Search Results (78)

Dried fruits, which are widely produced in different parts of the world, and, especially in the Mediterranean basin, are broadly known for their durability and their nutritional value. This is primarily due to their ability to be stored for long periods of time and their concentrated nutrient content. However, these fruits can be at risk of contamination by specific stored-product insects and various toxigenic fungal species at different stages of their production process, including cultivation, harvesting, processing, drying, and storage. As a result, the dried fruits that are consumed may contain mycotoxins, which pose a potential risk for human health. The risk is significant in both industrialized and developing nations, as climate change and inadequate sanitation practices contribute to the proliferation of mycotoxins in these commodities. It is worth noting that there are several factors that contribute to the production of mycotoxins, such as the type of fruit, geographical location, climatic conditions, harvest treatments, and storage management practices, with specialized insects, known as “stored-product insects”, playing a crucial role in this latter stage. Therefore, it is critically important to gain a comprehensive understanding of the interaction among insects, fungi, and mycotoxins to effectively mitigate this problem. In this review, the primary objective is to bridge the knowledge gap by consolidating data from various regions to gain a global perspective on this topic. Full article

The A mating-type locus in Schizophyllum commune, which encodes homeodomain (HD) transcription factors, is essential for regulating sexual compatibility and development. While the role of the Aα sublocus and its Y-Z HD protein complex is adequality understood, the function of HD proteins at the Aβ sublocus remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed the Aβ sublocus of eight monokaryotic S. commune strains derived from the parental dikaryotic strain 20R-7-Z01 and identified four HD genes, abr, abs, abv, and abq, located at the Aβ sublocus. These genes encode two HD1 proteins (S and Q) and two HD2 proteins (R and V). Protein structure prediction, interaction assays, and in vivo functional analyses revealed that R-S and V-Q interactions independently regulate sexual compatibility and fruiting body development. This research highlights the critical role of the Aβ sublocus in fungal reproduction and provides valuable insights for breeding edible and medicinal S. commune strains. Full article

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy is a straightforward analytical technique capable of providing detailed information about metabolites in biological samples. The objective of this study was to perform a SERS analysis of ergothioneine (EGT), an amino acid synthesized by microbes and fungi, across a range of pH values (acidic to alkaline) and concentrations (2 × 10⁻⁵ M to 2 × 10⁻⁷ M), to understand the dynamic interactions between EGT and silver (Ag) nanoparticles. Furthermore, SERS was applied in situ on mushroom fruiting bodies to detect the presence of EGT. The SERS spectra revealed that the interaction of EGT with Ag nanoparticles underwent significant alterations at varying pH levels, primarily due to isomerization. These changes were associated with modifications in the aromaticity and ionization of the imidazole ring, driven by both metal adsorption and alkaline conditions. Our results indicated the formation of distinct tautomeric forms of the imidazole group, namely the thione and thiol forms, in aqueous solution and on the Ag surface, respectively. Furthermore, the EGT spectra at different concentrations suggested that ionization occurred at lower concentrations. Notably, the SERS spectra of the mushroom fruiting bodies were dominated by prominent bands attributable to EGT, as corroborated by the comparison with the EGT fungal extract and EGT standard. These findings underscore the utility of SERS spectroscopy as a rapid and effective tool for obtaining comprehensive molecular fingerprints, even directly from complex biological matrices such as mushroom fruiting bodies. Full article

Background/Objectives: The agriculture sector faces significant challenges due to global climate change, environmental stressors, and rapid population growth, compounded by unsustainable farming practices. This study investigates the potential of the endophytic bacterial strain B.B.Sf.2, isolated from the bark of Salvia fruticosa and identified as Bacillus velezensis through phylogenomic analyses. Methods: To address these issues, eco-friendly techniques, such as the application of plant-associated microbes, are gaining attention. Genome mining revealed numerous secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters associated with plant growth promotion, biocontrol, colonization, and defense elicitation. Results: The strain exhibited strong antagonistic activity against phytopathogens, mediated by diffusible and volatile compound production, along with plant-growth-promoting traits and environmental adaptability. Genome mining revealed numerous secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters associated with plant growth promotion, biocontrol, colonization, and defense elicitation. B.B.Sf.2 effectively inhibited Colletotrichum species causing olive anthracnose and suppressed Botrytis cinerea, the gray mold pathogen, in post-harvest studies on infected fruits. Bioautography of ethyl acetate extracts demonstrated bioactivity against B. cinerea, attributed to iturin-like metabolites. The extracts maintained bioactive properties regardless of fungal interaction. Furthermore, the strain significantly promoted the growth of Arabidopsis thaliana via diffusible and volatile compounds. Conclusions: Our results highlight the multifunctional potential of B.B.Sf.2 as a biocontrol and growth-promoting agent, warranting further evaluation in field applications to enhance sustainable agriculture. Full article

