surfaces in higher fungi as an example.

Fungi show a high degree of morphological convergence. Regarded for a long time as an obstacle for phylogenetic studies, homoplasy has also been proposed as a source of information about underlying morphogenetic patterning mechanisms. The "local-activation and long-range inhibition principle" (LALIP), underlying the famous reaction-diffusion model proposed by Alan Turing in 1952, appears to be one of the universal phenomena that can explain the ontogenetic origin of seriate patterns in living organisms. Reproductive structures of fungi in the class Agaricomycetes show a highly periodic structure resulting in, for example, poroid, odontoid, lamellate or labyrinthic hymenophores. In this paper, we claim that self-organized patterns might underlie the basic ontogenetic processes of these structures. Simulations based on LALIP-driven models and covering a wide range of parameters show an absolute mutual correspondence with the morphospace explored by extant agaricomycetes. This could not only explain geometric particularities but could also account for the limited possibilities displayed by hymenial configurations, thus making homoplasy a direct consequence of the limited morphospace resulting from the proposed patterning dynamics.

Thaxterogaster revisited: A phylogenetic and taxonomic overview of sequestrate Cortinarius from Patagonia.

In the Patagonian region, Cortinarius is the most diverse and abundant genus of ectomycorrhizal fungi with at least 250 species. Sequestrate forms were until recently documented within the genus Thaxterogaster, a genus now known to be polyphyletic, and many were consequently transferred to Cortinarius. Original descriptions were mostly available in German and Spanish and interpretations of morphological structures outdated. Despite recent advances in Cortinarius systematics, the current classification, diversity, and ecology of sequestrate "cortinarioid" fungi in Patagonia remain unclear. The objective of this study was to provide an update on sequestrate Cortinarius of southern South America. We documented each species with morphological descriptions, photographs, basidiospore scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, and molecular characterization using nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) and nuc 28S rDNA (28S) sequence data. Original descriptions of taxa were also translated to English and revised based on fresh collections. We documented 24 species from Patagonia based on molecular data and conducted morphological and phylogenetic analysis for 18 previously described species based on type and reference specimens. In addition, we formally described two new species. Four additional taxa were provisionally determined as new but require further study. New ITS sequence data were produced from eight type specimens. We also provide a new name, Cortinarius gloiodes, nom. nov., for the taxon previously described as Thaxterogaster gliocyclus. In addition to the species treated in detail, we provided additional reference information and discussion on six described species that remained incompletely known or for which no recent collections were found. Of the 24 taxa documented from Patagonia, 15 species were assigned to 12 current sections in the genus Cortinarius. Analysis of spore ultrastructure showed that sequestrate forms of Patagonian Cortinarius lack a true perisporium.

Unveiling new sequestrate Cortinarius species from northern Patagonian Nothofagaceae forests based on molecular and morphological data.

Because of systematic sampling campaigns in the northern Patagonian Nothofagaceae forests of Argentina, several specimens of sequestrate fungi were collected. Some of those collections showed phylogenetic affinities and morphological similarities to members of the formerly recognized sequestrate genus Thaxterogaster, currently a synonym of Cortinarius on the basis of molecular data. Comparisons of macro- and micromorphological features and sequences of nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions have revealed that these collections belong to formerly undescribed species. The sequences of the four new taxa presented here, Cortinarius flavopurpureus, C. translucidus, C. nahuelhuapensis, and C. infrequens, were combined into a data set including additional sequences generated from herbarium collections and retrieved from public gene databases and analyzed by maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. The four new species were resolved as distinct clades with strong support; at the same time, they showed unique morphological characteristics (hypogeous to subhypogeous habit, complete gasteromycetation, and spore shape and ornamentation) that separate them from previously described Cortinarius species. In addition, several undescribed and/or not previously sequenced species from these forests were detected through phylogenetic analysis of ectomycorrhizal root tip sequences. A key of characters to identify the sequestrate Cortinarius from Patagonia is provided.

Conditions Affecting Lingzhi or Reishi Medicinal Mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (Agaricomycetes) Basidiome Quality, Morphogenesis, and Biodegradation of Wood By-products in Argentina.

