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Four novel macrocyclic trichothecenes, termed mytoxins D−G (1 − 4), along with four known analogs (5 − 8), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of fermented rice inoculated with the fungus Myrothecium verrucaria PA57. Each compound features a tricyclic 12,13-epoxytrichothec-9-ene (EPT) core. Notably, mytoxin G (4) represents the first instance of a macrocyclic trichothecene incorporating a glucosyl unit within the trichothecene structure. The structures of the newly identified compounds were elucidated through comprehensive spectroscopic analysis combined with quantum chemical calculations. All isolated compounds demonstrated cytotoxic activity against the CAL27 and HCT116 cell lines, which are models for human oral squamous cell carcinoma and colorectal cancer, respectively. Specifically, mytoxin D (1) and mytoxin F (3) exhibited pronounced cytotoxic effects against both cancer cell lines, with IC 50 values ranging from 3 to 6 nmol·L−1. Moreover, compounds 1 and 3 were found to induce apoptosis in HCT116 cells by activating caspase-3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fumigant use in perennial crops can be reduced through prolonging the life of existing orchards. The longer an orchard remains healthy and productive, the less often it will be terminated, fumigated, and replanted. Two trials were conducted to determine the effectiveness of DiTera, a toxin produced by the fungus (Myrothecium verrucaria) and Nema-Q, an extract of the soap bark tree (Quillaja saponaria) for management of root-lesion (Pratylenchus vulnus) and ring (Mesocriconema xenopla) nematodes on walnuts. In the first trial, spring and fall treatments of DiTera were applied each year for four years to variety 'Chandler' scion on seedling 'Paradox' rootstock, and to own-rooted 'Chandler' trees. On 'Paradox' rootstock, both DiTera and Nema-Q increased walnut yields (P ≤ 0.05) and produced more vigorous trees (P ≤ 0.05) without significant reductions in nematode populations (P ≤ 0.05). A second trial was conducted with three rates of DiTera and four rates of Nema-Q, combinations of the two products, and an untreated control on 'Chandler' scion on 'Paradox' rootstock. The highest rate of Nema-Q (P ≤ 0.05), and a combination treatment of DiTera plus Nema-Q (P ≤ 0.05) increased trunk circumference. Several treatments showed reductions in root-lesion and ring nematodes (P ≤ 0.05). Bionematicides can improve yield, growth, and vigor in walnut orchards infested with plant-parasitic nematodes.

The effects of the bioherbicidal activity of the fungal phytopathogen, Albifimbria verrucaria (AV), formerly Myrothecium verrucaria, on glyphosate-resistant and –susceptible Conyza canadensis (horseweed) were examined in greenhouse and field studies. Spray applications of mycelial formulations of AV infected both glyphosate-resistant and -susceptible C. canadensis plants at various growth stages. Young plants in the rosette leaf stage of growth were controlled more efficaciously than were older plants that had bolted or that were in the inflorescence stage; nevertheless, severe injury and mortality also occurred in mature plants. The results indicate that this bioherbicidal fungus can infect and control C. canadensis, thereby demonstrating the potential of this fungus as a bioherbicidal agent against this troublesome weed, which has become resistant to various herbicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a common structural element of invertebrates and fungi, chitin offers an ideal target for bio-control of agricultural pests as well as production of N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG). Therefore, chitin degrading enzymes have several biotechnological applications. In the present investigation, the bio-control and NAG production potential of Myrothecium verrucaria N-acetyl glucosaminidase (MvNAGase) were studied. Cloning and biochemical characterization of MvNAGase (1743 bp) suggest that it belongs to the glycosyl hydrolase-20 family. Chitooligosaccharides hydrolysis revealed the exo-acting nature of the enzyme with NAG as an end product. rMvNAGase displayed significant antifungal potential towards plant pathogenic fungi: Ustilago maydis, Bipolaris sorokiniana and Fusarium oxysporum. The bioprocess was optimized using an enzymic cocktail of earlier identified and characterized endo-chitinase and rMvNAGase to maximize NAG production from the chitin. Under specific experimental conditions, the chitin conversion was achieved up to 87%. The study propose the possible application of rMvNAGase in bio-control of agricultural pests and biochemical production of NAG from the crude chitin. [Display omitted] • Novel N-acetyl glucosaminidase (MvNAGase) were cloned and characterised from saprophytic fungus Myrothecium verrucaria. • Hydrolytic potential of rMvNAGase towards chitinous substrates underlines its role in bioconversion of chitin waste. • rMvNAGase possess antifungal potential against plant pathogenic fungi suggesting its applicability in biocontrol strategy. • Maximum release of NAG from chitin was achieved through optimization of various process parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low fertilizer quality and remediation ability are considered the major factors hampering the land application of anaerobic digestate. Therefore, the role of Myrothecium verrucaria treatment in enhancing the fertilizer quality and remediation ability of digestate for land application was explored. Higher content of humic acid (7.5 g/L) with a higher degree of humification index and oxygen-containing functional groups was observed in the digestate receiving Myrothecium verrucaria treatment. Likewise, humic acid formed from Myrothecium verrucaria treatment had a higher capacity of heavy metal binding. Moreover, the viable and culturable count of S. faecalis, S. typhi, C. perfringens, and E. coli pathogens in the digestate decreased to approximately 12.50%, 41.70%, 18.87%, and 50.00% and 25.97%, 