Dicarboxylic acids and hydroxy fatty acids in different species of fungi

Secondary metabolites of fungi can be responsible for allergies; therefore, the identification of compounds produced by these organisms is very important. Fungi produce large amounts of secondary metabolites, which belong to groups of chemicals such as: dicarboxylic acids, hydroxy acids, alcohols, hydrocarbons, esters, fatty acids, sterols, amino acids and mycotoxins. The presence of all these compounds in human proximity contributes to many diseases. Therefore, the aim of the study was a qualitative and quantitative analysis of hydroxy and dicarboxylic acids produced by fungi occurring in student hostel in Poland, in the province of Pomerania. The following species of fungi were subjected to extraction: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus candidus, Rhizopus sp., Geotrichum candidum, and Penicillium chrysogenum. A mixture of ethyl acetate and methanol was used for the extraction. The obtained extracts were further analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS). In all samples of fungi, the presence of a total of 22 acids, including 13 dicarboxylic and 9 hydroxy acids, was confirmed. Most acids (17 different acids) were identified in A. fumigatus. Only 10 acids were identified in the mycelium of G. candidum and A. niger. Acids which were identified in all samples of the mycelium were 22-hydroxydocosanoic acid, 24-hydroxytetracosanoic acid and adipic acid. The most abundant compounds were 22-hydroxydocosanoic acid in A. fumigatus, A. candidus, Rhizopus sp., G. candidum and P. chrysogenum, and succinic acid in A. niger. More experiments are needed to understand the physiological role of hydroxy and dicarboxylic acids. We hope that our results are an important contribution to further studies on the human health.     

Fatty acids and amino acids of entomopathogenic fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Conidiobolus coronatus</Emphasis> grow on minimal and rich media

Entomopathogenic fungi are referred to as potential candidates as insect pest control agents. The objective of the study was to identify fatty acids and amino acids from Conidiobolus coronatus cultured on two different media. Each medium was extracted with ethyl acetate and its mixtures with isopropanol, acetonitrile and methanol. Analyses of fatty acids and amino acids of entomopathogenic fungus C. coronatus were performed by means of gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The analysis showed that the fungus C. coronatus produces the following groups of compounds: fatty acids and amino acids; α- and β-glucopyranose were also identified. The identified fatty acids included 12–20, 22 and 24 carbon atoms per chain. The highest content of fatty acids was detected in a mycelium sample cultured in a liquid minimal medium extracted with ethyl acetate. The lowest content of these organic compounds was identified in mycelium cultured in a liquid nutrient-rich medium extracted with ethyl acetate–methanol mixture. Fatty acids were found to account for 62.0 mass % to 94.4 mass % of all organic compounds in the analyzed mycelia. C18:1 acids were detected in the highest amounts when ethyl acetate was used as the extracting agent. The identified amino acids accounted for 4 mass % to 21 mass % of all organic compounds. Upon extraction of C. coronatus mycelium samples with the ethyl acetate—methanol mixture, two anomeric forms of glucose were also identified. An analysis of the studied material confirmed, that the entomopathogenic fungus C. coronatus is a very rich source of organic compounds, which might encourage its further research so as to identify an even larger number of compounds being produced by this species.     

Physicochemical properties and specific features of crystal formation for complex compounds based on boric acid

New procedure for synthesis of new complex compounds on the basis of boric, aminoacetic, and citric acids was developed. Specific features of the crystal formation for boron-based complex compounds were studied. The supposed application area of these compounds is associated with their biocide activity toward pathogenic microorganisms, such as Eschericia coli (intestinal bacterium), Staphylococcus aureus (aurococcus), and Candida albicans (yeast-like fungi of Candida genus).     

