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To investigate the effect and mechanism of plasma-activated water (PAW) on Aspergillus niger, PAW was prepared using a needle array–plate dielectric barrier discharge plasma system. The concentrations of long-lived reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), namely, H2O2, NO2−, and NO3−, in the PAW were 48.76 mg/L, 0.046 mg/L, and 172.36 mg/L, respectively. Chemically activated water (CAW) with the same concentration of long-lived RONS was also prepared for comparison. A. niger A32 was treated with PAW and CAW. After treatment, the treated strains were observed and analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to screen probable mutants. The results indicated that the pH, conductivity, and ORP values of PAW were 2.42, 1935 μS/cm, and 517.07 mV, respectively. In contrast, the pH and ORP values of CAW were 6.15 and 301.73 mV, respectively, which differed significantly from those of PAW. In addition, the conductivity of CAW showed no change. SEM and TEM analyses revealed that A. niger A32 treated with CAW exhibited less damage compared with the control. In contrast, A. niger A32 treated with PAW showed significant shrinkage, deformation, and exudate attachment over time. Following PAW treatment, after four passages, a high cellulase-producing stable mutant strain A-WW5 was screened, exhibiting a filter paper enzyme activity of 29.66 U/mL, a cellulose endonuclease activity of 13.79 U/mL, and a β-glucosidase activity of 27.13 U/mL. These values were found to be 33%, 38%, and 2.1% higher than those of the original fungus sample, respectively. In total, 116 SNPs and 61 InDels were present in the genome of the mutant strain A-WW5. The above findings indicate that the impact of PAW on A. niger is not only attributed to long-lasting H2O2, NO2−, and NO3− particles but also to other short-lived active particles; PAW is expected to become a new microbial breeding mutagen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Optimized production of Aspergillus niger ATCC 26011 endo-β-mannanase (ManAn) on copra meal resulted in 2.46-fold increase (10,028 U/gds). Purified ManAn (47 kDa) showed high affinity towards guar gum (GG) as compared to konjac gum and locust bean gum with Km 2.67, 3.25 and 4.07 mg/mL, respectively. ManAn efficiently hydrolyzed GG and liberated mannooligosaccharides (MOS). Changes occurring in the rheological and compositional aspects of GG studied using Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed increased thermal stability and crystallinity of the partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG). Parametric optimization of the time and temperature dependent hydrolysis of GG (1% w/v) with 100 U/mL of ManAn at 60 °C and pH: 5.0 resulted in 12.126 mg/mL of mannotetraose (M4) in 5 min. Enhanced growth of probiotics Lactobacilli and production of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) that inhibited enteropathogens, confirmed the prebiotic potential of PHGG and M4.

Abstract This research investigates citric acid (CA) synthesis using the indigenous strain Aspergillus niger ASP26, which was isolated from date by‐products. The study initially involved isolating fungi capable of CA production and identifying the most potent strain based on its characteristic enzymatic activity. A. niger ASP26 was acknowledged in a previous study for its remarkable ability to produce extracellular enzymes, such as cellulase and amylase, which enable it to degrade organic materials effectively. After the identification phase, these isolates were screened for CA production using a modified Czapek‐Dox medium. The research identified significant factors affecting CA production in submerged fermentation, including pH, carbon source, inoculum size, and fermentation time. Optimal conditions were determined for A. niger ASP26, resulting in a maximum CA yield of 16.89 g/L. These conditions included a 2.5% spore suspension at 2 × 107 spores/mL, an initial glucose concentration of 125 g/L, and incubation at 30°C for 144 h. Notably, A. niger ASP26 demonstrated the ability to produce CA under stress conditions as well. Citric acid is essential for various biological processes, such as cellular respiration, and is naturally present in citrus fruits. It also serves as a preservative and flavor enhancer in processed foods and beverages. The ability of A. niger ASP26 to produce CA from agricultural residues positions it as a viable candidate for sustainable CA production, harnessing the value from organic waste materials.