64.44%, 37.51%, and 75.27%, respectively, after treatment with Myrothecium verrucaria. This study provided a novel strategy to enhance the fertilizer quality, remediation ability, and biological safety of anaerobic digestate for land application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial fuel cell (MFC), which produces electricity while removing pollutants, is a green approach of ecological restoration. Whether fungal bioaugmentation could enhance the herbicide removal in MFC has not been fully investigated. This study aims to construct the fungal-augmented MFC device, compare the effects of different types of remediation against soil haloxyfop-P, and explore the mechanisms of xeno-fungusphere MFC in alleviating organic pollution. The Myrothecium verrucaria addition achieved the current density of 15.27 μA/cm 2 and power density (PD) of 1.174 μW/cm 2 , which were much higher than those with indigenous microbes and MFC alone. On day 60, the haloxyfop removal efficiency of 93.7 % was achieved with the M. verrucaria bioaugmentation, and double herbicide further increased the removal efficiency to 97.9 %, along with PD of 9.3 μW/cm 2 . The M. verrucaria addition significantly changed the correlation pattern between bacterial genera, as well as between dominant genera and herbicide degradation, electrogenesis, edaphic factors and functional abundance. Facing herbicide challenge, the biogeochemical processes of C/N/Fe/Mn/S were reorganized in MFC microbiota, which were also profoundly impacted by bioelectric field and xeno-fungusphere. The MFC degradation of haloxyfop-P followed the second-order kinetics; the fungal addition reduced the gap between the highest occupied molecular orbitals and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals of herbicide molecules, and reduced the energy barrier for the herbicide transformation. Compared with MFC alone, xeno-fungusphere MFC had a better effect, which can remediate the soil without additional power supply, making it a cost-effective self-sustaining remediation strategy., 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 © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The effects of the bioherbicidal activity of the fungal phytopathogen, Albifimbria verrucaria (AV), formerly Myrothecium verrucaria, on glyphosate-resistant and –susceptible Conyza canadensis (horseweed) were examined in greenhouse and field studies. Spray applications of mycelial formulations of AV infected both glyphosate-resistant and -susceptible C. canadensis plants at various growth stages. Young plants in the rosette leaf stage of growth were controlled more efficaciously than were older plants that had bolted or that were in the inflorescence stage; nevertheless, severe injury and mortality also occurred in mature plants. The results indicate that this bioherbicidal fungus can infect and control C. canadensis, thereby demonstrating the potential of this fungus as a bioherbicidal agent against this troublesome weed, which has become resistant to various herbicides.

In recent years, a variety of fungal cyclic peptides with interesting bioactivities have been discovered. For many of these peptides, the biosynthetic pathways are unknown and their elucidation often holds surprises. The cyclic and backbone N-methylated omphalotins from Omphalotus olearius were recently shown to constitute a novel class (borosins) of ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptides, members of which are produced by many fungi, including species of the genus Rhizopogon. Other recently discovered fungal peptide macrocycles include the mariannamides from Mariannaea elegans and the backbone N-methylated verrucamides and broomeanamides from Myrothecium verrucaria and Sphaerostilbella broomeana, respectively. Here, we present draft genome sequences of four fungal species Rhizopogon roseolus, Mariannaea elegans, Myrothecium verrucaria, and Sphaerostilbella broomeana. We screened these genomes for precursor proteins or gene clusters involved in the mariannamide, verrucamide, and broomeanamide biosynthesis including a general screen for borosin-producing precursor proteins. While our genomic screen for potential ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptide precursor proteins of mariannamides, verrucamides, broomeanamides, and borosins remained unsuccessful, antiSMASH predicted nonribosomal peptide synthase gene clusters that may be responsible for the biosynthesis of mariannamides, verrucamides, and broomeanamides. In M. verrucaria, our antiSMASH search led to a putative NRPS gene cluster with a predicted peptide product of 20 amino acids, including multiple nonproteinogenic isovalines. This cluster likely encodes a member of the peptaibols, an antimicrobial class of peptides previously isolated primarily from the Genus Trichoderma. The nonribosomal peptide synthase gene clusters discovered in our screenings are promising candidates for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low fertilizer quality and remediation ability are considered the major factors hampering the land application of anaerobic digestate. Therefore, the role of Myrothecium verrucaria treatment in enhancing the fertilizer quality and remediation ability of digestate for land application was explored. Higher content of humic acid (7.5 g/L) with a higher degree of humification index and oxygen-containing functional groups was observed in the digestate receiving Myrothecium verrucaria treatment. Likewise, humic acid formed from Myrothecium verrucaria treatment had a higher capacity of heavy metal binding. Moreover, the viable and culturable count of S. faecalis, S. typhi, C. perfringens, and E. coli pathogens in the digestate decreased to approximately 12.50%, 41.70%, 18.87%, and 50.00% and 25.97%, 64.44%, 37.51%, and 75.27%, respectively, after treatment with Myrothecium verrucaria. This study provided a novel strategy to enhance the fertilizer quality, remediation ability, and biological safety of anaerobic digestate for land application.

