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Background and Objectives: The use of endophytic fungi for management of phenol residue in paper and pulp industries has been shown as cost-effective and eco-friendly approach. In this study, isolation of endophytic fungi from roots, stems, and leaves of Hibiscus sabdariffa was conducted. Additionally, the isolated fungi were examined for their ability to degrade phenol and its derivatives in paper and pulp industrial samples, using different growth conditions. Materials and Methods: Out of 35 isolated endophyitc fungi, 31 were examined for their phenol biodegradation capacity using Czapek Dox broth medium containing Catechol and Resorcinol as a sole carbon source at final concentrations of 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8%. Results: A total of 35 fungal species belonging to 18 fungal genera were isolated and identified from different parts of H. sabdariffa plants. All strains have the capability for degrading phenol and their derivatives with variable extents. The optimum condition of degrading phenol in paper and pulp effluent samples by Fusarium poae11r7 were at pH 3-5, temperature at 28-35°C, good agitation speed at no agitation and 100 rpm. Conclusion: All endophytic fungal species can utilize phenol and its derivatives as a carbon source and be the potential to degrade phenol in industrial contaminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycyrrhetic acid 3-O-mono-β-d-glucuronide (GAMG) as an important derivative of glycyrrhizin (GL) shows stronger biological activities and higher sweetness than GL. The biotransformation process is considered as an efficient strategy for GAMG production, due to its mild reaction, high production efficiency and environmentally friendly status. In this study, licorice straw was used for the first time as a medium for GAMG and lignocellulosic enzyme production via solid-state fermentation (SSF) of endophytic fungus Chaetomium globosum DX-THS3. The fermentation conditions including particle size, temperature, seed age, inoculum size, and moisture of substrate were optimized. Furthermore, additional nitrogen sources and carbon sources were screened for GAMG production by C. globosum DX-THS3 of SSF. Under optimal fermentation conditions, the percent conversion of glycyrrhizin reached 90% in 15 days, whereas the control needed 35 days to achieve the same result. The productivity of optimization (P = 2.1 mg/g/day) was 2.33-fold that of non-optimization (P = 0.9 mg/g/day). Meanwhile, high activities of filter paper enzyme (FPase) (245.80 U/g), carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) (33.67 U/g), xylanase (83.44 U/g), and β-glucuronidase activity (271.42 U/g) were obtained faster than those in the control during SSF. Our study provides a novel and efficient strategy for GAMG production and indicates C. globosum DX-THS3 as a potential producer of lignocellulolytic enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The phylogenetic diversity of fungi isolated from the Odontotermes formosanus was investigated by dilution-plate method, combined with morphological characteristics and 5.8S rDNA sequencing. Thirty-nine fungi were isolated and purified from O. formosanus , which were belonging to two phyla and four classes (Sordariomycetes, Dothideomycetes, Eurotiomycetes, Agaricomycetes). Furthermore, nine bacterial 16S rRNA sequences were obtained from total fungal genomic DNA. All bacterial symbionts were segmented into four genera: Bacillus , Methylobacterium , Paenibacillus , and Trabulsiella. The antimicrobial activities of all endophytic fungi extracts were tested by using the filter paper method against Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739), Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), and Canidia albicans (ATCC 10231). The results exhibited that 25 extracts (64%) exhibited antibacterial activity against at least one of the tested bacterial strains. Furthermore, the secondary metabolites 1 [5-hydroxyramulosin (1a) :biatriosporin M (1b) = 2:1] from the Pleosporales sp. BYCDW4 exhibited potent antimicrobial activities against E. coli , C. albicans , B. subtilis , and S. aureus with the inhibition zone diameter (IZD) of 13.67, 14.33, 12.17, and 11.33 mm, respectively, which were comparable with those of the positive control. 1-(2,5-Dihydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxybutan-1-one (2) from the Microdiplodia sp. BYCDW8 showed medium inhibitory activities against B. subtilis and S. aureus , with the IZD range of 8.32–9.13 mm. In conclusion, the study showed the diversity of insect symbionts could be expected to develop the resource of new species and antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A potent endophytic fungus, Stemphylium sp., was selected for exopolysaccharide production. Maximum mycelial growth and exopolysaccharide production was found at pH 6.0. Highest mycelial growth and exopolysaccharide production were observed in the medium containing sucrose as the sole carbon source. Among the various metal ions examined, both Mg++and Na+ had a beneficial effect on mycelial growth, whereas maximum exopolysaccharide production was achieved in the medium containing Mg++. Among different nitrogen sources, yeast extract and NH4NO3 were found favorable for mycelial growth, and maximum exopolysaccharide production was achieved when yeast extract was used as a nitrogen source. SEM of the fungal pellet showed morphological variation at pH 5.5 of the medium. Paper chromatography of the hydrolyzed polysaccharide showed that the exopolysaccharide produced by Stemphylium sp. is a heteropolysaccharide of glucose and mannose unit. The sugar is manno-glucan type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An endophytic fungus, Phoma sp. NG-25, produces a set of structurally related polyketides including cercosporamide, phomodione, and usnic acid, among which, cercosporamide has been reported to have strong antifungal and anticancer activities. In this study, Phoma sp. NG-25 was grown in seven growth media to determine the optimal culture condition conducive for cercosporamide production. Cercosporamide production peaked on the eighteenth day of incubation in beef peptone dextrose (BPD) broth media. The cercosporamide titer reached to an average of 77.5 µg/mL in BPD. Paper disk diffusion assay revealed that culture filtrate containing cercosporamide as a major constituent inhibited the growth of taxonomically diverse plant pathogens, including ascomycetous, basidiomycetous, and oomycete fungi. Cercosporamide exhibited strong antifungal activities against two pepper anthracnose pathogens, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and