Search Results (7)

The increasing demand for sustainable active packaging necessitates the development of bio-based films with enhanced functional properties. This study aimed to functionalize a quince (Cydonia oblonga) by-product film, formulated in clove (Syzygium aromaticum) hydrosol by casting, incorporating varying concentrations (0–10% w/v) of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) by-product extract. Increasing the extract concentration led to increments in film thickness (102.2 to 120.2 µm), elongation at break (112.5 to 117.3%), tensile strength (1.5 to 4.2 MPa), opacity (20.2 to 24.0%), and water vapor permeability (2.0 to 2.3 × 10⁻⁸ g s⁻¹ m⁻¹ Pa⁻¹). The total phenolic content also increased from 17.6 to 24.3 mg GAE/g film, correlating with a decrease in transmittance. While Fourier-Transform Infrared spectra profiling revealed stable intermolecular interactions across all samples without chemical disruption; scanning electron microscopy analysis confirmed distinct morphological differences resulting from broccoli extract incorporation. Notably, while 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity remained stable across treatments, the 2.5% w/v extract concentration provided the highest antifungal efficacy against Aspergillus puulaauensis (15.7%), A. jensenii (8.2%) and Penicillium nordicum (5.8%) by the agar diffusion method. These results were comparable with a commercial natamycin-containing coating used as a positive control. The synergy of clove hydrosol and broccoli extract resulted in a quince-based film with superior mechanical and bioactive properties. Full article

Marine microplastics (MPs) represent a novel ecological niche, populated by fungi with high potential for pharmaceutical discovery. This study explores the bioactivity of fungal strains isolated from MPs in Mediterranean sediments, focusing on their osteogenic and antiviral activities. Crude extracts prepared via solid-state and submerged-state fermentation were tested for their effects on extracellular matrix mineralization in vitro and bone growth in zebrafish larvae, and for their activity against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Several extracts exhibited significant mineralogenic and osteogenic activities, with Aspergillus jensenii MUT6581 and Cladosporium halotolerans MUT6558 being the most performing ones. Antiviral assays identified extracts from A. jensenii MUT6581 and Bjerkandera adusta MUT6589 as effective against RSV and HSV-2 at different extents, with no cytotoxic effect. Although chemical profiling of A. jensenii MUT6581 extract led to the isolation of decumbenones A and B, they did not reproduce the observed bioactivities, suggesting the involvement of other active compounds or synergistic effects. These results highlight the plastisphere as a valuable resource for novel bioactive compounds and suggest the need for further fractionation and characterization to identify the molecules responsible for these promising activities. Full article

A total of 25 marketed quinoa seed samples different for origin, farming system and packaging were analyzed for the presence of mycotoxigenic fungi (by isolation both on Potato Dextrose Agar and with the deep-freezing blotter method) and relative contamination by mycotoxins (by LC-MS/MS analysis). Fungal microorganisms, but not mycotoxins, were detected in all the samples, and 25 isolates representative of the mycobiota were obtained. Morphological and molecular characterization and, for some isolates, the in vitro mycotoxigenic profile, allowed the identification of 19 fungal species within five different genera: Alternaria, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium and Fusarium. Among the identified species, Alternaria abundans, A. chartarum, A. arborescens, Cladosporium allicinum, C. parasubtilissimum, C. pseudocladosporioides, C. uwebraunianum, Aspergillus jensenii, A. tubingensis, Penicillium dipodomyis, P. verrucosum and P. citreosulfuratum were first reported on quinoa, and Alternaria infectoria and Fusarium oxysporum were first reported on quinoa seeds. The geographical origin, farming system and packaging were showed to affect the amount and type of the isolated fungal species, highlighting that the level of fungal presence and their related secondary metabolites is conditioned by different steps of the quinoa supply chain. However, despite the presence of mycotoxigenic fungi, the marketed quinoa seeds analyzed resulted in being free from mycotoxins. Full article

Molds are ubiquitous biological pollutants in bioaerosols. Among these molds, the genus Aspergillus is found in the majority of indoor air samples, and includes several species with pathogenic and toxigenic properties. Aspergillus species in the series Versicolores remain little known despite recurrence in bioaerosols. In order to investigate their toxicity, we studied 22 isolates of clinical and environmental origin, corresponding to seven different species of the series Versicolores. Spore suspensions and ethyl acetate extracts prepared from fungal isolates were subjected to oxidative potential measurement using the dithiothreitol (DTT) test and cell survival measurement. The DTT tests showed that all species of the series Versicolores had an oxidative potential, either by their spores (especially for Aspergillus jensenii) or by the extracts (especially from Aspergillus amoenus). Measurements of cell survival of A549 and HaCaT cell lines showed that only the spore suspension containing 10⁵ spores/mL of Aspergillus jensenii caused a significant decrease in survival after 72 h of exposure. The same tests performed with mixtures of 10⁵ spores/mL showed a potentiation of the cytotoxic effect, with a significant decrease in cell survival for mixtures containing spores of two species (on A549 cells, p = 0.05 and HaCaT cells, p = 0.001) or three different species (on HaCaT cells, p = 0.05). Cell survival assays after 72 h of exposure to the fungal extracts showed that Aspergillus puulaauensis extract was the most cytotoxic (IC50 < 25 µg/mL), while Aspergillus fructus caused no significant decrease in cell survival. Full article