The fungal genus Myrothecium was once polyphyletic but a recent reconsideration of the family Stachybotryaceae spilt it into several genera. The ex-neotype specimen of the species Myrothecium verrucaria is now recognized as Albifimbria verrucaria. The well-studied plant pathogen and candidate bioherbicide CABI-IMI 368023, previously identified as M. verrucaria, was analyzed morphologically and genetically and found to be most consistently aligned with the other representatives of A. verrucaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study shows for the first time the effect of the fermentation filtrate of Myrothecium verrucaria, strain ZW-2, on four different species of plant-parasitic nematodes. Our results suggested that the fermentation filtrate of M. verrucaria inhibited hatching of Meloidogyne incognita and Heterodera glycines eggs. The lowest egg hatching rates of H. glycines and M. incognita were 6.3% and 2.0%, respectively, after 15 days of incubation with a fermentation filtrate of M. verrucaria. A 2-week fermentation filtrate had lethal effects on of M. incognita (second stage juveniles), H. glycines and Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. After 72 h of incubation, the following mortality rates were observed: M. incognita J2s, 100%; Hirschmanniella spp., 8.4%; H. glycines J2s, 82.4%; and B. xylophilus, 96.1%. A pot test showed that the mean suppressive rates of H. glycines after one- and two-week fermentation treatments were 78.8% and 91.2%, respectively. There were 0.8 nematodes per tomato root system at seven days after inoculation (DAI) and 4.4 galls and 933.3 eggs per root system at 30 DAI, which were significantly lower than those of the tap water controls (8.0 nematodes, 31.4 galls and 14,622.5 eggs per root system). Our studies confirmed that the fermentation filtrate of strain ZW-2 has nematicidal effects against three plant-parasitic nematodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Other than mealybugs, thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood) and jassids (Amrasca biguttula Ishida) cause the severe yield losses in grape production. Field experiment was conducted at Maharashtra Rajya Draksha Bagaitdar Sangh, Talegaon Vani grape farm, Nashik (19.9975°N, 73.7898°E) during 2018-2019 to find out the efficacy of (i) the conidial formulation of a single or combination of Metarhizium anisopliae strain(s) and (ii) of M. anisopliae strain in combination with cuticle degrading enzyme (CDE) formulation of Myrothecium verrucaria against thrip and jassid infestation in grapes. The treatment with M. anisopliae conidial formulation was found promising for the management of thrips and jassids on grapevines with 56.73 and 32.2% reduction over the control, respectively. Similarly, the treatments with enzyme formulation plus M. anisopliae conidial formulation gave 51.75 and 38.4% reduction over the control. Combination formulation of two strains (M. anisopliae MTCC 5190 and MCC 1197) was found effective (53.98 and 34.6% reduction) against thrips and jassids as compared to untreated control. On the other hand, the farmers' practice showed 25.98 and 17.3% reduction in the infestation of thrips and jassids, respectively, over untreated control. The combination of two strains was found to be effective with a maximum increase in the yield of grapes by 31.61% over the untreated control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report a case of keratomycosis caused by a very rare pathogen, Myrothecium verrucaria. Methods: This is a case report. A 53-year-old man complaint of left eye redness, irritation, intermittent pain after ashes entered his left eye. The patient was examined by slit lamp, anterior segment OCT and in vivo confocal microscopy. The HRT III-RCM image showed massive interlocking white thin lines in the cornea stroma. Corneal scrapings were collected for pathogen culture and PCR test. M. verrucaria was isolated and identified. Results: Hourly topical natamycin (5%) and voriconazole (10 mg/ml) was given as well as intravenous fluconazole (200 mg per day). Treatment was continued with oral itraconazole, 200 mg/day, topical natamycin (5%), 4 times/day, and pranoprofen, 4 times/day. The therapy was tapered off over one and half a month. The cornea lesion healed with scar formation two months later. Conclusions: This is the first case report of M. verrucaria keratomycosis in China. We are the first to show the characteristic of M. verrucaria on cornea with In vivo confocal microscopy. A combination treatment of tropical natamycin, voriconazole and systemic fluconazole was effective in the treatment of M. verrucaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fungal genus Myrothecium was once polyphyletic but a recent reconsideration of the family Stachybotryaceae spilt it into several genera. The ex-neotype specimen of the species Myrothecium verrucaria is now recognized as Albifimbria verrucaria. The well-studied plant pathogen and candidate bioherbicide CABI-IMI 368023, previously identified as M. verrucaria, was analyzed morphologically and genetically and found to be most consistently aligned with the other representatives of A. verrucaria.

