No abstract available.
Aspergillus* ; Sinusitis*

Aims: The study was aimed to isolate and characterize the mycotoxin-producing filamentous Aspergillus parasiticus from the feed samples. The sensitivity pattern of the isolates was assessed against different disinfectants. Methodology and results: Fifty different feed samples were screened for A. parasiticus isolation. Isolates were subjected to macroscopic and microscopic characterization. Polymerase chain reaction was performed to confirm the isolates at the genomic level. Mycotoxin producing potential of the isolates was assessed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). To quantify the toxins, high performance liquid (HPLC) was employed. The antifungal potential of disinfectants was determined by the well diffusion method followed by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) calculation. Out of twenty isolates of A. parasiticus, 11(55%) isolates were observed positive for toxin production. Three toxigenic isolates (AspP2, AspP4 and AspP8) were selected to evaluate their susceptibility against disinfectants by well diffusion method. AspP2 produced maximum (5.90 ng/mL) toxin, followed by AspP4 (3.11 ng/mL) and AspP8 (18.47 ng/mL). Terralin showed maximum fungicidal activity with 29.66 ± 8.08 mm zone of inhibition at 0.42 μg/mL MIC. Hypochlorite and Instru Star showed 99% disinfection with 30, 60 and 90 min contact time (6 mean log reduction) for all A. parasiticus isolates. Alpha Guard inhibited growth after 15 min contact time for all the isolates. Conclusion, significance and impact of study This study provides data indicating the contamination of feed samples with mycotoxin-producing A. parasiticus isolates and their sensitivity against commercially available disinfectants. Use of these disinfectants in appropriate concentrations and time could help prevent the contamination of food, feed and healthcare settings with the fungal species.
Mycotoxins ; Aspergillus

63 strains of Aspergillus section Fumigati were isolated from 17 samples of arable soil in a central province of Korea. Based on the results of genotypic and phenotypic analyses, they were identified as Aspergillus fumigatus, A. lentulus, Neosartorya coreana, N. fennelliae, N. fischeri, N. glabra, N. hiratsukae, N. laciniosa, N. pseudofischeri, N. quadricincta, N. spinosa and N. udagawae. Among these, N. fennelliae, N. hiratsukae, N. quadricincta, and N. udagawae had not been previously recorded in Korea. The diversity of Aspergillus section Fumigati species from arable soil in Korea is also addressed.
Aspergillus ; Aspergillus fumigatus ; Korea ; Neosartorya ; Soil

No abstract available.
Aspergillus ; Coinfection ; Cytomegalovirus ; Pneumonia

No abstract available.
Aspergillus* ; Coinfection* ; Influenza, Human*

No abstract available.
Aspergillus niger* ; Cicatrix*

In our continuing study on the chemical constituents in the fruiting bodies of Daldinia concentrica, diaporthin and orthosporin were isolated. Their chemical structures were assigned based on various spectral studies. Diaporthin and orthosporin, phytotoxins previously found in Aspergillus ochraceus, were isolated from wood-rotting mushroom D. concentrica for the first time.
Agaricales ; Aspergillus ochraceus ; Fruit*

Aims: This study examined the mycosynthesis of phosphorus nanoparticles (PNPs) and its application as a fertilizer for flax plant. Methodology and results: A total of thirty eight fungal isolates were isolated and screened for their abilities to synthesize PNPs. The fungal isolate was determined and identified as Aspergillus fumigatus (NCBI GenBank accession No. MN610566-MN610567). The biosynthesized nanoparticles were characterized by particle size analyzer, UV-visible spectrophotometer, transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). They were found to have an average diameter of 45.1 nm, regular round shape, EDX confirms the 54.63 atom % of phosphorous. The cytotoxicity of produced nanoparticles was performed to determine the safe dose that will be applied in agricultural experiment and was found to be 12.5 μg/mL. Pot experiment was performed to determine the fertilizing impact of mycosynthesized PNPs on flax plant and to equate their influence with granular single super phosphate. Results revealed that growth parameters, phosphorus content and microbial activities in the rhizosphere of flax plants were highly significantly (p ≤ 0.05) affected by foliar application of PNPs in presence of half dose of super phosphate. The TEM-micrographs of stained ultrastructural leaves showed that the PNPs treated leaves in the presence of half dose of super phosphate had normal cell structure similar to control, while the cell structure of leaves treated with PNPs but did not receive super phosphate were adversely affected. Conclusion, significance and impact of study This study clearly indicated that the application of low cost biosynthesised PNPs could save about 50% of recommended dose of phosphorus fertilizer. This study also demonstrates that it is not preferred to use PNPs as a fertilizer alone without adding super phosphate. Hence, this investigation suggests that further studies should be established to detect the safety of this nanofertilizers.
Nanoparticles--chemistry ; Aspergillus fumigatus

Aims: This present study focused on purification of fungal β-mannanase produced by Aspergillus niger USM F4 and also physicochemical characterisation of the purified enzyme. Methodology and results: The purified β-mannanase with a molecular mass of ~47.4 kDa was demonstrated on SDSPAGE gel. The enzyme signified a purification degree of 4-fold, with final specific activity of 196.42 U/mg. It reached an optimum catalytic activity at pH 4.0 and 60 °C. The thermal stability of the enzyme was up to 70 °C and maintained the 50% activity after 30 min at 80 °C. Meanwhile, the pH stability was in the range of pH 3.0-9.0 and a 30 min half-life at pH 10.0. All chemical substances manifested an inhibitory effect on purified β-mannanase, with SDS (28.16 ± 0.05% residual activity) as the strongest inhibitor, followed by cupric ion (Cu2+) (49.51 ± 0.09% residual activity). As a whole, the enzyme displayed a substrate specificity in the order of locust bean gum (LBG) > carboxymethylcellulose > soluble starch > xylan from oat spelt > α-cellulose. Its preference for LBG has generated the Km and Vmax values of 0.20 mg/mL and 9.82 U/mL, respectively. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The outcomes of our study offer potential for use at industrial scales, particularly in the oligosaccharides production that involve acid-related activity, wide-ranging temperature and pH stability.
Aspergillus niger ; beta-Mannosidase

Members of the genus Aspergillus are the most common fungi and all reproduce asexually by forming long chains of conidiospores (or conidia). The impact of various Aspergillus species on humans ranges from beneficial to harmful. For example, several species including Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus niger are used in industry for enzyme production and food processing. In contrast, Aspergillus flavus produce the most potent naturally present carcinogen aflatoxins, which contaminate various plant- and animal-based foods. Importantly, the opportunistic human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus has become the most prevalent airborne fungal pathogen in developed countries, causing invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients with a high mortality rate. A. fumigatus produces a massive number of small hydrophobic conidia as the primary means of dispersal, survival, genome-protection, and infecting hosts. Large-scale genome-wide expression studies can now be conducted due to completion of A. fumigatus genome sequencing. However, genomics becomes more powerful and informative when combined with genetics. We have been investigating the mechanisms underlying the regulation of asexual development (conidiation) and gliotoxin biosynthesis in A. fumigatus, primarily focusing on a characterization of key developmental regulators identified in the model fungus Aspergillus nidulans. In this review, I will summarize our current understanding of how conidiation in two aspergilli is regulated.
Aflatoxins ; Aspergillosis ; Aspergillus ; Aspergillus flavus ; Aspergillus fumigatus ; Aspergillus nidulans ; Aspergillus niger ; Aspergillus oryzae ; Developed Countries ; Food Handling ; Fungi ; Genome ; Genomics ; Gliotoxin ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Spores, Fungal ; Transcription Factors