Single Cell Oil Production from Hydrolysates of Inulin by a Newly Isolated Yeast <Emphasis Type="Italic">Papiliotrema laurentii</Emphasis> AM113 for Biodiesel Making

Microbial oils are among the most attractive alternative feedstocks for biodiesel production. In this study, a newly isolated yeast strain, AM113 of Papiliotrema laurentii, was identified as a potential lipid producer, which could accumulate a large amount of intracellular lipids from hydrolysates of inulin. P. laurentii AM113 was able to produce 54.6% (w/w) of intracellular oil in its cells and 18.2 g/l of dry cell mass in a fed-batch fermentation. The yields of lipid and biomass were 0.14 and 0.25 g per gram of consumed sugar, respectively. The lipid productivity was 0.092 g of oil per hour. Compositions of the fatty acids produced were C_14:0 (0.9%), C_16:0 (10.8%), C_16:1 (9.7%), C_18:0 (6.5%), C_18:1 (60.3%), and C_18:2 (11.8%). Biodiesel obtained from the extracted lipids could be burnt well. This study not only provides a promising candidate for single cell oil production, but will also probably facilitate more efficient biodiesel production.     

Enhanced Bioethanol Production from Potato Peel Waste Via Consolidated Bioprocessing with Statistically Optimized Medium

In this study, an extensive screening was undertaken to isolate some amylolytic microorganisms capable of producing bioethanol from starchy biomass through Consolidated Bioprocessing (CBP). A total of 28 amylolytic microorganisms were isolated, from which 5 isolates were selected based on high α-amylase and glucoamylase activities and identified as Candida wangnamkhiaoensis, Hyphopichia pseudoburtonii (2 isolates), Wickerhamia sp., and Streptomyces drozdowiczii based on 26S rDNA and 16S rDNA sequencing. Wickerhamia sp. showed the highest ethanol production (30.4 g/L) with fermentation yield of 0.3 g ethanol/g starch. Then, a low cost starchy waste, potato peel waste (PPW) was used as a carbon source to produce ethanol by Wickerhamia sp. Finally, in order to obtain maximum ethanol production from PPW, a fermentation medium was statistically designed. The effect of various medium ingredients was evaluated initially by Plackett-Burman design (PBD), where malt extracts, tryptone, and KH₂PO₄ showed significantly positive effect (p value < 0.05). Using Response Surface Modeling (RSM), 40 g/L (dry basis) PPW and 25 g/L malt extract were found optimum and yielded 21.7 g/L ethanol. This study strongly suggests Wickerhamia sp. as a promising candidate for bioethanol production from starchy biomass, in particular, PPW through CBP.     

Effect of Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria Associated with Halophytic Weed (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Psoralea corylifolia</Emphasis> L) on Germination and Seedling Growth of Wheat Under Saline Conditions

Halotolerant bacteria associated with Psoralea corylifolia L., a luxuriantly growing annual weed in salinity-affected semi-arid regions of western Maharashtra, India were evaluated for their plant growth-promoting activity in wheat. A total of 79 bacteria associated with different parts viz., root, shoot and nodule endophytes, rhizosphere, rhizoplane, and leaf epiphytes, were isolated and grouped based on their habitat. Twelve bacteria isolated for their potential in plant growth promotion were further selected for in vitro studies. Molecular identification showed the presence of the genera Bacillus, Pantoea, Marinobacterium, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, and Sinorhizobium (LC027447-53; LC027455; LC027457, LC027459, and LC128410). The phylogenetic studies along with carbon source utilization profiles using the Biolog® indicated the presence of novel species and the in planta studies revealed promising results under salinity stress. Whereas the nodule endophytes had minute plant growth-promoting (PGP) activity, the cell free culture filtrates of these strains enhanced seed germination of wheat (Triticum aestivum L). The maximum vigor index was monitored in isolate Y7 (Enterobacter sp strain NIASMVII). Indole acetic acid (IAA) production by the isolates ranged between 0.22 and 25.58 μg mL^?1. This signifies the need of exploration of their individual metabolites for developing next-generation bio-inoculants through co-inoculation with other compatible microbes. This study has potential in utilization of the weed-associated microbiome in terms of alleviation of salinity stress in crop plants.     