C. scovillei with EC50 values of 3.8 and 7.0 µg/mL, respectively. This study suggests the potential application of cercosporamide as an effective antifungal agent in controlling anthracnose in pepper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the number of reports of Fusarium in association with hazelnut (Corylus avellana) has been increasing worldwide, related to both pathogenic aptitude and endophytic occurrence. However, the assessment of the real ecological role and relevance to plant health of these fungi has been impaired by uncertainty in species identification, deriving from both the evolving taxonomic structure of the genus and an inaccurate use of molecular markers. In this paper, the characterization of two hazelnut endophytic strains isolated in Poland is reported with reference to their secondary metabolite profiles and interactions with pests and pathogens. Our results are indicative of a possible role of these strains in defensive mutualism which could be related to the production of several bioactive compounds, especially cyclohexadepsipeptides of the enniatin family. At the same time, these biochemical properties create some concern for the possible mycotoxin contamination of hazelnut products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Recently, some new Qi-Nan clones of Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Spreng which intensively produces high-quality agarwood have been identified and propagated through grafting techniques. Previous studies have primarily focused on ordinary A. sinensis and the differences in composition when compared to Qi-Nan and ordinary A. sinensis. There are few studies on the formation mechanism of Qi- Nan agarwood and the dynamic changes in components and endophytic fungi during the induction process. In this paper, the characteristics, chemical composition, and changes in endophytic fungi of Qi-Nan agarwood induced after 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years were studied, and Qi-Nan white wood was used as the control. The results showed that the yield of Qi-Nan agarwood continued to increase with the induction time over a period of 3 years, while the content of alcohol extract from Qi-Nan agarwood reached its peak at two years. During the formation of agarwood, starch and soluble sugars in xylem rays and interxylary phloem are consumed and reduced. Most of the oily substances in agarwood were filled in xylem ray cells and interxylary phloem, and a small amount was filled in xylem vessels. The main components of Qi-Nan agarwood are also chromones and sesquiterpenes. With an increasing induction time, the content of sesquiterpenes increased, while the content of chromones decreased. The most abundant chromones in Qi-Nan agarwood were 2-(2-Phenethyl) chromone, 2-[2-(3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl) ethyl] chromone, and2-[2-(4- Methoxyphenyl) ethyl] chromone. Significant differences were observed in the species of the endophytic fungi found in Qi-Nan agarwood at different induction times. A total of 4 phyla, 73 orders, and 448 genera were found in Qi-Nan agarwood dominated by Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Different induction times had a significant effect on the diversity of the endophytic fungal community in Qi-Nan. After the induction of agarwood formation, the diversity of Qi-Nan endophytic fungi decreased. Correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between endophytic fungi and the yield, alcohol extract content, sesquiterpene content, and chromone content of Qi-Nan agarwood, which indicated that endophytic fungi play a role in promoting the formation of Qi-Nan agarwood. Qi-Nan agarwood produced at different induction times exhibited strong antioxidant capacity. DPPH free radical scavenging activity and reactive oxygen species clearance activity were significantly positively correlated with the content of sesquiterpenes and chromones in Qi-Nan agarwood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some fungal endophytes confer novel phenotypes and enhance existing ones in plants, including tolerance to water deprivation stress. A range of fungal endophytes was isolated from wild Nicotiana plants growing in arid parts of northern Australia. These were screened for ability to enhance water deprivation stress tolerance by inoculating seedlings of the model plant N. benthamiana in two in vitro tests. Sixty-eight endophyte isolates were co-cultivated with N. benthamiana seedlings on either damp filter paper or on agar medium before being subjected to water deprivation. Seventeen isolates were selected for further testing under water deprivation conditions in a sand-based test in a glasshouse. Only two fungal isolates, Cladosporium cladosporioides (E-162) and an unknown fungus (E-284), significantly enhanced seedling tolerance to moisture deprivation consistently in both in vitro and sand-based tests. Although a strongly significant correlation was observed between any two screening methods, the result of filter paper test was more strongly reflected ( r = 0.757, p < 0.001) in results of the glasshouse test, indicating its relative suitability over the agar-based test. In another experiment, the same 17 isolates carried forward to the sand-based test used in the glasshouse screening test were inoculated to N. benthamiana plants in pots in a nutrient-limiting environment to test their influence on growth promotion. Isolates related to C. cladosporioides, Fusarium equiseti, and Thozetella sp. promoted seedling growth by increasing shoot length and biomass. The fungal isolate E-162 ( C. cladosporioides) significantly enhanced moisture deprivation tolerance as well as promoted seedling growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In contrast to the dynamics observed in plant/pathogen interactions, endophytic fungi have the capacity to establish enduring associations within their hosts, leading to the development of a mutually beneficial relationship that relies on specialized chemical interactions. Research indicates that the presence of endophytic fungi has the ability to significantly modify the chemical makeup of the host organism. Our hypothesis proposes the existence of a reciprocal exchange of chemical signals between plants and fungi, facilitated by specialized chemical processes that could potentially manifest within the tissues of the host. This research aimed to precisely quantify the portion of the cumulative fungal endophytic community's metabolome detectable within host leaves, and tentatively evaluate its relevance to the host-endophyte interplay. The understory palm Astrocaryum sciophilum (Miq.) Pulle was used as a interesting host plant because of