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The contamination of paraquat (1,1′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bipyridylium dichloride) herbicide from the farming area has become a public concern in many countries. This herbicide harms to human health and negatively effects the soil fertility. Several methods have been introduced for the remediation of paraquat. In this study, 20 isolates of the paraquat‐tolerant fungi were isolated from the contaminated soil samples in northern Thailand. We found that isolate PRPY‐2 and PFCM‐1 exhibited the highest degradation activity of paraquat on synthetic liquid medium. About 80 and 68% of paraquat were removed by PRPY‐2 and PFCM‐1 respectively after 15 days of cultivation. Based on the morphological characteristic and molecular analysis, the fungal isolate PRPY‐2 and PFCM‐1 were identified as Aspergillus tamarii and Cunninghamella sp. respectively. The biosorption of paraquat on these fungal mycelia was also investigated. It was found that only 8–10% of paraquat could be detected on their mycelia, while 24–46% of paraquat was degraded by fungal mycelia. This is the first report on paraquat degrading ability by A. tamarii and Cunninghamella sp. It is demonstrated that these filamentous fungi are promising microorganisms available for remediation of paraquat contaminated environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is aimed to evaluate the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and free phenolic compounds of acetone extract of Cuscuta reflexa grown on five different hosts: Coccinia grandis, Ficus racemosa, Samanea saman, Streblus asper and Zollingeria dongnaiensis, and to explore the antioxidant activities, α-glucosidase and tyrosinase inhibitory properties of the extracts. The highest level of total phenolic and flavonoid contents were observed in the extract of C. reflexa that was grown on S. asper (65.45 mg GAE/g extract) and C. grandis (97.83 mg QE/g extract), respectively. According to HPLC results, vanillic acid, rutin and quercetin were found in all extracts of C. reflexa grown on diversified hosts. The extract of C. reflexa grown on C. grandis possessed the greatest antioxidant activities (DPPH; 251.64 μg/mL, FRAP; 26.44 mg GAE/g extract), α-glucosidase inhibition accounted for 84.36 per cent and antityrosinase activity was at 18.29 mg KAE/g sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant global problem affecting muskmelon ( Cucumis melo L.) is fruit rot caused by phytopathogenic fungi, which results in unsaleable products and substantial financial losses. In 2022 and 2023, fruit rot on muskmelon was found during the postharvest storage period in Phayao Province of northern Thailand. The aim of the current study was to isolate the species of fungi causing the fruit rot lesions. Out of the rot lesions on muskmelons, nine fungal isolates were received. All isolates of fungi were identified through a combination of morphological characteristics and molecular analyses. Based on their morphological traits, all isolated fungal isolate was assigned to the genus Fusarium . All the fungal isolates were determined to belong to the Fusarium incarnatum-equiseti species complex through multi-gene phylogenetic analysis employing the calmodulin ( cam ), RNA polymerase second largest subunit ( rpb2 ), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha ( tef1-α ) genes. These isolates were identified as F. compactum (SDBR-CMU483), F. jinanense (SDBR-CMU484, SDBR-CMU485, and SDBR-CMU486), F. mianyangense (SDBR-CMU487 and SDBR-CMU488), and F. sulawesiense (SDBR-CMU489, SDBR-CMU490, and SDBR-CMU491). Moreover, pathogenicity tests were subsequently carried out, and the results indicated that all fungal isolates caused symptoms of fruit rot on inoculated muskmelon fruits. Notably, this result was consistent with the symptoms observed throughout the postharvest storage period. In the fungicide screening test, all fungal isolates showed sensitivity to copper oxychloride. However, all isolates showed insensitivity to benalaxyl-M + mancozeb, carbendazim, mancozeb, and metalaxy. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to identify F. compactum , F. jinanense , and F. mianyangense as new causative agents of muskmelon fruit rot in Thailand and other regions globally. This is also the first report of postharvest fruit rot on muskmelons caused by F. sulawesiense in Thailand. Furthermore, the fungicide screening results indicate that fungicide resistance can be beneficial in developing potential management strategies against postharvest fruit rot disease of muskmelon caused by these four pathogenic Fusarium species., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Suwannarach, Khuna, Thitla, Senwanna, Nuangmek, Kumla and Lumyong.)

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) is commonly grown in Thailand. In June 2023, leaf anthracnose on this plant was observed at a field in Chai Prakan District (19°42'24"N, 99°01'59"E), Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, with ~25% disease incidence in a 1000-m2 plantation area. The initial symptom had brown spots with a yellow halo, enlarged, elongated, 0.2 to 2 cm in diameter, irregular, sunken, brown, with a dark brown halo, and leaves withered and dried. Pale yellow conidiomata developed on the lesions in high humidity. Ten symptomatic leaves were used to isolate the fungal causal agents through a single spore isolation method (Tovar-Pedraza et al. 2020). Four fungal isolates (SDBR-CMU492 to SDBR-CMU495) with similar morphology were obtained. Colonies on potato dextrose agar (PDA) were 70 to 85 mm in diameter, white to grayish white with cottony mycelia, the reverse pale yellow after incubation at 25°C for 1 week. All isolates produced asexual structures. Setae were brown with 1 to 3 septa, 40 to 100 × 2.2 to 4.0 µm, a cylindrical base, and acuminate tip. Conidiophores were hyaline to pale brown, septate, and branched. Conidiogenous cells were hyaline to pale brown, cylindrical to ampulliform, 7.4 to 27.2 × 2.0 to 4.5 µm. Conidia were one celled, hyaline, smooth walled, cylindrical, ends rounded, guttulate, 11.1 to 15.7 × 3.4 to 6.1 µm. Appressoria were dark brown to black, oval to irregular, 8.8 to 24.9 × 3.6 to 10 µm. Morphologically, all isolates resembled the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex (Weir et al. 2012). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, actin (act), β-tubulin (tub2), calmodulin (CAL), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) genes were amplified using primer pairs ITS5/ITS4, ACT-512F/ACT-783R, T1/T22, CL1C/CL2C, and GDF1/GDR1, respectively (White et al. 1990; Weir et al. 2012). Sequences were deposited in GenBank (ITS: PP068858, PP068859, PP446789, PP446790; act: PP079636, PP079637, PP460760, PP460761; tub2: PP079638, PP079639, PP460762, PP460763; CAL: PP079634, PP079635, PP460758, PP460759; GAPDH: PP079632, PP079633, PP460756, PP460757). Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses of the concatenated five genes identified all isolates as C. siamense. To pathogenicity test, the mature leaves of a healthy plant were surface disinfested using 0.1% NaClO for 3 min, rinsed three times with sterile water, and wounded. Conidia suspensions (15 µl of 1 × 106 conidia/ml) of each isolate grown on PDA at 25°C for 2 weeks were used to inoculate wounded and unwounded samples by the attached method. Control leaves were mock inoculated with sterile distilled water. Ten replications were conducted for each treatment and repeated twice. Plants were placed in a greenhouse at 25 to 30°C and 80 to 90% relative humidity. After 7 days, all inoculated leaves displayed brown lesions, while control leaves had no symptoms. Colletotrichum siamense was reisolated from inoculated tissues on PDA to complete Koch's postulates. Prior to this study, C. fructicola and C. gloeosporioides caused leaf anthracnose on jackfruit worldwide (Sangchote et al. 2003; Chitambar 2016). Leaf anthracnose on jackfruit caused by C. siamense has been reported from Australia (James et al. 2014) and Bazil (Borges et al. 2023). In Thailand, Bhunjun et al. (2019) reported that C. artocarpicola causes leaf anthracnose in jackfruit. Therefore, this is first report of C. siamense causing leaf anthracnose on jackfruit in Thailand. The finding will inform epidemiological investigations and future approaches to managing this disease.