Chitin, a crucial structural and functional component of insects and fungi, serves as a target for pest management by utilizing novel chitinases. Here, we report the biocontrol potential of recombinant Myrothecium verrucaria endochitinase (rMvEChi) against insect pest and fungal pathogens. A complete ORF of MvEChi (1185 bp) was cloned and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. Structure based sequence alignment of MvEChi revealed the presence of conserved domains SXGG and DXXDXDXE specific for GH-18 family, involved in substrate binding and catalysis, respectively. rMvEChi (46.6 kDa) showed optimum pH and temperature as 7.0 and 30 °C, respectively. Furthermore, rMvEChi remained stable within the pH range of 6.0 to 8.0 and up to 40 °C. rMvEChi exhibited k cat /K m values of 129.83 × 103 [(g/L)−1 s−1] towards 4MU chitotrioside. Hydrolysis of chitooligosaccharides with various degrees of polymerization (DP) using rMvEChi indicated the release of DP2 as main end product with order of reaction as DP6 > DP5 > DP4 > DP3. Bioassay of rMvEChi against Helicoverpa armigera displayed potent anti-feedant activity and induced mortality. In vitro antifungal activity against plant pathogenic fungi (Ustilago maydis and Bipolaris sorokiniana) exhibited significant inhibition of mycelium growth. These results suggest that MvEChi has significant potential in enzyme-based pest and pathogen management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The white laccase was produced from Myrothecium verrucaria ITCC-8447 under submerged fermentation. The media components were optimized by response surface methodology (CCD-RSM). The nutritional components (glucose and peptone) and physical parameters (pH and temperature) were optimized by response surface methodology for enhanced laccase production by Myrothecium verrucaria ITCC-8447. The enzyme activity under optimum condition exhibited 1.45 fold increases in laccase activity. The white laccase was subjected to ion exchange chromatography with 6 fold purification. The molecular weight of white laccase was ~63–75 kDa as estimated by SDS-PAGE followed by the activity staining with ABTS where green bands confirmed the presence of laccase. The enzyme was stable over an alkaline pH range of 7–9 and the temperature range of 30–40 °C. The characterization of white laccase was done by CD spectra, UV–visible absorption, FTIR and XRD. The K m and V max values of the purified laccase were 2.5 mM and1818.2 μmol/min/L. The delignification capability of the white laccase was determined by reduction in Kappa number (58.8%) and Klason lignin (64.7%) of wheat straw after 12 h of incubation. Further the delignification was confirmed FTIR and XRD. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • The process optimization of white laccase using CCD-RSM from Myrothecium verrucaria ITCC-8447 • Purification of white laccase and its characterization by CD, UV-spectra, FTIR and XRD • First report on white laccase for the efficient delignification of agroresidues: a step towards "Green and Clean Environment" [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new tetralol analogs, myrochromanols A-C (1–3), together with 11 known trichothecenes (4–14), were isolated from a soil fungus Myrothecium verrucaria HL-P-1. The structures of the three new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis including HRESIMS, NMR, and ECD calculation. All of the new compounds were tested for their anti-inflammatory activity and cytotoxicity. Compounds 1 and 3 inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production in BV2 cells with IC50 values of 26.04 and 25.80 μM, respectively. Three new tetralol analogs were isolated from a soil fungus Myrothecium verrucaria HL-P-1. All of them were tested for their anti-inflammatory and cytotoxicity activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, corn stover was studied as a lignocellulosic material with the potential of serving as a feedstock in the field of bioenergetics. To improve the enzymatic digestibility of carbohydrates in the lignocellulosic biomass, corn stover was pretreated using Myrothecium verrucaria to deplete the lignin, combined with a solid acid pretreatment method to deplete the hemicellulose. The effects of lignin degradation conditions and solid acid concentration on cellulose conversion were investigated. The two-stage pretreatment with M. verrucaria and solid acid under optimal conditions gave 81.54% cellulose conversion yield, 214.22% higher than that of untreated corn stover. Significant lignin and hemicellulose removal rates were observed with the two-stage pretreatment. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses showed major structural changes in the pretreated corn stover. This study provided an efficient strategy to enhance the enzymatic saccharification of cellulose in corn stover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread use of synthetic nematicides has caused significant problems to the environment as well as human health. To address this issue, eco-friendly control measures, such as microbial nematicides, are being developed. During the screening of Myrothecium strains with nematicidal activity against the root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne incognita , we found that the acetone extract of Myrothecium sp. KACC 40321 was highly effective against hatched juveniles of M. incognita at 7 days after exposure. The fungus was identified as Meloidogyne verrucaria . Two macrocyclic trichothecenes verrucarin A and roridin A were isolated and identified as major active metabolites by bioassay-guided fractionation and instrumental analysis. When the second-stage juveniles were treated with the chemicals, no juvenile mortality was observed. However, they effectively killed juveniles from treated eggs. The hatched juvenile mortality was used to evaluate the in vitro nematicidal activity of the compounds against M. incognita . The median effective concentrations were 1.88 μg/mL for verrucarin A and 1.50 μg/mL for roridin A. Among various liquid media, commercial malt extract broth (cMEB) was found to be the best for the production of verrucarin A and roridin A, followed by potato dextrose broth. The cMEB culture filtrate effectively reduced the formation of galls and egg masses on tomato roots in a pot experiment. In addition, the culture filtrate reduced the formation of galls on the roots of melon plants and the number of RKNs in the soils under field conditions. These results suggest that M. verrucaria KACC 40321 can be used as a biocontrol agent against RKNs in various crops. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the effectiveness of verrucarin A and rorridin A against hatched juveniles of M. incognita . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Italy is one of the leading countries for the production and consumption of ready‐to‐eat salads. This has led to a steady increase in the area used over the last decade for the growth of leafy vegetables under intensive systems. The recent new diseases that affect lettuce, wild and cultivated rocket, lamb's lettuce, spinach and basil are reported here: Plectosphaerella cucumerina on wild rocket, endive and lamb's lettuce, Fusarium equiseti on wild and cultivated rocket and lettuce, Myrothecium verrucaria on spinach and wild rocket, Myrothecium roridum on lamb's lettuce, Allophoma tropica on lettuce and Alternaria sp. on basil and rocket are among the new foliar pathogens in Italy. Among the soil‐borne pathogens, Pythium aphanidermatum, Pythium irregulare and Pythium Cluster B2a have recently been isolated in Italy on spinach and Swiss chard, lamb's lettuce and lettuce, while Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae, which causes lettuce wilt, is gradually spreading to new countries. Some of the new pathogens have been found to be transmitted by seed and typical of tropical climate, and are thus favoured by the increases in temperature linked to climate change. The globalization of markets, climate change and intensive cultivation are among the factors responsible for the proliferation and spread of some of these new pathogens that are ‘alien’ to Italian production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A potential pulse-assisted approach was used to immobilize Myrothecium verrucaria bilirubin oxidase at planar and nanoporous gold electrodes (NPG) containing pores of ca . 20 nm and ca . 40 nm in diameter. An increase in the current due to the bioelectrocatalytic reduction of oxygen by Mv BOD-modified gold electrodes obtained from a 20 μL drop by the proposed pulse-assisted approach was observed when compared to the response obtained with electrodes modified by drop-casting. This increase likely arises from a preferential orientation of Mv BOD molecules at the planar gold surface obtained by fast switching of the potential pulses between opposite charges. The concomitant ion stirring effect induces the attraction of the enzymes to the charged gold surface and forces access to the internal pore volume of the NPG. Immobilization of Mv BOD using the potential pulse-assisted approach significantly increases current densities by facilitating the electron transfer between the enzyme and the electrode surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low contents of the active compound and high pathogens counts are considered the major factors hampering land application of anaerobic digestate. Therefore, the role of Myrothecium verrucaria and MnO 2 treatment in enhancing fertilizer quality and biological safety of digestate for land application was explored. Higher contents of humic acid (8.9 g/L) with a higher degree of humification index and oxygen-containing functional groups was observed in the digestate receiving Myrothecium verrucaria coupled with MnO 2 treatment. Moreover, the viable and culturable count of S. faecalis, S. typhi, C. perfringens, and E. coli pathogens in the digestate decreased approximately to 12.50%, 41.70%, 18.87%, 50.00% and 25.97%, 64.44%, 37.51%, 75.27%, respectively after treatment with Myrothecium verrucaria and MnO 2. However, the count of pathogens in the VBNC (viable but not culturable) state increased from 3.75%-9.44% to 28.25%–54.01% after treatment. This study provided a novel strategy to enhance the fertilizer quality and biological safety of anaerobic digestate for land application. [Display omitted] • Myrothecium verrucaria coupled with MnO 2 treatment improved humification. • Digestate treatment improved contents of derived humic acid. • Myrothecium verrucaria and MnO 2 use improve digestate fertilizer quality. • Digestate treatment reduced pathogen count and improved its biological safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biotransformation of natural products by filamentous fungi is a powerful and effective approach to achieve derivatives with valuable new chemical and biological properties. Although diterpenoid substrates usually exhibit good susceptibility towards fungi enzymes, there have been no studies concerning the microbiological transformation of halimane-type diterpenoids up to now. In this work, we investigated the capability of Fusarium oxysporum (a fungus isolated from the rhizosphere of Senna spectabilis) and Myrothecium verrucaria (an endophyte) to transform halimane (1) and labdane (2) acids isolated from Hymenaea stigonocarpa (Fabaceae). Feeding experiments resulted in the production of six derivatives, including hydroxy, oxo, formyl and carboxy analogues. Incubation of 1 with F. oxysporum afforded 2-oxo-derivative (3), while bioconversion with M. verrucaria provided 18,19-dihydroxy (4), 18-formyl (5) and 18-carboxy (6) bioproducts. Transformation of substrate 2 mediated by F. oxysporum produced a 7α-hydroxy (7) derivative, while M. verrucaria yielded 7α- (7) and 3β-hydroxy (8) metabolites. Unlike F. oxysporum, which showed a preference to transform ring B, M. verrucaria exhibited the ability to hydroxylate both rings A and B from substrate 2. Additionally, compounds 1–8 were evaluated for inhibitory activity against Hr-AChE and Hu-BChE enzymes through ICER-IT-MS/MS assay.

