Cladosterigma: an enigmatic fungus, previously considered a basidiomycete, now revealed as an ascomycete member of the Gomphillaceae.

Cladosterigma clavariellum has been treated as a basidiomycete since its first description by Spegazzini in 1886 as Microcera clavariella. After further morphological studies, between 1919 and 2011, it remained among the basidiomycetes, most recently as incertae sedis in the order Cryptobasidiales. Our studies, based on light and scanning electron microscopy, supported by multilocus phylogenetic analyses-second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1), small subunit (18S), large subunit (28S), and nuclear internal transcribed spacers (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS) of the nuclear rDNA sequences, and mitochondrial rDNA small subunit (mtSSU)-finally determined the phylogenetic placement of Cladosterigma as the first nonlichenicolous mycoparasitic member of the Gomphillaceae within the Graphidales, an ascomycete order previously composed predominantly of lichen-forming fungi.

Efficacy of alginate- and clay-encapsulated microorganisms on the growth of Araçá-Boi seedlings (Eugenia stipitata)

The present work aimed to evaluate the effects of encapsulated microorganisms on seedlings of Eugenia stipitata, popularly known as araçá-boi, to evaluate the interaction between the inoculum and encapsulating agents such as clay and alginate. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design using a 3×2 factorial scheme. The treatments were control, inoculum, clay without microbial inoculum, clay with microbial inoculum, alginate without microbial inoculum, and alginate with microbial inoculum. The seedlings were grown under nursery conditions over a period of 3 months. No treatment increased the height, stem diameter, shoot dry matter or root dry matter of the araçá-boi seedlings. The use of alginate increased the ammonium content compared to the clay and control treatments. Alginate and clay increased the nitrate content in relation to the control. Alginate increased the total number of bacteria in relation to the clay and control treatments. The application of inoculum combined with alginate increased the nitrate content only in relation to the clay and control treatments. Although the application of inoculum promoted an increase in the nitrate content compared to the uninoculated treatments, there was no effect for the other parameters analyzed. The results suggest that clay and alginate encapsulating agents with the presence or absence of microorganisms may improve some soil parameters.

Two new usnic acid derivatives from the endophytic fungus Mycosphaerella sp.

The endophytic fungus Mycosphaerella sp. (UFMGCB2032) was isolated from the healthy leaves of Eugenia bimarginata, a plant from the Brazilian savanna. Two novel usnic acid derivatives, mycousfuranine (1) and mycousnicdiol (2), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract, and their structure was elucidated by NMR and MS analyses. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited moderate antifungal activities against Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii, each with minimum inhibitory concentration values of 50.0 µg/mL and 250.0 µg/mL, respectively.

Proposta de formulação contendo extrato de folhas de Eugenia involucrata e análise da atividade antimicrobiana / Proposal of formulation containing Eugenia involucrata leaf extract and antimicrobial activity analysis

Eugenia involucrata, também conhecida como cerejeira-do-mato, é uma espécie nativa do sul do Brasil. O objetivo do trabalho foi otimizar um extrato das folhas de E. involucrata, empregando turbo-extração, e desenvolver uma emulsão, contendo o extrato, avaliando a atividade antimicrobiana. Para otimização do extrato foram avaliados dois fatores, determinando resíduo seco e teor de compostos fenólicos. Na elaboração da emulsão foi utilizado homogeneizador ultra turrax, e as concentrações do extrato adicionadas à emulsão foram de 0,5; 1,0; 1,5 e 2,0%. As formulações foram avaliadas frente ao pH, características visuais, tamanho de partícula e polidispersão. Para o ensaio antimicrobiano foi aplicada técnica de difusão em ágar. Por meio do planejamento fatorial 32 do Centro de Pesquisa e Processamento de Alimentos - CEPPA, considerando os fatores polaridade do solvente e tempo de extração, foi possível verificar melhores resultados com o extrato obtido em solvente etanol e tempo de extração de 3 minutos. A formulação apresentou pH ácido, sem separação de fases, variações no tamanho de gotícula, indicando sistema com distribuição heterogênea e atividade antifúngica. O sistema emulsionado desenvolvido, contendo diferentes concentrações de extrato, apresentou atividade antifúngica em todas as concentrações testadas, indicando que novos estudos podem ser realizados para otimizar a formulação desenvolvida.(AU)