Marasmiellus (Omphalotaceae, Agaricales) specimens collected in Thailand were investigated based on morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analyses. In the present study, two species are introduced as new to science, namely Marasmiellusthailandicus and M.minutisporus . Phylogenetic analyses were carried out based on the internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) and nuclear ribosomal RNA large subunit (nrLSU) regions, and the results revealed that the two new taxa are distinct species within Marasmiellus . Another specimen was identified as M.scandens and is reported for the first time with morphology and molecular data from Thailand. Descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic results are provided. In addition, M.diaphanus and M.colocasiae are proposed as new combinations of Collybiopsisdiaphana and Paramarasmiuscolocasiae , respectively, based on the phylogenetic evidence., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Wenhua Lu, Pumin Nutaratat, Jaturong Kumla, Saowaluck Tibpromma, Abdallah M. Elgorban, Samantha C. Karunarathna, Nakarin Suwannarach.)

Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) exhibit varied properties as alternative biodegradable materials that can be used in various industries such as construction, furniture, household goods, and packaging. However, these properties are primarily influenced by the type of substrate used. This study aims to investigate the properties of MBCs produced from Lentinus sajor-caju strain CMU-NK0427 using different ratios of sawdust to corn husk in the development of mycelium composite boards (MCBs) with thicknesses of 8, 16, and 24 mm. The results indicate that variations in the ratios of corn husk to sawdust and thickness affected the mechanical and physical properties of the obtained MCBs. Reducing the corn husk content in the substrate increased the modulus of elasticity, density, and thermal conductivity, while increasing the corn husk content increased the bending strength, shrinkage, water absorption, and volumetric swelling. Additionally, an increase in thickness with the same substrate ratio only indicated an increase in density and shrinkage. MCBs have sound absorption properties ranging from 61 to 94% at a frequency of 1000 Hz. According to the correlation results, a reduction in corn husk content in the substrate has a significant positive effect on the reduction in bending strength, shrinkage, and water absorption in MCBs. However, a decrease in corn husk content shows a strong negative correlation with the increase in the modulus of elasticity, density, and thermal conductivity. The thickness of MCBs with the same substrate ratio only shows a significant negative correlation with the modulus of elasticity and bending strength. Compared to commercial boards, the mechanical (bending strength) and physical (density, thermal conductivity, and sound absorption) properties of MCBs made from a 100% corn husk ratio are most similar to those of softboards and acoustic boards. The results of this study can provide valuable information for the production of MCBs and will serve as a guide to enhance strategies for further improving their properties for commercial manufacturing, as well as fulfilling the long-term goal of eco-friendly recycling of lignocellulosic substrates.

Bats (Chiroptera), the second largest group of mammals, are known for their unique immune system and their ability to act as vectors for various zoonoses. Bats also act as important carriers of fungi, which include plant, animal, and human pathogens. Their roosting areas, foraging behaviors, and even migration routes make bats ideal vectors for fungi. We isolated 75 culturable fungal species from bats in Yunnan Province, China, with 36 species representing known pathogens of plants, animals, and humans, while 39 species are non-pathogenic fungi. Among these species, 77% (58 species) belonged to Ascomycota, 9% (seven species) belonged to Basidiomycota, and 13% (10 species) belonged to Mucoromycota. Even though several taxonomic studies on fungi associated with bats have been published, studies exploring the role of bats as fungal vectors are lacking. This study discusses the fungi host-specific traits and pathogenicity and the impact and ecological significance of bats as fungal vectors., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is a popular fruit crop that is widely cultivated in Thailand. In November 2023, brown spot disease on guava was observed during postharvest storage at 22 to 31°C and 70 to 75% relative humidity over a period of 3 to 7 days in Fang District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The disease incidence was ~20% of 100 fruits per pallet box. The disease severity on each fruit ranged from 40 to 70% of the surface area affected by lesions. The symptoms appeared as circular to irregular brown to dark brown spots, ranging from 5 to 30 mm in diameter. Fungi were isolated from lesions using a single conidial isolation method (Choi et al. 1999). Two fungal isolates (SDBR-CMU497 and SDBR-CMU498) with similar morphology were obtained. Colonies on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and malt extract agar (MEA) were 65 to 67 and 29 to 38 mm in diameter, respectively after incubation for 1 week at 25°C. Colonies on PDA and MEA were flat, slightly undulate, greenish gray in the center, greyish green at the margin; reverse black. Both isolates produced asexual structures. Pycnidia were black, granular, and grouped. Conidiogenous cells were hyaline, subcylindrical to cylindrical, 8.5 to 17.5 × 3 to 5.5 µm. Conidia were single-celled, hyaline, obovoid to ellipsoid, 5.2 to 9.4 × 3.6 to 7.5 µm (n = 50), smooth-walled, with a single apical appendage. Morphologically, both isolates resembled Phyllosticta capitalensis (Wikee et al. 2013). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, large subunit (nrLSU), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-α), actin (act), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) genes were amplified using primer pairs ITS5/ITS4, LROR/LRO5, EF1-728F/EF2, ACT-512F/ACT-783R, and GPD1-LM/GPD2-LM, respectively (White et al. 1990; Zhang et al. 2022). Sequences were deposited in GenBank (ITS: PP946770, PP946771; nrLSU: PP948677, PP948678; tef1-α: PP948012, PP948013; act: PP948014, PP948015; GAPDH: PP948016, PP948017). Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses of the concatenated five genes identified both isolates as P. capitalensis. Thus, both morphology and molecular data confirmed the fungus as P. capitalensis. To confirm pathogenicity, healthy commercial guava fruits cultivar Kim Ju were surface disinfected by 0.1% NaClO for 3 min, rinsed three times with sterile distilled water, and wounded (Cruz-Lagunas et al. 2023). Conidia were collected from 2-week-old cultures on PDA and suspended in sterile distilled water. Fifteen microliters of a 1 × 106 conidia/ml suspension were dropped onto the wounded fruits. Mock inoculations were used as a control with sterile distilled water. Ten replications were conducted for each treatment and repeated twice. The inoculated fruits were stored in individual sterile plastic boxes at 25°C with 80 to 90% relative humidity. After 7 days, all inoculated fruits exhibited brown to dark brown lesions, while control fruits were asymptomatic. Phyllosticta capitalensis was consistently reisolated from the inoculated tissues on PDA to complete Koch's postulates. Prior to this study, P. capitalensis was known to cause brown or black spot disease on guava fruits cultivated in fields in China (Liao et al. 2020), Egypt (Arafat 2018), and Mexico (Cruz-Lagunas et al. 2023). To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. capitalensis causing postharvest brown spot disease on guava fruit in Thailand. The results will inform epidemiological investigations and future approaches to managing this disease.

Zhujiangyuan Nature Reserve, located in Qujing City, Yunnan Province, China, is reported with high fauna and floral diversity, while the fungal diversity of the region is poorly documented. During the summer season in 2023, decaying wood-inhabiting microfungi were collected from different microhabitats. The novel species were identified based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses (based on combined datasets of ITS, LSU, SSU, tef 1-α, and rpb 2 regions). Two species belong to Dothideomycetes ( viz. , Spegazziniazhujiangyuanensis sp. nov. and Phaeoseptumzhujiangyuanense sp. nov. in Pleosporales) while the other one resides in Sordariomycetes ( Synnemasporellafanii sp. nov. in Diaporthales). The results are in conformity with the earlier studies that predicted higher fungal diversity in this region., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Gui-Qing Zhang, Nalin N. Wijayawardene, Li-Hong Han, Jaturong Kumla, Nakarin Suwannarach, Qiang Li, Abdallah M. Elgorban, Ihab M. Moussa, Claudia Coleine, Dong-Qin Dai.)