its notable resilience and prolonged life cycle, in a tropical ecosystem. Method: Using advanced metabolome characterization, including UHPLCHRMS/MS and molecular networking, the study explored enriched metabolomes of both host leaves and 15 endophytic fungi. The intention was to capture a metabolomic "snapshot" of both host and endophytic community, to achieve a thorough and detailed analysis. Results and discussion: This approach yielded an extended MS-based molecular network, integrating diverse metadata for identifying host- and endophyte-derived metabolites. The exploration of such data (>24000 features in positive ionization mode) enabled effective metabolome comparison, yielding insights into cultivable endophyte chemodiversity and occurrence of common metabolites between the holobiont and its fungal communities. Surprisingly, a minor subset of features overlapped between host leaf and fungal samples despite significant plant metabolome enrichment. This indicated that fungal metabolic signatures produced in vitro remain sparingly detectable in the leaf. Several classes of primary metabolites were possibly shared. Specific fungal metabolites and/or compounds of their chemical classes were only occasionally discernible in the leaf, highlighting endophytes partial contribution to the overall holobiontmetabolome. To our knowledge, the metabolomic study of a plant host and its microbiome has rarely been performed in such a comprehensive manner. The general analytical strategy proposed in this paper seems well-adapted for any study in the field of microbial- or microbiomerelated MS and can be applied to most host-microbe interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious diseases are a global challenge today. One preventive measure is to maintain and improve humans’ immunity. Many people consume sungkai, a medicinal plant that is believed to cut down the exposure of severe covid-19 because it is related to antioxidant and antibacterial activity. This research investigated the antioxidant and antimicrobe agents of fungal endophyte extracts from the stem bark of sungkai. Endophytic fungal was isolated from the fresh tissue of the stem bark of sungkai and identified morphologically. The antioxidant of the endophytic fungi extract was tested with the DPPH, and antibacterial agent was tested by using the paper disc diffusion method. Molecular identification of endophytic fungi was done to extract that showed the most potential antioxidant and antibacterial activity. The pure compounds were isolated by chromatographic techniques. Structural determinations of the compounds were accomplished using a spectroscopic method, comprising 1D and 2D NMR. Twenty isolates of fungal endophyte were found residing in the stem bark of sungkai, specifically RB1-RB20. Isolates RB4 and RB6 showed the most potential antioxidant and antibacterial activity and were identified molecularly. The results of molecular identification showed that RB4 and RB6 were Curvularia intermedia and Colletotrichum cliviicola. Based on the spectroscopic analysis, the compounds identified from the two fungi were the different compound, specifically 3-hydroxy-4(hydroxy(4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl)-ɣ-butyrolactone (1) and 5-hydroxy-4-(hydroxymethyl)-2H-pyran-2-on (2). Compound 1 and 2 showed antibacterial and antioxidant in strong to moderate. These compounds and the endophytic fungi extract can be used as a new ingredient for medicine because it has antioxidant and antibacterial activity with further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endophytic fungi occupy inner plant tissues, which results in various interactions between the fungus and host. Studies on endophytic fungi have been conducted in Korea for over 30 years. This paper summarizes the published results of those studies. The endophytic fungi of approximately 132 plant species in Korea have been studied since the 1990s, resulting in over 118 publications. The host plants featured in these studies comprised 3 species of mosses, 34 species of woody plants, and 95 species of herbaceous plants. At the family level, the most studied plants were members of the Poaceae family, covering 18 species. Regionally, these studies were conducted throughout Korea, but over half of the studies were conducted in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gangwon-do, and Chungcheongnam-do. Relatively few studies have been conducted in a metropolis such as Seoul. We confirmed 5 phyla, 16 classes, 49 orders, 135 families, 305 genera, and 855 taxa of endophytic fungi, excluding Incertae sedis, whose relationship with others are unknown. Most of the endophytic fungi belonged to Ascomycota (93.2%), and a few belonged to Basidiomycota (3.6%). Since the diversity of endophytic fungi differs depending on the host plant, plant tissue, and distribution region, future studies should be conducted on multiple host plants and in various regions. Future studies on endophytic fungi are expected to broaden, including genomics and taxonomic and ecological studies of secondary metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terpenoid indole alkaloids (TIAs) are natural compounds found in medicinal plants that exhibit various therapeutic activities, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-helminthic, and anti-tumor properties. However, the production of these alkaloids in plants is limited, and there is a high demand for them due to the increasing incidence of cancer cases. To address this research gap, researchers have focused on optimizing culture media, eliciting metabolic pathways, overexpressing genes, and searching for potential sources of TIAs in organisms other than plants. The insufficient number of essential genes and enzymes in the biosynthesis pathway is the reason behind the limited production of TIAs. As the field of natural product discovery from biological species continues to grow, endophytes are being investigated more and more as potential sources of bioactive metabolites with a variety of chemical structures. Endophytes are microorganisms (fungi, bacteria, archaea, and actinomycetes), that exert a significant influence on the metabolic pathways of both the host plants and the endophytic cells. Bio-prospection of fungal endophytes has shown the discovery of novel, high-value bioactive compounds of commercial significance. The discovery of therapeutically significant secondary metabolites has been made easier by endophytic entities' abundant but understudied diversity. It has been observed that fungal endophytes have better intermediate processing ability due to cellular compartmentation. This paper focuses on fungal endophytes and their metabolic ability