Biodegradation of PCL and PVC: Chaetomium globosum (ATCC 16021) activity.

The increasing use of plastics in human activities has resulted in an enormous amount of residues which became a matter of great environmental concern. Scientific studies on the microbial degradation of natural and synthetic molecules show the potential of fungal application on cleaning technologies. The biodegradation of PCL (polycaprolactone) and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) films by Aspergillus brasiliensis (ATCC 9642), Penicillium funiculosum (ATCC 11797), Chaetomium globosum (ATCC 16021), Trichoderma virens (ATCC 9645), and Paecilomyces variotii (ATCC 16023) was studied. According to ISO 846-1978-"Testing of Plastics - Influence of fungi and bacteria", samples of the studied polymers were inoculated with a mix suspension of 106 fungal inoculum and maintained in moisture glass chambers in a bacteriological incubator at 28 °C for 28 days. The samples were analyzed by means of morphological and color changes, mass loss, optical microscopy (OM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after 28 days of culturing. After the incubation period, visual observations of the PCL films showed many micropores and cracks, pigmentation, surface erosion and hyphal adhesion on the sample surfaces, and a mass loss of up to 75%. On the contrary, there was no evidence of PVC biodegradation, such as changes in color and significant mass loss. Chaetomium globosum ATCC 16021 was a pioneer in the colonization and attack of PCL, resulting in significant mass losses. Although PVC was less attacked by the ascomycete, the polymer supported the adhesion and growth of its fertile structures (perithecia), suggesting the fungal potential to degrade both plastics.

The application of bioactive compounds from the food industry to control mold growth in indoor waterborne coatings.

Microbial growth in indoor environments creates health problems, especially in people with asthma; approximately 80% of these patients are allergic to mold. Antimicrobial coatings are formulated to generate surfaces that are easy to clean and may also incorporate active agents, commonly called biocides, which inhibit microbial colonization, subsequent growth and bio-deterioration of the substrates. Some research lines seek to replace traditional organometallic and organochlorines biocides with environmentally acceptable ones. The aim of this research was, primarily, to explore the possible application of different compounds used in food industry like preservatives to be used as antimicrobial additives for antimicrobial coatings. Four biocides were tested against two different ambient molds isolated from an interior painted wall (Chaetomium globosum and Alternaria alternate). The selected biocides were zinc salicylate, zinc benzoate, calcium benzoate and potassium sorbate. The resulting paints were subjected to biological and physical tests (viscosity, hiding power, humidity absorption and biocides leaching rate). Bioassays revealed that zinc benzoate and zinc salicylate resulted active against both fungi.

Extracellular beta-D-glucosidase from Chaetomium thermophilum var. coprophilum: production, purification and some biochemical properties.

The thermophilic fungus Chaetomium thermophilum var. coprophilum produced large amounts of extracellular and intracellular beta-glucosidase activity when grown on cellulose or cellobiose as carbon sources. The presence of glucose in the culture medium drastically decreased the level of beta-glucosidase activity, while cycloheximide prevented the induction of the extracellular enzyme activity by cellobiose. An extracellular beta-glucosidase induced by avicel was purified by a procedure involving acetone precipitation and chromatography on two DEAE-cellulose columns. The purified enzyme was a basic protein, with a carbohydrate content of 73%. The deglycosylated enzyme exhibited a molecular mass of 43 kDa, with pH and temperature optima of 5.5 and 65 degrees C respectively. The beta-glucosidase hydrolysed only cellobiose and p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, exhibiting apparent Km values of 3.13 mM and 0.76 mM, respectively. The native purified enzyme was stable up to 2 hours at 60 degrees C, and its thermal stability was directly dependent on glycosylation.

Cutaneous and ungual phaeohyphomycosis caused by species of Chaetomium Kunze (1817) ex Fresenius, 1829.

Two cases of cutaneous and ungual phaeohyphomycosis caused by species of Chaetomium are reported. The patients showed no clinical signs of immunodeficiency. In Case 1 there was a small, ulcerated, crusted lesion on the right forearm. Direct microscopical examination of material from this lesion showed light-brown hyphae with thick-walled cells. The fungus isolated was identified as Chaetomium globosum. Case 2 had lesions of the fingernails. Direct microscopy showed dematiaceous septate hyphae in the nail. The isolate from the nails was identified as Chaetomium perpulchrum. Identification of the fungi was based on the classification of Ames (1963) as adapted by Cooke (1986). Such infections due to Chaetomium species are rare.