The development of new radiopharmaceuticals for the detection of hidden infection foci has great relevance for early detection and the selection of the correct treatment, particularly in immunosuppressed patients. In that sense, the labelling of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that are capable of binding specifically to the pathogenic microorganism which causes the infection, should provide a sufficiently specific agent, able to distinguish an infection from a sterile inflammation. Defensins are particularly interesting molecules with antimicrobial activity, the EcgDf1 defensin was identified from the genome of a Uruguayan native plant, Erythrina crista‐galli, the 'Ceibo' tree. Our group has previously reported a synthetic biologically active short analogue EcgDf21 (ERFTGGHCRGFRRRCFCTKHC) successfully labelled with 99mTc. Herein we present a shorter analogue which also preserves the γ‐core domain, as a pharmacophore for a potential infection detection agent. This peptide was derivatized with the bifunctional chelating agent 1,4,7‐triazacyclononane‐1,4,7‐triacetic acid (NOTA) through a lysine linker in the amino‐terminal group (NOTA‐KGHCRGFRRRC) and radiolabelled with 68Ga ([68Ga]Ga‐NOTA‐K‐EcgDf1(10)). The [68Ga]Ga‐NOTA‐K‐EcgDf1(10) labelling procedure rendered a product with high radiochemical purity and stability in the labelling milieu. The Log P value indicated that the complex has a hydrophilic behaviour, confirmed by the biodistribution profile. The [68Ga]Ga‐NOTA‐K‐EcgDf1(10) complex demonstrated specific binding to cultures of Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. Its biodistribution showed renal elimination and low accumulation in the rest of the body. It was possible to successfully differentiate sterile inflammation from infection by PET images in nude mice with a target/non‐target ratio of 3.3 for C. albicans and 3.7 for A. niger, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the specificity of the primers OPF-01, P54, and 1253 to identify A. fumigatus, A. flavus, and A. niger, respectively, with the RAPD-PCR method. Eighty-two isolates belonging to the sections Fumigati, Flavi, and Nigri were used. The isolates were identified by phenotypic (macro- and micromorphology) and genotypic (partial sequences of the BenA gene) methods. The RAPD-PCR method was used to obtain polymorphic patterns with the primers OPF-01, P54, and 1253. The specificity of the polymorphic patterns of the isolates of each species was evaluated through the UPGMA clustering method and logistic regression model. All isolates of the genus Aspergillus were identified at the section level by macro- and micromorphology showing the typical morphology of the sections Fumigati, Flavi, and Nigri, and the species were identified by the construction of the phylogeny of the partial sequence of the BenA gene. The patterns' polymorphic strains obtained with the primers OPF-01, P54, and 1253 for the isolates of A. fumigatus, A. flavus, and A niger, respectively, showed the same polymorphic pattern as the reference strains for each species. To verify the specificity of the primers, they were tested with other species from the sections Fumigati, Flavi and Nigri. The results support that the primers OPF-01, P54, and 1253 generate polymorphic patterns by RAPD-PCR species specific to A. fumigatus, A. flavus, and A. niger, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acid protease is widely used in industries such as food processing and feed additives. In the study, low frequency magnetic field (LF-MF) as an aid enhances acid protease production by Aspergillus niger (A. niger). The study assessed mycelial biomass, the enzymic activity of the acidic protease and underlying mechanism. At low intensities, alternating magnetic field (AMF) is more effective than static magnetic fields (SMF). Under optimal magnetic field conditions, acid protease activity and biomass increased by 91.44% and 16.31%, as compared with the control, respectively. Maximum 19.87% increase in enzyme activity after magnetic field treatment of crude enzyme solution in control group. Transcriptomics analyses showed that low frequency alternating magnetic field (LF-AMF) treatment significantly upregulated genes related to hydrolases and cell growth. Our results showed that low-frequency magnetic fields can enhance the acid protease production ability of A. niger, and the effect of AMF is better at low intensities. The results revealed that the effect of magnetic field on the metabolic mechanism of A. niger and provided a reference for magnetic field-assisted fermentation of A. niger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates citric acid (CA) synthesis using the indigenous strain Aspergillus niger ASP26, which was isolated from date by‐products. The study initially involved isolating fungi capable of CA production and identifying the most potent strain based on its characteristic enzymatic activity. A. niger ASP26 was acknowledged in a previous study for its remarkable ability to produce extracellular enzymes, such as cellulase and amylase, which enable it to degrade organic materials effectively. After the identification phase, these isolates were screened for CA production using a modified Czapek‐Dox medium. The research identified significant factors affecting CA production in submerged fermentation, including pH, carbon source, inoculum size, and fermentation time. Optimal conditions were determined for A. niger ASP26, resulting in a maximum CA yield of 16.89 g/L. These conditions included a 2.5% spore suspension at 2 × 107 spores/mL, an initial glucose concentration of 125 g/L, and incubation at 30°C for 144 h. Notably, A. niger ASP26 demonstrated the ability to produce CA under stress conditions as well. Citric acid is essential for various biological processes, such as cellular respiration, and is naturally present in citrus fruits. It also serves as a preservative and flavor enhancer in processed foods and beverages. The ability of A. niger ASP26 to produce CA from agricultural residues positions it as a viable candidate for sustainable CA production, harnessing the value from organic waste materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aspergillus niger and A. flavus cause rotting, damping-off, loss in germination and toxification of oil seeds. Aspergillus is a common mold in tropical and Sub-tropical countries and causes aflatoxin contamination. A. flavus and A. niger were responsible for storage rot of groundnut. In addition to storage rot, aflatoxin contamination also leads to adverse effects on consumer health. Therefore, present study was conducted to estimate the impact of both A. niger and A. flavus on seed quality parameters of groundnut. Methods: Effect of major seed borne fungi A. niger and A. flavus on seed quality characters of thirteen different genotypes of groundnut was observed in the present study. All the seedling quality characters were measured as per ISTA guidelines. Result: On an average A. niger caused 25.14, 25.18, 43.99, 26.20 and 44.75 per cent reduction in seed germination, seedling length, seedling vigour index I, seedling dry weight and seedling vigour index II, respectively, over the control whereas A. flavus caused average per cent reduction of 22.38, 24.23, 41.18, 23.92 and 40.95 in seed germination, seedling length, seedling vigour index I, seedling dry weight and seedling vigour index II, respectively, over the control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microorganisms produce secondary metabolites to survive under stressful conditions. The effect of drought and heat stress on fungi isolated from Arabian desert soil during the hot (ca 40°C) and cool (ca 10°C) seasons was studied using the genome mining approach. The presence of three stress-related genes (calmodulin, polyketide synthase and beta tubulin) was analyzed molecularly using specific primers. The presence of the genes in desert fungi was compared to their antimicrobial (ten bacterial or fungal pathogens) and anticancer (liver, cervical and breast) properties and the production of thermostable enzymes (phytase and xylanase). The genes appeared to be present in the fungal sequence obtained during the summer, while none of the genes were present during winter. Appreciable differences were observed in enzyme activities, with summer activities high and winter low. The antagonistic activities of A. niger were relatively stable and varying, while those of P. chrysogenum were consistently higher in summer than in winter. The presence of the three genes seemed to correlate with the highly antagonistic activities of P. chrysogenum, while A. niger had relatively active winter isolates without any of the genes. The hot season in deserts yields fungal isolates with biological activities useful in biotechnological solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Aspergillus infections are one of the significant threats to crop plants such as peanuts, cottonseed, maize, tree nuts, food, and feed. The fungal members of this genus can cause up to 100% losses in fruit plants under favorable conditions. It is thus a necessity to control these phytopathogenic fungi by a renewable, non-hazardous technology. Phoma spp. are well known to synthesize antifungal metabolites like 4,8-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-3-methyl-3,4-dihydro-1H-isochromen-1-one, viridicatol, tenuazonic acid, alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether, and phomafungin. In the present work, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) were synthesized using an aqueous extract of Phoma glomerata (MTCC-2210). They were assessed for in vitro antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. CuONPs showed absorption maxima at 630 nm and an average size of 119.6 nm, which were stable at a zeta potential of − 23.5 mV, forming the face-centered cubic (FCC) shaped crystalline structure as elucidated by XRD. FTIR confirmed the presence of various secondary metabolites from fungal extracts in the NPs capping. Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion assay indicated the antifungal activity with an average zone of inhibition of 19 ± 3 mm and 23 ± 4 mm diameter for A. niger and A. flavus, respectively. The serial dilution method showed the MIC of 180 and 220 µg/ml against A. niger and A. flavus, respectively. MIC values were significantly compared to standard fungicide mancozeb. Green synthesized CuONPs using Phoma extract indicated significant fungicidal activity against test pathogens and paved their way to be applied in the agriculture fields for crop applications as a novel substitute to chemical fungicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effect and mechanism of plasma-activated water (PAW) on Aspergillus niger, PAW was prepared using a needle array–plate dielectric barrier discharge plasma system. The concentrations of long-lived reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), namely, H2O2, NO2−, and NO3−, in the PAW were 48.76 mg/L, 0.046 mg/L, and 172.36 mg/L, respectively. Chemically activated water (CAW) with the same concentration of long-lived RONS was also prepared for comparison. A. niger A32 was treated with PAW and CAW. After treatment, the treated strains were observed and analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to screen probable mutants. The results indicated that the pH, conductivity, and ORP values of PAW were 2.42, 1935 μS/cm, and 517.07 mV, respectively. In contrast, the pH and ORP values of CAW were 6.15 and 301.73 mV, respectively, which differed significantly from those of PAW. In addition, the conductivity of CAW showed no change. SEM and TEM analyses revealed that A. niger A32 treated with CAW exhibited less damage compared with the control. In contrast, A. niger A32 treated with PAW showed significant shrinkage, deformation, and exudate attachment over time. Following PAW treatment, after four passages, a high cellulase-producing stable mutant strain A-WW5 was screened, exhibiting a filter paper enzyme activity of 29.66 U/mL, a cellulose endonuclease activity of 13.79 U/mL, and a β-glucosidase activity of 27.13 U/mL. These values were found to be 33%, 38%, and 2.1% higher than those of the original fungus sample, respectively. In total, 116 SNPs and 61 InDels were present in the genome of the mutant strain A-WW5. The above findings indicate that the impact of PAW on A. niger is not only attributed to long-lasting H2O2, NO2−, and NO3− particles but also to other short-lived active particles; PAW is expected to become a new microbial breeding mutagen.