Monilinia fructicola causes brown rot on a wide variety of stone fruits, causing several losses in the field and during storage of fruits. Due to the diverse biological activity of chalcones and their derivatives, they have emerged as a promising alternative for controlling phytopathogenic fungi. The aim of this study was to synthesize 3′,4′-methylenedioxychalcone derivatives and evaluate their in vitro inhibitory effect on mycelial growth and the conidial germination of M. fructicola. Additionally, a molecular docking study and the prediction of lipophilicity were carried out to investigate their chemical behavior. The results showed that compound F exhibited the most potent antifungal activity, with EC₅₀ and MIC values of 20.61 µg/mL and <10 µg/mL for mycelial growth and conidial germination, respectively, presenting an adequate lipophilicity (Log p values = 2.79), which would allow proper diffusion through the fungal cell membrane. The in silico study revealed a great number of interactions between compound F and the different active sites of the succinate dehydrogenase enzyme, suggesting a favorable interaction with a binding energy score value of −6.9 kcal/mol, similar to CBE, the native ligand of this enzyme. These types of compounds could provide preventive protection in various stone and other crops. Full article

Microbial contamination challenges have led to the development of active edible coatings for fruit preservation. Herein, a Konjac glucomannan (KGM) coating loaded with Ocimum gratissimum (OG) essential oil stabilized by pectin with superior resistance to air permeability, oxidation, and fungal, was prepared in situ on the surface of Mandarin oranges to enhance postharvest fruit quality. The results demonstrated that the KGM-pectin-OG (K-P-OG) 1.5 wt% coating exhibited good performance in terms of stability, adhesion, and wetting. Meanwhile, the coating had an ideal air permeability due to its compact and dense structure based on the good compatibility and interactions between the components. The oxygen permeability of the K-P-OG coating was 7.9 × (10⁻¹⁶ g·cm)/(cm²·s·Pa), which was six orders of magnitude lower than that of the KGM coating. The antioxidant, in vitro, and in vivo antifungal activities against Penicillium italicum of the coating were strengthened by the OG emulsion and mainly depended on its concentration. The storage results showed that the K-P-OG 1.5% coating extended the shelf life of Mandarin oranges by 8 days, reduced the weight loss rate by 13%, and increased the firmness and POD during storage by 24.14% and 100%, respectively, compared with the control group. These results demonstrate that K-P-OG can effectively maintain nutrient content and extend the storage time of Mandarin oranges by enhancing antioxidant capacity and inhibiting fruit respiration and microorganism growth. This study presents a strategy for developing edible coatings for postharvest fruit preservation. Full article

Watermelon is one of the most important fruits in China, accounting for more than 70% of the world’s total output. Fusarium wilt of watermelon is the most common and serious disease in the cultivation of watermelon. It is mainly caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (FoN), which has caused serious damage to the watermelon-planting industry. Some mycoviruses can reduce the pathogenicity of host pathogens and have the potential for biocontrol, so their application potential in the biological control of plant fungal diseases has attracted much attention. In this study, high-throughput sequencing was performed on 150 FoN strains isolated from three major watermelon-production areas (northern semi-arid area, northwestern arid area, and southern humid area) to detect the diversity of mycoviruses and to uncover new mycoviruses. The analysis identified 25 partial or complete genome segments representing eight previously undescribed mycoviruses. The existence of six mycoviruses was verified via RT-PCR. The southern humid area had the highest diversity of mycoviruses, with 15 species identified. Among these, 40% are dsRNA viruses and 33.3% belong to the family Chrysoviridae, representing the predominant viral type and family. In the northern semi-arid area, a total of 12 viral species were identified, among these 41.7% were +ssRNA viruses and 25% belonged to the family Mymonaviridae, constituting the main viral types and family. The northwestern arid area showed relatively low viral diversity, only containing three species. Two of these were +ssRNA viruses classified under the Mitoviridae and Potyviridae families. Notably, only one virus, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum Potyvirus 1 (FoNPTV1), was shared across all three areas. These findings reveal significant regional differences in the mycoviral species composition and distribution, highlighting the complex interactions between mycoviruses and FoN in different environments. By uncovering new mycoviruses associated with FoN, this study provides valuable resources for the potential biocontrol of Fusarium wilt in watermelon, contributing to sustainable disease management and improving the quality and safety of watermelon production in China. Full article

