Complementary molecular methods reveal comprehensive phylogenetic diversity integrating inconspicuous lineages of early-diverged wood-decaying mushrooms

Phenolic compounds of Phellinus spp. with antibacterial and antiviral activities

Phellinus Quél is one of the largest genera of Hymenochaetaceae; it comprises about 220 species widely distributed on Earth. Most Phellinus species are lignicolous mushrooms that accumulate bioactive compounds. This research studied the phenolic composition of Phellinus spp. and their relationship with antibacterial and antiviral capacity. Phenolics were extracted from Phellinus badius, P. fastuosus, and P. grenadensis; their antiviral and antibacterial activities were evaluated against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, and Escherichia coli O157: H7; and the bacteriophages MS2 and Φ- × 174. Gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, epicatechin, ferulic acid, catechin, 1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid, p-coumaric acid, and rutin were found in different proportions among Phellinus spp. Total phenolic content ranged from 96 to 209 mg GAE/g, and total flavonoids from 10 to 27 QE/g. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of P. badius, P. grenadensis, and P. fastuosus against E. coli O157: H7 were 13, 20, and 27 mg/mL, against S. enterica were 20, 30, and 15 mg/mL, and against L. monocytogenes were 10, 15, and 25 mg/mL, respectively. The phenolic content was better correlated with the antibacterial effect against E. coli O157: H7 and L. monocytogenes (r = 0.8-0.9), but not against S. enterica (r = 0.05). The antiviral activity of the extracts (0.9 mg/mL) was 29 to 41% against MS2 and 27 to 38% for Φ-X174 virus (r = 0.8-0.9). In silico analysis showed binding energy values of - 7.9 and - 4.8 kcal/mol between the identified phenolic compounds and the M and G proteins of each virus. The antibacterial and antiviral properties of Phellinus species were correlated with the phenolic content.

Revision of Cerinomyces (Dacrymycetes, Basidiomycota) with notes on morphologically and historically related taxa

Cerinomyces (Dacrymycetes, Basidiomycota) is a genus traditionally defined by corticioid basidiocarps, in contrast to the rest of the class, which is characterized by gelatinous ones. In the traditional circumscription the genus is polyphyletic, and the monotypic family Cerinomycetaceae is paraphyletic. Aiming for a more concise delimitation, we revise Cerinomyces s.l. with a novel phylogeny based on sequences of nrDNA (SSU, ITS, LSU) and protein-coding genes (RPB1, RPB2, TEF1-α). We establish that monophyletic Cerinomyces s.s. is best characterized not by the corticioid morphology, but by a combination of traits: hyphal clamps, predominantly aseptate thin-walled basidiospores, and low content of carotenoid pigments. In our updated definition, Cerinomyces s.s. encompasses five well-supported phylogenetic clades divided into two morphological groups: (i-iii) taxa with arid corticioid basidiocarps, including the generic type C. pallidus; and (iv-v) newly introduced members with gelatinous basidiocarps, like Dacrymyces enatus and D. tortus. The remaining corticioid species of Cerinomyces s.l. are morphologically distinct and belong to the Dacrymycetaceae: our analysis places the carotenoid-rich Cerinomyces canadensis close to Femsjonia, and we transfer the clamps-lacking C. grandinioides group to Dacrymyces. In addition, we address genera related to Cerinomyces s.l. historically and morphologically, such as Ceracea, Dacryonaema and Unilacryma. Overall, we describe twenty-four new species and propose nine new combinations in both Cerinomycetaceae and Dacrymycetaceae.