Background Phytase supplementation in rations can reduce their phytic acid composition in order to enhance their nutritional value. Aspergillus niger is a fungus that can encode phytase. This study aims to determine the characteristics of its DNA sequences and amino acid composition that encode the phytase enzyme, as well as to determine the primer designs. Method This study used gene sequence data and protein-encoding phytase from Aspergillus niger that was collected manually from NCBI and PDB. The data was analyzed using SPDBV and then be aligned using the ClustalW Multiple Alignment features. The phylogenetic tree was built by Mega11 software. Primers were designed from selected candidate sequences that were analyzed. The designed primers were then simulated for PCR using FastPCR and SnapGene software. Results There are 18 Aspergillus niger phytases in NCBI which is 14.87% of the total Aspergillus. There are 14 Aspergillus niger phytases that have identity above 95%. Aspergillus niger 110. M94550.1 is the closest strain to the PDB template. Candidate sources of phytase genes are Aspergillus niger 110.M94550.1, 48.2.BCMY01000003.1, and 92.JQ654450.1. The primer design has 2 possibilities of self-annealing and high melting temperature on the reverse primer. PCR simulation shows that the primer design can attach completely but still has the possibility of mispriming. Conclusion This study suggests promising results for the future development of phytase enzyme production from Aspergillus niger as a feed additive using genetic engineering to enhance the quality of livestock feed in Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspergillus niger isolated from palm dates was examined to produce citric acid. The isolates from zahdi dates (A. niger S11) had the best yield of citric acid with a straightforward and efficient isolation technique without the need for purification of the isolates. The best results of citric acid obtained in the static air, using Czapek dox liquid medium, were 37.116 g/l, 33.742% yield, and 0.0859 g/L·h productivity, and in the 1 vvm air were 47.248 g/L, 42.953% yield, and 0.1094 g/L·h productivity, under temperature 30 °C, mixing speed 150 rpm, pH 4, sugar concentration 11%, and inoculum size 5%. Yield and concentration were 23.139% and 25.453 g/L using Date syrup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the specificity of the primers OPF-01, P54, and 1253 to identify A. fumigatus, A. flavus, and A. niger, respectively, with the RAPD-PCR method. Eighty-two isolates belonging to the sections Fumigati, Flavi, and Nigri were used. The isolates were identified by phenotypic (macro- and micromorphology) and genotypic (partial sequences of the BenA gene) methods. The RAPD-PCR method was used to obtain polymorphic patterns with the primers OPF-01, P54, and 1253. The specificity of the polymorphic patterns of the isolates of each species was evaluated through the UPGMA clustering method and logistic regression model. All isolates of the genus Aspergillus were identified at the section level by macro- and micromorphology showing the typical morphology of the sections Fumigati, Flavi, and Nigri, and the species were identified by the construction of the phylogeny of the partial sequence of the BenA gene. The patterns’ polymorphic strains obtained with the primers OPF-01, P54, and 1253 for the isolates of A. fumigatus, A. flavus, and A niger, respectively, showed the same polymorphic pattern as the reference strains for each species. To verify the specificity of the primers, they were tested with other species from the sections Fumigati, Flavi and Nigri. The results support that the primers OPF-01, P54, and 1253 generate polymorphic patterns by RAPD-PCR species specific to A. fumigatus, A. flavus, and A. niger, respectively.

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oil crop in the tropical and sub-tropical countries. Pod and seed coat crack-inducing factors favour Aspergillus species infections and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination of groundnut. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a toxic secondary metabolite of Aspergillus species, remains a global concern due to its human and animal health, and economic impacts. Thus, the study was conducted at Babile in 2018 with the objective to identify groundnut genotypes resistant to pre-harvest fungal infections, aflatoxin contaminations and associated effects in crop physiology. Seventeen advanced groundnut breeding lines including one commercial cultivar (Werer-961), were evaluated using randomized complete block design and completely randomized design under field and with four replications for laboratory experiments, respectively. Aflatoxin B1 analysis was carried out using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kits. Appropriate statistical procedures, including regression, were employed for data analyses. Highly significant (p

