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There are many available reports of secondary metabolites as bioactive molecules from culturable endophytes, nevertheless, there are scarce research pertaining to the levels of metabolites in plants with respect to the incidence and colonisation of fungal endophytes in the same foliar tissues. Therefore, the study was focussed to examine whether fungal endophyte colonisation and the accumulation of secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids and phenols, in the plants are related in any way. For this reason, the study aims to analyse phenols and flavonoids from the fronds of eleven pteridophytes along with the culture-dependent isolation of fungal endophytes from the host plants subsequently assigning them to morphological category and their quantitative analysis and further resolving its identities through molecular affiliation. The results revealed that nine morpho-categories of fungal endophytes were allotted based on culture attributes, hyphal patterns and reproductive structural characters. Highest numbers of species were isolated from Adiantum capillus-veneris and least was recorded from Pteris vittata and Dicranopteris linearis. Maximum phenol content was analysed from the fronds of P. vittata and lowest was recorded in A. capillus-veneris. Highest flavonoid content was measured in D. linearis and lowest was detected in Christella dentata. Significant negative correlation was observed between phenol content of ferns and species richness of fungi. Moreover, significant positive correlation was observed with the relative abundance of Chaetomium globosum and flavonoid content of ferns and negative significant relation was found between relative abundance of Pseudopestalotiopsis chinensis and phenol content of pteridophytes. The occurrence and the quantitative aspects of endophytes in ferns and their secondary metabolites are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy of rhizospheric native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi from naturally growing Cassia fistula L. trees was evaluated by utilizing seeds from the same trees to assess growth and biochemical properties. This study aimed to investigate whether biochemical content could be augmented in naturally growing trees, contrasting them with greenhouse-grown seedlings. The findings revealed that arbuscular mycorrhiza-inoculated seedlings exhibited significantly higher shoot and root length, leaf area, and shoot dry weight compared to non-mycorrhizal plants under greenhouse conditions. Furthermore, there was a noteworthy increase in biochemicals such as protein, carbohydrates, and phenols in mycorrhizal-inoculated plants and naturally growing trees when compared to non-mycorrhizal plants. Interestingly, carbohydrates and phenols were significantly more abundant in naturally growing trees than in greenhouse experiment plants. Additionally, the methanolic leaf extract of non-mycorrhizal plants exhibited the lowest inhibition percentage (%) on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals in comparison to mycorrhizal plants and naturally growing trees. Moreover, the effective concentration at 50% inhibition of DPPH radicals by mycorrhizal plants and naturally growing trees was lower than that observed in non-mycorrhizal plants. The biochemical estimates obtained from mycorrhizal plants substantiate the results observed in naturally growing trees, thereby supporting the assumption that native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi may enhance the levels of biochemicals in naturally growing C. fistula trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schizophyllum commune is a widely distributed macrofungal species assorted with bioactivities. The specific objectives were evaluation of antibacterial and antioxidant properties, synthesis of exopolysaccharides and carbohydrates contents estimation of mycelial extract of S. commune under submerged condition. Methanolic extracts of identified S. commune showed highest FRS (92.59%), chelating effect on ferrous ion (79.36%), reducing power (1.844) activities at 16, 1.5, 16 mg/ml concentrations respectively (p<0.05). S. commune showed potent antibacterial activities (p<0.05) against four bacterial strains except against P. aeruginosa where no activity was observed. The maximum inhibition zone was exhibited against S. aureus (20.2 mm) and minimum inhibition was found against B. subtilis (5.0 mm). This study recorded the highest dry weight (9.33 g/L) and rate of average growth (1.33 g/L/day) of S. commune in glucose (p<0.05) medium but highest EPS (4.10 g/L) production was observed in xylose medium. Out of seven nitrogen sources, maximum mycelial yield (2.7 g/L), rate of average growth (0.38 g/L) and EPS (4.26 g/L) were recorded in yeast extract medium (p<0.05). In glucose (0.597 g/100g) and yeast extract (0.006 g/100g) medias, the maximum amount of total carbohydrate was obtained from the EPSs of S. commune. That’s