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Improper disposal and spills of spent engine oil into the environment can result in contamination, which eventually affects humans through the food chain. Mycoremediation is an effective and inexpensive alternative to clean up spent engine oil contamination. In recent work, the potential effectiveness of fungi for degrading spent engine oil was confirmed, with the species identified through molecular identification. Fungi that were able to grow in Bushnell Haas Broth supplied with spent engine oil were identified with the potential to utilize spent engine oil as a carbon source. Six species of fungi namely Penicillium simplicissimum, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma longibrachiatum, Aspergillus ustus, and Aspergillus flavus were successfully identified in this study. Over a course of seven days, P. simplicissimum (21.11 percent) was identified as the most effective fungi in degrading spent engine oil, followed by A. nidulans (17.75 percent), A. niger (15.85 percent), T. longibrachiatum (15.12 percent), A. ustus (15.02 percent), and A. flavus (11.80 percent). As these species of fungi were isolated from the natural environment in Peninsular Malaysia, the potential of using these fungi as mycoremediation of spent engine oil was therefore confirmed.

Objectives Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) are life-threatening events in patients with haematologic disorders, and the spectrum of the aetiological pathogens continues to expand. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of a panfungal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the management of IFDs in such patients. Methods We prospectively analysed 273 consecutive blood samples from 64 risk episodes in 51 patients with haematologic disorders at high risk for IFD who were treated at our hospital between April 2007 and October 2010. Results PCR-positive results were obtained in 18 of 64 risk episodes (35.3%). IFD was documented in 14 episodes (21.9%, 9 probable IFDs and 5 possible IFDs) according to the revised criteria of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group. PCR was positive in all of these 14 episodes, and in 4 of the 50 episodes with no IFD category. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of our assay were 100%, 92%, 78% and 100% respectively. A considerable number of fungi (44.4%) that are less common than Aspergillus and Candida species were positive by PCR. Molecular diagnoses of Cunninghamella species, Aspergillus ustus, Fusarium species, Scedosporium apiospermum, Rhodotorula species and Rhizopus species were beneficial in selecting suitable treatments. Conclusions Our panfungal PCR approach allows for the highly sensitive and specific detection and identification of a wide spectrum of fungal pathogens, which provides indispensable information for managing IFDs, especially refractory or breakthrough IFDs during antifungal therapy in high-risk patients with haematologic disorders.

Chemical examination of the fungus Aspergillus ustus isolated from the Mediterranean sponge Suberites domuncula yielded the five new ophiobolin-type sesterterpenoids 1–5 and the two new pyrrolidine alkaloids 6 and 7, together with the known compound aurantiamine and cerebroside D. The structures of the new compounds were unambiguously elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic-data analysis (1D- and 2D-NMR, MS, and UV) and comparison with literature data. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against murine lymphoma cell line L5178Y.