to produce complex TIAs, recent advancements in this area, and addressing the limitations and future perspectives related to TIA production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drunken horse grass (Achnatherum inebrians (Hance) Keng) is a toxic perennial bunchgrass native to Northwestern China. Epichloë endophytic fungi infection could enhance the stress tolerance of drunken horse grass. However, there is a scarcity of literature regarding the effects of intraspecific competition. As a result, we anticipated that the intraspecific competitive dynamics between endophyte-infected (EI) and endophyte-free (EF) plants would become more transparent for four years by planted as the proportions of 2: 1, 1: 1, and 1: 2. The results showed the EI plants exhibited more biomass, seed yields, and survival rates than EF plants. Endophyte infection also facilitated a competitive advantage by enhancing photosynthesis and soil nutrition. Our findings constituted the inaugural investigation into the influence of the intraspecific competitive ability of grass infected with Epichloë endophyte fungi. EI plants caused them to become stronger and stronger, while EF became weaker and weaker by timing and planting proportion increasing, and EF drunken horse grass could be replaced by EI. These conclusions were instrumental in elucidating why the endophytic fungal infection rate of drunken horse grass is 100% observed in natural wilderness. Epichloë endophyte could reduce plant diversity and enhance the dominance of EI plants in intraspecific competition; drunken horse grass may be threatening the persistence of native plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Romania has a long history of grapevine culturing and winemaking. However, like any agricultural sector, viticulture faces devastating biological threats. Fungi responsible for grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) and grape spoilage lead to considerable yield losses and a decline in grapevine quality. In the actual context, many countries, including Romania, have reoriented their approaches to minimize chemical inputs, which have been proven to be toxic and to have negative impacts on the environment, and to replace them with sustainable biocontrol strategies for the wine-growing sector. Within biocontrol strategies, Bacillus spp. is a well-known plant-protective bacteria with antifungal properties. Within this paper, six endophytic bacteria from various plant sources were studied. The bacterial strains were identified as B. pumilus, B. subtilis, and B. velezensis by sequencing their 16S rDNA region. Regardless of the in vitro test methods (using living bacterial cells, bacterial-cell-free supernatant (CFS), and volatile active compounds (VOCs)), B. velezensis strains revealed strong and broad antifungal activity against grape and grapevine fungal pathogens such as Aspergillus spp., Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium expansum, Diplodia seriata, Eutypa lata, Fusarium spp., Clonostachys rosea, Neofusicoccum parvum, and Stereum hirsutum. The functional antifungal genes encoding for difficidin, fengycin, iturins, macrolactin, and mycosubtilin were molecularly detected, which could support the proven antifungal activity of the endophytic strains. Lytic enzymes involved in fungal growth inhibition, such as chitinase, cellulase, and proteases, were also revealed to be produced by some of these bacterial strains. Various other in vitro tests, such as phosphate and phytate solubilization, phytohormone synthesis, the production of enzymes involved in the polyamine biosynthetic pathway, and pH as well as temperature tolerance tests were carried out to reveal the plant-beneficial potential of these bacterial strains. These results revealed that the B. velezensis strains, especially BAHs1, are the most suitable endophytes for grapevine biologic control, which could lead to the future development of sustainable management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Irrigation & Drainage is the property of Journal of Irrigation & Drainage Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

[Objective] The purpose of the paper was to study the diversity and growth promoting potential of culturable endophytic fungi in Neuwiedia singapureana, and provide a reference for the exploration of endophytic fungi resources in Hainan of China. (Method) The endo- phytic fungi strains of N. singapureana rooted from the Dialuoshan Nature Reserve in Hainan province were identified by culture method, combined with ITS sequencing, and the phosphorus dissolving and growth promotion ability of some fungi was tested. The endophytic fungi was co-cultured with the protocorms of D. officinale and A. rigida, to test their effects on the growth of the two orchids. (Result) By free- hand sections and microscopic observation, the fungal hypha in the cortex of root of the N. singapureana could be clearly observed. 24 OTUS were obtained, belonging to nine families and 14 genera, among which Trichoderma in Moniliaceae family had the highest isolation rate, with five genera (eg. Cylindrocarpon, Gliocephalotrichum) strains in Nectriaceae followed. Among them, five strains showed different degrees of phosphorus-decompressing ability, contaning Apiotrichum sp. (Neu242), Cylindrocarpon spp. (Neu83 and Neul54), Gliocladiopsis sp. (Neu245) and Mucor sp. (Neul23). Morover, Mucor sp. Neu123 and Apiotrichum sp. Neu242, showed significantly promoting effects on the growth of D. officinale and A. rigida seedlings. [Conclusion] There are abundant culturable fungi in the roots of N. singapureana. The endophytic fungi with potential phosphorus-soluble ability are screened from N. singapureana roots, which can provide growth-promoting strain resources for the artificial breeding of orchids, and also lay a foundation for the research on the mechanism of orchid mycorrhiza symbiotic phosphorus nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

These fungi can grow in biotrophic, saprophytic and even parasitic ways and often overlap functionally and ecologically with other soil fungi, such as saprotrophs, facultative or obligate pathogens. Starting from the premise that the success of the response of plants to AM inoculation depends on the plant-fungus combination, Säle et al. [[19]] with AM were negative or neutral on their growth. Thus, in the roots of vascular plants, there are a great variety of fungi (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, dark septate endophytes fungi (DSE) and other endophytes) establishing different types of relationships. Following this concept of the positive effects of AM fungi on plant growth and nutritional status, Duell et al. [[18]] evaluated the potential benefits and negative consequences of six commercial AM fungi inoculants on native and invasive plants. [Extracted from the article]

