[THE INFLUENCE OF B-IRRADIATION ON MICROMYCETES ISOLATED FROM THE ZONE OF RADIONUCLIDE CONTAMINATION].

The resistance of the micromycetes to ß-irradiation had been studied. The study was conducted on two species: Cladosporium sphaerospermum Penz. and Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl., each of them was represented by six strains. Half of strains were isolated from the inner locations of the "Shelter" object (SO), which were characterized by different levels of radionuclide contamination. For C. sphaerospermum strains maximum resistance to ß-radiation was observed among 20-day-old cultures. The greatest resistance to ß-radiation had been demonstrated by two strains: 5-1 (isolated from SO location with the highest level of contamination) and 852 (control). For A. alternata strains maximum resistance to ß-radiation was observed among 40-day-old cultures. As the most resistant were characterized 56 and 105 isolates from the SO inner location with a high level of the radionuclide contamination. Based on the obtained results we concluded about high resistance to irradiation of both studied species of anamorphic fungi, which achieved through different life strategies: C. sphaerospermum strains survive due to rapid and abundant formation of conidia, whereas conidia of A. alternata strains are formed slowly, but they have greater advantage under irradiation due to their multicellular structure and large sizes.

[Destruction of the solid-cast rubber tyres by microscopic fungi].

Resistance to the action of standard test-cultures of fungi (in accordance with GOST 9.049-91 of the former U.S.S.R.) and species, isolated from rubber substrates of two types of the poured rubber tyres, which contained natural and synthetic plasticizer, have been investigated. It has been shown that the strains, isolated from rubber materials have an ability to deteriorate rubber tyres of two types, in contrast to standard species, which caused deterioration only to the tyres, containing the synthetic plasticizer. It has been described in our investigations that fungal resistance of studied tyres decrease with time (on the 28th and 365th day, accordingly), that is shown in full overgrowing of tyre samples, in destruction of their surfaces and in changing of their hardness. Such changes are accompanied by processes of oxidation of rubber, degradation of plasticizer, and by deleaching of such inorganic components of rubber as calcium carbonate, kaolin and zeolite. This information is presented on IR-spectrograms of investigated samples as the absence or presence of absorption frequencies of different intensity that corresponded to aromatic, hydroxyl, ester, alcohol, nitrile and inorganic groups. The paper is presented in Ukrainian.

[Contamination of solid-cast rubber tires by microscopic fungi].

The main peculiarities of fungal resistance of two types of unit cast rubber tires of domestic manufacture have been investigated. Rubber tires which contained synthetic plasticizer were non-resistant to fungal contamination in contrast to ones with natural plasticizer. Using the method of confocal laser-scanning microscopy, it was shown that inner layers of two types of rubber tires were contaminated with fungal mycelium. Our findings indicate that the investigation of microscopic fungi resistance of new materials is necessary for general mechanical rubber goods, especially exported to tropical climate countries.

[Species specificity of fungi isolated from the affected rubber tires and their components].

The mycobiota of the rubber technical wares, containing different plasticizers (natural and synthetic) have been investigated. Violation of production technology and storage conditions of the staggered rubber tires, caused their deterioration by the microfungi. Twenty seven (27) species of micromycetes, related to 16 genera were isolated from the surface and internal layers of such objects and their components. A number of species, which can exist theoretically on investigated rubber tires and their components, is calculated. The unfavorableness of the existence conditions for majority of fungi on such substrates is proved. The groups of species, which make the most contribution to deterioration of rubber tires and their components were revealed. These data were obtained using the methods of floristic analysis and computer processing of the data.

[Characteristics of Aspergillus sp. 55 alpha-amylase].

The influence of different factors on biosynthesis of extracellular alpha-amylase of Aspergillus sp. 55 grown at submerged cultivation has been studied. The optimal composition of nutrient medium (1 g of starch and 0.5 g of NaNO3 per 1 l) was chosen. The enzyme preparation has a wide pH optimum of activity (4.5-9.0), thermooptimum at pH 6.5 was 60 degrees C, at pH 4.5 and 9.0--50 degrees C. The inhibitory effect of coordinative germanium compounds on amylolytic activity of the preparation was shown. The paper is presented in Ukrainian.

[Effect of ionizing radiation of low intensity on activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase of Hormoconis resinae].

The level of activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase and influence of ionizing radiation of low intensity on their activity in two strains of Hormoconis resinae were investigated. One of the strains was isolated from the object Shelter showing radio-adaptation properties and another was the control one. It was shown, that the strain which showed radio-adaptation properties had higher initial level of endocellular catalase activity than the control one in both growth phases, and that of superoxide dismutase activity--in a logarithmic phase only. It was established, that essential (manyfold) changes occurred under radiation effect in activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase of studied fungi, which depended on the growth phase and availability of radio-adaptation properties in the investigated strains.