Characterization,thermal properties and phase transitions of amazonian vegetable oils

Thermal profiles of buriti pulp oil (Mauritia flexuosa Mart.), tucumã pulp and kernel oils (Astrocarium vulgare Mart.), rubber seed oil (Hevea brasiliensis), passion fruit oil (Passiflora edulis) and ucuúba butter (Virola surinamensis) were analyzed by thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Gas chromatography and calculated iodine values were performed to determine the fatty acid profile and to measure the degree of unsaturation in these oils, respectively. The TG curves showed three steps of mass loss, which can be attributed to the degradation of polyunsaturated, monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids. The DSC crystallization and melting curves are reported and depended on the fatty acid composition. Usually, oil samples with a high degree of saturation showed crystallization and melting profiles at higher temperatures than the oils with a high degree of unsaturation. The data obtained by physicochemical analysis of oil samples were analyzed by principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis to increase understanding of the data set, examining the presence or absence of natural groupings between samples.     

Effect of drying methods on the content of natural pigments and antioxidant capacity in extracts from medicinal plants: a spectroscopic study

Medicinal plants are a significant source of biological active and health protective compounds. Post-harvest treatments can affect, in different ways, the content and biological activity of such compounds. One of the most common post-harvesting methods is drying. In this study, we investigated the effect of drying method on the content of natural pigments (chlorophylls, carotenoids and anthocyanins) and on the antioxidant capacity of two traditionally used herbs, the Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) and the Urtica dioica (stinging nettle) both of them landraces collected from plants grown in Nitra region, West of Slovakia. The freeze-dried samples of both herbs exhibited the highest content of chlorophyll a (7.55 ± 0.13 mg/g dry mass for lemon balm and 9.41 ± 0.17 mg/g dry mass for stinging nettle), chlorophyll b (3.12 ± 0.28 mg/g dry mass for lemon balm and 3.34 ± 0.24 mg/g dry mass for stinging nettle) and carotenoids (2.11 ± 0.24 mg/g dry mass for lemon balm and 2.62 ± 0.06 mg/g dry mass for stinging nettle). The content of chlorophylls and carotenoids correlated with the DPPH antioxidant (radical scavenging) capacity. Higher antioxidant capacity of the lemon balm extracts compared to nettle samples was attributed to the higher content of polyphenol compounds anthocyanins. Despite the higher cost, the freeze drying (lyophilisation) was recommended as the most suitable drying method, mainly for reasons of preserving maximum pigment content and antioxidant capacity.     

Characterization of Truncated <Emphasis Type="Italic">dsz</Emphasis> Operon Responsible for Dibenzothiophene Biodesulfurization in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodococcus</Emphasis> sp. FUM94

Numerous desulfurizing bacteria from the Rhodococcus genus harbor conserved dsz genes responsible for the degradation of sulfur compounds through 4S pathway. This study describes a newly identified desulfurizing bacterium, Rhodococcus sp. FUM94, which unlike previously identified strains encodes a truncated dsz operon. DNA sequencing revealed a frameshift mutation in the dszA gene, which led to an alteration of 66 amino acids and deletion of other C-terminal 66 amino acids. The resulting DszA polypeptide was shorter than DszA in Rhodococcus sp. IGTS8 reference strain. Despite the truncation, desulfurizing activity of the operon was observed and attributed to the removal of an overlap of dszA and dszB genes, and lack of active site in the altered region. Desulfurization experiments resulted in specific production rate of 6.3 mmol 2-hydroxy biphenyl (kgDCW)^?1 h^?1 at 2 g l^?1 biocatalyst concentration and 68.8% biodesulfurization yield at 20 g l^?1 biocatalyst concentration, both at 271 μM dibenzothiophene concentration which is comparable to similar wild-type biocatalysts.     