Copper is an essential element for the metabolism of plants and animals, and has wide applications in the agricultural and industrial sectors. On the other hand, copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) have become widely used for research and application, which increases the chances of its spread and potential environmental exposure to this element. Therefore, in this study, the bioremediation bioreactor for the removing of Cu-NPs based on a fungal strain (Aspergillus niger) was introduced. A. niger isolate MR3 with accession No. OP861660.1 after molecular identification was selected as a promising isolate for copper resistance and Cu-NPs bioremoval. The impact of biomass age, pH, and contact time was investigated in order to establish the ideal biosorption conditions. The results showed a high Cu-NPs removal via two-days-old A. niger biomass, where the bioremoval percentage reached 66.8 % at pH value 7 after a contact time of 10 min. Dead biomass of A. niger achieved the highest Cu-NPs removal rate, eliminating 68.2 % compared with both living and alginate beads-immobilized biomass. Thus, bioremoval experiments using dead biomass were performed in a bioreactor for sequential removal of Cu-NPs. The bioremoval capacity reached 97 % under optimized conditions from synthetic wastewater after a contacting time of 10 min. Thus, the present work considered the first report for bioremediation of Cu-NPs into bioreactor.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antifungal effects of thymol on fungi planktonic and biofilm cells. Firstly, the antifungal activity of a thymol-based product on reducing fungi load in poultry drinking water samples was assessed in vitro using the plate count method. Samples were treated by increasing concentrations of thymol (1, 2 and 4 g.l-1 of product). Reduction is about one log unit for 1 g.l-1, about two log units for 2 g.l¹, and a total desperation for 4 g.l-1. Secondly, the antifungal activity was tested on biofilms formed on coiled pipes using an experimental arrangement simulating animals watering conditions in poultry farming. Two concentrations (1 and 2 g.l-1) were used in two ways, preventive and curative treatment. The first one consisted in preventing fungal development on pipes and the biofilm formation. The second consisted in treating biofilms that have already settled on pipes. The plat count method was used to check the antifungal activity of thymol. Data of this experiment data have shown that thymol may prevent Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger proliferation in the experimental arrangement. After just a week, a significant reduction (P<0,05) was shown with the concentration 1 g.l-1. The reduction was much important when the product was used at a concentration of 2 g.l-1 (about tree log units). For curative treatment, results showed a significant reduction (P<0,05) of C. albicans load after only 24 hours with 1 g.l-1 (about one log unit). With this same concentration, reduction is more important over time for both spices (about four log units after a week). A significant reduction (more than two log units) was showed in just 24 hours of treatment with the concentration of 2 g.l-1. This work offers an alternative solution to chemical biocides, which can treat water and disinfect distribution system in poultry farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The beet-processing sugar industry is facing a severe crisis in some countries due to high production costs. This situation also negatively affects the beet producers. To increase the profit of beet-processing sugar plants, it is considered that the evaluation of by-products such as molasses, beet-pulp, and carbonation cake to obtain valuable organic acids could be commercially available. In this study, gluconic acid production by fermentation with A. niger has been investigated by using by-products obtained from beet-processing sugar plant. The experimental conditions have been optimized for gluconic acid production by submerged, semi solid-state, and solid-state fermentation routes by using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Gluconic acid production efficiencies under the optimized conditions for submerged, semi solid-state, and solid-state fermentations were calculated as 0.258, 0.354, and 0.262 g gluconic acid per g of absolute solid substrate, respectively. It has been determined that citric and oxalic acid together with gluconic acid could be produced at the significant levels for all three fermentation routes. It has been observed that obtaining oxalic and citric acid along with gluconic acid using A. niger depend strongly on pH. Gluconic acid was produced at near-neutral pH, whereas oxalic (pH ~ 4–4.5) and citric (pH < 2) acids were obtained at lower pH. In conclusion, in-situ production of gluconic and important organic acids can be realized by using beet-processing sugar plant by-products and some waste energy with simple fermentation techniques. Under the present circumstances, this approach is the most convenient way to survive the crisis that uses appropriate fungal/bacterial cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opportunistic infections are a problem of great relevance in public health and the precise detection and localization of infection in the early stages of the disease is of great importance for patient management as well as cost containment. Our proposal seeks to contribute to developing a new agent that meets the needs of diagnosis and follow‐up of fungal and bacterial infections, focused on the design of a radiotracer with the potential for recognition of hidden infection foci. Defensins are plant antimicrobial peptides that not only show activity against plant pathogens but also against human ones. A short analogue of EcgDf1 defensin, EcgDf21d (NH2‐ERFTGGHCRGFRRRCFCTKHC‐COOH), was labelled through the formation of a 99mTc‐HYNIC complex which was assessed for physicochemical and biological behaviour both in vitro and in vivo. The [99mTc]Tc‐HYNIC‐EcgDf21 labelling procedure rendered a single product with remarkably high RCP and stability in the labelling milieu. The Log p value indicated that [99mTc]Tc‐HYNIC‐EcgDf21 has a hydrophilic behaviour, confirmed by the biodistribution profiles. The optimal uptake value was obtained for Candida albicans infection model reaching a lesion/muscle ratio of 3, this correlates with in vitro binding studies, and the lesion can be definitely observed in the scintigraphic images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study was designed to isolate, identify, and determine the prevalence of Aspergilli in commercial chicken in selected areas of Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 lung samples from suspected dead chickens, comprising broilers (n = 32) and layers (n = 18), aged between 5 days and 45 weeks, were collected from poultry farms located in the Gazipur district in Bangladesh. Fungi were primarily identified based on the colony morphology using potato dextrose agar (PDA). DNA was extracted from the suspected colonies. Aspegillus spp. was detected by genus-specific ASAP-1 and ASAP-2. Aspergillus spp. were then screened by polymerase chain reaction targeting Aspergillus flavus (FLA-1 and FLA-2), Aspergillus fumigatus (ASPU and Af3r), and Aspergillus niger (ASPU and Nilr). Results: The overall prevalence of Aspergillus spp. was 44% (n = 22/50; p < 0.05). Among the Aspergilli, A. flavus was detected in 10% (n = 5/50) of the samples. Similarly, A. fumigatus and A. niger were detected at 26% (n = 13/50) and 8% (n = 4/50) respectively. Three samples were associated with more than one fungus; two fungi (A. flavus and A. niger) were in two samples, and three fungi (A. flavus, A. fumigatus, and A. niger) were in one sample. Conclusion: Isolation and prevalence of Aspergillus spp. in commercial chicken were studied for the first time in Bangladesh. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 184-190]

Agents with antifungal activity play a vital role as therapeutics in health care, as do fungicides in agriculture. Effectiveness, toxicological profile, and eco-friendliness are among the properties used to select suitable substances. Furthermore, a steady supply of new agents with different modes of action is required to counter the well-known potential of human and phyto-pathogenic fungi to develop resistance against established antifungals. Here, we use an in vitro growth assay to investigate the activity of the calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus in combination with the commercial fungicides cyproconazole and hymexazol, as well as with two earlier reported novel {2-(3-R-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl)phenyl}amines, against the fungi Aspergillus niger, Colletotrichum higginsianum, Fusarium oxysporum and the oomycete Phytophthora infestans, which are notoriously harmful in agriculture. When tacrolimus was added in a concentration range from 0.25 to 25 mg/L to the tested antifungals (at a fixed concentration of 25 or 50 mg/L), the inhibitory activities were distinctly enhanced. Molecular docking calculations revealed triazole derivative 5, (2-(3-adamantan-1-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl)-4-chloroaniline), as a potent inhibitor of chitin deacetylases (CDA) of Aspergillus nidulans and A. niger (AnCDA and AngCDA, respectively), which was stronger than the previously reported polyoxorin D, J075-4187, and chitotriose. The results are discussed in the context of potential synergism and molecular mode of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:- Diabetic foot ulcers, the aim of the study for determine some types of microorganisms from diabetic foot ulcers that causes inflammation and long-term complications and activity study of ZnO NPs biosynthesis by Aspergillus niger against isolated bacteria, collected from infected patients at general Al -Hashimiya hospital in Babylon Governorate. Methods:-collected 100 swabs, cultured it, bacteria was diagnostic by morphological and microscopic, standard biochemical tests and Vitec, the isolates identified by molecular diagnosis by extraction of DNA, using specific universal primer 16SrRNA (1239bp) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), study biosynthesis, characterization of zinc Oxide Nanoparticles to inhibited bacterial growth. Results:-The results were (26 aerobic bacterial isolates positive) present such as Gram positive Staph aureus, as regards the aerobic Gram negative bacilli, Klepsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, The zinc oxide nanoparticles created by Aspergillus niger were spherical in shape with size 13.5nm that used as antibacterial. Discussion:-Through determination of MIC were concentrations of ZnO NPs (31.25, 62.5μg/ml, 125μg/mL, 250μg/ml, 500μg/ml), (31.25, 62.5μg/ml) not prevent growth and not inhibition while 125μg/mL determine as MIC, two best concentrations are 250μg/ml, 500μg/ml both give inhibition zones. Conclusion:- Gram negative bacteria was predominantly for diabetic foot ulcers, Aspergillus niger was shown to be a stabilizer capable of producing spherical ZnO nanoparticles, due to is very suitable candidate to carry out antimicrobial operation, as a result to its small size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Dried fish exports generate massive revenue. These exports are in highest demand in the world market. However, dried fish can quickly become spoiled by mould. This creates foul odours that may affect consumer acceptance. Dried fish requires natural antimicrobial agents to improve shelf life. This study aimed to control mould growth and improve the organoleptic properties of dried fish using Litsea cubeba oil vapour in combination with wood smoke. In addition, to understand consumer acceptability, the treated dried fish was used to test consumer brain responses using electroencephalography (EEG). The participants who were able to eat dried fish preferred smoked food and had no history of allergies to dried fish, and essential oils were selected for this test. The combined treatment of the L. cubeba oil vapour at ≥60 μL and smoke for 30 s completely controlled the growth of A. niger at least 6 Log10 CFU g−1 and extended the shelf life of dried fish to 7 days at 30 ± 2 °C compared with the control (3 days). The panellists preferred the dried fish treated with the combined treatment more than the untreated fish (P < 0.05). The consumption (smelling, eating and swallowing) of the treated fish by the participants increased the alpha wave activity in their brains to increase the activation of the neural circuits for attention, working memory, active stage and sensory‐motor integration. These findings can be helpful for smoke‐dried fish product development and dried fish preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) plasma treatment was used to sterilize the palm date fruits. N2SPS, N2FNS, and hydroxyl radical have emerged in the emission spectrum of the plasma from SDBD. The effects of SDBD plasma on A. niger that was extracted from palm date varieties were investigated. After 15 days of incubation, the reduction of A. niger at a 3 min exposure time was 4 log. The total phenolic content of the Ajwa variety after SDBD plasma treatment has been documented as the highest value among the other varieties; it was 1.65-fold of the untreated one. The treated Ajwa variety using SDBD plasma has recorded the highest increase in antioxidant activity; it was increased to 67.69% compared to the control one. After SDBD plasma treatment, the HMF was not detected in the Maghol variety. According to the PCA model, the first two PCs demonstrated strong positive correlations with most of the examined variables and demonstrated a strong positive correlation between these variables when assessed in both untreated and treated with SDBD plasma of palm date types in this stud. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trichoderma reesei and Aspergillus niger are efficient biological platforms for the production of various industrial products, including cellulases and organic acids. Nevertheless, despite the extensive research on these fungi, integrated analyses of omics-driven approaches are still missing. In this study, the intracellular metabolic profile of T. reesei RUT-C30 and A. niger N402 strains grown on glucose, lactose, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and steam-exploded sugarcane bagasse (SEB) as carbon sources for 48 h was analysed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance. The aim was to verify the changes in the primary metabolism triggered by these substrates and use transcriptomics data from the literature to better understand the dynamics of the observed alterations. Glucose and CMC induced higher fungal growth whereas fungi grown on lactose showed the lowest dry weight. Metabolic profile analysis revealed that mannitol, trehalose, glutamate, glutamine, and alanine were the most abundant metabolites in both fungi regardless of the carbon source. These metabolites are of particular interest for the mobilization of carbon and nitrogen, and stress tolerance inside the cell. Their concomitant presence indicates conserved mechanisms adopted by both fungi to assimilate carbon sources of different levels of recalcitrance. Moreover, the higher levels of galactose intermediates in T. reesei suggest its better adaptation in lactose, whereas glycolate and malate in CMC might indicate activation of the glyoxylate shunt. Glycerol and 4-aminobutyrate accumulated in A. niger grown on CMC and lactose, suggesting their relevant role in these carbon sources. In SEB, a lower quantity and diversity of metabolites were identified compared to the other carbon sources, and the metabolic changes and higher xylanase and pNPGase activities indicated a better utilization of bagasse by A. niger. Transcriptomic analysis supported the observed metabolic changes and pathways identified in this work. Taken together, we have advanced the knowledge about how fungal primary metabolism is affected by different carbon sources, and have drawn attention to metabolites still unexplored. These findings might ultimately be considered for developing more robust and efficient microbial factories.