Several strains of Trichoderma are applied in the field to control plant diseases due to their capacity to suppress fungal pathogens and control plant diseases. Some Trichoderma strains also are able to promote plant growth through the production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). In southern Thailand, the local rice variety "Chor Khing" is mainly cultivated in the Songkhla province; it is characterized by slow growth and is susceptible to sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani . Therefore, this research aimed to screen Trichoderma species with the ability to promote plant growth in this rice variety and enact biological control against R. solani . A total of 21 Trichoderma isolates were screened for indole compound production using the Salkowski reagent. The Z2-03 isolate reacted positively to the Salkowski reagent, indicating the production of the indole compound. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPCL) confirmed that Z2-03 produced IAA at 35.58 ± 7.60 μg/mL. The cell-free culture filtrate of the potato dextrose broth (CF) of Z2-03 induced rice germination in rice seeds, yielding root and shoot lengths in cell-free CF-treated rice that were significantly higher than those of the control (distilled water and culture broth alone). Furthermore, inoculation with Trichoderma conidia promoted rice growth and induced a defense response against R. solani during the seedling stage. Trichoderma Z2-03 displayed an antifungal capacity against R. solani , achieving 74.17% inhibition (as measured through dual culture assay) and the production of siderophores on the CAS medium. The pot experiment revealed that inoculation with the Trichoderma sp. Z2-03 conidial suspension increased the number of tillers and the plant height in the "Chor Khing" rice variety, and suppressed the percentage of disease incidence (PDI). The Trichoderma isolate Z2-03 was identified, based on the morphology and molecular properties of ITS, translation elongation factor 1-alpha ( tef1-α ), and RNA polymerase 2 ( rpb2 ), as Trichoderma breve Z2-03. Our results reveal the ability of T. breve Z2-03 to act as a plant growth promoter, enhancing growth and development in the "Chor Khing" rice variety, as well as a biological control agent through its competition and defense induction mechanism in this rice variety.

Most species of Dothiora are known from the dead parts of various host plants as saprobic fungi in terrestrial habitats occurring in tropical and temperate regions. In the present study, samples of Dothiora were collected from dead twigs and branches of Capparis spinosa , Rhaponticum repens , and an unknown angiosperm plant from the Tashkent and Jizzakh regions of Uzbekistan. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses based on a combined ITS, LSU, SSU, TEF1 , and TUB2 sequence data revealed their taxonomic positions within the Dothideaceae. Three new species of Dothiora , namely, Dothiora capparis , Dothiora rhapontici , and Dothiora uzbekistanica were proposed by molecular and morphological data. Likewise, the phylogenetic relationship and morphology of Dothiora are discussed. In addition, we provide a list of accepted Dothiora species, including host information, distribution, morphology descriptions, and availability of sequence data, to enhance the current knowledge of the diversity within Dothiora ., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author SH declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision., (Copyright © 2024 Senwanna, Hongsanan, Khuna, Kumla, Yarasheva, Gafforov, Abdurazakov and Suwannarach.)

This article presents the results of an ongoing inventory of Ascomycota in Yunnan, China, carried out as part of the research project series "Exploring ascomycete diversity in Yunnan". From over 100 samples collected from diverse host substrates, microfungi have been isolated, identified and are currently being documented. The primary objective of this research is to promote the discovery of novel taxa and explore the ascomycete diversity in the region, utilising a morphology-phylogeny approach. This article represents the second series of species descriptions for the project and introduces three undocumented species found in the families Bambusicolaceae, Dictyosporiaceae and Periconiaceae, belonging to the suborder Massarineae (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes). These novel taxa exhibit typical morphological characteristics of Bambusicola , Periconia and Trichobotrys , leading to their designation as Bambusicolahongheensis , Periconiakunmingensis and Trichobotryssinensis . Comprehensive multigene phylogenetic analyses were conducted to validate the novelty of these species. The results revealed well-defined clades that are clearly distinct from other related species, providing robust support for their placement within their respective families. Notably, this study unveils the phylogenetic affinity of Trichobotrys within Dictyosporiaceae for the first time. Additionally, the synanamorphism for the genus Trichobotrys is also reported for the first time. Detailed descriptions, illustrations and updated phylogenies of the novel species are provided, and thus presenting a valuable resource for researchers and mycologists interested in the diversity of ascomycetes in Yunnan. By enhancing our understanding of the Ascomycota diversity in this region, this research contributes to the broader field of fungal taxonomy and their phylogenetic understanding., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Rungtiwa Phookamsak, Sinang Hongsanan, Darbhe Jayarama Bhat, Dhanushka N. Wanasinghe, Itthayakorn Promputtha, Nakarin Suwannarach, Jaturong Kumla, Ning Xie, Turki M. Dawoud, Peter E. Mortimer, Jianchu Xu, Saisamorn Lumyong.)

The tropical areas in southern and south-western Yunnan are rich in fungal diversity. Additionally, the diversity of seed flora in Yunnan Province is higher than in other regions in China and the abundant endemic species of woody plants provide favourable substrates for fungi. Rubber plantations in Yunnan Province are distributed over a large area, especially in Xishuangbanna. During a survey of rubber-associated fungi in Yunnan Province, China, dead rubber branches with fungal fruiting bodies were collected. Morphological characteristics and multigene phylogenetic analyses (ITS, LSU, SSU, rpb 2 and tef 1-α) revealed four distinct new species, described herein as Melomastiapuerensis , Nigrogranalincangensis , Pseudochaetosphaeronemalincangensis and Pseudochaetosphaeronemaxishuangbannaensis . Detailed descriptions, illustrations and phylogenetic trees are provided to show the taxonomic placements of these new species., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Rui-Fang Xu, Samantha C. Karunarathna, Chayanard Phukhamsakda, Dong-Qin Dai, Abdallah M. Elgorban, Nakarin Suwannarach, Jaturong Kumla, Xiao-Yan Wang, Saowaluck Tibpromma.)

Background: Spathaspora passalidarum is a yeast with the highly effective capability of fermenting several monosaccharides in lignocellulosic hydrolysates, especially xylose. However, this yeast was shown to be sensitive to furfural released during pretreatment and hydrolysis processes of lignocellulose biomass. We aimed to improve furfural tolerance in a previously isolated S. passalidarum CMUWF1-2, which presented thermotolerance and no detectable glucose repression, via adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE)., Results: An adapted strain, AF2.5, was obtained from 17 sequential transfers of CMUWF1-2 in YPD broth with gradually increasing furfural concentration. Strain AF2.5 could tolerate higher concentrations of furfural, ethanol and 5-hydroxymethyl furfuraldehyde (HMF) compared with CMUWF1-2 while maintaining the ability to utilize glucose and other sugars simultaneously. Notably, the lag phase of AF2.5 was 2 times shorter than that of CMUWF1-2 in the presence of 2.0 g/l furfural, which allowed the highest ethanol titers to be reached in a shorter period. To investigate more in-depth effects of furfural, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation was observed and, in the presence of 2.0 g/l furfural, AF2.5 exhibited 3.41 times less ROS accumulation than CMUWF1-2 consistent with the result from nuclear chromatins diffusion, which the cells number of AF2.5 with diffuse chromatins was also 1.41 and 1.24 times less than CMUWF1-2 at 24 and 36 h, respectively., Conclusions: An enhanced furfural tolerant strain of S. passalidarum was achieved via ALE techniques, which shows faster and higher ethanol productivity than that of the wild type. Not only furfural tolerance but also ethanol and HMF tolerances were improved., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Mycelium-based bio-composites (MBCs) represent a sustainable and innovative material with high potential for contemporary applications, particularly in the field of modern interior design. This research investigates the fabrication of MBCs for modern interior materials using agro-industrial wastes (bamboo sawdust and corn pericarp) and different fungal species. The study focuses on determining physical properties, including moisture content, shrinkage, density, water absorption, volumetric swelling, thermal degradation, and mechanical properties (bending, compression, impact, and tensile strength). The results indicate variations in moisture content and shrinkage based on fungal species and substrate types, with bamboo sawdust exhibiting lower shrinkage. The obtained density values range from 212.31 to 282.09 kg/m 3 , comparable to traditional materials, suggesting MBCs potential in diverse fields, especially as modern interior elements. Water absorption and volumetric swelling demonstrate the influence of substrate and fungal species, although they do not significantly impact the characteristics of interior decoration materials. Thermal degradation analysis aligns with established patterns, showcasing the suitability of MBCs for various applications. Scanning electron microscope observations reveal the morphological features of MBCs, emphasizing the role of fungal mycelia in binding substrate particles. Mechanical properties exhibit variations in bending, compression, impact, and tensile strength, with MBCs demonstrating compatibility with traditional materials used in interior elements. Those produced from L. sajor-caju and G. fornicatum show especially promising characteristics in this context. Particularly noteworthy are their superior compression and impact strength, surpassing values observed in certain synthetic foams multiple times. Moreover, this study reveals the biodegradability of MBCs, reaching standards for environmentally friendly materials. A comprehensive comparison with traditional materials further supports the potential of MBCs in sustainable material. Challenges in standardization, production scalability, and market adoption are identified, emphasizing the need for ongoing research, material engineering advancements, and biotechnological innovations. These efforts aim to enhance MBC properties, promoting sustainability in modern interior applications, while also facilitating their expansion into mass production within the innovative construction materials market.