The endophytic strain Amfr20 was isolated from roots of the olive tree var. Amfissa. Based on core-genome phylogenomic analyses, it was classified as Bacillus velezensis. The isolate showed positive results in numerous plant growth promoting traits, as well as in abiotic stress tolerance and in colonization related traits in vitro. Furthermore, the strain exhibited antifungal activity in vitro through diffusible and volatile compounds. Whole genome analysis revealed that the strain possesses large and various arsenals of secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters involved in the bioagent’s functional properties, including plant growth promotion, colonization, and plant defense elicitation, as well as having the genomic potential for abiotic stress mediation. Based on TLC-bioautography, the ethyl acetate extracts of secreted agar-diffusible compounds from Amfr20 through single and dual cultures were found to be bioactive independently of the fungal pathogen’s interaction. The bacterial endophyte also proved efficient in suppressing the severity of anthracnose olive rot and gray mold post-harvest diseases on olive fruits and table grape berries, respectively. Lastly, Amfr20 beneficially affected Arabidopsis thaliana growth under normal and saline conditions, while boosting the plant development of Solanum lycopersicum through seed biopriming and root irrigation methods. The results of this multilevel study indicate that the novel endophyte Amfr20 Bacillus velezensis is a promising bioagent that should be exploited in the future as an ecological biopesticide and/or biostimulant. Full article

Schizophyllum commune, a Basidiomycota fungus with a tetrapolar mating system, serves as a key model for studying sexual reproduction. In this study, two distinct mating subtypes (I and II) were identified in strain 20R-7-ZF01, isolated from subseafloor sediment, which exhibited eight different mating interaction phenotypes. Intra-subtypes exhibited colony-symmetric tetrapolar interactions (G1), whereas inter-subtype crosses yielded colony-asymmetric phenotypes (G2) and a reduced number of fruiting bodies. Nuclear migration analysis revealed that both subtypes follow the same sexual reproductive process, suggesting functional similarities despite the different reproductive outcomes. Gene silencing of mating-type loci identified the genes bbp2-9 and bbp2-7 within the B locus as key factors in determining mating subtype identity. Additionally, a similar pattern of mating subtype differentiation was observed in five other S. commune strains from both subseafloor and terrestrial environments. These findings highlight the genetic diversity within S. commune, challenge the classical understanding of fungal mating systems, and provide new insights into the genetic evolutionary mechanisms governing fungi with tetrapolar mating systems. Full article