Overexpression of Δ12-Fatty Acid Desaturase in the Oleaginous Yeast <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodosporidium toruloides</Emphasis> for Production of Linoleic Acid-Rich Lipids

Under nutrient-limited conditions, the red yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides can accumulate neutral lipids, of which the compositional fatty acids are mainly saturated and mono-unsaturated ones with 16 or 18 carbon atoms. To improve the linoleic acid content in the lipids, we enabled galactose-inducible expression of the gene encoding Δ12-fatty acid desaturase (FADS) from Mortierella alpina or Fusarium verticillioides by integration of the corresponding expression cassettes into the genome of R. toruloides haploid and diploid strains. The relative linoleic acid content increased up to fivefold and the final linoleic acid titer reached 1.3 g/L under flask culture conditions. Our results suggested that R. toruloides may be further explored as cell factory for production of high-valued lipids and other fatty acid derivatives as bio-based chemicals and fuels.     

Synthesis and structure elucidation of some new azo dye from hydroxyquinolin-2(<Emphasis Type="Italic">1H</Emphasis>)-one derivatives and their antimicrobial evaluation

The aim of the work is synthesis of some novel azo dye from 1,2-dihydro-4-hydroxy-2-oxoquinoline-6-sulfonic acid (3), 4-hydroxy-6-methoxyquinolin-2(1H)-one (4), and 4-hydroxy-6-nitroquinolin-2(1H)-one (5). The prepared compounds were screened for antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and antifungal activity against Candida sp., Aspergillus multi and Aspergillus niger. The structure of newly compounds was characterized by ¹H-NMR, IR and elemental analysis.     

Growth Parameters,Photosynthetic Performance,and Biochemical Characterization of Newly Isolated Green Microalgae in Response to Culture Condition Variations

This work aimed to characterize two native microalgal strains newly isolated from South Mediterranean areas and identified as Chlorella sorokiniana ES3 and Neochloris sp. AM2. The growth properties and biochemical composition of these microalgae were evaluated in different culture media (Algal, BG-11, f/2, and Conway). Among the tested media, nitrate- and phosphate-rich Algal medium provided the maximum biomass productivities (85.5 and 111.5 mg l^?1 day^?1 for C. sorokiniana and Neochloris sp., respectively), while the nitrate- and phosphate-deficient f/2 medium resulted in the highest lipid productivities (24.1 and 35.8 mg l^?1 day^?1 for C. sorokiniana and Neochloris sp., respectively). The physiological state of both microalgae was investigated under different light and temperature levels using the pulse amplitude-modulated fluorometry. The better photosynthetic efficiency of C. sorokiniana was obtained at 23 °C with a light saturation of 156 μE m^?2 s^?1, while that of Neochloris sp. was achieved at 15 °C with a light saturation of 151 μE m^?2 s^?1. The analysis of fatty acid profile and biodiesel parameters revealed that C. sorokiniana, cultivated in Algal and f/2 media, can be considered as a suitable candidate for high-quality biodiesel production.     

Single-cell Protein and Xylitol Production by a Novel Yeast Strain <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida intermedia</Emphasis> FL023 from Lignocellulosic Hydrolysates and Xylose

Yeasts are good candidates to utilize the hydrolysates of lignocellulose, the most abundant bioresource, for bioproducts. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiencies of single-cell protein (SCP) and xylitol production by a novel yeast strain, Candida intermedia FL023, from lignocellulosic hydrolysates and xylose. This strain efficiently assimilated hexose, pentose, and cellubiose for cell mass production with the crude protein content of 484.2 g kg^?1 dry cell mass. SCP was produced by strain FL023 using corncob hydrolysate and urea as the carbon and nitrogen sources with the dry cell mass productivity 0.86 g L^?1 h^?1 and the yield of 0.40 g g^?1 sugar. SCP was also produced using NaOH-pretreated Miscanthus sinensis straw and corn steep liquor as the carbon and nitrogen sources through simultaneous saccharification and fermentation with the dry cell productivity of 0.23 g L^?1 h^?1 and yield of 0.17 g g^?1 straw. C. intermedia FL023 was tolerant to 0.5 g L^?1 furfural, acetic acid, and syringaldehyde in xylitol fermentation and produced 45.7 g L^?1 xylitol from xylose with the productivity of 0.38 g L^?1 h^?1 and the yield of 0.57 g g^?1 xylose. This study provides feasible methods for feed and food additive production from the abundant lignocellulosic bioresources.     