Results of a vast research activity carried out worldwide in the last decades have demonstrated that endophytic fungi hold a fundamental role in improving plant fitness based on their aptitudes as growth promoters and/or defensive mutualists. These properties may have applicative perspectives in crop production, particularly for tree species such as hazelnut (Corylus avellana), which is mostly cropped extensively in semi-natural contexts of highland regions throughout the temperate zones. The available data on the occurrence, ecological roles, and applications in biotechnology of endophytic fungi associated with hazelnuts are revised in this paper in view to provide a reference supporting future investigations and projects aimed at exploiting the potential of this component of the plant microbiome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Sungkai (Peronema canescens) is a medicinal plant widely used in Indonesia. Its leaves are believed to have the potential to treat fever and boost the immune system. This study investigated the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of endophytic fungi extracts obtained from Sungkai leaves. This will provide basic information for developing the potential of natural ingredients as antioxidants and antibacterials. Endophytic fungi residing in Sungkai leaves were identified morphologically. The antioxidant test was completed using DPPH, while the antibacterial activity was tested using the paper disk diffusion method. Most potential endophytic fungal isolates were identified through molecular identification, and the isolation of a bioactive compound was achieved using column chromatography. The structure of the compound was determined using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy methods. Four endophytic fungi isolates were observed in the Sungkai leaves (code RND1-RND4). RND3 demonstrated very strong antioxidant activity (IC50 < 20 µg/mL) and strong antibacterial activity. Based on the molecular test, RND3 was identified as Aspergillus niger. The pure compound isolated from RND3 revealed weak and strong antioxidant (IC50 > 500 µg/mL) and antibacterial (MIC < 64 µg/mL) properties, respectively. Spectroscopic analysis showed that compound 1 was 3-benzyl-2,6-dihydroxy-1,4,11,13-tetramethyl-5-methylene-12,15-dioxo-14-oxabicycloheptadeca-8,16-diene-7-carboxylic acid. Through further research, this study can be used as a basis for the development of compounds as raw materials for drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although bioproduction of Paclitaxel by endophytic fungi is highly considered as an alternative promising source, but its yield is usually very low in comparison with other taxoids. Different strategies i.e., chemical and physical elicitations have been developed in order to overcome the shortage of Paclitaxel production. Paclitaxel biosynthesis is started with terpenoid pathway followed by phenylpropanoid metabolism where a benzoylphenylisoserine moiety is attached to C13 of baccatin III skeleton. This point which is catalyzed by the function of PAM seems to be a bottleneck that limits the rate of Paclitaxel production. Whether phenylpropanoids pathway regulates the taxanes biosynthesis in Cryptosporiopsis tarraconensis endophytic fungus elicited with benzoic acid (BA) was hypothesized in the present paper. The involvement of certain signal molecules and key enzymes of terpenoid and phenylpropanoid metabolism were investigated. According to the results, application of BA promoted a signaling pathway which was started with increase of H2O2 and ABA and continued by increase of NO and MJ, and finally resulted in increase of both phenylpropanoids and taxanes. However, again the rate of Paclitaxel production was lower than other taxoids, and the latter was much lower than phenolics. Therefore, supplying benzoic acid provided the precursor for the common taxan ring production. It is unlikely that Paclitaxel production is merely controlled by side chain production stage. It is more likely that in C. tarraconensis endophytic fungus, similar to Taxus sp., the competition between phenylpropanoid and taxoid pathways for substrate ended in favor of the former. The interaction network which was constructed based on DSPC algorithm confirmed that most compounds with close proximity have shared metabolic pathway relationships. Therefore, it is unlikely that the feeding with a given precursor directly result in increase of a desired metabolite which is composed of different merits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Endophytic fungi are the remarkable category of host-associated fungal community that invades the intercellular regions of host tissues, benefiting their host while obtaining an advantage. Fungal endophytes have lately attracted prominence as a source of active secondary metabolites. This investigation aimed to identify fungal endophytes that reside inside the leaves and stems of Aquilaria malaccensis. Methodology and results: Healthy A. malaccensis stems and leaves samples were collected. Clean leaves and stems were cut to a size of 1 cm, followed by sterilization using 75% ethanol for 1 min, 3% sodium hypochlorite solution for 1 min, and finally, rinsing with sterile water 3 times for 1 min and drying with sterile paper. The sterile samples were put onto Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) media containing chloramphenicol for 7-14 days until the mycelium grew for morphological identification under a light microscope. Five endophytic fungi were recovered from leaves, while nine endophytic fungi were obtained from stems. Using morphological approaches, nine of the endophytes had observed to produce conidia fungi, whereas the others did not. Neopestalotiopsis sp., Aspergillus sp., Arthrinium sp., Curvularia sp., Podospora sp., Mucor sp. and Verticillium sp. were identified as nine of the fourteen endophytes. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The number of endophytic fungi discovered in different organs varies. Not all endophytic fungi that grow can create sexual phages. Six genera of endophytic fungi were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phyllosphere endophytes play a critical role in a myriad of biological functions, such as maintaining plant health and overall fitness. They play a determinative role in crop yield and quality by regulating vital processes, such as leaf functionality and longevity, seed mass, apical growth, flowering, and fruit development. This study conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis aiming to review the prevailing research trajectories in phyllosphere endophytes and harness both primary areas of interest and emerging challenges. A total of 156 research articles on phyllosphere endophytes, published between 2002 and 2022, were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). A systematic analysis was conducted using CiteSpace to visualize the evolution of publication frequency, the collaboration network, the co-citation network, and keywords co-occurrence. The findings indicated that initially, there were few publications on the topic of phyllosphere endophytes. However, from 2011 onwards, there was a notable increase in the number of publications on phyllosphere endophytes, gaining worldwide attention. Among authors, Arnold, A Elizabeth is widely recognized as a leading author in this research area. In terms of countries, the USA and China hold the highest rankings. As for institutional ranking, the University of Arizona is the most prevalent and leading institute in this particular subject. Collaborative efforts among the authors and institutions tend to be confined to small groups, and a large-scale collaborative network needs to be established. This study identified the influential journals, literature, and hot research topics. These findings also highlight the interconnected nature of key themes, e.g., phyllosphere endophyte research revolves around the four pillars: diversity, fungal endophytes, growth, and endophytic fungi. This study provides an in-depth perspective on phyllosphere endophytes studies, revealing the identification of biodiversity and microbial interaction of phyllosphere endophytes as the principal research frontiers. These analytical findings not only elucidate the recent trajectory of phyllosphere endophyte research but also provide invaluable insights for similar studies and their potential applications on a global scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endophytes are one of the symbiotic associations which can be successfully utilized to mitigate negative effects of abiotic stress in agricultural crops. Habitat adapted symbiotic fungal endophytes are known to impart heavy metal stress tolerance in host plants. Besides, endophytic fungi secrete secondary metabolites and enhance the plant's ability to tolerate stressful conditions. Therefore, this study was aimed at evaluating fungal endophytes of arsenic stress adapted plants for their arsenic tolerance potential. Present study yielded 83 arsenic tolerant fungal endophytes from the plants grown in arsenic-contaminated areas of Karnataka. These isolates were screened for arsenic tolerance at different arsenic (Sodium arsenite) concentrations (100 ppm to 2000 ppm). Among the isolates, eight endophytes (S1P1R1, S3P1S1, S3P1S3, S4P2L2, S5P1S1, S6P1S3, S8P1L4 and S10P1L1) were found efficiently enduring metal stress up to 2000 ppm with tolerance index >0.5. These isolates were further re-evaluated for arsenic tolerance in biomass assay. Significantly higher biomass was achieved in all eight endophytes at 100 PPM arsenic concentration compared to non arsenic control. However, fungal biomass relatively reduced with subsequent increase in arsenic concentration from 250 ppm to 2000 ppm. Further, these endophytes were evaluated for their ability to alleviate arsenic stress and growth promotion of rice seedlings under in vitro arsenic stress condition. Rice seedlings inoculated with fungal endophytes showed significant increase in shoot length under arsenic stress compared to control. Among eight endophytes, the isolate S3P1S1 significantly enhanced shoot and root length of rice. Therefore, data obtained in the present study revealed that the fungal endophyte, isolated from arsenic adapted plant has ability to mitigate arsenic stress and improve the rice growth under arsenic condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is one of the most ruinous diseases affecting greater yam crops globally. Number of biocontrol agents are available now for disease management. This paper outlines the results of series of experiments and assays used for the isolation and screening of endophytes from medicinal plants against C. gloeosporioides and the investigation on the impact of potential endophytes on growth promotion and management of the disease. Present study records Bacillus licheniformis as a biocontrol agent for managing greater yam anthracnose and first report of its kind. Molecular characterization of the pathogen was carried out using universal, genus and species specific primers viz. ITS1 and ITS4; Col F and Col R; CgF1 and CgR1. Among fungal and bacterial endophytes, B. amyloliquefaciens (CTCRI-EB.3) and B. licheniformis (CTCRI-EB. 12) were the finest (with an antifungal index of 84.8 ± 4.3% / 85.7 ± 4.2% and 82.9 ± 2.05% / 85 ± 3.8% against the pathogen isolates Cg.S4.7 and Cg.23 respectively). Endophytes were screened for various growth promotion traits, among them B. licheniformis (CTCRI-EB.12) was unrivalled with distinguishable response to plant growth promotion traits. Results of pot trial also manifest that B. licheniformis (CTCRI-EB.12) is a promising plant growth promoting as well as a biocontrol agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By dint of the development of agroecological practices and organic farming, stakeholders are becoming more and more aware of the importance of soil life and banning a growing number of pesticide molecules, promoting the use of plant bio-stimulants. To justify and promote the use of microbes in agroecological practices and sustainable agriculture, a number of functions or services often are invoked: (i) soil health, (ii) plant growth promotion, (iii) biocontrol, (iv) nutrient acquiring, (v) soil carbon storage, etc. In this paper, a review and a hierarchical classification of plant fungal partners according to their ecosystemic potential with regard to the available technologies aiming at field uses will be discussed with a particular focus on interactive microbial associations and functions such as Mycorrhiza Helper Bacteria (MHB) and nurse plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Agriculturae Slovenica is the property of Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Symptomless fungal endophytes in the genus Epichloë are repeatedly mentioned to increase tolerance of cool-season grasses to a wide range of environmental stress factors, mainly drought. However, the generality of this idea is challenged because (i) most studies have been conducted on two economically important forage grasses {tall fescue [ Festuca arundinacea (Schreb.) Dumort] and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)}, (ii) endophyte-mediated