OBJECTIVETo isolate and identify endophytic fungi from Malus sieboldii, and detect cytotoxicity, protease inhibition and antifungal activities of their crude extracts.

METHODThe fungi were identified with the aid of morphology or Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) rDNA molecular methods. Fungal activities were tested by cylinder-plate, MTT and BRpNA methods, respectively.

RESULTA total of 217 endophytic fungi were isolated from M. sieboldii. Of the 22 taxa obtained, non-sporulating, Alternaria, Colletotrichum, Aspergillu, Fusarlum, Gliocladium and Cunninghamella were dominant communities. The result of the bioactivity test showed that 30 endophytic fungi displayed inhibition against at least one pathogenic fungus, and 3 and 4 showed cytotoxicity and protease inhibition, respectively.

CONCLUSIONM. sieboldii should be a potential source of bioactive endophytic fungi.

OBJECTIVETo isolate and identify the high-yield poly-malic acid (PMLA) bacterial strains from the nature.

METHODSSamples were collected and cultured. The high-yield PMLA bacterial strains were screened through morphological observation, qualitative PMLA tests by HPLC and ITS sequence analysis on the isolated bacterial strains.

RESULTSA high-yield PMLA strain II 04 was isolated, the yield of PMLA of the strain reached to 26.23g/L in the rotary shaker at 25 degree for 7d. From morphological observation and ITS sequences analysis, the strain belonged to Aureobasidium pullulans, and named as Aureobasidium pullulans ZUCC-41.

CONCLUSIONA high-yield bacterial strain has been isolated from the nature and identified to be Aureobasidium pullulans.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between entophytic fungal community, habitations and varieties of Ligusticum.

METHODThe solidified potato dextrose agar (PDA) of plates was applied for the isolation of the endophytic fungi, and the identification was completed by spot-planting method.

RESULTFifty strains of the entophytic fungi were isolated from the rhizome of L. chuanxiong collected from 6 habitations. They were morphologically identified as belonging to 13 genera, 4 families, 3 orders and 1 class.

CONCLUSIONThere were some differences at quantity, species and distributing of the entophytic fungi in different habitats and varieties of Ligusticum, which was suggested that entophytic fungal community is related with specific habitat.

OBJECTIVETo study the root microstructure and the distribution of the endophytic fungi in Taxus chinensis var. mairei.

METHODSThe roots of Taxus chinensis var. mairei at nature were cut with paraffin, dyed and observed by microscope.

RESULTSThe secondary structure of the roots of Taxus chinensis var. mairei consisted of the periderm and vascular cylinder (stele). Axial and radial systems formed the secondary xylem of the roots. Tracheids and xylary parenchyma cells constituted the axial system, and xylary radial formed the radial systems. The secondary phloem consisted of sieve cells and phloem parenchymas. Only a small quantity of phloem fibers were distributed in the secondary phloem, and the phloem ray was unconspicuous. Many endophytic mycelia penetrated in the velamina.

CONCLUSIONSThe secondary structure of the root of Taxus chinensis var. mairei accords with that of other gymnosperms and dicotyledons, although its secondary xylem is constituted with tracheids and sieve cells. The endophytic mycelia exists in the local cells of velamina in the roots of Taxus chinensis var. mairei.

Medicinal materials may be contaminated with a broad variety of fungi, which are represented by Aspergillus spp, Penlicillium spp, Fusarium spp, Rhizopus spp, Mucor spp et al. This fact limits the utilization of medicinal materials, besides, medicinal materials may also be contaminated with mycotoxins produced by these fungi, and bring harm to human health. Several mycotoxins have been detected in medicinal materials, such as AFTs, OTA, FBs, et al. The contamination may originate from the conditions in which the medicinal plants are cultivated, stored and in the finished product manufacturing stages. Some methods have been used for detoxifcation and disinfection for medicinal materials, but they have limited effects. Taking into consideration the background situation, it is important for medicinal materials to be protected from contamination of fungi at every stage of production. The present study intends to give a review of contamination of medicinal materials by moulds and mycotoxins and discuss the factors influencing this situation, expecting to contribute to the knowledge for reducing the contamination.
Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Fungi ; isolation & purification ; Mycotoxins ; analysis