In technical fermentations, filamentous microorganisms are exposed to different forms of mechanical stress, among which shear stress is prevalent in turbulent broths. Whereas small-scale bioreactors allow for realistic turbulent flow field conditions, they are not well-suited to investigate the fungal response to shear stress in more detail, as they only reveal the integral effect of a highly dynamic stress stimulus. Therefore, the widely used model system for producing constant, but rather low shear forces, the parallel plate flow chamber, is extended in this work by adding a backward-facing step (BFS). The BFS induces vortex shedding in the wake of the step and brings out distinct areas of different shear stress levels at the bottom of the chamber where mycelia grow. This allows for a stress-dependent analysis of growing cells using a confocal laser-scanning microscope. As the real stress cannot be measured in the experiment, the wall shear stress is estimated numerically using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). As a first application of the experimental setup, the relative biomass concentration, the relative amount of secretory vesicles and the relative amount of the chosen product glucoamylase produced by the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger were measured. The obtained area scans show homogeneous mycelia growth in areas of low stress and cloud-like patterns downstream of the predicted flow reattachment length where high shear stress dominates. Quantitative analysis of the time course suggests that the amount of available secretory vesicles inside of A. niger decreases when the shear stress is increased, despite that no significant differences in biomass production could be found. In contrast, the highest level of glucoamylase was reached for intermediate volumetric flow rates, i.e., levels of shear stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In technical fermentations, filamentous microorganisms are exposed to different forms of mechanical stress, among which shear stress is prevalent in turbulent broths. Whereas small-scale bioreactors allow for realistic turbulent flow field conditions, they are not well-suited to investigate the fungal response to shear stress in more detail, as they only reveal the integral effect of a highly dynamic stress stimulus. Therefore, the widely used model system for producing constant, but rather low shear forces, the parallel plate flow chamber, is extended in this work by adding a backward-facing step (BFS). The BFS induces vortex shedding in the wake of the step and brings out distinct areas of different shear stress levels at the bottom of the chamber where mycelia grow. This allows for a stress-dependent analysis of growing cells using a confocal laser-scanning microscope. As the real stress cannot be measured in the experiment, the wall shear stress is estimated numerically using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). As a first application of the experimental setup, the relative biomass concentration, the relative amount of secretory vesicles and the relative amount of the chosen product glucoamylase produced by the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger were measured. The obtained area scans show homogeneous mycelia growth in areas of low stress and cloud-like patterns downstream of the predicted flow reattachment length where high shear stress dominates. Quantitative analysis of the time course suggests that the amount of available secretory vesicles inside of A. niger decreases when the shear stress is increased, despite that no significant differences in biomass production could be found. In contrast, the highest level of glucoamylase was reached for intermediate volumetric flow rates, i.e., levels of shear stress.