mechanisms and effects on plant responses to drought have shown to be highly variable across species, and that (iii) symbiosis incidence in plant populations occurring in extremely arid environments is usually low. We question this idea by reviewing the existing information about Epichloë fungal endophyte effects on drought tolerance in cool-season grasses. We combined standard review, vote counting, and calculation of effect sizes to synthesize the literature, identify information gaps, and guide future research. The total number of studies was higher for domesticated than for wild species, a ratio that was balanced when papers with data quality for effect size calculus were considered. After the drought, endophyte-infected plants accumulated more aboveground and belowground biomass than non-infected counterparts, while no effect on tillering was observed. However, these effects remained significant for wild (even on tillering) but not for domesticated species. Interestingly, despite the continuous effort in determining physiological mechanisms behind the endophyte effects, no studies evaluated plant fecundity as a measure of ecological fitness nor vital rates (such as survival) as to escalate individual-level variables to population. Together with the high variability in results, our work shows that generalizing a positive effect of fungal endophytes in plant tolerance to drought may be misleading. Future studies combining field surveys with manipulative experiments would allow us to unravel the role of fungal endophytes in plant adaptation by considering the evolutionary history of species and populations to the different ecological contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In order to explore the antibiotics development potential of the endophytic fungus Apiospora malaysiana from Thamnolia subuliformis, the antimicrobial spectrum of Apiospora malaysiana against common pathogen was determined after comparing the effects of six commonly used methods for determination of in vitro antimicrobial activity. The effects of storage time, temperature, ultraviolet irradiation time, and pH on the stability of antimicrobial activities of Apiospora malaysiana in vitro were further investigated by using the most sensitive Staphylococcus aureus as the indicator bacterium. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the antimicrobial activity of Apiospora malaysiana in vitro by three methods (plate punching method, filter paper method, and Oxford cup method) (P>0.05). However, the results of the three fungal inhabition methods showed that the mycelial growth rate method was optimal (inhibition rate of 100%), the effect of the plate confrontation method was much lower than the former (inhibition rate of only 24.0%), and the filter paper diffusion method had no inhibiting effect. The results of in vitro antimicrobial test showed that Apiospora malaysiana had strong inhibiting effects on a variety of Gram-positive bacteria and pathogenic fungi, among which Staphylococcus aureus was the most sensitive (the diameter of the inhibition zone was 18.3 mm, highly sensitive). In addition, Apiospora malaysiana also had strong antimicrobial activity against pathogenic fungi such as drug-resistant Candida albicans (highly sensitive), Botrytis cinerea, and Rhizoctonia solani (inhibition rate of 100%). The results of the antimicrobial stability test showed that different storage time, temperature, and ultraviolet irradiation time had no significant effects on the in vitro antimicrobial activity of Apiospora malaysiana (P>0.05), but pH had a great effect on its in vitro antimicrobial activity (P

The search and discovery of new natural products with antifeedant and larvicidal potentials to mitigate harmful insects are scientific pressing issues in the modern agriculture. In this paper, the antifeedant and larvicidal potentials of 69 fungal isolates were screened against the Egyptian cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis. A total of 17 isolates showed the insecticidal potentials with three promising isolates. These strains were Aspergillus sydowii, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, and Aspergillus flavus isolated from Ricinus communis (bark), Terminalia arjuna (Bark), and Psidium guajava (twigs), respectively. The effect of gamma irradiation on the antifeedant and larvicidal activities of the three strains was investigated. Exposure of the fungal spores to 1000 Gy of gamma rays significantly intensified both the antifeedant and larvicidal potentials. To identify compounds responsible for these activities, extracts of the three strains were fractionated by thin layer chromatography. The nature of the separated compounds namely, Penitrem A, 1, 3, 5, 8- tetramethyl- 4, 6-diethyl- 7- [2- (methoxycarbonyl)ethyl] porphyrin (from A. sydowii), Penitrem A, 2, 7, 12, 17-Tetramethyl-3, 5:8, 10:13, 15:18, 20-tetrakis (2,2-dimethylpropano) porphyrin (from A. flavus), N,N-Diethyl-3-nitrobenzamide, and Diisooctyl-phthalate (from L. theobromae) were studied by GC-MS analysis. These findings recommend endophytic fungi as promising sources of novel natural compounds to mitigate harmful insects. Key points: Three promising fungal endophytes with antifeedant and larvicidal activities were reported. The antifeedant and larvicidal activities were intensified following exposure of fungal spores to 1000 Gy gamma rays. Extracts of the three strains were separately fractionated by TLC then GC-MS was used to identify chemical constituents responsible for bioactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swainsonine (SW) is a substance with both animal neurotoxicity and natural anticancer activity produced by the metabolism of endophytic fungus Alternaria section Undifilum oxytropis of locoweed. This paper produced SW by fermentation of the endophytic fungus A. oxytropis of locoweed and obtained the optimal ultrasonic-assisted extraction process of SW by the response surface methodology. Meanwhile, four mutant strains with significant and stable SW-producing properties were screened out after the mutagenesis of A. oxytropis by heavy-ion irradiation. Of these, three were high-yielding stains and one was a low-yielding strain. In addition, through the analysis of metabolomics studies, it was speculated that the different SW production performance of the mutant might be related to the biosynthesis and utilization of L-lysine, L-2-aminoadipate-6-semialdehyde, etc. These results laid the foundation for the expansion of SW production, artificial construction of low-toxic locoweed and clarification of the SW biosynthesis pathway in A. oxytropis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The