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Guerra-Mateo D, Cano-Lira JF, Fernández-Bravo A, Gené J. Sunken Riches: Ascomycete Diversity in the Western Mediterranean Coast through Direct Plating and Flocculation, and Description of Four New Taxa. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:281. [PMID: 38667952 PMCID: PMC11051201 DOI: 10.3390/jof10040281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The Mediterranean Sea stands out as a hotspot of biodiversity, whose fungal composition remains underexplored. Marine sediments represent the most diverse substrate; however, the challenge of recovering fungi in culture hinders the precise identification of this diversity. Concentration techniques like skimmed milk flocculation (SMF) could represent a suitable solution. Here, we compare the effectiveness in recovering filamentous ascomycetes of direct plating and SMF in combination with three culture media and two incubation temperatures, and we describe the fungal diversity detected in marine sediments. Sediments were collected at different depths on two beaches (Miracle and Arrabassada) on the Spanish western Mediterranean coast between 2021 and 2022. We recovered 362 strains, and after a morphological selection, 188 were identified primarily with the LSU and ITS barcodes, representing 54 genera and 94 species. Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Scedosporium were the most common genera, with different percentages of abundance between both beaches. Arrabassada Beach was more heterogeneous, with 42 genera representing 60 species (Miracle Beach, 28 genera and 54 species). Although most species were recovered with direct plating (70 species), 20 species were exclusively obtained using SMF as a sample pre-treatment, improving our ability to detect fungi in culture. In addition, we propose three new species in the genera Exophiala, Nigrocephalum, and Queenslandipenidiella, and a fourth representing the novel genus Schizochlamydosporiella. We concluded that SMF is a useful technique that, in combination with direct plating, including different culture media and incubation temperatures, improves the chance of recovering marine fungal communities in culture-dependent studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Josepa Gené
- Unitat de Micologia i Microbiologia Ambiental, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut and Institut Universitari de Recerca en Sostenibilitat, Canvi Climàtic i Transició Energètica (IU-RESCAT), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43201 Reus, Spain; (D.G.-M.); (J.F.C.-L.); (A.F.-B.)
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Barnés-Guirado M, Stchigel AM, Cano-Lira JF. A New Genus of the Microascaceae (Ascomycota) Family from a Hypersaline Lagoon in Spain and the Delimitation of the Genus Wardomyces. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:236. [PMID: 38667907 PMCID: PMC11051006 DOI: 10.3390/jof10040236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The Saladas de Sástago-Bujaraloz is an endorheic and arheic complex of lagoons located in the Ebro Basin and protected by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Due to the semi-arid climate of the region and the high salinity of their waters, these lagoons constitute an extreme environment. We surveyed the biodiversity of salt-tolerant and halophilic fungi residents of the Laguna de Pito, a lagoon belonging to this complex. Therefore, we collected several samples of water, sediments, and soil of the periphery. Throughout the study, we isolated 21 fungal species, including a strain morphologically related to the family Microascaceae. However, this strain did not morphologically match any of genera within this family. After an in-depth morphological characterization and phylogenetic analysis using a concatenated sequence dataset of four phylogenetically informative molecular markers (the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA); the D1-D2 domains of the 28S gene of the nuclear ribosomal RNA (LSU); and a fragment of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF-1α) and the β-tubulin (tub2) genes), we established the new genus Dactyliodendromyces, with Dactyliodendromyces holomorphus as its species. Additionally, as a result of our taxonomic study, we reclassified the paraphyletic genus Wardomyces into three different genera: Wardomyces sensu stricto, Parawardomyces gen. nov., and Pseudowardomyces gen. nov., with Parawardomyces ovalis (formerly Wardomyces ovalis) and Pseudowardomyces humicola (formerly Wardomyces humicola) as the type species of their respective genera. Furthermore, we propose new combinations, including Parawardomyces giganteus (formerly Wardomyces giganteus) and Pseudowardomyces pulvinatus (formerly Wardomyces pulvinatus).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alberto Miguel Stchigel
- Mycology Unit, Medical School, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C/Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Spain; (M.B.-G.); (J.F.C.-L.)