The aim of this research was to develop an edible coating based on chitosan hydrochloride-gum arabic-passion fruit seed oil nanoparticles (PFSO-NP) with antifungal activity and preservative action, for maintenance of the physical-chemical quality parameters of strawberries during storage at 25 °C and 4 °C. Chitosan hydrochloride was obtained by dialysis of fungal chitosan, and the passion fruit seed oil was extracted by cold pressing. The nanoparticles elaborated by the complex coacervation technique were spherical and dense. Thermal and FTIR analyses of PFSO-NP confirmed the encapsulation and thermal stability. The nanoparticles exhibited antifungal activity against Colletotrichum siamense , and Aspergillus niger. The developed coating preserved the physical-chemical quality parameters and reduced the incidence of fungal decomposition in strawberries during storage. Therefore, this study suggests the development of PFSO-NP as a viable alternative to synthetic chemicals and packaging to extend the shelf life of fruits, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals. [Display omitted] • Chitosan hydrochloride-Gum arabic-passion fruit seed oil nanoparticles were developed. • Adding passion fruit seed oil enhanced the antimicrobial effects of the coating. • Coated improved physicochemical and microbiological qualities of strawberries. • The elaborated coating is a sustainable alternative for strawberry preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pectinases are one of the important and approaching enzymes of the commercial sector, especially, in the fruit juice industry as a pre-requisite for obtaining well clarified and stable juice with higher yields. Microbial pectinases has been employed vigorously for the juice clarification since recent times. The present study was carried out to investigate the application and competitiveness of commercial and purified pectinase obtained from A. niger in fruit juice (grapes and pomegranate) clarification of different enzyme concentrations like 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, varying incubation time (30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min) at constant temperature of 40°C to optimize the enzymatic treatment for the yield and clarity of the juices. The optimum conditions suggested for enzymatic (crude, purified and commercial pectinase) treatment for clarification and yield of fruit juices were 3.5 mg/20g pulp of enzyme concentration and 180 min incubation time at a constant temperature of 40°C. A maximum yield of 62% and 65.5% whereas clarity of 3.4 and 3.7 % were obtained from grape juice and a significantly high yield of 68% and 72.5% whereas, clarity of 2.7 and 3.6 were acheived from pomegranate juice when compared to the unclarified grape and pomegranate juices (50 and 57.5% of yeild and clarity of 1.0 and 1.5 respectively). Therfore it was found that purified pectinase obtained from pectinolytic fungus, A. niger enhanced juice yield and clarity of grape and pomegranate juices when compared to untreated juices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new strain of Streptomyces was isolated from an Algerian soil and was tested for its antifungal activities against two species of Aspergillus: A. carbonarius and A. niger. Based on its morphological properties this isolate was identified as Streptomyces sp. It showed a good to moderate activity against target strains of two Aspergillus species by using the streak method. The fermentation of this strain in Bennett culture medium exhibited a strong activity against A. carbonarius and least activity against A. niger since the first day of incubation, and then decreased gradually until it becomes zero in the fifth day. No activity was obtained with ISP2 medium despite of the biomass abundance registered. The extraction of the antifungal activities was carried out by using of four organic solvents with different polarities: n-hexan, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. However, the efficiency of the strain was tested by dish paper diffusion method and was appeared only with ethyl acetate and n-butanol solvents, with a slight advantage to ethyl acetate extract. The diameter of inhibition obtained with ethyl acetate extract against A. carbonarius was 33 mm. The ethyl acetate extract allowed us to detect two superposed active spots with frontal ratio of 0.72 and 0.80 mm. The method used was a combination between Thin Layer Chromatography and Bioautography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study to check the efficacy of seed treatment by bioagents on the seed germination and vigour by inhibiting the most dominant seed mycoflora (A. niger, Colletotrichum sp. and Fusarium sp.) of chilli variety GVC 111 was carried out by paper towel method in vitro. Treatment of seeds with T. harzianum+ P. fluorescens (5+6g/kg seeds) and P. fluorescens (6g/ kg seeds) found effective in seeds pretreated with A. niger, while T. harzianum+P. fluorescens (5+6g/kg seeds) and P. fluorescens+B. subtilis (6+6g/kg seeds) found effective in seeds pretreated with Colletotrichum sp. and P. fluorescens+B. subtilis (6+6g/kg seeds) and T. viride+P. fluorescens (5+6g/kg seeds) found effective in seeds pretreated with Fusarium sp. However, overall results indicated that seed treatment with P. fluorescens+ B. subtilis @ 6g + 6g/kg seeds and T. harzianum+P. fluorescens @ 5g + 6g/ kg seeds proved very effective with higher seed germination, seedling length and vigour index in all pretreated seed mycoflora i.e, A. niger. Colletotrichum sp. and Fusarium sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The harmful effects of chemical fertilizers on soil, plants, and eco-systems have stimulated the growth of the global biofertilizer market. However, biofertilizer use remains limited in developing countries due to inadequate research and poor technology. The use of readily available materials for biofertilizer production can be a good starting point. This study aimed to investigate phosphate-solubilizing potentials of soil fungi and the shelf-life of their biofertilizer formulations using sawdust and charcoal as carriers. Soil samples from the rhizosphere were cultured on Pikovskaya (PVK) agar, and the best phosphate solubilizers (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus and A. flavus) were screened for their phosphatesolubilization potentials on solid medium. Results obtained showed that A. niger had the highest solubilization index of 1.72, followed by A. fumigatus, and A. flavus with a solubilization index of 1.01 and 0.95, respectively. Optimization studies showed that after 5 days of incubation, A. niger, A. flavus and A. fumigatus solubilized 149, 112 and 126 mg L-1 of phosphate, respectively. These values increased to 549 mg L-1 on day 11 for A. niger, 379 mg L-1 on day 9 for A. flavus and 430 mg L-1 on day 9 for A. fumigatus. Furthermore, A. fumigatus and A. flavus proved to be better inoculants than A. niger as they maintained higher CFU g-1 counts throughout the experiment. Also, sawdust supported higher counts of the three inoculants than charcoal and was thus the best carrier. The findings demonstrated that these aspergilli can be harnessed for improving soil fertility and plant development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

microbes release more stable enzymes which can be obtained at the lowest coast. Species of fungi and bacteria were isolated from different sources including Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium chrysogenum, Fusarium solani ;Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus mycoides and Bacillus cereus as well as two isolates of Rhizobia, BUS26 and RMI4 in addition to the Ensifer meliloti as a reference strain of rhizobia. These microbial species were used to determine their ability to produce some industrial enzymes after culturing them on Czapek dox agar by replacing the carbon source with pectin, chitin or cellulose. Then the average diameter of the colony was measured and the percentage of the enzymes production was calculated. The results showed that all the fungus utilized in this study produced the enzymes in different proportions. A. niger isolated from air and soil was able to grow and use orange peel as a single source of carbon to produce pectinase with the highest percentage of 80.77% and 71.72% respectively. As well as the highest yield of cellulase was produced by A. niger with a rate of 81.15%, while the rest of fungi differed in their ability to produce the enzymes between the medium and low amount. F. solani had the lowest ability to produce pectinase and chitinase by rates of 19.21% and 17.03% respectively. The ability of bacterial isolates to produce enzymes was also varied as B.mycoides and BUS26 gave the highest productivity of cellulase by 74.74% and 68.89% respectively. The productivity of pectinase was close as BUS26 isolate showed productivity rate of 50% following by P.aeruginosa with a ratio of 47.83% while B.cereus had a pectinase production with a rate of 34.66%.