insect-pathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bb) colonizes several plant species as an endophyte. However, the diversity of plants colonized and the extent of colonization by this fungus have not been summarized comprehensively across all plant species. To fill this knowledge gap, a meta-analysis of published studies (years 2002–2018) on the percentage of B. bassiana plant colonization across the plant kingdom was conducted. We collected 232 published papers from which 1,051 studies (individual treatments) were extracted and analyzed with Comprehensive Meta-Analysis, Version 3 (CMA) software. Factors (n = 26) influencing plant colonization by B. bassiana were identified. Across all studies, the mean endophytic colonization of B. bassiana was 29% in different plant taxa. Plant colonization by B. bassiana was highest for isolates collected from insects. Most studies applied B. bassiana at 1 × 108 conidia/ml; however, plant colonization was greatest with an application rate of 1 × 1012 conidia/ml. Among all plant hosts, colonization percentage was highest in faba bean, plants in the family Brassicaceae, angiosperms (eudicots, annuals), plants classified with a forb/herb/vine growth habit, and plants with fibrous or tap root systems. As an inoculant, B. bassiana was most frequently applied to the whole plant after true leaves had developed. The foliar spray was the most studied inoculation method, but the application of solid grain substrate to foliage gave higher plant colonization. Studies conducted in controlled environments resulted in higher endophytic colonization with B. bassiana than field studies. Endophytic B. bassiana presence was confirmed primarily with microscopy, rather than molecular methods. High heterogeneity (I2 = 97%) across studies was identified with large variability in endophytic B. bassiana colonization across a diversity of plant species. These findings increase our understanding and knowledge of the endophytic lifestyle of B. bassiana, which will facilitate the development of novel, sustainable, and eco-friendly disease management strategies with B. bassiana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungi constitute one of the most pivotal components of our planet's ecosystems, playing multifaceted roles crucial to the environment, industries, agriculture, and beyond. Despite their profound significance, mycological research in Egypt has, to some extent, been overlooked. Over an extended period, crucial information concerning scientific activity and publication rates has been lacking. It is imperative to integrate advancements in statistical analysis with scientific research to discern future research directions and potential limitations. This review undertakes a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of mycological research trends in Egypt. Our study employs innovative bibliometric tools, such as bibliometrix and VOSviewer, to analyze data extracted from three databases (Scopus, Web of Science, & CABI). The study highlights the peak publishing periods, with the highest rates observed between 2012-2022 for Web of Science and 2013-2021 for Scopus & CABI. Consequently, the review enables the identification of knowledge gaps and monitoring the dynamics of research activity, fostering the growth of mycological research, and contributing to the conservation of fungi in Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological methods are becoming increasingly popular. One of these methods is plant biotization. In our paper, we focus on selection of Vaccinium corymbosum hairy root-inhabiting fungi for plant growth promotion in a single microorganism inoculation setup and then composed a multiorganismal inoculum enriched with a representative of another group of fungi, leaf endophytes. The hairy roots of V. corymbosum hosted 13 fungal taxa. In single inoculation of the plant with fungal strains, the most beneficial for plant growth were Oidiodendron maius and Phialocephala fortinii. Additional inoculation of the plants with three root symbiotic fungi (O. maius, Hymenoscyphus sp. and P. fortinii) and with the endophytic fungus Xylaria sp. increased plant height in laboratory experiments. On a semi-industrial scale, inoculation improved plant biomass and vitality. Therefore, the amendment of root-associated fungal communities with a mixture of ericoid mycorrhizal and endophytic fungi may represent an alternative to conventional fertilization and pesticide application in large-scale blueberry production. Key points: • O. maius and P. fortinii significantly stimulated V. corymbosum growth in a single inoculation. • Multimicroorganismal inoculum increased plant biomass and vitality. • Blueberry biotization with ericoid and endophytic fungi is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the light of the fast growing several applications of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) in different industrial and agricultural sectors, this paper was conducted to explore the suitability of endophytic fungi as nano-factories for SeNPs. Thus, 75 fungal isolates were recovered from plant tissues and tested for their efficacy to biosynthesize SeNPs. Four promising strains were found able to synthesis SeNPs with different characteristics and identified. These strains were Aspergillus quadrilineatus isolated from the twigs of Ricinus communis, Aspergillus ochraceus isolated from the leaves of Ricinus communis, Aspergillus terreus isolated from the twigs of Azadirachta indica, and Fusarium equiseti isolated from the twigs of Hibiscus rose-sinensis. The synthesized SeNPs were characterized by several techniques viz., UV–Vis, X-ray diffraction, Dynamic light scattering analyses, High resolution transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, to study their crystalline structure, particle sized distribution, and morphology. Furthermore, the in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities were evaluated. SeNPs synthesized by the four strains showed potent antifungal and antibacterial potentials against different human and phyto- pathogens. Moreover, SeNPs synthesized by the respective strains showed promising antioxidant power with IC50 values of 198.32, 151.23, 100.31, and 91.52 µg mL− 1. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the use of endophytic fungi for SeNPs' biosynthesis. The presented research recommends the use of endophytic fungi as facile one-pot production bio-factories of SeNPs with promising characteristics. Key points: Discovery of four different promising endophytic fungi for a facile-synthesis of SeNPs. SeNPs were successfully mycosynthesized and characterized. SeNPs exhibited promising antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]