Endoglucanase-producing micromycetes capable of plant wastes degrading.

The screening study of endoglucanase producers among 58 strains 28 species 12 genera of mesophilous and thermotolerant micromycetes has been performed. Approximately 20% of investigated strains of micromycetes showed the highest endoglucanase activities (hydrolysis rates reached 0.40-0.57) during their submerged cultivation with different cellulose-containing subsrates. Such plant wastes as rye straw, wheat bran, husk of sunflower seeds, leaves and stems of Zostera marina were optimal for fungal growth and high yields of endoglucanase. As a result, 15 strains of mesophilous and thermotolerant micromycetes with high endoglucanase activity were selected among fungi of Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium and Corynascus genera.

[Cellulase activity of Ceratocystis sp. of different trophic groups].

A comparative analysis of cellulase activity of 36 fungal strains of phytopathogenic and endophytic Ceratocystis sp. was conducted. The rate of their linear growth on the media with carboxymethylcellulose was studied. It was shown that the rate of linear growth of phytopathogenic strains on the media with carboxymethylcellulose was lower than that in endophytic ones. There was no correlation between the levels of cellulase activity of studied strains and rates of their linear growth. The majority of Ceratocystis sp. strains had middle but not high cellulase activity, cellulase activity varied in the group of endophytic strains more than in the phytopathogenic one. The differences in cellulase activity were observed on the strain level. No distinct dependence of cellulase activity on different growth terms of fungi was demonstrated. The distinct dependence of cellulase activity level of endophytes on the species and organs of host plant was not observed. The cellulase activity level of endophytic strains Ceratocystis sp. was lower than in endophytic Fusarium poae strains and similar to it in phytopathogenic Fusarium strains. Consequently the investigated endophytic Ceratocystis sp. strains can be classified as latent pathogens, which were able to cause the diseases of host plants in favorable for them conditions. The paper is presented in Ukrainian.

[Cellulase and xylanase activity of phytopathogenic and endophytic fungal strains of Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler].

A comparative analysis of cellulase and xylanase activity of 25 fungal strains of phytopathogenic and endophytic Alternaria alternata had been realized for the first time using the qualitative reactions. The rate of their linear growth on the media with carboxymethylcellulose or xylane had been studied. The cellulase and xylanase activities clearly depended on the distinct strain. The absence of distinct dependence of cellulase and xylanase activities on the species and organs of host plants was demonstrated. The majority of investigated strains of A. alternata did not possess a cellulase activity or the latter was low, but as a whole the phytopathogenic strains were more active than endophytic ones. Xylanase activity was considerable for the fungal strains of all trophyc groups. It was shown that the level of xylanase activity cannot become a biochemical marker of the A. alternata isolate pathogenicity.

[Recent achievements of the Department of Micromycetes Physiology and Systematics (2002-2008)].

The basic trends of research of the Department of Micromycetes Physiology and Systematics as well as the most important fundamental achievements of the Department collective during 2002-2008 have been shown in the publication.

Influence of copper ions on the fatty acid profiles of soil filamentous fungi.

The fatty acid profiles have been studied for 5 species 4 genera (9 strains) of soil filamentous fungi isolated from Ukrainian soils polluted with heavy metals and reserve territories. Palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids were found in the highest quantities (up to 66.82%) of the total content of fatty acids of fungi. Fatty acid unsaturation rate in Paecilomyces lilacinus 146 and P. marquandii 153 resistant to copper ions was high (0.85-1.15) under an increase of copper ions concentration in nutrient medium. The same index in the strains of fungi isolated from soils polluted with heavy metals decreased with an increase of copper ions concentration in the medium. Fatty acid unsaturation rate in P. lilacinus 146 and Penicillium velutinum 465 isolated from soils polluted with heavy metals was 2-fold higher than that in the fungal strains isolated from reserve soils.

[Cellulase and xylanase activities of Fusarium Lk:Fr. genus fungi of different trophic groups].

A comparative analysis of cellulase and xylanase activities of 26 fungal strains of phytopathogenic, saprophytic and endophytic Fusarium species has been realized using the qualitative reactions. The rare of their linear growth on the media with carboxymethyl cellulose or xylane has been studied. It was shown that the fungi of genus Fusarium belonging to different trophic groups possessed low activities of investigated enzymes as a whole, but in endophytic strains their levels were lower than in phytopathogenic ones. At the same time the distinct strain dependence of cellulase and xylanase activities was fixed in the fungi of different trophic groups. As far as the cellulase and xylanase activities in phytopathogenic isolates varied from complete absence to high levels, and since the activity maximum for each of the investigated strains was observed in different growth terms the conclusion was made that the cellulase and xylanase activities could not be considered as possible markers of the fungal isolate pathogenicity on the strain level.