Air quality can be altered by fungal contaminants suspended in the air, forming bioaerosols. Aspergilli section Nidulantes series Versicolores are recurrent in bioaerosols and are mainly responsible for allergies and asthma aggravation. Phylogenetic studies recently identified 12 new species within this series. This study is the first to identify species of Aspergillus series Versicolores in French bioaerosols and to characterize them macroscopically, microscopically and molecularly. Bioaerosols were collected in a cancer treatment center, in contaminated homes and in agricultural environments. A total of 93 isolates were cultured on selective media, observed by optical microscopy and identified by benA amplification before sequencing. The field data (temperature and relative humidity) were statistically tested to explore the ecology of these species. Eight species were identified from bioaerosols: Aspergillus creber and A. jensenii, which represent more than 80% of the isolates, and A. protuberus, A. puulaauensis, A. sydowii, A. tabacinus, A. amoenus and A. fructus. Aspergilli series Versicolores are distributed differently depending on the sampling site and climatic determinants. Aspergillus protuberus was found in bioaerosols collected under significantly lower relative humidity (p = 3.899 × 10⁻⁴). Characterization and repartition of these isolates belonging to the Versicolores series constitute an important step to better assess exposure to fungal bioaerosols. Full article

The usage of bottled water dispensers (BWDs) has spread worldwide. Despite their popularity, few studies have dealt with their microbial contaminants, and little attention is given to their fungal contamination. To our knowledge this is the first mycological study of BWDs in Europe. 36 devices have been examined in Budapest, Hungary. Despite of the strictly regulated water hygiene system in Hungary, molds and yeasts were detected in 86.8% of the samples, 56.76% were highly contaminated. Elevated heterotrophic plate counts were also observed in all samples compared to that of Hungarian drinking water. As all physical and chemical water quality characteristics have met the relevant national and European parametric values and neither totally explained the results of microbial counts, the effect of usage and maintenance habits of the devices were examined. Fungal concentrations were affected by the time elapsed since disinfection, days remaining until expiration of bottles, month of sampling and exposure to sunlight during storage. Microbes are able to proliferate in the bottled water and disperse inside the BWDs. Many of the detected fungal species (Sarocladium kiliense, Acremonium sclerotigenum/egyptiacum, Exophiala jeanselmei var. lecanii-corni, Exophiala equina, Meyerozyma guilliermondii, Cystobasidium slooffiae, Aspergillus jensenii, Bisifusarium biseptatum) are opportunistic pathogens for subpopulations of sensitive age groups and patients with immunodeficient conditions, including cystic fibrosis. Thus BWDs may pose a health risk to visitors of healthcare institutions, especially to patients with oral lesions in dental surgeries. The study draws attention to the need to investigate microbial contamination of these devices in other countries as well. Full article

The aim of this work was to assess the antifungal and antioxidant activity of essential oils and ethanolic extracts from distilled solid by-products from aromatic plants (Artemisia dracunculus, Hyssopus officinalis, Lavandula stoechas, Origanum vulgare and Satureja montana) against 14 fungi strains isolated from sheep cheese and identified at species level using DNA barcoding based on β-tubulin sequence analysis. In addition, capacity of fungi to produce ochratoxin A, patulin, cyclopiazonic acid and sterigmatocystin was analyzed. Of the isolates, 85.7% belonged to Penicillium (P. commune/biforme, P. crustosum) and 14.3% to Aspergillus (A. puulaauensis and A. jensenii), the first time that these Aspergillus species have been found in sheep’s cheese. All P. commune isolates were producers of cyclopiazonic acid, and the two Aspergillus strains produced sterigmatocystin, but the others did not produce any tested mycotoxin. Among the essential oils tested, oregano, savory and tarragon had a significant antifungal activity against all the isolated strains, but no ethanolic extract showed antifungal activity. By contrast, ethanolic extracts showed great potential as antioxidants. The identification of new molds in cheese will help the dairy industry to know more about those molds affecting the sector, and the use of aromatic plants in the control of fungal spoilage could be a suitable alternative to chemical preservatives used in the agri-food industry. Full article