Exo-electrogenic microorganisms are characterized by their special metabolic capability of transferring metabolic electrons out of their cell, into insoluble external electron acceptors such as iron or manganese oxides and electrodes, or vice versa take up electron from electrodes. Their conventional application is primarily limited to microbial fuel cells for electrical power generation and microbial electrolysis cells for the production of value-added products such as biohydrogen, biomethane and hydrogen peroxide. The utility of exo-electrogenic organisms has expanded into many other applications in recent times. Such examples include microbial desalination cells, microbial electro-synthesis cells producing value-added chemicals such as bio-butanol and their applications in other carbon sequestration technologies. Additionally, electrochemically-active organisms are now beginning to be employed in biosensor applications for environmental monitoring. Additionally, the utility of biocathodes in bio-electrochemical systems is also a novel application in catalyzing the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction to enhance their electrochemical performance. Advances have also been made in the expansion and use of other organisms such as the usage of photosynthetic microorganisms for the fabrication of self-sustained bio-electrochemical systems. This review attempts to provide a comprehensive picture of the state-of the art of exo-electrogenic organisms and their novel utility in bioelectrochemical systems., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

A new edible wild mushroom species, described herein as Panus sribuabanensis , was collected from local markets and natural forests located in northern Thailand. This species is characterized by its medium to large-sized basidiomata, broadly ellipsoid to ellipsoid-shaped basidiospores, dimitic hyphal system, and the absence of hyphal pegs. A molecular phylogenetic analysis of combined the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (nrLSU) of nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences supported the monophyly of P. sribuabanensis as a distinct lineage within the genus Panus . Full description, illustrations, color photographs, and a phylogenetic tree to show the placement of P. sribuabanensis are provided. The dried mushroom showed a nutritional composition within the range of 2.58%-2.67% for fat content, 27.10%-27.98% for protein, and 43.97%-44.10% for carbohydrates. The ethanolic extracts from this mushroom exhibited a total phenolic content ranging from 0.66 to 0.74 mg GAE/g dry weight (dw). Moreover, the antioxidant activities of ethanolic extracts evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (0.90-1.08 mg TE/g dw) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (0.93-1.08 mg TE/g dw) assays demonstrate higher activity compared to the 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay (0.44-0.51 mg TE/g dw). The outcomes of this study provide significant information on the nutritional value, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity potential of this new mushroom species discovered in northern Thailand., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing or financial interests., (© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group on behalf of the Korean Society of Mycology.)

This study pursued the goal of creating value-added co-products through an environmentally friendly biorefinery approach, employing ultrasonically assisted deep eutectic solvent (DES)-pretreated Chlorella biomass. The primary focus was on generating enriched biodiesel feedstock with exceptional fuel properties and developing hydroponic biofertilizer. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of a two-step process involving a 5-minute ultrasound-assisted DES pretreatment followed by ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction, which efficiently extracted lipids from Chlorella biomass, yielding biodiesel-quality lipids with good cetane number (59.42) and high heating value (40.11 MJ/kg). Notably, this two-step approach (78.04 mg-lipid/g-microalgal biomass) led to a significant 2.10-fold increase in lipid extraction compared to a one-step process (37.15 mg-lipid/g-microalgal biomass) that combined ultrasound-assisted DES pretreatment and solvent extraction. Importantly, the aqueous extract derived from lipid-extracted microalgal biomass residues (LMBRs) showed promise as a component in hydroponic biofertilizer production, supporting lettuce growth in hydroponic deep water culture system. Consequently, microalgae biorefinery co-products hold tremendous potential in enhancing the profitability and sustainability of interconnected sectors, encompassing renewable energy, agriculture, and the environment., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Several soil fungi significantly contribute to the enhancement of plant development by improving nutrient uptake and producing growth-promoting metabolites. In the present study, three strains of phosphate-solubilizing fungi, namely, Aspergillus chiangmaiensis SDBR-CMUI4, A. pseudopiperis SDBR-CMUI1, and A. pseudotubingensis SDBR-CMUO2, were examined for their plant-growth-promoting capabilities. The findings demonstrated that all fungi showed positive siderophore production, but only A. pseudopiperis can produce indole-3-acetic acid. All fungi were able to solubilize insoluble phosphate minerals [Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 and FePO 4 ] by producing phosphatase enzymes and organic acids (oxalic, tartaric, and succinic acids). These three fungal species were grown at a water activity ranging from 0.837 to 0.998, pH values ranging from 4 to 9, temperatures between 4 and 40 °C, and 16-17% NaCl in order to evaluate their drought, pH, temperature, and salt tolerances, respectively. Moreover, the results indicated that A. pseudopiperis and A. pseudotubingensis were able to tolerate commercial insecticides (methomyl and propargite) at the recommended dosages for field application. The viability of each fungal strain in the inoculum was higher than 50% at 4 and 20 °C after 3 months of storage. Subsequently, all fungi were characterized as plant-growth-promoting strains by improving the root inductions of cassava ( Manihot esculenta Crantz) and sugarcane ( Saccharum officinarum L.) stem cuttings in greenhouse experiments. No symptoms of plant disease were observed with any of the treatments involving fungal inoculation and control. The cassava and sugarcane stem cuttings inoculated with fungal strains and supplemented with Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 exhibited significantly increased root lengths, shoot and root dry biomasses, chlorophyll concentrations, and cellular inorganic phosphate contents. Therefore, the application of these phosphate-solubilizing fungi is regarded as a new frontier in the induction of roots and the promotion of growth in plants.

Members of the family Herpotrichiellaceae are distributed worldwide and can be found in various habitats including on insects, plants, rocks, and in the soil. They are also known to be opportunistic human pathogens. In this study, 12 strains of rock-inhabiting fungi that belong to Herpotrichiellaceae were isolated from rock samples collected from forests located in Lamphun and Sukhothai provinces of northern Thailand during the period from 2021 to 2022. On the basis of the morphological characteristics, growth temperature, and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of a combination of the internal transcribed spacer, the large subunit, and the small subunit of ribosomal RNA, beta tubulin and the translation elongation factor 1-a genes, the new genus, Petriomyces gen. nov., has been established to accommodate the single species, Pe. obovoidisporus sp. nov. In addition, three new species of Cladophialophora have also been introduced, namely, Cl. rupestricola , Cl. sribuabanensis , and Cl. thailandensis . Descriptions, illustrations, and a phylogenetic trees indicating the placement of these new taxa are provided. Here, we provide updates and discussions on the phylogenetic placement of other fungal genera within Herpotrichiellaceae ., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Thitla, Kumla, Hongsanan, Senwanna, Khuna, Lumyong and Suwannarach.)