Solid-state fermentation (SSF) with the medicinal higher Basidiomycete Ganoderma lucidum was studied as a strategy to use pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) and poplar (Populus nigra L.) wood chips and sawdust. Fruiting bodies were produced and the value of the biotransformed substrate was assessed. The highest mushroom yield (63 g dry weight per kilogram of dry substrate) was obtained with poplar sawdust and wood chips. Immersion of the bioreactors was a simple watering method that obtained suitable yields. Two morphological types were induced using 2 different incandescent light intensities. High light irradiation induced the highest valued mushroom morphology (as a whole product). Time course study of substrate biodegradation and mycelial growth dynamics indicated that the trophophase lasted 20 days and presented laccase activity of 0.01-0.03 units · g-1. The activity at idiophase was 10 times higher. Aqueous and alkali extracts, as well as carbohydrase enzyme profile activity, revealed differences in the properties of the residual substrate; some related to the substrate source are considered to be of concern for further use of this pretreated biomass. In view of the results obtained, we propose use of SSF of pine and poplar with G. lucidum to profitably recycle softwood by-products from the timber industry.

A systematic overview of Descolea (Agaricales) in the Nothofagaceae forests of Patagonia.

The descolea clade includes species of ectomycorrhizal basidiomycetes in the genera Descolea, Setchelliogaster, Descomyces, and Timgrovea that are known primarily from the Southern Hemisphere. Taxa in this group produce basidiomes that range in morphology from typical epigeous mushrooms (Descolea) and secotioid taxa (Setchelliogaster) to fully gasteroid species (Descomyces and Timgrovea). High intraspecific morphological variation has been reported in several species within this clade, suggesting that careful morphological and molecular studies are needed to refine species concepts. Molecular analyses of fresh Patagonian collections in conjunction with taxonomic studies have confirmed high variability in key morphological features, including overall sporocarp form, spore shape and dimensions, universal veil remnants, and cuticle configuration. Based on our synthesis, we emend the genus Descolea to include sequestrate species. We describe the new sequestrate taxon Descolea inferna sp. nov. from Nothofagaceae forests in Patagonia and we propose Cortinarius squamatus as a synonym of our new combination Descolea brunnea. We also formalize the identity of Descolea pallida as a synonym of Descolea antarctica and provide new specimens of Cortinarius archeuretus, a species that has not been encountered since the original discovery during the expeditions of Roland Thaxter in 1905-1906. Here we re-describe and transfer this species to Descolea as D. archeureta. We also discuss diagnostic features that can be used to delimitate the four known South American taxa in the descolea clade.

The Gondwanan connection - Southern temperate Amanita lineages and the description of the first sequestrate species from the Americas.

Amanita is a diverse and cosmopolitan genus of ectomycorrhizal fungi. We describe Amanita nouhrae sp. nov., a new hypogeous ('truffle-like') species associated with Nothofagus antarctica in northern Patagonia. This constitutes the first report of a sequestrate Amanita from the Americas. Thick-walled basidiospores ornamented on the interior spore wall ('crassospores') were observed consistently in A. nouhrae and its sister epigeous taxon Amanita morenoi, a rarely collected but apparently common species from northern Patagonia that has sometimes been misidentified as the Australian taxon Amanita umbrinella. Nuclear 18S and 28S ribosomal DNA and mitochondrial 16S and 26S DNA placed these two species in a southern temperate clade within subgenus Amanita, together with other South American and Australian species. Based on a dated genus-level phylogeny, we estimate that the southern temperate clade may have originated near the Eocene/Oligocene boundary (ca. 35 Ma ± 10 Ma). This date suggests a broadly distributed ancestor in the Southern Hemisphere, which probably diversified as a result of continental drift, as well as the initiation of the Antarctic glaciation. By comparison, we show that this clade follows an exceptional biogeographic pattern within a genus otherwise seemingly dominated by Northern Hemisphere dispersal.

Detection of manganese peroxidase and other exoenzymes in four isolates of Geastrum (Geastrales) in pure culture.

Knowledge regarding the enzymatic machinery of fungi is decisive to understand their ecological role. The species of the genus Geastrum are known to grow extremely slowly in pure culture, which makes it difficult to evaluate physiological parameters such as enzyme activity. Qualitative assays were performed on isolates of four species of this genus, showing evidence of laccase, cellulase, pectinase, amylase and lipase activity and suggesting that a wide range of carbon sources can be exploited by these species. For the first time in this genus, quantitative assays verified manganese peroxidase activity (up to 0.6mU/g) in 30-day old cultures, as well as laccase, ß-glycosidase and ß-xylosidase activities.