Zusammenfassung Da das Absterben kleiner Termiten-Kolonien, besonders nach einem Umsetzen in neue Umgebung, mit der Wirkung von Schimmelpilzen in Zusammenhang gebracht wurde, andererseits gewisse Schimmelpilzarten als zusatzliche Nahrung fur die Termiten von Wert sind, wurde der Einflus von rund 20 Ascomycetes-Arten und rund 10 Fungi imperfecti, zum Teil mit mehreren (bis zu 9) Stammen, so das insgesamt uber 60 Pilze benutzt wurden, auf Kalotermes flavicollis (Fabr.), Heterotermes indicola (Wasmann), Reticulitermes lucifugus (Rossi) var. santonensis Feytaud und Nasutitermes ephratae (Holmgren) gepruft. Dabei wurden Sporen, Mycel oder beides an einheitliche Gruppen der Termiten bei gleichbleibenden Temperatur- und Feuchtigkeits-bedingungen verfuttert. Zum Vergleich dienten entsprechende Gruppen ohne jede Nahrung oder mit Filtrierpapier-Futterung. Die Wirkung der einzelnen Schimmelpilzarten und -stamme auf die Termiten reicht von starker Giftigkeit, die zum Absterben aller Tiere im Laufe weniger Tage fuhren kann, bis zu Nutzlichkeit als Nahrungsstoff, bei dem die Tiere langer am Leben bleiben als bei Filtrierpapier-Futterung. Solche Unterschiede wurden nicht nur bei verschiedenen Pilzarten, sondern auch bei den untersuchten Stammen einer Art gefunden. Die verwendeten Termitenarten reagierten nur bei einem Teil der Pilze gleichsinnig. In vielen Fallen verhielten sie sich verschieden. Trichoderma-Arten wirken meist giftig auf Termiten. Aspergillus flavus enthalt sehr giftige, indifferente und ausgesprochen forderliche Stamme. Andere Aspergillus- und mehrere Penicillium-Arten zeigten sehr verschiedenen Einflus. Ausgesprochen gunstig verhielten sich die gepruften Stamme von Aspergillus ustus, Alternaria humicola, Chaetomium-Arten, Dactylium fusarioides, Memnoniella echinata und Trichurus spec., also besonders Cellulose abbauende sogenannte ”Moderfaule„-Pilze. Die Ursachen der verschiedenen Giftigkeit und des unterschiedlichen Verhaltens der Termitenarten sollten durch weitere Versuche, bei denen Toxin-und Antibiotica-Wirkung und die Symbionten-Zusammensetzung bei den Termitenarten zu beachten waren, erforscht werden. Summary The dying of small termite colonies, especially after transfer into a new environment, has been attributed to the action of mould fungi; but on the other hand certain moulds are useful as additional food for the termites. Therefore the influence of about 30 species of Ascomycetes and some Fungiimperfecti, partly represented by several (up to 9) strains, altogether of more than 60 fungus cultures, on Kalotermes flavicollis (Fabr.), Heterotermes indicola (Wasmann), Reticulitermes lucifugus (Rossi) var. santonensis Feytaud, and Nasutitermes ephratae (Holmgren) was tested. Uniform groups of termites were fed with spores, mycelium, or both combined, under constant conditions of temperature and moisture. Equivalent groups, kept without any food or on filter paper, were used as controls. The effect of the individual species and strains of moulds on the termites ranges from strong toxicity, causing death of all specimens within a few days, to usefulness as a nutriment which effects longer survival of the termites than filter paper. This variation was not only stated among different species of fungi, but also among the tested strains of one species. The termite species used reacted only with part of the fungi equally. In many cases they showed different behaviour. Trichoderma species are mostly toxic towards termites. Aspergillus flavus has highly toxic, indifferent, and markedly favourable strains. Other species of Aspergillus and several species of Penicillium varied considerably in their effect. Markedly favourable influence was stated with the tested strains of Aspergillus ustus, Alternaria humicola, Chaetomium spec., Dactylium fusarioides, Memnoniella echinata, and Trichurus spec.; most are especially cellulose-decomposing species, so-called ”soft-rot„ fungi. The causes of the varying toxicity and of the different behaviour of termite species should be investigated by further tests, taking the effect of toxins and antibiotics and the composition of symbionts with the respective termites into consideration.

This report describes the first case of cerebral aspergillosis in a heart transplantation patient caused by Aspergillus ustus and reviews 15 previously reported cases of invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised hosts caused by this mold. The utility of molecular analysis for the identification of unusual fungal pathogens is also described. The refractory nature of A. ustus to treatment is similar to other Aspergillus species and treatment options are reviewed.

The new compounds (I)-(V) and 14 known analogues are screened for their antitumor activity against P388, HL-60, K562, and BEL-7402 cell lines.

The structure, stereochemistry, solution conformation and nematocidal activity of Ophiobolin K (1a) and 6-epiophiobolin K (1b) isolated from Aspergillus ustus has been described. The molecular structure of these compounds were deduced from extensive use of 2D NMR spectroscopy. The stereochemistry and solution conformation was determined in CDCl3 by the application of extensive 1H-1H NOE difference spectroscopy. Significant difference in the conformation of A/B cis 1a and its A/B trans isomer 1b was observed including the folding of the side chain. Ophiobolin K showed a unique boat like conformation whereas the B ring of 6- epiophiobolin K must exist in at least two different conformations. Ophiobolin K exhibited nematocidal activity (ED50 10 μg/mL) against the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans , but the A/B trans isomer 1b was found to be inactive.

(−)-Phenylahistin is a fungal diketopiperazine metabolite consisting of L -phenylalanine and isoprenylated dehydrohistidine, and it showed an inhibitory activity on the cell cycle progression of P388 cells in the G2/M phase.

Three novel isoquinoline alkaloids, TMC-120A, B and C (1–3) have been isolated from a fermentation broth of Aspergillus ustus (Bain.) Thom & Church TC 1118, a fungus isolated from rhizosphere of grass. Their structures were determined through extensive spectroscopic analyses and chemical studies. TMC-120s (1–3) are found to be the first furo[3,2-h]isoquinoline-type alkaloids isolated from natural sources.

