Search Results (78)

Microbial extracellular pigments are renewable colorants for sustainable textile dyeing. A yellow-pigment-producing fungal strain, H-1, isolated from spalted wood, was identified as Chaetomium globosum and evaluated for pigment production, characterization, stability, bioactivity, and wool dyeing. Stepwise single-factor screening indicated suitable culture conditions of initial pH 7, 25 °C, 10 d, 25 g/L glucose, 7 g/L fish peptone, and 0.25 g/L K₂HPO₄. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed hydroxyl, aromatic, and C-O-C groups, and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS) putatively annotated representative components including Chaetomugilin D and Armochaetoglobin G. The crude pigment produced preliminary inhibition zones of 14.30 ± 0.04 and 10.01 ± 0.17 mm against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively, while crude fermentation filtrates showed measurable hydroxyl and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging capacities under fixed assay conditions. The pigment was more stable under neutral to alkaline pH and short-term heating at 40–100 °C. Wool showed higher dye affinity than cotton, linen, and silk. Response surface methodology (RSM) optimized wool dyeing at pH 2.35, 91 °C, 80 min, and 2.04 g/L potassium aluminum sulfate, yielding a color strength (K/S) value of 11.65. After three dye-bath reuse cycles, K/S decreased by 16.28%, and washing/rubbing fastness remained above grade 3 under GB/T tests. These results support further development of Chaetomium globosum H-1 extracellular pigments for natural wool coloration and dye-bath reuse. Full article

Plant-derived syrups are traditional sugar-rich products that may serve as potential natural food ingredients, but their quality-related characteristics depend on raw material composition, acidity, phenolic constituents, pigments and colour attributes. This study characterised 15 plant-derived syrup products prepared from botanical and fungal raw materials collected in Latvia during the 2025 vegetation season. The syrups were analysed for pH, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total anthocyanin content (TAC) determined spectrophotometrically, smartphone-based CIELAB colour parameters and organic acid content by HPLC-DAD. Data were evaluated using correlation analysis, PCA and K-means clustering as exploratory tools. The syrup products differed in acidity, phenolic and flavonoid indices, TAC, colour characteristics and organic acid profiles. Fruit-derived syrups showed the widest variation in titratable acidity, while total soluble solids showed no significant linear association with titratable acidity. TPC correlated strongly with TFC in samples with quantifiable TFC values, whereas TAC was associated more closely with reduced lightness than with increased redness. Organic acid profiles provided additional product-level differentiation. Overall, the integrated analytical approach provides a compositional basis for the further evaluation of plant-derived syrups as potential natural food ingredients. Full article

Epichloë endophytes can confer diverse benefits to host grasses, but the differences in effects between strains from different populations are poorly understood. In this study, we compared the impacts of two Epichloë bromicola strains isolated from distinct geographic populations of Hordeum bogdanii: GS1 (from Linze County, Gansu Province) and WS1 (from Wensu County, Xinjiang Province). Through controlled inoculation experiments, we established two new symbionts—HE2 (WS1 transferred to endophyte-free GF plants) and HE3 (GS1 transferred to endophyte-free WF plants)—alongside the natural symbionts GI (GS1-harboring) and WI (WS1-harboring) and corresponding endophyte-free controls (GF and WF). Symbiosis was confirmed by microscopic observation of blue-stained hyphae, re-isolation of fungi, and molecular identification using tef and tub gene sequences. Strikingly, the two strains exerted opposite effects on host photosynthesis. GS1-colonized plants (GI and HE3) maintained normal chloroplast ultrastructure, showed increased chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents, and exhibited enhanced net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance, comparable to or exceeding those of control WF. In contrast, WS1-colonized plants (WI and HE2) had deformed chloroplasts, reduced pigment contents, and depressed gas exchange parameters, similar to control GF. Both newly generated symbionts accumulated more starch grains than their natural counterparts, indicating altered carbon partitioning. Phenotypic patterns were consistent across natural and novel associations, suggesting that fungal genotype drives outcomes. Differing physiological effects caused by strains from the same species and the same host but different populations indicate the importance of strain-level selection in agricultural applications. GS1 shows promise as a growth-promoting bioinoculant to enhance photosynthesis and productivity in forage grasses, particularly under marginal conditions. This study highlights how intraspecific variation and local adaptation shape grass–endophyte interactions and informs targeted use of symbionts in sustainable agriculture. Full article