Detección de manganeso peroxidasa y otras exoenzimas en 4 aislamientos de Geastrum (Geastrales) en cultivo puro / Detection of manganese peroxidase and other exoenzymes in four isolates of Geastrum (Geastrales) in pure culture

Knowledge regarding the enzymatic machinery of fungi is decisive to understand their ecological role. The species of the genus Geastrum are known to grow extremely slowly in pure culture, which makes it difficult to evaluate physiological parameters such as enzyme activity. Qualitative assays were performed on isolates of four species of this genus, showing evidence of laccase, cellulase, pectinase, amylase and lipase activity and suggesting that a wide range of carbon sources can be exploited by these species. For the first time in this genus, quantitative assays verified manganese peroxidase activity (up to 0.6 mU/g) in 30-day old cultures, as well as laccase, β-glycosidase and β-xylosidase activities.

El conocimiento de la maquinaria enzimática de un hongo es decisivo para entender su rol ecológico. Las especies del género Geastrum son conocidas por su crecimiento extremadamente lento en cultivos puros, lo que hace difícil la evaluación de parámetros fisiológicos como las actividades enzimáticas. Se realizaron ensayos cualitativos sobre aislamientos de 4 especies de este género, mostrando evidencias de actividades lacasa, celulasa, pectinasa, amilasa y lipasa, mostrando el amplio rango de fuentes de carbono que pueden ser explotadas por estas especies. Ensayos cuantitativos verificaron por primera vez en este género la actividad manganeso peroxidasa (hasta 0,6 mU/g) en cultivos de 30 días, así como también β-glucosidasa y β-xilosidasa.

New species of Tomentella (Thelephorales) from the Patagonian Andes forests.

The genus Tomentella forms abundant ectomycorrhizae in coniferous and deciduous forests worldwide. Molecular identification of root tips suggests undescribed species in the Nothofagus forests of Patagonia, Argentina. Tomentella tenuissima, T. pulvinulata and T. patagonica are described here as new to science based on morphological and molecular analyses. Their host range is addressed using available soil sequences. The identity of previous records of T. galzinii and T. radiosa are discussed with morphological and molecular evidence.

Deterioro de poliestireno expandido causado por Aureobasidium pullulans var. melanogenum / Deterioration of expanded polystyrene caused by Aureobasidium pullulans var. melanogenum

An expanded-polystyrene factory located in northern Buenos Aires reported unusual dark spots causing esthetic damage in their production. A fungal strain forming black-olive colonies on extract malt agar medium was isolated from the damaged material and identified as Aureobasidium pullullans var. melanogenum. This fungus is particularly known for its capacity to produce hydrolytic enzymes and a biodegradable extracellular polysaccharide known as pullulan, which is used in the manufacture of packaging material for food and medicine. Laboratory tests were conducted to characterize its growth parameters. It was found that the organism was resistant to a wide range of pHs but did not survive at temperatures over 65 °C. The proposed action plan includes drying of the material prior to packaging and disinfection of the machinery used in the manufacturing process and of the silos used for raw material storage.

Una fábrica de poliestireno expandido situada en el norte de Buenos Aires reportó casos inusuales de manchas oscuras que causaban un daño estético en su producción. A partir del material dañado se aisló una cepa de hongo que forma colonias negro-oliváceas en medio agar-malta y que fueron identificadas como Aureobasidium pullullans var. melanogenum. Este hongo es particularmente conocido por su capacidad de producir enzimas hidrolíticas y un polisacárido extracelular biodegradable, el pululano, utilizado para la fabricación de envases para alimentos y medicinas. Se llevaron a cabo ensayos de laboratorio para caracterizar sus parámetros de crecimiento. Se encontró que el organismo es resistente a un amplio rango de pH, pero no sobrevive a temperaturas superiores a 65 °C. El plan de acción propuesto incluye el secado del material antes de su envasado y la desinfección tanto de la maquinaria utilizada en el proceso de fabricación como de los silos utilizados para el almacenamiento de la materia prima.

Deterioration of expanded polystyrene caused by Aureobasidium pullulans var. melanogenum.

An expanded-polystyrene factory located in northern Buenos Aires reported unusual dark spots causing esthetic damage in their production. A fungal strain forming black-olive colonies on extract malt agar medium was isolated from the damaged material and identified as Aureobasidium pullullans var. melanogenum. This fungus is particularly known for its capacity to produce hydrolytic enzymes and a biodegradable extracellular polysaccharide known as pullulan, which is used in the manufacture of packaging material for food and medicine. Laboratory tests were conducted to characterize its growth parameters. It was found that the organism was resistant to a wide range of pHs but did not survive at temperatures over 65°C. The proposed action plan includes drying of the material prior to packaging and disinfection of the machinery used in the manufacturing process and of the silos used for raw material storage.

Optimization of laccase production by two strains of Ganoderma lucidum using phenolic and metallic inducers.

Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst is a white rot fungus that is able to degrade the lignin component in wood. The ability of two strains of this species to produce the ligninolytic enzyme laccase was assessed. After the evaluation of induction with heavy metals and phenolic compounds, it was found that among the tested substances, copper and ferulic acid are the best laccase inducers. It was also observed that the two types of inducers (phenolic and metallic) produce different electrophoretic patterns of laccase activity. Optimized concentrations of inducers were obtained through a factorial design and the thermal stability of optimized supernatants was studied at a wide range of acidic pH. We found that the enzyme is more thermostable at higher pH values.

Optimization of laccase production by two strains of Ganoderma lucidum using phenolic and metallic inducers / Optimización de la producción de lacasa por dos cepas de Ganoderma lucidum utilizando inductores fenólicos y metálicos

Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst es un hongo causante de pudrición blanca, capaz de degradar la lignina de la madera y otros sustratos en los que crece. En este trabajo se evaluó la capacidad de dos cepas de esta especie de producir la enzima ligninolítica lacasa. Asimismo, se ensayó la inducción de esta enzima con diferentes compuestos fenólicos e iones metálicos, y se encontró que el ácido ferúlico y el cobre fueron los mejores inductores de la lacasa entre los agentes evaluados. También se encontró que los dos tipos de inductores (fenólicos y metálicos) producen distintos patrones electroforéticos de actividad lacasa. Las concentraciones óptimas de los inductores fueron establecidas mediante un diseño factorial. Se estimó la estabilidad térmica de la lacasa en un amplio rango de pH ácidos, y se comprobó que a pH más altos la enzima es más termoestable.(AU)

Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst is a white rot fungus that is able to degrade the lignin component in wood. The ability of two strains of this species to produce the ligninolytic enzyme laccase was assessed. After the evaluation of induction with heavy metals and phenolic compounds, it was found that among the tested substances, copper and ferulic acid are the best laccase inducers. It was also observed that the two types of inducers (phenolic and metallic) produce different electrophoretic patterns of laccase activity. Optimized concentrations of inducers were obtained through a factorial design and the thermal stability of optimized supernatants was studied at a wide range of acidic pH. We found that the enzyme is more thermostable at higher pH values.(AU)

Optimization of laccase production by two strains of Ganoderma lucidum using phenolic and metallic inducers / Optimización de la producción de lacasa por dos cepas de Ganoderma lucidum utilizando inductores fenólicos y metálicos

Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst es un hongo causante de pudrición blanca, capaz de degradar la lignina de la madera y otros sustratos en los que crece. En este trabajo se evaluó la capacidad de dos cepas de esta especie de producir la enzima ligninolítica lacasa. Asimismo, se ensayó la inducción de esta enzima con diferentes compuestos fenólicos e iones metálicos, y se encontró que el ácido ferúlico y el cobre fueron los mejores inductores de la lacasa entre los agentes evaluados. También se encontró que los dos tipos de inductores (fenólicos y metálicos) producen distintos patrones electroforéticos de actividad lacasa. Las concentraciones óptimas de los inductores fueron establecidas mediante un diseño factorial. Se estimó la estabilidad térmica de la lacasa en un amplio rango de pH ácidos, y se comprobó que a pH más altos la enzima es más termoestable.

Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst is a white rot fungus that is able to degrade the lignin component in wood. The ability of two strains of this species to produce the ligninolytic enzyme laccase was assessed. After the evaluation of induction with heavy metals and phenolic compounds, it was found that among the tested substances, copper and ferulic acid are the best laccase inducers. It was also observed that the two types of inducers (phenolic and metallic) produce different electrophoretic patterns of laccase activity. Optimized concentrations of inducers were obtained through a factorial design and the thermal stability of optimized supernatants was studied at a wide range of acidic pH. We found that the enzyme is more thermostable at higher pH values.

Optimization of laccase production by two strains of Ganoderma lucidum using phenolic and metallic inducers. / Optimization of laccase production by two strains of Ganoderma lucidum using phenolic and metallic inducers.

Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst is a white rot fungus that is able to degrade the lignin component in wood. The ability of two strains of this species to produce the ligninolytic enzyme laccase was assessed. After the evaluation of induction with heavy metals and phenolic compounds, it was found that among the tested substances, copper and ferulic acid are the best laccase inducers. It was also observed that the two types of inducers (phenolic and metallic) produce different electrophoretic patterns of laccase activity. Optimized concentrations of inducers were obtained through a factorial design and the thermal stability of optimized supernatants was studied at a wide range of acidic pH. We found that the enzyme is more thermostable at higher pH values.