Giant philodendron (Philodendron giganteum Schott) is cultivated in Thailand and has become an important ornamental houseplant with great economic value. During the rainy season in July 2022, anthracnose disease on this plant was observed at a nursery in Saraphi District, Chiang Mai Province (18°40'18" N, 99°03'17" E), Thailand. The area investigated was approximately 800 m². The disease incidence was estimated at above 15% according to the total number of plants (220 plants). The disease severity of each plant was between 25 and 50% of the necrotic lesion on the leaf. Initially, symptoms with brown spots, appeared on leaves, gradually becoming enlarged, elongate, 1 to 11 cm long by 0.3 to 3.5 cm wide, irregular, sunken, dark brown, with a yellow halo surrounding each lesion. Then, the diseased leaves eventually withered and died. Leaf pieces (5 × 5 mm2) of the margins between lesions and the healthy tissue were surface sterilized in 1% NaClO for 1 min, 70% ethanol for 30 s, and rinsed three times with sterile distilled water. Tissues were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 25°C in darkness. After three days of incubation, pure fungal colonies were purified by a single hyphal tip method on PDA (Korhonen and Hintikka 1980). Two fungal isolates (SDBR-CMU471 and SDBR-CMU472) with similar morphology were obtained. Fungal colonies on PDA were white and 38 to 40 mm in diameter after 3 days of incubation at 25 °C, then grayish white with cottony mycelia, the reverse side pale yellow after one week of incubation. Both isolates produced asexual structures on PDA. Setae were brown with 1 to 3 septa, 50 to 110 × 2.4 to 4.0 µm, with a cylindrical base, and acuminate tip. Conidiophores were hyaline to pale brown, septate, and branched. Conidiogenous cells were hyaline to pale brown, cylindrical to ampulliform, 9.5 to 35 µm long (n = 50). Conidia were single-celled, straight, hyaline, smooth-walled, cylindrical, ends rounded, guttulate, 9.1 to 19.6 × 3.5 to 5.6 µm (n = 50). Appressoria were brown to dark brown, oval to irregular, smooth-walled, 5 to 10 × 5 to 7.5 µm (n = 50). Morphologically, both fungal isolates resembled members of the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex (Weir et al. 2012; Jayawardena et al. 2021). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA, actin (act), β-tubulin (tub2), calmodulin (CAL), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) genes were amplified using primer pairs ITS5/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), ACT-512F/ACT-783R (Carbone and Kohn 1999), T1/T22 (O'Donnell and Cigelnik 1997), CL1C/CL2C (Weir et al. 2012), and GDF1/GDR1 (Templeton et al. 1992), respectively. Sequences were deposited in GenBank (ITS: OQ699280, OQ699281; act: OQ727122, OQ727123; tub2: OQ727124, OQ727125; CAL: OQ727126, OQ727127; GAPDH: OQ727128, OQ727129). Multi-gene (combined data set of ITS, GAPDH, CAL, act, and tub2) maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that both isolates were identified as C. siamense with 100% support. In a pathogenicity test, leaves of healthy plants were surface sterilized with a 0.1% NaClO solution for 3 min, rinsed three times with sterile distilled water. After being air-dried, a uniform wound (5 pores, 3 mm in width) was made at the equator of each leaf using aseptic needles. Conidial suspensions were collected from two-week-old cultures and suspended in sterile distilled water with 0.05% Tween-20. Fifteen microliters of the conidial suspension (1 × 106 conidia/ml) were placed on wounded attached leaves. As well, wounded control leaves were mock inoculated with sterile distilled water. Ten replications were conducted for each treatment and experiments were repeated twice. The inoculated plants were stored in a greenhouse at conditions of 25 to 30°C and 75 to 85% relative humidity. After 14 days, all the inoculated leaves showed disease symptoms, brown lesions with yellow halos, whereas control leaves remained asymptomatic. The pathogen C. siamense was consistently re-isolated on PDA from the inoculated tissues to complete Koch's postulates. Colletotrichum siamense has been reported as a causal agent on a wide range of host plants in Thailand and throughout the world (Farr and Rossman 2021; Jayawardena et al. 2021). Prior to this study, C. endophytica, C. karsti, C. orchidearum, C. philodendricola, and C. pseudoboninense were identified as causal agents of anthracnose on philodendrons (Xue et al. 2020; Zhang et al. 2023). However, anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum species on giant philodendron (P. giganteum) has not been previously reported. Thus, we propose C. siamense as a new causal agent of anthracnose disease on giant philodendron. This study provides information for further investigation into the epidemiology and management of this disease. Moreover, further investigations should be carried out in other philodendron growing areas of Thailand in order to specifically search for this pathogen.

Fungi play many roles in different ecosystems. The precise identification of fungi is important in different aspects. Historically, they were identified based on morphological characteristics, but technological advancements such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing now enable more accurate identification and taxonomy, and higher-level classifications. However, some species, referred to as "dark taxa", lack distinct physical features that makes their identification challenging. High-throughput sequencing and metagenomics of environmental samples provide a solution to identifying new lineages of fungi. This paper discusses different approaches to taxonomy, including PCR amplification and sequencing of rDNA, multi-loci phylogenetic analyses, and the importance of various omics (large-scale molecular) techniques for understanding fungal applications. The use of proteomics, transcriptomics, metatranscriptomics, metabolomics, and interactomics provides a comprehensive understanding of fungi. These advanced technologies are critical for expanding the knowledge of the Kingdom of Fungi, including its impact on food safety and security, edible mushrooms foodomics, fungal secondary metabolites, mycotoxin-producing fungi, and biomedical and therapeutic applications, including antifungal drugs and drug resistance, and fungal omics data for novel drug development. The paper also highlights the importance of exploring fungi from extreme environments and understudied areas to identify novel lineages in the fungal dark taxa.

Leaf litter is an essential functional aspect of forest ecosystems, acting as a source of organic matter, a protective layer in forest soils, and a nurturing habitat for micro- and macro-organisms. Through their successional occurrence, litter-inhabiting microfungi play a key role in litter decomposition and nutrient recycling. Despite their importance in terrestrial ecosystems and their abundance and diversity, information on the taxonomy, diversity, and host preference of these decomposer taxa is scarce. This study aims to clarify the taxonomy and phylogeny of four saprobic fungal taxa inhabiting Dipterocarpus alatus leaf litter. Leaf litter samples were collected from Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. Fungal isolates were characterized based on morphology and molecular phylogeny of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS, LSU) and protein-coding genes ( tub2 , tef1-α , rpb2 ). One novel saprobic species, Ciliochorella dipterocarpi , and two new host records, Pestalotiopsis dracontomelon and Robillarda australiana , are introduced. The newly described taxa are compared with similar species, and comprehensive descriptions, micrographs, and phylogenetic trees are provided.

The Amanita subgenus Amanitina contains six sections, and the species diversity of this subgenus has still not been explored in Thailand. Twenty samples collected in 2019 and 2020, which had the morphological characteristics of the Amanita subgen. Amanitina , were observed in this study. Both the microscopical characteristics and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of the ITS, nrLSU, RPB2 , TEF1-α , and TUB gene regions revealed that the 20 samples represented nine species and dispersed into four sections. Remarkably, three taxa were different from any other currently known species. Here, we describe them as new to science, namely A. albifragilis , A. claristriata , and A. fulvisquamea . Moreover, we also recognized six interesting taxa, including four records that were new to Thailand, viz. A. cacaina , A. citrinoannulata , A. griseofarinosa , and A. neoovoidea , as well as two previously recorded species, A. caojizong and A. oberwinkleriana . Moreover, we provide the first RPB2 and TEF1-α gene sequences for A. cacaina . Detailed descriptions, illustrations as line drawings, and comparisons with related taxa are provided.

During an investigation of Diatrypaceae from southern China, 10 xylariales-like taxa have been collected. Morphological and multi-gene analyses confirmed that these taxa reside in Diatrypaceae and represent eight novel taxa and two new records belonging to six genera (viz ., Allocryptovalsa, Diatrype, Diatrypella, Paraeutypella, Peroneutypa , and Vasilyeva gen. nov.). Vasilyeva gen. nov. was proposed to accommodate Vasilyeva cinnamomi sp. nov. Among the other collections, seven new species were introduced ( viz ., Diatrype camelliae-japonicae sp. nov., Diatrype rubi sp. nov., Diatrypella guiyangensis sp. nov., Diatrypella fatsiae-japonicae sp. nov., Paraeutypella subguizhouensis sp. nov., Peroneutypa hainanensis sp. nov., and Peroneutypa qianensis sp. nov.), while two were reported as new records from China ( Allocryptovalsa rabenhorstii and Diatrype enteroxantha ). For Diatrypaceae , the traditional taxonomic approach based on morphology may not be applicable., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Li, Long, Lin, Wu, Wu, Hu, Shen, Zhang, Wijayawardene, Kang, Kumla and Kang.)