Kecamatan Semende, Kabupaten Muara Enim merupakan daerah penghasil kopi dengan produksi mencapai 92% dari komoditi hasil pertaniannya. Kopi selang adalah istilah lokal untuk kopi yang dipanen pada Desember- Juli sebelum musim panen raya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui prevalensi kapang oktratoksigenik dan kandungan okratoksin A pada kopi selang Semende. Sejumlah 40 sampel kopi selang dikumpulkan dari petani (buah dan biji kopi beras), pengumpul (biji kopi beras), dan pengolah (bubuk kopi). Sampel dianalisis kadar air, mutu mikrobiologi dan kandungan okratoksin. Rata-rata kadar air buah kopi dan biji kopi asal petani ditemukan sebesar 69,88% dan 13,90%, sedangkan biji kopi asal pengumpul dan bubuk kopi asal pengolah sebesar 13,45% dan 2,97%. Kadar air biji kopi sedikit melebihi ketentuan dalam SNI yaitu 12,5%. Rata-rata angka lempeng total dan angka kapang-khamir pada bubuk kopi di tingkat pengolah adalah 1,90 Log CFU/g dan 1,99 Log CFU/g, masih memenuhi persyaratan yang berlaku untuk bubuk kopi. A. niger ditemukan pada buah kopi asal petani (50%), biji kopi asal petani (90%) maupun pengumpul (90%) dan pada bubuk kopi (30%). A. ochraceus hanya ditemukan pada biji kopi petani (10% ) dan bubuk kopi (30%). Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa kapang pencemar sudah ditemukan sejak dari tingkat petani. Walaupun demikian, kandungan okratoksin A relatif rendah dan masih memenuhi persyaratan yang ditentukan (maksimum 5 ppb). Okratoksin A pada biji kopi asal pengumpul ditemukan pada kisaran 0,86 ppb-2,81 ppb, sedangkan pada biji kopi asal petani sebesar 0,14 ppb dan pada bubuk kopi asal pengolah sebesar 0,19 ppb.

Agents with antifungal activity play a vital role as therapeutics in health care, as do fungicides in agriculture. Effectiveness, toxicological profile, and eco-friendliness are among the properties used to select suitable substances. Furthermore, a steady supply of new agents with different modes of action is required to counter the well-known potential of human and phyto-pathogenic fungi to develop resistance against established antifungals. Here, we use an in vitro growth assay to investigate the activity of the calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus in combination with the commercial fungicides cyproconazole and hymexazol, as well as with two earlier reported novel {2-(3-R-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl)phenyl}amines, against the fungi Aspergillus niger, Colletotrichum higginsianum, Fusarium oxysporum and the oomycete Phytophthora infestans, which are notoriously harmful in agriculture. When tacrolimus was added in a concentration range from 0.25 to 25 mg/L to the tested antifungals (at a fixed concentration of 25 or 50 mg/L), the inhibitory activities were distinctly enhanced. Molecular docking calculations revealed triazole derivative 5, (2-(3-adamantan-1-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl)-4-chloroaniline), as a potent inhibitor of chitin deacetylases (CDA) of Aspergillus nidulans and A. niger (AnCDA and AngCDA, respectively), which was stronger than the previously reported polyoxorin D, J075-4187, and chitotriose. The results are discussed in the context of potential synergism and molecular mode of action.

The development of new radiopharmaceuticals for the detection of hidden infection foci has great relevance for early detection and the selection of the correct treatment, particularly in immunosuppressed patients. In that sense, the labelling of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that are capable of binding specifically to the pathogenic microorganism which causes the infection, should provide a sufficiently specific agent, able to distinguish an infection from a sterile inflammation. Defensins are particularly interesting molecules with antimicrobial activity, the EcgDf1 defensin was identified from the genome of a Uruguayan native plant, Erythrina crista-galli, the 'Ceibo' tree. Our group has previously reported a synthetic biologically active short analogue EcgDf21 (ERFTGGHCRGFRRRCFCTKHC) successfully labelled with 99m Tc. Herein we present a shorter analogue which also preserves the γ-core domain, as a pharmacophore for a potential infection detection agent. This peptide was derivatized with the bifunctional chelating agent 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid (NOTA) through a lysine linker in the amino-terminal group (NOTA-KGHCRGFRRRC) and radiolabelled with 68 Ga ([ 68 Ga]Ga-NOTA-K-EcgDf1 (10) ). The [ 68 Ga]Ga-NOTA-K-EcgDf1 (10) labelling procedure rendered a product with high radiochemical purity and stability in the labelling milieu. The Log P value indicated that the complex has a hydrophilic behaviour, confirmed by the biodistribution profile. The [ 68 Ga]Ga-NOTA-K-EcgDf1 (10) complex demonstrated specific binding to cultures of Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. Its biodistribution showed renal elimination and low accumulation in the rest of the body. It was possible to successfully differentiate sterile inflammation from infection by PET images in nude mice with a target/non-target ratio of 3.3 for C. albicans and 3.7 for A. niger, respectively., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The cultivation of microorganisms to obtain biosurfactants and lipases using solid-state fermentation (SSF) is considered a sustainable and low-cost form. The simultaneous production of these biocompounds is still little explored, especially when using solid matrices as a substrate aiming at reducing residues and environmental impacts and the potential environmental application of the produced biocompounds, in bioremediation processes and effluent treatment. The aim was the simultaneous production of lipases and biosurfactants via SSF from the fungus Aspergillus niger. Screening of cultivation media and conditions was carried out, with the studied variables being the proportions of soybean meal (SM) and soybean waste (SW), moisture, concentrations of carbon source (molasses), oily inducer and nitrogen source, through experimental designs. The media were fermented for 6 days, evaluating the lipase and emulsifying activities and the reduction in surface tension obtained every 2 days. In the culture medium composed of SM + SW (70/30), production of lipases (31.13 ± 0.55 U) and biosurfactants (11,92 % of reduction of surface tension and emulsifying activity below 2.00 EU) was observed under conditions of 50% of moisture, 1.5% of nitrogen source and 1% of oily inducer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endoinulinase gene was expressed in recombinant Aspergillus niger for selective and high-level expression using an exponential fed-batch fermentation. The effects of the growth rate (μ), glucose feed concentration, nitrogen concentration and fungal morphology on enzyme production were evaluated. A recombinant endoinulinase with a molecular weight of 66 kDa was secreted. Endoinulinase production was growth associated at μ> 0.04 h−1, which is characteristic of the constitutive gpd promoter used for the enzyme production. The highest volumetric activity (670 U/ml) was achieved at a growth rate of 93% of μmax (0.07 h−1), while enzyme activity (506 U/ml) and biomass substrate yield (0.043 gbiomassDW/gglucose) significantly decreased at low μ (0.04 h−1). Increasing the feed concentration resulted in high biomass concentrations and viscosity, which necessitated high agitation to enhance the mixing efficiency and oxygen. However, the high agitation and low DO levels (ca. 8% of saturation) led to pellet disruption and growth in dispersed morphology. Enzyme production profiles, product (Yp/s) and biomass (Yx/s) yield coefficients were not affected by feed concentration and morphological change. The gradual increase in the concentration of nitrogen sources showed that, a nitrogen limited culture was not suitable for endoinulinase production in recombinant A. niger. Moreover, the increase in enzyme volumetric activity was still directly related to an increase in biomass concentration. An increase in nitrogen concentration, from 3.8 to 12 g/L, resulted in volumetric activity increase from 393 to 670 U/ml, but the Yp/s (10053 U/gglucose) and Yx/s (0.049 gbiomasDWs/gglucose) did not significantly change. The data demonstrated the potential of recombinant A. niger and high cell density fermentation for the development of large-scale endoinulinase production system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) plasma treatment was used to sterilize the palm date fruits. N2SPS, N2FNS, and hydroxyl radical have emerged in the emission spectrum of the plasma from SDBD. The effects of SDBD plasma on A. niger that was extracted from palm date varieties were investigated. After 15 days of incubation, the reduction of A. niger at a 3 min exposure time was 4 log. The total phenolic content of the Ajwa variety after SDBD plasma treatment has been documented as the highest value among the other varieties; it was 1.65-fold of the untreated one. The treated Ajwa variety using SDBD plasma has recorded the highest increase in antioxidant activity; it was increased to 67.69% compared to the control one. After SDBD plasma treatment, the HMF was not detected in the Maghol variety. According to the PCA model, the first two PCs demonstrated strong positive correlations with most of the examined variables and demonstrated a strong positive correlation between these variables when assessed in both untreated and treated with SDBD plasma of palm date types in this stud.