In greenhouse and field experiments, a mycelial formulation of the fungus Myrothecium verrucaria (IMI 361690) containing 0.20% Silwet L-77 surfactant exhibited high bioherbicidal efficacy against the problematic weed hemp sesbania. Infection and mortality levels of 100% of hemp sesbania seedlings occurred within 48 h after fungal application in the greenhouse. In rice field tests conducted over a three year period, M. verrucaria at an inoculum concentration of 50 g L−1 (dry mycelium equivalent) controlled 95% of ≤20 cm tall hemp sesbania plants. M. verrucaria also controlled larger plants (≥60 cm tall) using this high inoculum concentration. This level of weed control, as well as rice yields from plots where weeds were effectively controlled, were similar to those which occurred with the herbicide acifluorfen. These results suggest that a mycelial formulation of M. verrucaria has potential as a bioherbicide for controlling hemp sesbania in rice.

We detail a mediator- and membrane-free enzymatic glucose/oxygen biofuel cell based on transparent and nanostructured conducting supports. Chemically modified indium tin oxide nanoparticle modified electrodes were used to substantially increase the active surface area without significantly compromising transparency. Two different procedures for surface nanostructuring were employed, viz. spray-coating and drop-coating. The spray-coated biodevice showed superior characteristics as compared to the drop-coated enzymatic fuel cell, as a result of the higher nanostructured surface area as confirmed by electrochemical characterisation, as well as scanning electron and atomic force microscopy. Subsequent chemical modification with silanes, followed by the immobilisation of either cellobiose dehydrogenase from Corynascus thermophiles or bilirubin oxidase from Myrothecium verrucaria , were performed to obtain the bioanodes and biocathodes, respectively. The optimised biodevice exhibited an OCV of 0.67 V and power output of up to 1.4 µW/cm 2 at an operating voltage of 0.35 V. This is considered a significant step forward in the field of glucose/oxygen membrane- and mediator-free, transparent enzymatic fuel cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combined treatment of a novel fungal endophyte Myrothecium verrucaria coupled with ultrasound assistance was conducted to enhance lignin degradation in birch sawdust. The optimum treatment conditions were confirmed as the materials to liquid ratio 1:20, temperature 30 °C, time 4 days and pH 7, respectively. The results showed that the combined treatment led to the lignin degradation reaching 67.95 ± 2.14%, while the lignin degradation were 45.50 ± 2.12% and 13.75 ± 0.66% with separate fungal treatment and ultrasound treatment, respectively. Moreover, SEM and FTIR analysis indicated that combined treatment significantly altered surface morphology and chemical structure of birch sawdust. The combined treatment greatly increased lignin removal during short time in mild environment. Therefore, these results demonstrated that the combined treatment of fungal endophyte coupled with ultrasound assistance has the high potential for the removal lignin in lignocellulose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conditions of submerged cultivation of the ascomycete Myrothecium verrucaria strain F-3851 were optimized in order to increase the yield of laccase in the culture liquid using the natural sources of carbon and energy (fresh rubbed potato tuber or floured grains of buckwheat, barley, oat, wheat, rye, rice, pea, or haricot). The pH-optima of oxidation of a number of laccase substrates (ABTS, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, syringaldazine, ferulic acid, p-coumaryl alcohol, and coniferyl alcohol) by laccases of the culture liquid as well as substrate selectivity of laccases were investigated. The intermediates of transformation of phenylpropanoids (ferulic acid, p-coumaryl alcohol and coniferyl alcohol) by laccases of the culture liquid at neutral conditions were purified and identified. The ability of laccases of the culture liquid of M. verrucaria strain F-3851 to catalyze polymer compound formation during phenylpropanoid transformation was shown that offers the prospects of application of the laccases of M. verrucaria strain F-3851 for production of pharmacologically valuable polymers in a number of cellular biotechnologies carried out in neutral or alkaline environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to screen a laccase-producing fungal endophyte, optimize fermentation conditions, and evaluate the decolorization ability of the laccase. A new fungal endophyte capable of laccase-producing was firstly isolated from pigeon pea and identified as Myrothecium verrucaria based on a ITS-rRNA sequences analysis. Meanwhile, various fermentation parameters on the laccase production were optimized via response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal fermentation conditions were a fermentation time of five days, temperature 30 °C and pH 6.22. Laccase activity reached 16.52 ± 0.18 U/mL under the above conditions. Furthermore, the laccase showed effective decolorization capability toward synthetic dyes (Congo red, Methyl orange, Methyl red, and Crystal violet) in