Arsenic and cadmium content in edible mushrooms from São Paulo,Brazil determined by INAA and GF AAS

Arsenic and cadmium contents in eight edible mushroom species (Agaricus bisporus, Agaricus sp, Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleorotus florida, Pleorotus eryngui, Pleurotus osteatus, Pleurotus salmoneostramineus, Lentinula edodes) consumed by Brazilian population were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF AAS), respectively. Arsenic concentrations varied from 0.009 mg/kg in P. eryngui to 0.210 mg/kg dry weight in L. edodoes and Cd from 0.011 g/kg in P. eryngui to 0.229 mg/kg dw in P. salmoneostramineus. The consumption of mushrooms in São Paulo-Brazil may be considered safe from a toxicological point of view as As and Cd presented levels of ingestion are below the maximum levels recommended by the World Health Organization.     

Design,synthesis and antifungal activity of novel selenochroman-4-one derivatives

A series of novel selenochroman-4-one derivatives bearing semicarbazone or nitrogen heterocycle was designed, synthesized, tested antifungal activity and characterized via ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, and HRMS. The design of the compounds is based on the principle of molecule hybrid and bioisosterism. We aimed at attaching semicarbazones or nitrogen heterocycle to the selenochroman-4-one for enhancing antifungal activity. The antifungal activity of target compounds was evaluated using the microdilution broth method in vitro test. Bioassay results indicated that some of the derivatives displayed good fungistatic activity on Candida zeylanoides, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, resistant to fluconazole strain 103 (Candida albicans), resistant to fluconazole strain 100 (Candida albicans) and strain SC5314 (Candida albicans). All the compounds exhibit antifungal activities against the tested funguses in different levels, among them, 7 compounds of antifungal activity against several funguses is better than that of the control drug fluconazole. Based on the results, preliminary structure activity relationships (SARs) were summarized to serve as a foundation for further investigation.     

Interpretation and Simulation of Negative Ion Mass Spectra of Some Phosphorus Organoelement Compounds

Negative ion mass spectra for a series of organophosphorus compounds were obtained and negative ion fragmentation processes were treated theoretically. Using O-isopropyl and O-pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridates as examples, electron affinities of molecules and their fragments were estimated using the UB3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) quantum-chemical approach and energetically more favorable and characteristic routes of dissociative electron attachment, including simple bond cleavage and rearrangements, were determined. Based on the obtained experimental and theoretical data, hypothetic fragmentation patterns were proposed and a special algorithm was compiled to predict negative ion mass spectra for some groups of organophosphorus compounds, such as О-alkyl methylphosphonofluoridates, О,О-alkyl phosphonodichloridates, and О,О′-dialkyl phosphonochloridates. The simulated mass spectra showed a good agreement with the experimental ones, confirming reasonable reliability of the proposed algorithm.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hypericum japonicum:</Emphasis> a Double-Headed Sword to Combat Vector Control and Cancer