Intercropping is a specific agricultural practice where multiple crops are alternately planted in the same field, focusing on optimizing crop interactions and resource use. The key advantages of this approach encompass the complementary ecological niches of crops, which facilitate efficient resource utilization, promote soil microbial diversity, and ultimately lead to enhanced crop yield and quality. Within this context, rhizosphere microorganisms play a pivotal role in plant growth, not only maintaining crop health but also augmenting resistance to various stressors through intricate mechanisms, such as colonizing the plant rhizosphere to produce phytohormones that stimulate plant growth, activating plant defense systems, and competitively excluding soil pathogens. Abelmoschus manihot (A. manihot) is widely distributed and possesses medicinal value; thus, it is utilized to treat a variety of diseases. When cultivating A. manihot, we hope to make rational use of limited planting space, while ensuring the yield of A. manihot and enhancing its medicinal quality. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted in which two planting patterns for A. manihot were designed. Monocropping plots featured A. manihot planted at 0.3 m intervals with a row spacing of 0.5 m. In the intercropping plots, A. manihot was also planted at 0.3 m intervals, maintaining a row spacing of 0.5 m. Furthermore, Eucommia ulmoides (E. ulmoides) was planted at 0.3 m intervals, with a row spacing of 0.25 m between A. manihot and E. ulmoides. Through the field experiment, we evaluated the effects of monocropping and intercropping with E. ulmoides on the quality and biomass of A. manihot, as well as the rhizosphere microbial community structure. The results showed that intercropping can promote the growth of A.manihot, especially by increasing the number of flowers and fruits, but the quality of the medicinal properties is not affected. Specifically, in 2024, the number of flowers in the intercropping plants was 20 ± 2, compared to 13 ± 2 in the monocropping; in 2023, the number of fruits in the intercropping plants was 19 ± 2, compared to 13 ± 2 in the monocropping; and in 2024, the number of fruits in the intercropping plants was 20 ± 2, compared to 13 ± 2 in the monocropping. This effect is due to the self-regulation of A. manihot in response to the biological stress from E. ulmoides. The composition and function of the A. manihot rhizosphere fungal community in the intercropping system changed significantly, which may be the reason for the growth and development of A. manihot. This discovery reveals the potential of intercropping as an agricultural practice in promoting plant growth and increasing yield. Intercropping with E. ulmoides significantly promoted the growth of A. manihot, increasing the number of its flowers and fruits without compromising the quality of its medicinal properties. This finding offers valuable insights for agricultural production: by employing rational intercropping configurations, crop yields can be increased without compromising crop quality. Full article

Morels (Morchella spp.) are medicinal and edible mushrooms, renowned for their distinctive taste and appearance. Due to the low yields and difficulty of foraging wild morels, artificial cultivation has significant economic value. Outdoor cultivation yields are influenced by factors such as weather and diseases, which can result in crop instability or failure, thereby causing losses to farmers. Previous studies have typically concentrated on either the fungal or bacterial communities. In this study, we investigated the ecological relationships between morel growth and both the fungi and bacteria in soil, analyzed over multiple trophic levels. We investigated three soil types: soil in which morel death was observed (DM), soil in which no morels emerged (UM), and soil that is suitable for normal fruiting (NM). We used high-throughput ITS and 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing, alongside assessment of soil physicochemical properties, to investigate factors contributing to morel emergence and death. The results indicated that the richness and diversity of both fungal and bacterial communities in the normal fruiting soil (NM) were significantly higher than those in the non-fruiting soils (DM and UM). The bacterial community was primarily composed of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota, while the fungal community was dominated by Ascomycota and Mucoromycota. Furthermore, Morchella was significantly enriched in NM, indicating that it had successfully colonized and could develop into fruiting bodies. The morel mycelium in NM effectively utilized external nutrient bags, enhancing the soil nitrogen and organic matter content while reducing the consumption of available phosphorus and potassium. LEfSe and random forest analyses identified Pedobacter and Massilia as biomarkers of NM, potentially associated with the symbiosis of Morchella, which may promote its growth. Furthermore, the construction of the fungal-bacterial co-occurrence network revealed that the NM soil exhibited a higher number of nodes and greater network stability, suggesting that its complex microbial community structure may play a crucial role in the successful cultivation of Morchella. Our results indicate that the failures in morel production were due to inadequate management practices. Elevated greenhouse temperatures may have promoted pathogen proliferation, hindering the effective utilization of external nutrient bags by morel mycelium. Consequently, the mycelium was unable to accumulate nutrients efficiently, leading to the inability of Morchella to fruit or resulting in developmental failures. This study offers valuable insights into the interactions between morel mycelium and soil microorganisms, elucidating the reasons for morel cultivation failure and suggesting strategies for optimizing morel cultivation. Full article