the presence of the redox mediator ABTS, with more than 70% of dyes decolorizing after 24 h of incubation. Additionally, the activity of laccase was relatively stable with pH (4.5-6.5) and a temperature range of 35-55 °C. Therefore, the high laccase production of the strain and the new fungal laccase could provide a promising alterative approach for industrial and environmental applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One new quinolinone, 7-hydroxy-3-methoxyviridicatin (1), along with eight known compounds (2–9) was isolated from the fungus Myrothecium verrucaria, which was collected from lake water of Chenghai, Yunnan Province, China. Their structures were elucidated by detailed analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison with related known compounds. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited weak antibacterial activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on quinolinones (1–4) as the secondary metabolites of M. verrucaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A membraneless direct electron transfer (DET)-type dihydrogen (H 2 )/air-breathing biofuel cell without any mediator was constructed wherein bilirubin oxidase from Myrothecium verrucaria (BOD) and membrane-bound [NiFe] hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio vulgaris Miyazaki F (MBH) were used as biocatalysts for the cathode and the anode, respectively, and Ketjen black-modified water proof carbon paper (KB/WPCC) was used as an electrode material. The KB/WPCC surface was modified with 2-aminobenzoic acid and p -phenylenediamine, respectively, to face the positively charged electron-accepting site of BOD and the negatively charged electron-donating site of MBH to the electrode surface. A gas-diffusion system was employed for the electrodes to realize high-speed substrate supply. As result, great improvement in the current density of O2 reduction with BOD and H 2 reduction with MBH were realized at negatively and postively charged surfaces, respectively. Gas diffusion system also suppressed the oxidative inactivation of MBH at high electrode potentials. Finally, based on the improved bioanode and biocathode, a dual gas-diffusion membrane- and mediatorless H 2 /air-breathing biofuel cell was constructed. The maximum power density reached 6.1 mW cm −2 (at 0.72 V), and the open circuit voltage was 1.12 V using 1 atm of H 2 gas as a fuel at room temperature and under passive and quiescent conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of an enzymatic biofuel cell in physiological media depends not only on the electrode architecture but is also influenced by substances in these media which can be directly oxidized or reduced at the anode and/or cathode or have an impact on the biocatalytic processes. For the anode construction carbon nanotubes are modified with a polyaniline film onto which pyrroloquinoline quinone dependent glucose dehydrogenase (PQQ-GDH) from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus is covalently coupled. The cathode is based on bilirubin oxidase (BOD) from Myrothecium verrucaria which is coupled to a PQQ-modified carbon nanotube electrode. The resulting biofuel cell achieves power maxima of more than 100 μW/cm 2 . Galvanodynamic performance measurements in urine and saliva show a significant loss of the maximum power density compared to an EBFC in 5 mM glucose containing buffer. The EBFC achieves 12% in urine and 18% in saliva. The initial open cell potential of about 710 mV for the EBFC is reduced to 400 mV in urine and to 665 mV in saliva. To elucidate the effect of potential interfering substances in the real media the individual electrodes are investigated by cyclic voltammetry in human urine and saliva and also in the presence of urea, uric acid and ascorbic acid. Reasons for the low power output in the both body liquids are the very low glucose concentrations. In urine the cell potential is significantly decreased because of the strong influence of an oxidation process at the cathode. The low anode performance in saliva can be attributed to the diminished biochemical catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces a set of mathematical and computational tools for use with a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) to aid in experimental planning and data interpretation. The optimisation tools are based on a metric we term the total parameter matrix sensitivity (TPM-sensitivity). TPM-sensitivity is defined mathematically as the Jacobian determinant of a QCM's responses (e.g., frequency change or dissipation/bandwidth change for a given harmonic) with respect to changes in the physical properties of a soft film and surrounding solution (e.g., density or viscosity). Large TPM-sensitivity values denote conditions where the sensor responses are not only large but also allow the selected unknown physical properties to be mathematically decoupled. In some cases, the viscoelastic properties of an adlayer can be determined using only frequency responses. We validated this method using experimentally obtained data of an ageing adlayer of the enzyme bilirubin oxidase from Myrothecium verrucaria. Fits to these measurements produced more realistic film parameters when responses, including