Weissella cibaria RBA12 produced a maximum of 9 mg/ml dextran (with 90% efficiency) using shake flask culture under the optimized concentration of medium components viz. 2% (w/v) of each sucrose, yeast extract, and K₂HPO₄ after incubation at optimized conditions of 20 °C and 180 rpm for 24 h. The optimized medium and conditions were used for scale-up of dextran production from Weissella cibaria RBA12 in 2.5-l working volume under batch fermentation in a bioreactor that yielded a maximum of 9.3 mg/ml dextran (with 93% efficiency) at 14 h. After 14 h, dextran produced was utilized by the bacterium till 18 h in its stationary phase under sucrose depleted conditions. Dextran utilization was further studied by fed-batch fermentation using sucrose feed. Dextran on production under fed-batch fermentation in bioreactor gave 35.8 mg/ml after 32 h. In fed-batch mode, there was no decrease in dextran concentration as observed in the batch mode. This showed that the utilization of dextran by Weissella cibaria RBA12 is initiated when there is sucrose depletion and therefore the presence of sucrose can possibly overcome the dextran hydrolysis. This is the first report of utilization of dextran, post-sucrose depletion by Weissella sp. studied in bioreactor.     

Trehalose-6-Phosphate as a Potential Lead Candidate for the Development of Tps1 Inhibitors: Insights from the Trehalose Biosynthesis Pathway in Diverse Yeast Species

In some pathogens, trehalose biosynthesis is induced in response to stress as a protection mechanism. This pathway is an attractive target for antimicrobials as neither the enzymes, Tps1, and Tps2, nor is trehalose present in humans. Accumulation of T6P in Candida albicans, achieved by deletion of TPS2, resulted in strong reduction of fungal virulence. In this work, the effect of T6P on Tps1 activity was evaluated. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, C. albicans, and Candida tropicalis were used as experimental models. As expected, a heat stress induced both trehalose accumulation and increased Tps1 activity. However, the addition of 125 μM T6P to extracts obtained from stressed cells totally abolished or reduced in 50 and 60 % the induction of Tps1 activity in S. cerevisiae, C. tropicalis, and C. albicans, respectively. According to our results, T6P is an uncompetitive inhibitor of S. cerevisiae Tps1. This kind of inhibitor is able to decrease the rate of reaction to zero at increased concentrations. Based on the similarities found in sequence and function between Tps1 of S. cerevisiae and some pathogens and on the inhibitory effect of T6P on Tps1 activity observed in vitro, novel drugs can be developed for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by organisms whose infectivity and survival on the host depend on trehalose.     

Serum metabolomics study of polycystic ovary syndrome based on UPLC-QTOF-MS coupled with a pattern recognition approach

Metabolomics has become an important tool in distinguishing changes in metabolic pathways and the diagnosis of human disease. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a relatively complicated, heterogeneous endocrine disorder. The etiology and pathogenesis of PCOS remain uncertain. In this study, based on the platform of ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) and the method of pattern recognition, a comprehensive metabolomics approach has been applied to explore the changes in metabolic profiling between PCOS patients (n?=?20) and controls (n?=?15) as well as insulin-resistance (IR) PCOS patients (n?=?11) and non-IR PCOS subjects (n?=?9) in serum. In total, 36 metabolites were found significantly different between PCOS and controls, and 9 metabolites were discovered significantly different between IR and non-IR PCOS patients. Significant increases in the levels of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (myristic acid, linoleic acid, 9-/13-HODE, etc.), fatty amides (palmitic amide, oleamide), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, l-glutamic acid, azelaic acid, l-glyceric acid, pyroglutamic acid, and decreases in the levels of lysophosphatidylethanolamine, lysophosphatidylcholine, uridine, and l-carnitine were found in PCOS patients compared with controls. In IR PCOS patients, linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitoleic acid, and vaccenic acid also increased significantly compared with non-IR PCOS patients. All these changed metabolites showed abnormalities of steroid hormone biosynthesis, amino acids and nucleosides metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and lipids and carbohydrates metabolism in PCOS patients. The subgroup IR PCOS patients exhibited greater metabolic deviations than non-IR PCOS patients. These findings may help yield promising insights into the pathogenesis and advance the diagnosis and prevention of PCOS.

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Graphical Abstract Serum metabolomics signature of polycystic ovary syndrome