Molecular identification of some wild Nigerian mushrooms using internal transcribed spacer: polymerase chain reaction

Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Ganoderma Species and Their Activity against Multi Drug Resistant Pathogens

The widespread and indiscriminate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics leads to microbial resistance, which causes major problems in the treatment of infectious diseases. However, advances in nanotechnology using mushrooms have opened up new domains for the synthesis and use of nanoparticles against multidrug-resistant pathogens. Mushooms have recently attracted attention and are exploited for food and medicinal purposes. The current study focuses on the molecular identification, characterization of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles by X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Vis spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and antibacterial analysis of extract and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesis from Ganoderma resinaceum against multidrug resistant microbes. Accurate identification of mushrooms is key in utilizing them for the benefit of humans. However, morphological identification of mushrooms is time consuming, tedious and may be prone to error. Molecular techniques are quick and reliable tools that are useful in mushroom taxonomy. Blast results showed that G. resinaceum (GU451247) obtained from Pakistan was 97 % same to the recognized G. resinaceum (GU451247) obtained from China as well as G. resinaceum (GU451247) obtained from India. The antimicrobial potential of mushroom composite and AgNPs showed high efficacy against pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus (ZOI 23 mm) K. pneumonia (ZOI 20 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ZOI 24 mm) and E. fecalis and A. baumannii (ZOI 10 mm), and multidrug resistant (MDR) A. baumannii (ZOI 24 mm). XRD evaluation revealed the crystalline composition of synthesized NPs with diameter of 45 nm. UV-Vis spectroscopy obsorption peaked of 589 nm confirmed the presence of AgNPs. SEM results showed the cubic morphology of AgNPs. The FTIR analysis of NPs obtained from G. resinaceum containing C=O as well as (O=C-H) stretching revealed presence of hydrogen, carbonyl and amide groups. The synthesized extract and AgNPs showed promising minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) at 2 mg concentration against the MDR strains. AgNPs are observed to be efficient as they need less quantities to prevent bacterial growth. In the view of challenges for developing antimicrobial NPs of variable shape and size by various other methods, tuning nanoparticles synthesized via mushrooms can be a wonderful approach to resolve existing hurdles.

Characterization and phylogeny of fungi isolated from industrial wastewater using multiple genes

The aim of this study was the isolation and molecular characterization of fungi from untreated refinery effluent by using multiple conserved genes. The Fungi isolated were characterized based on PCR amplification and genomic sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), partial β-tubulin (BenA), calmodulin (CaM), and RNA polymerase second large subunit (RPB2) genes, along with morphological characterization. The obtained sequences were subjected to BLAST analysis and the corresponding fungal isolates were assigned species names after comparison with representative sequences available in GenBank. Fifteen (15) Fungi species belonging to four genera of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, and Trichoderma with Aspergillus as the predominant genus were identified. Therefore these genes should be used as molecular markers for species level identification of fungi (especially Aspergillus and Penicillium as proven in this study.

Molecular identification and antimicrobial activities of some wild Egyptian mushrooms: Bjerkandera adusta as a promising source of bioactive antimicrobial phenolic compounds

Background

The discovery of potential, new cost-effective drug resources in the form of bioactive compounds from mushrooms is one way to control the resistant pathogens. In the present research, the fruiting bodies of five wild mushrooms were collected from Egypt and identified using internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) of the rRNA encoding gene and their phylogenetic relationships, antimicrobial activities, and biochemical and phenolic compounds were evaluated.

Results

The sequences revealed identity to Bjerkandera adusta, Cyclocybe cylindracea, Agrocybe aegerita, Chlorophyllum molybdites, and Lentinus squarrosulus in which Cyclocybe cylindracea and Agrocybe aegerita were closely related, while Chlorophyllum molybdites was far distant. Cyclocybe cylindracea and Agrocybe aegerita showed 100% similarity based on the sequenced ITS-rDNA fragment and dissimilar antimicrobial activities and chemical composition were detected. Bjerkandera adusta and Cyclocybe cylindracea showed strong antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Candida albicans. This activity could be attributed to the detected phenolic and related compounds’ contents.

Conclusion

Our finding provides a quick and robust implement for mushroom identification that would facilitate mushroom domestication and characterization for human benefit.

Molecular characterization of most cultivated Pleurotus species in sub-western region Nigeria with development of cost effective cultivation protocol on palm oil waste

Major problems associated with the study of mushrooms in Nigeria are inaccuracy in identification, low bio-efficiency of commonly used substrate and difficulty in composting of substrates. The current study attempts the identification and characterization of Pleurotus species commonly cultivated in Western region of Nigeria, and evaluates the effectiveness of agricultural wastes in mushrooms cultivation. Molecular characterization was carried out for species identification. Different substrates combinations at ratio 1:1 were used. Molecular characterization revealed that the Pleurotus species grown in most farms and research institutes in South-western Nigeria are predominantly P. ostreatus and P. pulminarius. Palm bunch + Rice bran (8.24 ± 0.16) ramified almost twice faster than sawdust alone (4.98 ± 0.31) or any of the other substrates containing it. Fermented bunch (7.36 ± 0.19), the only substrate not sterilized also ramified faster than sawdust alone. All the other substrates compounded with palm bunch and shaft ramified faster than sawdust as lone substrate. In terms of yield, Palm bunch + Rice bran gave the highest (1774.75 g), followed by shaft + rice bran (1483.70 g), while the least value of 326. 94 g was obtained from sawdust. The highest value of biological efficient (BE) (100.57 g) and productivity (PT) (17.46 g) were obtained from shaft + Wheat bran and Palm bunch + Rice bran respectively, while sawdust gave lowest values of 13.08% and 3.23% for BE and PT respectively. Results obtained have shown that bunch and shaft supplemented with wheat and rice bran gave better yields and can be recommended for commercial mushrooms cultivation.

Cultivation and Nutritional Value of Prominent Pleurotus spp.: An Overview

Pleurotus species are commercially essential mushrooms and widely cultivated throughout the world. The production of Pleurotus mushrooms alone accounts for around 25% of that total cultivated mushrooms globally. In America and Europe, Pleurotus species are considered specialty mushrooms, whereas, in Korea, their cultivation is economically profitable, and it is one of the highly consumed species. Pleurotus species are predominantly found in tropical forests and often grow on fallen branches, dead and decaying tree stumps, and wet logs. Biographical studies have shown that the Pleurotus genus is among the more conspicuous fungi that induce wood decay in terrestrial ecosystems worldwide due to its formidable lignin-modifying enzymes, including laccase and versatile peroxidases. Pleurotus species can be grown easily due to their fast colonization nature on diversified agro-substrates and their biological efficiency 100%. Pleurotus mushrooms are rich in proteins, dietary fiber, essential amino acids, carbohydrates, water-soluble vitamins, and minerals. These mushrooms are abundant in functional bioactive molecules, though to influence health. Pleurotus mushrooms are finding unique applications as flavoring, aroma, and excellent preservation quality. Apart from its unique applications, Pleurotus mushrooms have a unique status delicacy with high nutritional and medicinal values. The present review provides an insight into the cultivation of Pleurotus spp. using different agro-waste as growth substances paying attention to their effects on the growth and chemical composition.