frequency-only combinations, were selected to maximise TPM sensitivity. We provide documented MATLAB code with a graphical user interface to enable other QCM users to employ this analysis. The current software can be applied to any single, homogeneous adlayer that obeys a Kelvin–Voigt viscoelastic model and sits under a semi-infinite Newtonian fluid. Only initial estimates of the film values are required, with the analysis providing guidance and predictions, allowing users to create testable hypothesis and determine the physical changes on the surface rather than have pre-existing values for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Replicated field plots were established and monitored for two years to evaluate management practices for kudzu. The bioherbicidal plant pathogen,Myrothecium verrucaria, several herbicides and a variety of integrated control programmes achieved a high level of kudzu suppression, although no system tested reliably achieved eradication in this time frame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the first example of an H 2 /O 2 enzymatic fuel cell able to power a wireless transmission system. Oxygen-tolerant hydrogenase from Aquifex aeolicus and bilirubin oxidase from Myrothecium verrucaria were incorporated from diluted solutions in carbon felt-based material, allowing mediatorless catalytic currents more than 1 mA to be reached. The enzymatic fuel cell open circuit voltage was 1.12 V, and short circuit current was 767 μA. It delivered a maximum power of 410 μW, sufficient to power the electronic device that measured in real time the anodic/cathodic compartments and room temperatures, the voltage of the capacitor and voltage output of the enzymatic fuel cell itself. Notably, data were sent every 25 s during 7 hours of continuous operation which constitute the highest performances ever reported for a realistic environmental application fully powered with an enzymatic fuel cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oxygen reduction reaction is one of the most important chemical processes in energy converting systems and living organisms. Mediator-less, direct electro-catalytic reduction of oxygen to water was achieved on spectrographite electrodes modified by physical adsorption of bilirubin oxidases from Myrothecium verrucaria. The existence of an alternative resting form of the enzyme is validated. The effect on the catalytic cycle of temperature, pH and the presence of halogens in the buffer was investigated. Previous results on the electrochemistry of bilirubin oxidase and on the impact of the presence of halogens are reviewed and reinterpreted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A direct electron transfer (DET) based sulphite/oxygen biofuel cell is reported that utilises human sulphite oxidase ( h SOx) and Myrothecium verrucaria bilirubin oxidase ( Mv BOx) and nanostructured gold electrodes. For bioanode construction, the nanostructured gold microelectrodes were further modified with 3,3′-dithiodipropionic acid di(N-hydroxysuccinimide ester) to which polyethylene imine was covalently attached. h SOx was adsorbed onto this chemically modified nanostructured electrode with high surface loading of electroactive enzyme and in presence of sulphite high anodic bioelectrocatalytic currents were generated with an onset potential of 0.05 V vs. NHE. The biocathode contained Mv BOx directly adsorbed to the deposited gold nanoparticles for cathodic oxygen reduction starting at 0.71 V vs. NHE. Both enzyme electrodes were integrated to a DET-type biofuel cell. Power densities of 8 and 1 μW cm −2 were achieved at 0.15 V and 0.45 V of cell voltages, respectively, with the membrane based biodevices under aerobic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Options for control of northern root-knot nematode (NRKN, Meloidogyne hapla ) on vegetables are very limited currently. In this study, we characterized the parasitism of Myrothecium verrucaria strain X-16, a new nematophagous fungus, on NRKN at the stages of eggs, J2, and adult females and evaluated its biocontrol efficacy in the greenhouse. Strain X-16 produced conidia that geminated and invaded in 80 h after in contact with eggs, causing the shrinkage and depression of egg shell and blastocolysis of the embryo. The strain also attacked 2nd-stage juveniles by producing developing surface networks of hyphae on the nematode body wall. Strain X-16 attacked adult females by producing dense networks of hyphae on the nematode body wall in 120 h. Strain X-16 had lethal effects (22–71% mortality) against NRKN J2 at the concentration as low as 3.1 × 10 7 conidia/ml and with the incubation treatment time as short as 24 h. The lethal effects linearly increased with the increase of conidial concentration, with the estimated LC 50 values as low as 1.0 × 10 8 conidia/ml. Soil treatments with strain X-16 at 1%, 2% or 4% (wt/wt) induced significant reductions in J2 nematode counts in 100 g of dry soil, Pf/Pi ratios and root-know index in cucumber in the greenhouse evaluations. These studies are the first to demonstrate that M . verrucaria is able to parasitize NRKN and strain X-16 can be a potential biocontrol agent for management of NRKN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]