why it may be an excellent source of human medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present investigation dealt with the isolation and diversity of foliar fungal endophytes from two fruit yielding plants of Tripura state. In addition, seasonal distributions of endophytes regarding fruiting and non-fruiting seasons in two host plants were also studied. Twenty one fungal strains along with one nonsporulating hyaline form were isolated as foliar endophytes from the two host plants. In both fruiting and non-fruiting seasons from Citrus reticulata, seven foliar endophytic fungi were isolated. Meanwhile, from Artocarpus heterophyllus in both the seasons, eleven fungal endophytes with one nonsporulating hyaline form were also isolated. The relative frequencies of the isolated fungi from both A. heterophyllus and C. reticulata in fruiting and nonfruiting season significantly differed among the sampling sites, whereas relative frequencies individual endophytic fungus showed no significant differences among various sampling sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to assess the diversity of saprobic fungi associated with three decompositional stages of Hevea brasiliensis (Wild. ex Juss.) Mull. Arg. leaves along a chronosequence of plantations. The modified surface disinfection culture method was followed for isolation of saprobic fungi from three different phases (G1, G2 and G3) of decomposing leaves. The result revealed 51 species of fungi isolated from three plantations. There was an increasing trend of number of species along a chronosequence of plantations. Cladosporium sp. was isolated from all the phases of decomposition from all the three plantations. There is an increasing trend in diversity and a decreasing trend in dominance of fungi along a chronosequence of plantations. Overall, higher number of species and maximum diversity was recorded in G2 (Hʹ = 3.61) among the decompositional phases. The study suggests increase in diversity along a chronosequence of plantations and the similarity index suggests distinct fungal occurrence pattern in the leaf litter along a chronosequence of plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tropical region, which has the highest macrofungi diversity, has not been fully exploited instead of this is an important component of the global diversity. However, no work has been carried out to assess such diversity in Tripura. Since tropical forests are diverse in plant composition and structure, hence the objective of this study was to explore the mushroom species richness in Tripura, Northeast India with the aim of producing a checklist along with their present geographical distributions, key identification characters and valid photographs. Field surveys and collection of mushrooms were carried out in Tripura covering different sites during 2015-2018. Data on macrofungal diversity, distribution patterns and taxonomic identification were analyzed. A total of 217 wild mushrooms were documented from eight districts of Tripura, northeastern India. Out of 217 samples, 202 samples were identified up to the genus level, 125 samples were identified up to the species level. A total of 76 genera belonging to 60 families and 25 orders were classified in this ecological study. The majority of macrofungi belong to the family Polyporaceae (30 nos), and order Agaricales (103 specimens). The wild macrofungi were collected from 56 sites of eight districts of this state and the maximum macrofungi diversity was recorded from Sepahijala District. Present findings also observed that the maximum wild fungi of this state grow on different plant parts. This is the preliminary study on documentation of wild macrofungi from eight districts of Tripura, northeastern India and it will be used as a reference database of wild mushrooms of this state, which will also help in future research work in different fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tropical region, which has the highest macrofungi diversity, has not been fully exploited instead of this is an important component of the global diversity. However, no work has been carried out to assess such diversity in Tripura. Since tropical forests are diverse in plant composition and structure, hence the objective of this study was to explore the mushroom species richness in Tripura, Northeast India with the aim of producing a checklist along with their present geographical distributions, key identification characters and valid photographs. Field surveys and collection of mushrooms were carried out in Tripura covering different sites during 2015-2018. Data on macrofungal diversity, distribution patterns and taxonomic identification were analyzed. A total of 217 wild mushrooms were documented from eight districts of Tripura, northeastern India. Out of 217 samples, 202 samples were identified up to the genus level, 125 samples were identified up to the species level. A total of 76 genera belonging to 60 families and 25 orders were