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Afonso Kessler de Andrade G, de Vargas MVM, Goulart SNB, Bernardes BM, Bezerra JDP, Lemos RPM, de Carvalho Victoria F, de Albuquerque MP. Screening of endophytic fungi from Antarctic mosses: Potential production for L-asparaginase free of glutaminase and urease activity. J Biotechnol 2023; 377:1-12. [PMID: 37806388 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2023.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Studies involving endophytic fungi aim to identify organisms inhabiting extreme and relatively unexplored environments, as these fungi possess unique characteristics and uncommon biochemical pathways that enable them to produce compounds with biotechnological potential. Among various enzymes, L-Asparaginase is employed in the treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. In this study, we identified endophytic fungi from Sanionia uncinata and Polytrichastrum alpinum collected on King George Island in Antarctica. The fungi were categorized into morphological groups based on their characteristics, molecularly identified, and assessed for L-Asparaginase (L-ASNase) enzyme production. Subsequently, production optimization was conducted. A total of 161 endophytes were isolated from 504 moss gametophytes, with 107 originating from P. alpinum and 54 from S. uncinata. These isolates were categorized into 31 morphotypes. Fungi exhibiting high enzyme production were identified molecularly. Among them, nine identified isolates belonged to the genera Aspergillus, Collariella, Diaporthe, Epicoccum, Peroneutypa, Xylaria, and Trametes. Three of these isolates were identified at the species level through multigene phylogeny, namely Epicoccum nigrum, Collariella virescens, and Peroneutypa scoparia. All 31 fungi were subjected to solid media testing for L-ASNase enzyme production, with 22 isolates demonstrating production capability, and 13 of them produced L-ASNase free from Urease and Glutaminase. The isolates displaying solid media production underwent further testing in liquid media, all of which exhibited enzyme production ranging from 0.75 to 1.29 U g-1. Notably, the three fungi identified at the species level were the highest producers of the enzyme (1.29, 1.17, and 1.13 U g-1). The production of these fungi was optimized using the Taguchi method, resulting in production values ranging from 0.687 to 2.461 U g-1. In conclusion, our findings indicate that Antarctic moss endophytic fungi exhibit significant potential for the production of the anti-leukemic enzyme L-ASNase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Afonso Kessler de Andrade
- Núcleo de Estudos da Vegetação Antártica, Universidade Federal do Pampa, Rua Aluízio Barros Macedo, s/n. BR 290 - Km 423, São Gabriel, RS 97300-930, Brazil
| | - Maria Victória Magalhães de Vargas
- Núcleo de Estudos da Vegetação Antártica, Universidade Federal do Pampa, Rua Aluízio Barros Macedo, s/n. BR 290 - Km 423, São Gabriel, RS 97300-930, Brazil
| | - Sara Navarrete Bohi Goulart
- EcoHealth Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, 2500 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79409, United States
| | - Bruna Mota Bernardes
- Núcleo de Estudos da Vegetação Antártica, Universidade Federal do Pampa, Rua Aluízio Barros Macedo, s/n. BR 290 - Km 423, São Gabriel, RS 97300-930, Brazil
| | - Jadson D P Bezerra
- Laboratório de Micologia, Departamento de Biociências e Tecnologia, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO 74605-050, Brazil
| | - Rafael Plá Matielo Lemos
- Núcleo de Estudos da Vegetação Antártica, Universidade Federal do Pampa, Rua Aluízio Barros Macedo, s/n. BR 290 - Km 423, São Gabriel, RS 97300-930, Brazil
| | - Filipe de Carvalho Victoria
- Núcleo de Estudos da Vegetação Antártica, Universidade Federal do Pampa, Rua Aluízio Barros Macedo, s/n. BR 290 - Km 423, São Gabriel, RS 97300-930, Brazil.
| | - Margéli Pereira de Albuquerque
- Núcleo de Estudos da Vegetação Antártica, Universidade Federal do Pampa, Rua Aluízio Barros Macedo, s/n. BR 290 - Km 423, São Gabriel, RS 97300-930, Brazil; Programa Antártico Brasileiro-PROANTAR, Esplanada dos Ministérios, Brasília 70055-900, Brazil
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Mapelli-Brahm P, Gómez-Villegas P, Gonda ML, León-Vaz A, León R, Mildenberger J, Rebours C, Saravia V, Vero S, Vila E, Meléndez-Martínez AJ. Microalgae, Seaweeds and Aquatic Bacteria, Archaea, and Yeasts: Sources of Carotenoids with Potential Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Health-Promoting Actions in the Sustainability Era. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:340. [PMID: 37367666 DOI: 10.3390/md21060340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Carotenoids are a large group of health-promoting compounds used in many industrial sectors, such as foods, feeds, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and colorants. Considering the global population growth and environmental challenges, it is essential to find new sustainable sources of carotenoids beyond those obtained from agriculture. This review focuses on the potential use of marine archaea, bacteria, algae, and yeast as biological factories of carotenoids. A wide variety of carotenoids, including novel ones, were identified in these organisms. The role of carotenoids in marine organisms and their potential health-promoting actions have also been discussed. Marine organisms have a great capacity to synthesize a wide variety of carotenoids, which can be obtained in a renewable manner without depleting natural resources. Thus, it is concluded that they represent a key sustainable source of carotenoids that could help Europe achieve its Green Deal and Recovery Plan. Additionally, the lack of standards, clinical studies, and toxicity analysis reduces the use of marine organisms as sources of traditional and novel carotenoids. Therefore, further research on the processing of marine organisms, the biosynthetic pathways, extraction procedures, and examination of their content is needed to increase carotenoid productivity, document their safety, and decrease costs for their industrial implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Mapelli-Brahm
- Food Colour and Quality Laboratory, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Patricia Gómez-Villegas
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Marine International Campus of Excellence and REMSMA, University of Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain
| | - Mariana Lourdes Gonda
- Área Microbiología, Departamento de Biociencias, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Gral Flores 2124, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay
| | - Antonio León-Vaz
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Marine International Campus of Excellence and REMSMA, University of Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain
| | - Rosa León
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Marine International Campus of Excellence and REMSMA, University of Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain
| | | | | | - Verónica Saravia
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Facultad de Ingeniería, Instituto de Ingeniería Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11300, Uruguay
| | - Silvana Vero
- Área Microbiología, Departamento de Biociencias, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Gral Flores 2124, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay
| | - Eugenia Vila
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Facultad de Ingeniería, Instituto de Ingeniería Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11300, Uruguay
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Wong Chin JM, Puchooa D, Bahorun T, Neergheen VS, Aullybux AA, Beedessee G, Nazurally N, Alrefaei AF, Jeewon R. Metabarcoding assessment of fungal diversity in brown algae and sponges of Mauritius. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1003790. [PMID: 36386692 PMCID: PMC9649896 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1003790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Marine fungi are largely associated with second most inhabitants of the marine ecosystem such as sponges and algae. They are important colonizers and play vital ecological roles, such as nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and symbiosis with other organisms. High throughput sequencing methods have been used successfully to reveal unknown fungal communities associated with a number of hosts particularly in the marine environment. However, the diversity of marine fungi associated with sponges and brown algae in Mauritius remains largely unknown. Traditional methods based on culturing do not provide reliable estimate of fungal diversity as only those that are able to grow under laboratory conditions are dominant; in addition, a large proportion of fungi, cultured in vitro remain most of the time unidentifiable, given that there are no sporulating structures to be examined morphologically. To overcome these limitations, we employed Illumina sequencing to unravel fungi species present in the sponges, Iotrochota sp. and Biemna sp. and the brown algae Turbinaria conoides, Sargassum pfeifferae, and Sargassum obovatum, collected from the north of Mauritius. Diversity analyses revealed that Biemna sp. had the highest diversity from the sampled sponges with fungi from 24 orders being recovered while from brown algae; Turbinaria conoides had the highest diversity with recovery of fungal taxa of the orders Botryosphaeriales, Chaetothyriales, Eurotiales, Hypocreales, and Mucorales with the latter four orders being common in both sampled algae and sponges. Beta diversity analyses revealed clustering only in the algae, Turbinaria conoides, and Sargassum pfeifferae and not in the co-occurring sponges, indicating that sampling location did not have much influence on fungal diversity. Our findings provide the first amplicon sequencing based insights of the fungal communities associated with macro-algae and sponges in Mauritius and supplements research on the fungal community existing in the oceans around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Mélanie Wong Chin
- Department of Agricultural and Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius
- Biopharmaceutical Unit, Center for Biomedical and Biomaterials Research (CBBR), University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius
| | - Daneshwar Puchooa
- Department of Agricultural and Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius
| | - Theeshan Bahorun
- Biopharmaceutical Unit, Center for Biomedical and Biomaterials Research (CBBR), University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius
- Department of Biosciences and Ocean Studies, Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius
| | - Vidushi S. Neergheen
- Biopharmaceutical Unit, Center for Biomedical and Biomaterials Research (CBBR), University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius
| | - Aadil Ahmad Aullybux
- Department of Agricultural and Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius
| | - Girish Beedessee
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Nadeem Nazurally
- Department of Agricultural and Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius
| | | | - Rajesh Jeewon
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius
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Nkuna R, Ijoma GN, Matambo TS. Applying EDTA in Chelating Excess Metal Ions to Improve Downstream DNA Recovery from Mine Tailings for Long-Read Amplicon Sequencing of Acidophilic Fungi Communities. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8050419. [PMID: 35628675 PMCID: PMC9143545 DOI: 10.3390/jof8050419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The hostile environment of mine tailings contains unique microbial life capable of bioleaching. The metagenomic analysis of such an environment provides an in-depth understanding of the microbial life and its potential, especially in biomining operations. However, DNA recovery from samples collected in those environments is challenging due to the presence of metal ions that interfere with the DNA analysis. A varied concentration of EDTA (4–13 µg/µL) to chelate the metal ions of enriched tailing samples prior to DNA extraction was performed. The results show that 9 µg/µL of EDTA was effective in most samples. However, the increasing concentration of EDTA negatively affected the DNA recovery. The sequencing of the successfully extracted DNA revealed a diverse range of fungal genera, some of which have not been previously reported in tailing or bioleaching applications. The dominant genera include Fodinomyces, Penicillium, Recurvomuces, Trichoderma, and Xenoacremonium; their traits were determined using the FungalTraits database. This study demonstrates the need to include a preliminary metal-chelating step using EDTA before DNA extractions for samples collected from metal-rich environments. It further showed the need for optimization but provided a benchmark range, particularly for tailings. However, we caution that a further EDTA removal step from the extracted DNA should be included to avoid its interferences in downstream applications.
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