As phosphorus (P) bioavailability is limited in arable lands, chemical fertilizers are being used by farmers to increase crop production. Phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs) increase the bioavailability of sparingly soluble inorganic and organic soil phosphorus. Therefore, the current study was an effort to evaluate the phosphate-solubilizing efficiency of PSMs using tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and Eppawala rock phosphate (ERP). The efficiency of phosphate solubilization by a series of identified isolates was compared using TCP (5 g L -1 ) and ERP (5 g L -1 ) as a P source in Pikovskava's broth. Twelve microbial isolates that showed a higher efficiency in phosphate solubilization were selected for the production of the biofertilizer. The isolate F10 in ERP broth was characterized by the highest significant level of available phosphorus (896.98 ± 10.41) mg L -1 , followed by F5 ( Aspergillus sp.) in TCP broth 991.43 ± 1.37 mg L -1 . A pot trial was carried out by using Capsicum annuum L. as the test plant in two soil conditions: sterilized soil and non-sterilized soil with six treatments and four replicates. The significantly highest plant height, leaf length, and width were shown by chili plants treated with the formulated biofertilizer. Therefore, the application of native PSMs appeared to be an efficient method of solubilizing sparingly soluble P compounds into plant-available forms.

Edible wild mushrooms are extremely popular among consumers and are highly valued for their potential economic benefits in northern Thailand. In this present study, a total of 19 specimens of edible Amanita were collected during investigations of wild edible mushrooms in northern Thailand during the period from 2019 to 2022. Their morphological characteristics and the phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and partial large subunit (nrLSU) of ribosomal RNA, RNA polymerase II second-largest subunit ( rpb2 ) and partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha ( tef-1 ) indicated that the collected specimens belonged to A . hemibapha , A . pseudoprinceps , A . rubromarginata , A . subhemibapha , and Amanita section Caesareae . This is the first report of A . pseudoprinceps and A . subhemibapha from Thailand. Full descriptions, illustrations and a phylogenetic placement of all specimens collected in this study are provided. Subsequently, the nutritional composition and total phenolic content, as well as the antioxidant and α -glucosidase inhibitory activities, of each species were investigated. The results indicate that the protein contents in both A . pseudoprinceps and A . subhemibapha were significantly higher than in A . hemibapha and A . rubromarginata . The highest total phenolic content was found in the extract of A . pseudoprinceps . In terms of antioxidant properties, the extract of A . pseudoprinceps also exhibited significantly high antioxidant activity by 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. However, the extract of A . rubromarginata had the lowest total phenolic content and level of antioxidant activity. Additionally, α -glucosidase inhibitory activity varied for different Amanita species and the highest level of α -glucosidase inhibitory activity was found in the extract of A . pseudoprinceps . This study provides valuable information on the nutrient content, phenolic content and the antioxidant and α -glucosidase inhibitory potential of edible Amanita species found in northern Thailand.

Fruit rot caused by phytopathogenic fungi is one of the major diseases affecting watermelons ( Citrullus lanatus ) around the world, which can result in unmarketable fruits and significant economic losses. Fruit rot was observed on watermelons throughout the postharvest storage periods in Phayao Province, northern Thailand in 2022. For the present study, a total of ten fungal isolates were isolated from the rot lesions of watermelons. All obtained fungal isolates were then characterized in terms of their pathogenicity. The results indicated that only four fungal isolates caused rot disease with similar symptoms during the postharvest storage period. Based on their morphological characteristics, these four fungal isolates were identified as belonging to the genus Fusarium . Using multi-gene phylogenetic analyses with a combination of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha ( tef-1 ), calmodulin ( cam ), and RNA polymerase second largest subunit ( rpb2 ) genes, the fungal isolates were subsequently identified as Fusarium compactum and F. paranaense . Taken together, the results of this study indicate that F. compactum and F. paranaense cause fruit rot disease in watermelons. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report F. compactum and F. paranaense as novel pathogens of watermelon fruit rot both in Thailand and elsewhere in the world.

Our recent research study focused on Miang fermentation revealed that tannin-tolerant yeasts and bacteria play vital roles in the Miang production process. A high proportion of yeast species are associated with plants, insects, or both, and nectar is one of the unexplored sources of yeast biodiversity. Therefore, this study aimed to isolate and identify yeasts of tea flowers of Camellia sinensis var. assamica and to investigate their tannin tolerance, which is a property essential to Miang production processes. A total of 82 yeasts were recovered from a total of 53 flower samples in Northern Thailand. It was found that two and eight yeast strains were distinct from all other known species within the genera Metschnikowia and Wickerhamiella , respectively. These yeast strains were described as three new species, namely, Metschnikowia lannaensis , Wickerhamiella camelliae , and W. thailandensis . The identification of these species was based on phenotypic (morphological, biochemical, and physiological characteristics) and phylogenetic analyses of a combination of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) ribosomal RNA gene. The yeast diversity in tea flowers acquired from Chiang Mai, Lampang, and Nan provinces had a positive correlation with those acquired from Phayao, Chiang Rai, and Phrae, respectively. Wickerhamiella azyma , Candida leandrae , and W. thailandensis were the species uniquely found in tea flowers collected from Nan and Phrae, Chiang Mai, and Lampang provinces, respectively. Some of the tannin-tolerant and/or tannase-producing yeasts were associated with yeasts in the commercial Miang process and those found during Miang production, i.e., C. tropicalis , Hyphopichia burtonii , Meyerozyma caribbica , Pichia manshurica , C. orthopsilosis , Cyberlindnera fabianii , Hanseniaspora uvarum , and Wickerhamomyces anomalus . In conclusion, these studies suggest that floral nectar could support the formation of yeast communities that are beneficial for Miang production., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Kanpiengjai, Kodchasee, Unban, Kumla, Lumyong, Khunnamwong, Sarkar, Shetty and Khanongnuch.)

Termite mushrooms have been classified to the genus Termitomyces , family Lyophyllaceae , order Agaricales . These mushrooms form a mutualistic association with termites in the subfamily Macrotermitinae . In fact, all Termitomyces species are edible and have unique food value attributed to their texture, flavour, nutrient content, and beneficial mediational properties. Additionally, Termitomyces have been recognized for their ethno-medicinal importance in various indigenous communities throughout Asia and Africa. Recent studies on Termitomyces have indicated that their bioactive compounds have the potential to fight against certain human diseases such as cancer, hyperlipidaemia, gastroduodenal diseases, and Alzheimer's. Furthermore, they possess various beneficial antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Moreover, different enzymes produced from Termitomyces have the potential to be used in a range of industrial applications. Herein, we present a brief review of the current findings through an overview of recently published literature involving taxonomic updates, diversity, distribution, ethno-medicinal uses, nutritional value, medicinal importance, and industrial implementations of Termitomyces , as well as its socioeconomic importance.