The present work describes fermentation of raw materials to produce citric acid through single and co-culture process using indigenous strains of Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus. For this purpose, orange peels, peanut shells and their homogenous mixtures were used as raw material using solid state fermentation (SSF). Incubation period, pH, temperature, moisture content, inoculum size and substrate concentrations were optimized simultaneously using response surface methodology (RSM) design followed by contour plot analysis. Citric acid was separated from other by products in a nonpolar C-8 column and quantified using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) technique. It was found that more amount of citric acid (114.68±0.73 mg/mL) was produced during co-culture fermentation employing both A. niger and A. fumigatus simultaneously as compared to single culture fermentation inoculated with A. niger (94.92±0.46 mg/mL) and A. fumigatus (65.13±0.28 mg/mL), using 25 gms orange peels OPs as substrate, 60 % moisture content, 6 pH, 6 mL inoculum size, 6 days incubation period and 50 °C temperature as optimized fermentation conditions. The results also showed that RSM based co-culture SSF using cheap biomass can produce more amount of citric acid as compared to conventional fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of different fermentation conditions (culture medium, temperature, incubation time, pH value and additive) on citrinin production by four fungi. Results: Among the culture media, potato dextrose medium had lowest citrinin production, followed by yeast sucrose medium and monosodium glutamate medium. The lowest citrinin contents were produced by Monascus anka (M. anka) in potato dextrose medium and yeast sucrose medium, Aspergillus oryzae AS3.042 (A. oryzae) produced the lowest citrinin production in monosodium glutamate medium. The optimum fermentation temperatures for citrinin production by Aspergillus niger (A. niger) and Penicillium citrinum (P. citrinum) were at 30 °C, whereas those by M. anka and A. oryzae were at 35 °C. Citrinin synthesis by four fungi were completely inhibited with a pH value of less than 5.4. By adding ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) or triammonium citrate into monosodium glutamate medium, citrinin production by A. oryzae and A. niger were totally inhibited. Ammonium sulfate completely inhibited citrinin production by A. oryzae, M. anka and P. citrinum, and ammonium nitrate completely inhibited citrinin production by A. oryzae. Conclusions: These results indicated that the suitable fermentation conditions could make considerable contributions to the reduction of citrinin production. This study provided an effective way for decreasing the citrinin production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the expansion of immune-impaired people during second wave of Covid-19 the case of mucormycosis and aspergillosis caused by different fungi such as Rhizopus oryzae, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger arose in different states. The current study reveals the molecular interaction of ligand and protein to find the novel and natural drug. The molecular docking was carried out by CB-dock tool and the ligand compound n-heptadecanol-1 were docked with different protein of opportunistic fungi. The most significant outcomes were depicted against C. albicans (−4.6 ​kcal/mol) followed by R. oryzae (−3.9 ​kcal/mol) and A. niger (−3.0 ​kcal/mol). n-heptadecanol-1 showed therapeutic potential and eliminates the issue of drug inadequacy that could act as potential anti-fungal agent.

Corn, sorghum and wheat grains are used as livestock feed in the world. Identification of black aspergilli associated with these grains is necessary to make sure of the safety of the grains because its occurrence is an indicator of mycotoxin production. Forty-five isolates were isolated from the samples collected from Upper Egypt's markets and identified morphologically based on colony color, conidia, stipe and vesicle size and molecularly by using β-tubulin and calmodulin genes. Isolates were divided into 30 strains of Aspergillus welwitschiae and 15 strains of A. niger. We have found new criteria in the morphological identification of A. welwitschiae as its colony color was black to brown with yellow edge, but in A. niger was black with white edge, also A. welwitschiae sometimes produced finely-to-distinctly roughened brownish conidia on malt extract agar (MEA) media. Thirteen isolates of A. welwitschiae and six of A. niger were recognized as potential producers for ochratoxin A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Aspergillus fumigatus is the main causative agent of aspergillosis. Infections rarely occur in immunocompetent individuals, indicating efficient clearance of conidia by pulmonary defense mechanisms. Other aspergilli like Aspergillus niger also cause infections but to a much lesser extent. Our previous studies showed that A. fumigatus and A. niger have different behavior in the presence of type II alveolar A549 epithelial cells. A. fumigatus conidia are more efficiently internalized by these cells and germination is delayed when compared to A. niger. In addition, hyphae that have escaped the epithelial cells grow parallel to the epithelium, while A. niger grows away from this cell layer. Results Here it is shown that global gene expression of A. fumigatus and A. niger is markedly different upon contact with A549 cells. A total of 545 and 473 genes of A. fumigatus and A. niger, respectively, were differentially expressed when compared to growth in the absence of A549 cells. Notably, only 53 genes (approximately 10%) were shared in these gene sets. The different response was also illustrated by the fact that only 4 out of 75 GO terms were shared that were enriched in the differentially expressed gene sets. The orthologues of A. fumigatus genes involved in hypoxia regulation and heat shock were also up-regulated in A. niger, whereas thioredoxin reductase and allergen genes were found up-regulated in A. fumigatus but down-regulated in A. niger. Infection with A. fumigatus resulted in only 62 up and 47 down-regulated genes in A549. These numbers were 17 and 34 in the case of A. niger. GO terms related with immune response were down-regulated upon exposure to A. fumigatus but not in the case of A. niger. This indicates that A. fumigatus reprograms A549 to be less immunologically alert. Conclusions Our dual transcriptomic analysis supports earlier observations of a marked difference in life style between A. fumigatus and A. niger when grown in the presence of type II epithelial cells. The results indicate important differences in gene expression, amongst others down regulation of immune response genes in lung epithelial cells by A. fumigatus but not by A niger.

Several species of fungi were isolated from maize seeds. The highest frequency was genus Aspergillus of three species: Aspergillus flavus, A. niger and A. parasiticus. Poisoned medium method were Applied of five different plant extracts Nigella seeds, pomegranate peels, (Eucalyptus and Euphorbia leaves) and Ginger roots were used to reducing the growth rate of fungi by measured radial growth rate divided by time, the first growth rate (0-2 days), second growth rate (2-4 days) and third growth rate (4-6 days). A decrease in the growth rate of A. flavus and A. niger was observed by using Nigella and Ginger, while all plant extracts reduced the growth rate of A. parasiticus. The growth rate of the three species A. flavus, A. niger and A. parasiticus it was no significant difference among three growing stages of the first growth rate, then decreased sharply at the second growth rate and returned to rise at the third growth rate compared to control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]