A total of 127 strains of endophytic fungi were isolated from roots, branches and leaves of Huperzia serrata. These strains were identified into 19 genera based on morphological characters and ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence analysis, there into Penicillium, Aspergillus and Podospora were dominant populations in H. serrata. From analysis results we found some endophytic fungi showed a certain degree of tissue preference. The isolation rate and colonization rate of stems were both larger than those of leaf and roots. After testing the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity of these endophytic fungi, a total of 39 endophytic fungi belonging to 15 genera showed AChE inhibition. Eleven endophytic fungi showed potent AChE inhibition, 7 of which were isolated from leaf. The research not only provided theoretical basis for developing and utilizing the resources of endophytic fungi in H. serrata but also showed a new path for searching medicines resource which has AChE inhibitory activity.
Cholinesterase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Fungi ; classification ; isolation & purification ; Huperzia ; microbiology

To study the diversity of endophytic fungi community from Cistanche deserticola, samples were collected from two planting bases in Inner Mongolia and Ningxia autonomous regions separately in spring and autumn. As a result, 618 strains of endophytic fungi had been isolated from samples. It was identified that 453 of the strains which accounted for 73.30% were spore strains, respectively belonging to 24 genera, and Fusarium (25.89%) and Acremonium (16.99%) were determined as dominant species. Number and species of endophytic fungi from C. deserticola showed a great diversity, and the differences of parts, localities and seasons were demonstrated.
Biodiversity ; China ; Cistanche ; microbiology ; Fungi ; classification ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Seasons

This study is to explore the reason of "the older, the better" of PCR and itsincrease of flavonoids. We identified the fun- gus isolated from the PCR using microscopic and molecular identification. HPLC method was used to determine the content of 4 fla- vonoids and to clarifythe regularity of them; UV spectrophotometry method was used to determine the total content of flavonoids; reverse thinking was applied to screen the fungus that have close relation to the change of flavonoids. Finally, we have isolated and identified 25 fungusfrom the PCR, which belong to 2 genus and 4 species, including pencillium commune, P. minioluteeum, P. citrinum, Aspergillus flavus and A. niger. The content of flavonoids was increased in the mildew PCR due to A. niger and other fungus. Therefore, "the ol- der, the better" of PCR had its scientific reason that the increase of flavonoids had a close relation of the metabolic activity of A. niger and other fungus.
Citrus ; chemistry ; microbiology ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Fungi ; isolation & purification

Fallen leaves of Ficus altissima, F. virens, F. benjamina, F. fistulosa and F. semicordata, were collected in Chiang Mai Province in northern Thailand and examined for fungi. Eighty taxa were identified, comprising 56 anamorphic taxa, 23 ascomycetes and 1 basidiomycete. Common fungal species occurring on five host species with high frequency of occurrence were Beltraniella nilgirica, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Ophioceras leptosporum, Periconia byssoides and Septonema harknessi. Colletotrichum and Stachybotrys were also common genera. The leaves of different Ficus species supported diverse fungal taxa, and the fungal assemblages on the different hosts showed varying overlap. The fungal diversity of saprobes at the host species level is discussed.
Ascomycota ; isolation & purification ; Basidiomycota ; isolation & purification ; Ecosystem ; Ficus ; microbiology ; Fungi ; classification ; isolation & purification ; Mitosporic Fungi ; isolation & purification ; Plant Leaves ; microbiology ; Species Specificity ; Thailand

To study the ecological distribution and diversity of endophytic fungi associated with Ferula of medicinal plants in Xinjiang. The endophytic fungi were isolated from roots, stems and leaves of Ferula by microbiology research methods and technology. The endophytic fungi were identified using ITS rDNA sequence analysis and morphology analysis. The composition, diversity and preference of endophytic fungal community were analyzed with Shannon-Wiener biodiversity index (H') and Sorensen coefficient (Cs). A total of 337 strains endophytic fungi were isolated and classified into 38 genera, Alternaria, Aureobasidium and Fusarium were the dominant genera. Among the 337 isolates, the endophytic fungi of F. sinkiangensis were the most, The Shannon-Wiener biodiversity index (H') associated with roots of F. fukanensis was the highest, reached 1.85. The highest Sorensen coefficient ( Cs) was between leaf of F. sinkiangensis and leaf of F. ovina, reached 0.75. From the result, endophytic fungi were widely distributed in six Ferula, there are some notable differences between distribution and composition of the endophytic fungi isolated from different issues and different species of Ferula, show a certain degree of species and tissue preference. The results obtained in this study will provide realistic basis and theoretical basis for further study the secondary metabolites of endophytic fungi associated with Ferula, and the relationship between endophytic fungi and their host plants.
Biodiversity ; Ecology ; Endophytes ; isolation & purification ; Ferula ; microbiology ; Fungi ; classification ; isolation & purification ; metabolism