Cyanobacteria are rich in phytochemicals, which have beneficial impacts on the prevention of many diseases. This study aimed to comprehensively characterize phytochemicals and evaluate multifunctional bioactivities in the ethanolic extract of the cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya sp. KC45. Results found that the extract mainly contained chlorophylls, carotenoids, phenolics, and flavonoids. Through LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis, 38 phenolic compounds with promising bioactivities were discovered, and a higher diversity of flavonoids was found among the phenolic compounds identified. The extract effectively absorbed the harmful UV rays and showed high antioxidant activity on DPPH, ABTS, and PFRAP. The extract yielded high-efficiency inhibitory effects on enzymes (tyrosinase, collagenase, ACE, and α-glucosidase) related to diseases. Interestingly, the extract showed a strong cytotoxic effect on cancer cells (skin A375, lung A549, and colon Caco-2), but had a much smaller effect on normal cells, indicating a satisfactory level of safety for the extract. More importantly, the combination of the DNA ladder assay and the TUNEL assay proved the appearance of DNA fragmentation in cancer cells after a 48 h treatment with the extract, confirming the apoptosis mechanisms. Our findings suggest that cyanobacterium extract could be potentially used as a functional ingredient for various industrial applications in foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Fruit rot of cucurbits caused by several pathogenic fungi has become an important postharvest disease worldwide. In 2022, fruit rot on watermelon ( Citrullus lanatus ) and muskmelon ( Cucumis melo ) was observed during the postharvest storage phase in the Chiang Mai and Phitsanulok Provinces of northern Thailand. These diseases can lead to significant economic losses. This present study was conducted to isolate the causal agent of fungi in lesions of fruit rot. A total of four fungal isolates were obtained, of which two isolates (SDBR-CMU422 and SDBR-CMU423) were obtained from rot lesions of watermelons, while the remaining isolates (SDBR-CMU424 and SDBR-CMU425) were obtained from rot lesions of muskmelons. All fungal isolates were identified using both morphological characteristics and molecular analyses. Morphologically, all isolated fungal isolates were classified into the genus Fusarium . Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of a combination of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha ( tef-1 ), calmodulin ( cam ), and RNA polymerase second largest subunit ( rpb2 ) genes reveled that four fungal isolates belonged to the Fusarium incarnatum - equiseti species complex and were distinct from all other known species. Thus, we have described them as two new species, namely F. citrullicola (SDBR-CMU422 and SDBR-CMU423) and F. melonis (SDBR-CMU424 and SDBR-CMU425). A full description, illustrations, and a phylogenetic tree indicating the position of both new species have been provided. Moreover, pathogenicity tests were subsequently performed and the results showed that F. citrullicola and F. melonis caused symptoms of fruit rot on inoculated watermelon and muskmelon fruits, respectively. Notably, this outcome was indicative of the symptoms that appeared during the postharvest storage phase. To our knowledge, two new pathogenic fungi, F. citrullicola and F. melonis , are new causal agents of watermelon and muskmelon fruit rot, respectively. Importantly, these findings provide valuable information for the development of effective strategies for the monitoring and prevention of these diseases., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) are characterized as biodegradable materials derived from fungal species. These composites can be employed across a range of industrial applications that involve the manufacturing of packaging materials as well as the manufacturing of buildings, furniture, and various other household items. However, different fungal species and substrates can directly affect the functional properties of MBCs, which ultimately vary their potential to be used in many applications. In this study, the mechanical, physical, and chemical properties of MBCs made from four different fungal species (Ganoderma fornicatum, Ganoderma williamsianum, Lentinus sajor-caju, and Schizophyllum commune) combined with three different types of lignocellulosic residues (sawdust, corn husk, and rice straw) were investigated. The results indicate that differences in both the type of lignocellulosic residues and the fungal species could affect the properties of the obtained MBCs. It was found that the MBCs obtained from sawdust had the highest degree of density. Moreover, MBCs obtained from S. commune with all three types of lignocellulosic residues exhibited the highest shrinkage value. The greatest degree of water absorption was observed in the MBCs obtained from rice straw, followed by those obtained from corn husk and sawdust. Additionally, the thermal degradation ability of the MBCs was observed to be within a range of 200 to 325 °C, which was in accordance with the thermal degradation ability of each type of lignocellulosic residue. The greatest degrees of compressive, flexural, impact, and tensile strength were observed in the MBCs of G. williamsianum and L. sajor-caju. The results indicate that the MBCs made from corn husk, combined with each fungal species, exhibited the highest values of flexural, impact, and tensile strength. Subsequently, an analysis of the chemical properties indicated that the pH value, nitrogen content, and organic matter content of the obtained MBCs were within the following ranges: 4.67−6.12, 1.05−1.37%, and 70.40−86.28%, respectively. The highest degree of electrical conductivity was observed in MBCs obtained from rice straw. Most of the physical and mechanical properties of the obtained MBCs were similar to those of polyimide and polystyrene foam. Therefore, these composites could be used to further develop relevant strategies that may allow manufacturers to effectively replace polyimide and polystyrene foams in the future., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

The rose apple (Syzygium samarangense (Blume) Merr. & L.M.Perry) plant has been commonly cultivated in Thailand. In May of 2022, leaf spot disease of rose apple was discovered in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, with approximately 30% disease incidence. The typical symptoms initially showed brown spots (0.1 to 0.5 mm in diameter) with a yellow halo surrounding. These spots then expanded with black edges and the infected leaves appear blighted and desiccated. In humid conditions, pale yellow conidiomata formed on the lesions. Small pieces (5 × 5 mm2) of the margins between lesions and the healthy tissue were surface disinfected with 1% NaClO for 1 min, 70% ethanol for 30 s, and washed three times with sterile distilled water. Tissues were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 25 ºC for three days. Three fungal isolates (SDBR-CMU419, SDBR-CMU420, and SDBR-CMU421) were obtained that exhibited similar morphology. Fungal colonies appeared white to gray with cottony mycelia after incubation on PDA at 25 ºC for one week. All fungal isolates produced asexual morph on PDA. Setae were 5590 × 2.53.5 µm, brown with 13-septa, cylindrical base, and tip rounded. Conidiophores were hyaline to pale brown, septate, and branched. Conidiogenous cells were hyaline to pale brown, cylindrical to ampulliform, 2050 µm long (n = 50). Conidia were one-celled, hyaline, smooth-walled, aseptate, straight, cylindrical, end round, guttulate, 1017 × 35 µm (n = 50). Appressoria were mostly formed from mycelia, oval to irregular, brown to dark brown, smooth-walled, 610 × 57 µm (n = 50). Morphologically, all fungal isolates resembled to Colletotrichum (Weir et al. 2012; Jayawardena et al. 2021). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA, actin (act), β-tubulin (tub2), calmodulin (CAL), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were amplified using primer pairs ITS5/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), ACT-512F/ACT-783R (Carbone and Kohn 1999), T1/T22 (O'Donnell and Cigelnik 1997), CL1C/CL2C (Weir et al. 2012), and GDF1/GDR1 (Templeton et al. 1992), respectively. The ITS (ON740892 to ON740894), act (ON759242 to ON759244), tub2 (ON759245 to ON759247), CAL (ON759248 to ON759250), and GAPDH (ON759251 to ON759253) sequences were deposited in GenBank. Multi-gene (combined data set of ITS, GAPDH, CAL, act, and tub2) maximum phylogenetic analyses indicated that all fungal isolates clustered with C. siamense ICMP 18578 (type strain) with strong statistical (99% ML) support. For pathogenicity test, asymptomatic leaves, stems and fruits detached from healthy plants were surface disinfected using 0.1% NaClO for 3 min, washed three times with sterile distilled water, and air-dried. A uniform wound (3 pores, 1 mm in width) was made at the equator of each leaf, stem and fruit using aseptic needles. Mycelial plugs (5 mm in diameter) and conidia suspensions (1 × 106 conidia/ml) of each fungal isolate grown on PDA at 25 ºC for one week were used to inoculate both wounded and unwounded samples by the detached method (Huda‑Shakirah et al. 2022; Suwannarach et al. 2022). Plugs of PDA and sterile distilled water were used as controls. Ten replications were performed for each treatment and the experiment was repeated twice. All inoculated samples were incubated in a moist chamber at 25 ºC with 90% relative humidity. The disease severity index was used to evaluate the specimens (Acar et al. 2008; Ngegba et al. 2017). After one week, both wounded and unwounded leaves that inoculated with mycelial plugs and conidia suspensions showed brown leaf spots and a weak infection. Mycelial plugs inoculated on both wounded and unwounded fruits revealed a moderate infection, but inoculation of conidia suspensions showed a weak infection. No symptoms of disease were observed on the inoculated stems. Control leaves, stems and fruits remained asymptomatic. The pathogen C. siamense was re-isolated from spot and rot lesions on PDA in order to fulfill Koch's postulates. Phoulivong et al. (2012) reported that C. siamense is a causal agent of fruit rot in rose apples cultivated in Lao and Thailand. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. siamense causing leaf spots on rose apple plants in Thailand. Importantly, these findings will provide crucial information for epidemiologic studies and in the development of appropriate management strategies for this newly emerging disease.

This paper highlights the taxonomy of some interesting saprobic microfungi associated with dead plant materials of Hedychium coronarium , Lilium longiflorum , and Magnolia species. The taxa reported in this study belong to the orders Pleosporales and Kirschsteiniotheliales ( Dothideomycetes ). These taxa were identified based on multi-locus phylogeny of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) (LSU, SSU, and ITS) and protein-coding genes ( tef1-α and rpb2 ), together with comprehensive morphological characterization. Two novel saprobic species, Leptoparies magnoliae sp. nov. and Neobambusicola magnoliae sp. nov., are introduced from Magnolia species in Thailand. Another new species, Asymmetrispora zingiberacearum sp. nov., is also described from dead stems of H. coronarium , which is the first asexual morph species of the genus Asymmetrispora. In addition, Ramusculicola thailandica and Kirschsteiniothelia thailandica are reported as new host records from dead twigs of Magnolia species. Sphaerellopsis paraphysata is reported as a new host record from L. longiflorum . Newly described taxa are compared with other similar species and detailed descriptions, micrographs, and phylogenetic trees to show the positions are provided.