Enzyme preparation obtained cultivating Aspergillus ustus on rice straw-wheat bran mixture (7:3) possessed cellulase, D-xylanase, β-D-glucosidase, α-amylase, amyloglucosidase and pectinase activities. Used at 2% level with tapioca starch residue (TSR) slurry gelatinized at 80°C or pressure cooked, it yielded 45–60% reducing sugar and degraded 52–65% of the fiber material. Enhanced saccharification (72%), fiber degradation (75%) could be achieved by pretreating the substrate with mineral acid. Fermentation of the hydrolysates with Saccharomyces cerevisiae produced 29–36 ml alcohol per 100 g of sun dried TSR. Data on TSR hydrolysis by α-amylase and amyloglucosidase, A. ustus enzyme preparation individually and in combination with amyloglucosidase, in acid pretreated or untreated TSR are presented. Verzuckerung von Tapioka-Reststarke mittels eines Multienzym-Praparates von Aspergillus ustus. Ein durch Zuchtung von Aspergillus ustus einer Mischung von Reisstroh und Weizenkleie (7:3) erhaltenes Enzympraparat besas Cellulase-, D-Xylanase-, β-D-Glucosidase-, α-Amylase-, Amyloglucosidase- und Pektionase-Aktivitaten. Die Anwendung von 2% auf eine bei 80°C verkleisterte order druckgekochte Suspension von Tapiokastarke-Restmaterial (TSR) ergab 45–60% reduzierende Zucker und baute 52–65% des Fasermaterials ab. Durch Vorbehandlung des Substrates mit Mineralsaure konnten erhohte Verzuckerung (72%) und verstarkter Faserabbau (75%) erzielt werden. Die Vergarung des Hydrolysates mit Saccharomyces cerevisiae ergab 29–36 ml Alkohol je 100 g des sonnengetrockneten TSR. Daten uber die TSR-Hydrolyse durch α-Amylase und Amyloglucosidase, A. ustus-Enzympraparat allein und in Kombination mit Amyloglucosidase bei saurebehandeltem oder unbehandeltem TSR werden mitgeteilt.

The degradation of fifteen sugars, sugar acids and related substrates were examined using cellfree extracts of Aspergillus ustus growing on D-glucose, D-mannose, D-galactose or D-gluconate as the only carbon source. D-gluconate was superior for the induction of the enzymes capable for the degradation of some of these substrates. The addition of 0.5% malt extract with D-gluconate to the growth medium or the presence of shaking conditions resulted to an increase in the degradation of those substrates, whileas the incorporation of 0.5% malt extract alone to the medium has no effect. Extracts of D-gluconate-grown mycelia of A. ustus degraded D-gluconate > D-galactonate > 1 : 5 gluconolactone and > L-arabonate nonphosphorolytically more effectively. Optimum pH and temperature for the degradation of D-gluconate were found to be 8.0 and 40°C, respectively. Thermal stability studies on the behaviour of D-gluconate dehydratase showed that this enzyme was stable at 50°C and 60°C for 30 and 5 minutes, respectively. Specific activity of this enzyme was increased three times when cell-free extracts were incubated at 60°C for 5 minutes. MgCl2 and CoSO4 were good activators, while CaCl2 p-mercurychlorobenzoate (PMCB), sodium arsenite, ZnSO4, CuSO4, iodoacetic acid, MnCl2 and FeSO4 were potent inhibitors for D-gluconate dehydratase activity. Km was calculated for D-gluconate and found to be 2.5 × 10−2 M.

Ten Aspergilli and Penicillia were tested for the capabilities of their extracts in degrading L-arabinose or L-arabonate nonphosphorolytically. L-arabonate dehydratase was nearly absent, while the reverse reaction of 2-keto-3-deoxy-L-arabonate (KDA) aldolase was operative in extracts of all the tested organisms grown on L-arabinose or L-arabonate as the sole carbon source. Degradation of different related substrates by cell-free extracts of Aspergillus ustus showed that L-arabonate, D-gluconate, D-galactonate and D-galactonic acid-γ-lactone were degraded under these conditions. Chromatographic studies identified the L-arabonate degrading products of such degradation in A. ustus as KDA (traces), pyruvic acid and α-ketoglutaric acid.

SUMMARY: In detailed studies of the growth of Aspergillus ustus, Penicillium oxalicum, P. frequentans and P. notatum in whey with fat production in view, the first two showed the highest lactose utilization and felt weights in shaken cultures while the last two gave as good or better felt yields in stationary cultures. When A. ustus was grown in shaken culture in whey with and without the addition of 1·14 g/1. of ammonium nitrate, the extra nitrogen led to the production of larger amounts of fat, but P. frequentans did not form additional fat in these circumstances. A. ustus was the best mould; in whey plus ammonium nitrate it utilized up to 96% of the lactose and formed, per litre of whey, about 17 g of mycelial felt containing 13% of protein and 28% of fat.