[Screening of microorganisms--producers of alpha-L-rhamnosidase].

Screening of producers of alpha-L-rhamnosidase among 692 strains of microorganisms of different taxonomic groups has been performed. A capacity to synthesize the enzyme was revealed in 35.7% of the studied cultures. Representatives of genera Aspergillus, Myrothecium, Penicillium, Eupenicillium (activity 0.1 - 0.335 un./mg of protein) proved to be the most active producers. Complex preparations of alpha-L-rhamnosidase were obtained from cultural liquid of 10 producers by fractionation with ammonium sulfate (30 and 90% saturation); pH- and thermal optimum, as well as pH- and thermostability were analyzed in 7 of them. The Aspergillus, Penicillium, Eupenicillium strains which display high stability and activity under technological values of temperature 20-37 degrees C and medium pH 4.0-6.0 have been chosen for further investigations.

[Seventy years of research in experimental mycology at the Institute of Microbiology and Virology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine]. / 70 rokiv doslidzhen' z eksperymental'noï mikolohiï v Instytuti mikrobiolohiï i virusolohiï NAN Ukraïny.

The history of development of mycology at the D.K. Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology of the NAS of Ukraine and main achievements of the Department of Physiology and Taxonomy of Micromycetes during 1933-2003 were described in this publication.

[Patent research as a way to ensure competitiveness of an object of economic activities]. / Patentni doslidzhennia--odyn iz zasobiv zabezpechennia konkurentospromozhnosti ob'iekta hospodars'koï diial'nosti.

Importance is shown of patent-associated studies at every stage of the life cycle of an object of economic activities. It is argued that a low level of patent-associated studies, failure to meet the deadline set for the completion thereof are responsible for an inadequate level of research activities, waste of time and resource, creation of worthless objects of intellectual property. Special stress is laid on the importance of implicit fulfillment of requirements of the state standards now in force in the sphere of intellectual property.

[Screening of collagenase and keratinase producers]. / Skryning produtsentiv kolagenazy i keratynazy.

The study of the capacity of 310 strains of microorganisms from different taxonomic groups (40 bacilli, 43 yeast, 105 streptomycetes, 12 micromycetes) to hydrolyze collagen and keratin allowed to establish that the highest level of collagenase (KA) and keratinase (KerA) activity is inherent in representatives of streptomycetes. Two strains of Streptomyces sp.--1349 and 1382 with the highest KA and KerA indices--1.9 and 1.85 un./mg of protein, respectively, have been chosen. It has been established that collagenase activity in the medium without adding the inducers decreases 4.76 times, while that of keratinase--5.71 times, i.e. the above enzymes are inducible. The investigation of the spectrum of activities has demonstrated that the both strains possess low level of the general proteolytic and elastase activities and high level of collagenase and keratinase activities. Partial purification of the enzyme complex of Streptomyces sp. 1349 by the successive precipitation by ammonium sulphate with 30, 60 and 80% saturation and a single precipitation by ammonium sulphate with 80% saturation helped to increase the level of KA 5.6-5.9 times, and that of KerA--4.2-4.5 times.

[Study of availability of some hydrolytic and redox enzymes in strains of Fusarium oxysporum (Schlecht.) Snyd. and Hans. isolated from different habitats]. / Vyvchennia naiavnosti deiakykh gidrlitychnykh ta okysno-vidnovnykh fermentiv u shtamiv Fusarium oxysporum (Schlecht.) Snyd. et Hans., izol'ovanykh z riznykh mistseperebuvan'.

The work authors have used 52 strains of F. oxysporum for the collection of cultures of the Department of Physiology and Taxonomy of Micromycetes of IMV of the NAS of Ukraine. The strains were isolated from three habitats--grain cultures, cultivated and noncultivated soils of different regions of Ukraine. Activity of some hydrolytic (cellulose, endo-1,4-beta-xylanase, beta-glucosidase and amylase) and redox (monophenol-monooxygenase and peroxidase) enzymes of F. oxysporum strains. It has been shown that strains isolated from plant substrates produced more actively hydrolytic enzymes--cellulose, endo-1,4-beta-xylanase and beta-glucosidase. As to the degree of these enzymes activity the studied strains were distributed in the following order: strains from plants (P) > strains from cultivated soil (CS) > strains from noncultivated soils (NS). The soil strains NS > CS > P proved to be more active as to activity manifestation of the redox enzymes (monophenol-monooxygenase and peroxidase).