This study performs an integrated evaluation of the formation and distribution of algal-bacterial bioflocs in aquaculture wastewater supplemented with agricultural waste, together with an assessment of their behavior in the microbial community and of the water quality of the system in which a new bioaugmentation strategy was applied. Results indicated that the dual bioaugmentation strategy via the consortium addition of bacteria and microalgae had the highest formation performance, providing the most compact biofloc structure (0.59 g/L), excellent settleability (71.91%), and a large particle diameter (4.25 mm). The fed-batch supplementation of molasses and rice bran, in terms of changes in the values of COD, NH 4 + , NO 3 - , and PO 4 3- , stimulated the formation of biofloc through algal-bacterial bioflocs and microbe-rice bran complexes within a well-established microbial community. These findings provide new insight into the influence of bioaugmentation on the formation of an innovative algal-bacterial biofloc., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The genus Alternaria is comprised of well-known plant pathogens causing various important diseases in plants, as well as being common allergens in animals and humans. Species of Alternaria can be found as saprobes associated with various dead plant materials. This research aims to enhance the taxonomy of saprobic species in the genus Alternaria found on grasses and herbaceous plants from Italy, based on multi-locus phylogenetic analyses of a concatenated ITS, LSU, SSU, tef1-α , rpb2 , gapdh and Alt-a1 DNA sequence dataset combined with morphological characteristics. Multi-locus phylogenetic analyses demonstrated six novel species belonging to the genus Alternaria sect. Alternaria as: A. muriformispora sp. nov., A. obpyriconidia sp. nov., A. ovoidea sp. nov., A. pseudoinfectoria sp. nov., A. rostroconidia sp. nov. and A. torilis sp. nov. Detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations and an updated phylogenetic relationship of taxa in the genus Alternaria sect. Alternaria are provided herein.

The continually expanding use of plastic throughout our world, along with the considerable increase in agricultural productivity, has resulted in a worrying increase in global waste and related environmental problems. The reuse and replacement of plastic with biomaterials, as well as the recycling of agricultural waste, are key components of a strategy to reduce plastic waste. Agricultural waste is characterized as lignocellulosic materials that mainly consist of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Saprobe fungi are able to convert agricultural waste into nutrients for their own growth and to facilitate the creation of mycelium-based composites (MBC) through bio-fabrication processes. Remarkably, different fungal species, substrates, and pressing and drying methods have resulted in varying chemical, mechanical, physical, and biological properties of the resulting composites that ultimately vary the functional aspects of the finished MBC. Over the last two decades, several innovative designs have produced a variety of MBC that can be applied across a range of industrial uses including in packaging and in the manufacturing of household items, furniture, and building materials that can replace foams, plastics, and wood products. Materials developed from MBC can be considered highly functional materials that offer renewable and biodegradable benefits as promising alternatives. Therefore, a better understanding of the beneficial properties of MBC is crucial for their potential applications in a variety of fields. Here, we have conducted a brief review of the current findings of relevant studies through an overview of recently published literature on MBC production and the physical, mechanical, chemical, and biological properties of these composites for use in innovative architecture, construction, and product designs. The advantages and disadvantages of various applications of mycelium-based materials (MBM) in various fields have been summarized. Finally, patent trends involving the use of MBM as a new and sustainable biomaterial have also been reviewed. The resulting knowledge can be used by researchers to develop and apply MBC in the form of eco-friendly materials in the future.

As a result of an ongoing survey of microfungi associated with garden and ornamental plants in Qijing, Yunnan, China, several saprobic fungal taxa were isolated from Magnolia grandiflora . Both morphological and combined SSU, LSU, ITS, tef1 , and rpb2 locus phylogenetic analyses (maximum-likelihood and Bayesian analyses) were carried out to identify the fungal taxa. Three new species are introduced in Pleosporales, viz ., Lonicericola qujingensis ( Parabambusicolaceae ), Phragmocamarosporium magnoliae , and Periacma qujingensis ( Lentitheciaceae ). Botryosphaeria dothidea, Diplodia mutila , and Diplodia seriata (in Botryosphaeriaceae ) are reported from Magnolia grandiflora for the first time in China. Angustimassarina populi ( Amorosiaceae ) is reported for the first time on M. grandiflora from China, and this is the first report of a member of this genus outside Europe. Shearia formosa is also reported for the first time on M. grandiflora from China., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Wijayawardene, Dai, Zhu, Wanasinghe, Kumla, Zhang, Zhang, Han, Tibpromma and Chen.)

The genus Exophiala is an anamorphic ascomycete fungus in the family Herpotrichiellaceae of the order Chaetothyriales . Exophiala species have been classified as polymorphic black yeast-like fungi. Prior to this study, 63 species had been validated, published, and accepted into this genus. Exophiala species are known to be distributed worldwide and have been isolated in various habitats around the world. Several Exophiala species have been identified as potential agents of human and animal mycoses. However, in some studies, Exophiala species have been used in agriculture and biotechnological applications. Here, we provide a brief review of the diversity, distribution, and taxonomy of Exophiala through an overview of the recently published literature. Moreover, four new Exophiala species were isolated from rocks that were collected from natural forests located in northern Thailand. Herein, we introduce these species as E. lamphunensis , E. lapidea , E. saxicola , and E. siamensis . The identification of these species was based on a combination of morphological characteristics and molecular analyses. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of a combination of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and small subunit (nrSSU) of ribosomal DNA, along with the translation elongation factor ( tef ), partial β-tubulin ( tub ), and actin ( act ) genes support that these four new species are distinct from previously known species of Exophiala . A full description, illustrations, and a phylogenetic tree showing the position of four new species are provided.

Species of Paramyrothecium that are reported as plant pathogens and cause leaf spot or leaf blight have been reported on many commercial crops worldwide. In 2019, during a survey of fungi causing leaf spots on plants in Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son provinces, northern Thailand, 16 isolates from 14 host species across nine plant families were collected. A new species Paramyrothecium vignicola sp. nov. was identified based on morphology and concatenated (ITS, cmdA , rpb2 , and tub2 ) phylogeny. Further, P. breviseta and P. foliicola represented novel geographic records to Thailand, while P. eichhorniae represented a novel host record ( Psophocarpus sp., Centrosema sp., Aristolochia sp.). These species were confirmed to be the causal agents of the leaf spot disease through pathogenicity assay. Furthermore, cross pathogenicity tests on Coffea arabica L., Commelina benghalensis L., Glycine max (L.) Merr., and Dieffenbachia seguine (Jacq.) Schott revealed multiple host ranges for these pathogens. Further research is required into the host-pathogen relationship of Paramyrothecium species that cause leaf spot and their management. Biotic and abiotic stresses caused by climate change may affect plant health and disease susceptibility. Hence, proper identification and monitoring of fungal communities in the environment are important to understand emerging diseases and for implementation of disease management strategies.

During the ongoing investigation of bambusicolous ascomycetous fungi in Yunnan, China, 24 specimens belonging to the family Roussoellaceae were collected and identified based on morphological features and phylogenetic support. Maximum-likelihood (ML) analyses and Bayesian analyses were generated based on the combined data set of ITS, LSU, tef1 , and rpb2 loci. The phylogenetic analyses revealed four novel lineages in Roussoella s. str. ; thus, we introduced four new species viz. , Roussoella multiloculate sp. nov., R. papillate sp. nov., R. sinensis sp. nov., and R . uniloculata sp. nov. Their morphological characters were compared with the known Roussoella taxa, which lack sequence data in the GenBank. Asexual morphs of R. kunmingensis and R. padinae were recorded from dead bamboo culms in China (from the natural substrates) for the first time. Neoroussoella bambusae , Roussoella japanensis , R. nitidula , R. padinae , R. scabrispora, and R. tuberculate were also reported as the first records from China. All new taxa are described and illustrated in detail. Plates are provided for new reports.