Eugenia involucrata, popularly known as cerejeira-do-mato, is a native specie of brazilian south. The aim was to optimize an extract from the leaves of E. involucrata, using turbo-extraction, and developed an emulsion evaluation antimicrobial activity. Two factors were determined, time and polarity of the solvent, determining the dry residue and phenolic compounds content. Ultra turrax homogenizer was used for preparation of the emulsion and the extract concentrations added were 0.5; 1.0; 1.5 and 2%. The formulations were evaluated for pH, visual characteristics, particle size and polydispersity. The microbiological assay agar diffusion technique was applied. Using the factorial design 32 of the Center for Research and Food Processing - CRFP, considering solvent polarity (hexane, dichloromethane and ethanol 70%) and extraction time (10, 20 and 30 minutes), was possible to verify the extract obtained of 3 minutes with the ethanol solvent was the better results. The formulation showed acidic pH, without phase separation, variations in droplet size, indicating system with heterogeneous distribution and antifungal activity. The emulsified system developed with different concentrations of extract showed antifungal activity in all the concentrations tested, indicating that new studies can be carried out to optimize the developed formulation.(AU)

Spatial and seasonal influences on culturable endophytic mycobiota associated with different tissues of Eugenia jambolana Lam. and their antibacterial activity against MDR strains.

BACKGROUND: Present study focuses on diversity and distribution analysis of endophytic fungi associated with different tissues of Eugenia jambolana. The influence of season and geographical location on diversity and distribution of endophytic fungi has been analyzed. Antibacterial activity of isolated fungal species has also been investigated against MDR bacterial strains. RESULT: A total of 1896 endophytic fungal isolates were obtained from healthy, surface sterilized tissues of leaf, stem and petiole tissues during summer, monsoon and winter season. Out of 24 fungal species isolated, 20 species belong to class Ascomycetes, 2 to Basidiomycetes and 2 to Zygomycetes. Maximum species diversity was in rainy season whereas colonization frequency was in winter. All the diversity indices showed maximum species diversity at site 5 (Yamunanager), rainy among the seasons and leaf among the tissues studied. Aspergillus genus was most frequently isolated. Aspergillus niger and Alternaria alternata were most dominant species. Three way ANOVA results showed that effect of season was highly significant on species diversity in relation to sites and tissues. 60% endophytic fungal extracts showed significant antibacterial activity against one or more than one MDR bacterial strain. CONCLUSION: Different fungal species were recovered from different sites but the inter-site comparisons were not significant according to Jaccard similarity coefficient. Diversity of such fungal endophytes indicates that Eugenia jambolana plant acts as an ecosystem facilitating survival of many microbes with impressive antibacterial potential.

Yeasts from native Brazilian Cerrado plants: Occurrence, diversity and use in the biocontrol of citrus green mould.

Yeasts are some of the most important postharvest biocontrol agents. Postharvest oranges frequently deteriorate due to green mould (Penicillium digitatum), which causes significant losses. The aims of this study were to determine the composition and diversity of yeasts on plants of the Brazilian Cerrado and to explore their potential for inhibiting citrus green mould. Leaves and fruit of Byrsonima crassifolia and Eugenia dysenterica were collected from Cerrado conservation areas, and thirty-five yeasts were isolated and identified by sequencing the D1-D2 domain of the rDNA large subunit (26S). The isolates represented the Aureobasidium, Meyerozyma, Candida, and Pichia genera. Three isolates identified as Aureobasidium pullulans exhibited potential for the control of P. digitatum in both in vitro and in vivo tests; these isolates reduced the incidence of disease and increased the storage time of fruit. Aureobasidium. pullulans has immense potential for the biological control of filamentous fungi.

Aspectos populares e científicos do uso de espécies de Eugenia como fitoterápico / Popular and scientific aspects of Eugenia species use as herbal

O uso da biodiversidade brasileira pela população continua sendo uma das maiores fontes de descoberta de novas entidades químicas bioativas. Este trabalho realizou uma revisão da literatura referente às características botânica, etnobotânica, atividade farmacológica, toxicológica e constituição química das espécies de Eugenia: Eugenia brasiliensis Lam, Eugenia dysenterica DC, Eugenia umbelliflora O. Berg, Eugenia florida DC., Eugenia involucrate DC. e Eugenia uniflora L. Esse estudo descritivo retrospectivo tem como objetivo avaliar o biopotencial das espécies deste gênero, bem como o avanço do desenvolvimento de fitomedicamentos utilizando estas plantas.(AU)

The use of the Brazilian biodiversity by the population remains a major source of discovery of new bioactive chemical entities. In this work a literature review is carried out relative to botany characteristics, ethnobotany, pharmacological activity, toxicological and chemical composition of Eugenia species: Eugenia brasiliensis Lam, Eugenia dysenterica DC, Eugenia umbelliflora O. Berg, Eugenia florida DC., Eugenia involucrate DC. and Eugenia uniflora L. This retrospective descriptive study aims to evaluate the biopotential of the species belonging to this gender as well as the advancement in the development of the phytomedicines using these plants.(AU)