Apple (Malus domestica) is an economically important fruit crop, but its production is affected by Glomerella leaf spot, a devastating disease caused by the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. MicroRNA (miRNA) is a kind of non-coding RNA that plays an important role in the process of plant–pathogen interactions. However, little is known about the miRNAs that influence apple resistance against C. gloeosporioides. A novel miRNA, MIR396d-p3, was identified through small RNA sequencing (sRNA-seq). Functional analyses revealed that MIR396d-p3 negatively regulates apple resistance to C. gloeosporioides. In addition, MdUGT89A2 and MdRGA3 were confirmed as targets of MIR396d-p3 using 5′ RACE and heterologous expression assays. We further found that overexpressing MdUGT89A2 and MdRGA3 induce apple disease resistance to C. gloeosporioides, while silencing of MdUGT89A2 and MdRGA3 reduces resistance to C. gloeosporioides. These results indicate that MIR396d-p3 plays a role in the response to the infection of C. gloeosporioides through regulating the expressions of MdUGT89A2 and MdRGA3. This research provides a new perspective on the interaction between apples and C. gloeosporioides and offers possible targets for resistance breeding. Full article

Mycotoxin contamination in medicinal plants can lead to toxicity, reduced therapeutic efficacy, and economic losses. This contamination has emerged as a significant issue, drawing attention from researchers and research centers worldwide. Over recent decades, numerous analytical studies have addressed mycotoxin contamination in these herbs, evaluating various methods to determine their presence quantitatively and qualitatively. While several reviews have summarized these studies, they often overlook a comprehensive exploration of the mechanisms and influencing factors of mycotoxin contamination in medicinal herbs. Therefore, this review aims to delve into the mechanisms of aflatoxin and ochratoxin contamination in some of the most widespread medicinal herbs, including jujube fruits, lotus seeds, and licorice roots. The factors influencing these mechanisms were also examined, including the physical composition and maturity stages of the herbs. This review concluded that aflatoxin and ochratoxin A contamination of medicinal herbs involves complex interactions between the herbs’ natural defenses, fungal pathogenicity, chemical composition, physical characteristics, and individual plant differences at various maturity stages. Understanding these mechanisms of contamination, and their association with maturity, nutrient profile, and physical development, advances our comprehension of mycotoxin contamination in medicinal herbs. Full article

This study investigates the interplay between volatile and non-volatile flavor metabolites and endophytic microbial communities during three developmental stages of Passiflora ligularis fruit juice. Using bioinformatics and metabolomics, we characterize microbial diversity and metabolic variations to understand flavor development. A total of 1490 bacterial and 1158 fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified. Young fruits had higher microbial diversity, dominated by Proteobacteria and Firmicutes (bacteria) and Ascomycota and Basidiomycota (fungi). As the fruit matured, Proteobacteria increased while Firmicutes decreased, indicating that microbial succession is tied to development. Metabolomic profiling identified 87 volatile and 1002 non-volatile metabolites, with distinct chemical classes varying across stages. Saturated hydrocarbons and fatty alcohols were the main volatile metabolites, while organic acids and lipids among non-volatile metabolites showed stage-dependent changes, influencing flavor complexity. Correlation analysis showed microbial-flavor interactions: Proteobacteria negatively correlated with metabolites, while Firmicutes positively correlated with metabolites. Ascomycota positively correlated with volatile metabolites, whereas Basidiomycota showed an inverse relationship, highlighting their differential contributions to flavor biosynthesis. This study enhances understanding of microbial and metabolic factors shaping P. ligularis fruit flavor, highlighting the importance of microbial influence on fruit metabolomics. The findings suggest the potential for microbiome engineering to improve flavor quality, aiding postharvest management and industrial processing in the food and beverage industry. Full article

In this study, three fungal steroids (1–3) were isolated from the fruiting bodies of the poisonous mushroom Gymnopilus orientispectabilis, based on bioactivity-guided isolation methods. The chemical structures of the isolates (1–3) were determined using NMR spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1–3 exhibited inhibition activity against E. coli, and their interactions with several bacterial drug targets were studied via in silico molecular docking, where the lowest binding energies were observed for penicillin binding protein 3 (PBP3) (−62.89, −75.89 and −74.47 kcal/mol, for compounds 1, 2 and 3, respectively). An MD simulation was performed to examine the conformational stability, motion and flexibility of protein–ligand complexes. In conclusion, this study investigates fungal steroids from G. orientaspectabilis as potential sources for new antimicrobial agents, encouraging further research to develop novel therapies. Full article