classified in this ecological study. The majority of macrofungi belong to the family Polyporaceae (30 nos), and order Agaricales (103 specimens). The wild macrofungi were collected from 56 sites of eight districts of this state and the maximum macrofungi diversity was recorded from Sepahijala District. Present findings also observed that the maximum wild fungi of this state grow on different plant parts. This is the preliminary study on documentation of wild macrofungi from eight districts of Tripura, northeastern India and it will be used as a reference database of wild mushrooms of this state, which will also help in future research work in different fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulase is a class of enzyme that has great industrial importance. Cellulase catalyzes the hydrolysis of 1, 4 ß-D glycosidic linkages in cellulose are mainly produced from a wide variety of microorganisms like fungi, bacteria and protozoan. The present study aimed at the screening and production of extracellular cellulase enzyme produced by a wild edible mushroom Pleurotus giganteus. Different physical and chemical parameters such as temperature, pH, substrate concentration and reaction time on cellulase activity were also studied. The clear yellowish zone around mycelial plug revealed that screening of extracellular cellulase activity of P. giganteus was positive. Cellulase production by using the mushroom was highest after 6 days of the incubation period. Extracellular cellulase activity was maximum at 50 oC temperature, pH 5, 1.4% of substrate concentration (Carboxy-methylcellulose) and 30 minutes of reaction time. The present investigation revealed that wild edible mushroom P. giganteus may be utilized as a source for the production of industrial cellulase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using extracts of wild edible mushroom, Pleurotus giganteus, and to characterize the synthesized AgNPs and also to evaluate the synthesized AgNPs for antimicrobial and α-amylase inhibitory activity. Green synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Atomic force microscopy (AFM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Antibacterial activity of AgNPs was studied by disc diffusion method along with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and α-amylase inhibition assay of AgNPs were also studied. UV–Vis spectra of reaction mixture of AgNPs exhibited surface plasmon resonance peak around at 420 nm. FTIR study revealed that mainly carboxyl, hydroxyl, and amine functional groups were present in a mushroom extract which mainly reduced Ag+ to Ag0. AFM, TEM, SEM, SAED, and XRD pattern analysis supported that synthesized AgNPs were mostly spherical shaped within average size 2–20 nm and crystalline in nature. Biosynthesized AgNPs showed more antibacterial potentiality against Gram (–) bacteria. MIC of green synthesized AgNPs were found against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus as 12, 10, 14, and 15 μg/ml, respectively. α-Amylase inhibition assay of green synthesized AgNPs revealed that percent inhibition of α-amylase decreased with increasing concentration of green synthesized AgNPs. Wild edible mushroom P. giganteus can be used as a source of reducing and capping agents of spherical metallic silver nanoparticles which offers potential medicinal properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth attributes of Vigna mungo and Vigna radiata crop influenced by level and type of fertilizers. The present study was carried out to evaluate and compare the effects of organic (vermicompost) and inorganic (urea) fertilizers on the germination percentage and seedling growth of V. radiata (Green gram) and V. mungo (Black gram). Fresh weight and dry weight of tested plant samples at 10th days of growth stage were also determined. Vermicompost was used as organic fertilizer and urea as inorganic fertilizer. Experimental results showed that vermicompost and urea both has positive effect on seedling growth parameters of V. mungo and V. radiata [average root length (6.1cm and 6.7cm)], shoot length (6.5cm and 8.3cm), leaf area (312.2 sq.cm and 334.1 sq.cm] as compared to control set [average root length (4.4cm and 4.3cm)] , shoot length (6cm and 5.9cm), leaf area (282.7 sq.cm and 305.5 sq.cm). But urea exerts negative effect on seed germination percentage in V. mungo and V. radiata (58% and 50%) as compared to control (77%). Vermicompost exhibited better result in above parameters in comparison to urea. V. mungo showed increased value in comparison considering V. radiata in case of organic, inorganic fertilizer treated as well as control sets. As composition of locally available fertilizers is unknown, the application of these fertilizers for improving germination percentage and growth parameters of tested crop need to be evaluated. Present work may provide the suggestive approach for usage of these tested fertilizers in field level trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]