The increasing demand for safer and environmentally sustainable products has intensified the search for natural alternatives to synthetic dyes. Filamentous fungi are promising sources of natural pigments due to their metabolic diversity and the feasibility of large-scale production. In this study, filamentous fungi isolated from Amazonian freshwater environments were evaluated for their potential to produce natural pigment-associated metabolites under different nutritional conditions. Forty-five fungal isolates were screened in solid media and subsequently cultivated in submerged fermentation using three media: potato dextrose broth supplemented with yeast extract (BD + YE); malt extract broth (ME); and yeast extract–sucrose broth supplemented with magnesium sulfate (YES). Among the 39 pigment-producing isolates, seven were selected for further investigation. Sucrose favored the highest absorbance values of pigment extracts, particularly for isolates identified as Talaromyces amestolkiae. In addition, the extract of T. amestolkiae TA10P5-3 exhibited the highest absorbance value (6.83 abs. units at 400 nm) when cultivated in YES medium, indicating stronger chromophore-associated spectral signals. This extract also showed antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (625 μg/mL), Staphylococcus epidermidis (312 μg/mL), and Candida tropicalis (625 μg/mL). Finally, the TA10P5-3 extract presented high total phenolic content (246.30 mg GAE/g) and antioxidant activity (EC₅₀ = 5470 μg/mL). These findings highlight Amazonian freshwater fungi as promising sources of natural pigments with potential industrial applications. Full article

Spoilage date palm fruits are produced in large quantities and represent an underutilized agrowaste resource. Their high sugar content and balanced nutrient composition make them promising candidates for microbial bioprocessing. This study explored their potential as a low-cost substrate for Talaromyces atroroseus QA2602 (PZ091940) to simultaneously produce biodiesel grade lipids, natural pigments, and fungal chitosan within an integrated biorefinery approach. Spoiled date fruits were chemically characterized and applied at varying concentrations to cultivate T. atroroseus QA2602 (PZ091940). Thermal and thermo-chemical pretreatments were tested to enhance sugar availability. Lipid accumulation, fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) profiles, pigment production, and pigment stability were assessed. Biodiesel quality was estimated from FAME composition. De-oiled fungal biomass wastes were further processed to extract and characterize chitosan, and pigment–chitosan composites were evaluated for antioxidant activity. Optimal lipid and pigment production by T. atroroseus occurred at moderate concentration of spoiled date fruit substrate used in the culture medium, while dilute acid pretreatment of spoiled date fruits at high temperature resulted in the highest reducing sugar release from the substrate, which subsequently enhanced fungal biomass formation. The resulting C16–C18 rich oil displayed fuel properties consistent with high quality biodiesel. Pigments exhibited strong pH and thermal stability, along with potent antioxidant activity. De-oiled biomass produced chitosan with a high degree of deacetylation, and the pigment–chitosan composite showed enhanced antioxidant capacity. Rotted date fruits provide an effective, sustainable feedstock enabling the co-production of biodiesel, pigments, and chitosan by Talaromyces atroroseus QA2602 (PZ091940), supporting their integration into circular bioeconomy frameworks. Full article

Monascus sp. NP1 is a significant filamentous fungus with valuable properties for food industries. Initially isolated from the fermented rice product ang-kak, this strain is known for its ability to produce natural pigments. In this study, we therefore sequenced its genome together with the 26S rRNA D1/D2 domain and ITS fragment for identifying species of Monascus sp. NP1, and further conducted functional annotations of its overall genes related to metabolic capability and growth adaptation using comparative genomics. As a result, promisingly, the NP1 strain was identified as Monascus purpureus with the genome sequences, which was shown to be 23.54 Mb with a GC content of 49.01%. Genome annotation predicted 8031 protein-encoding genes. Comparative genomics between NP1 and 11 other related strains revealed 6024 core groups, 2204 accessory groups, and 5 strain-specific groups. Metabolic pathway analysis promisingly showed carbohydrate metabolism as the most enriched category, particularly central carbon metabolism involving key precursors, e.g., acetyl-CoA and pyruvate that support energy generation and the biosynthesis of pigments, fatty acids, and lipids. These findings highlighted the metabolic versatility and adaptive growth potential of M. purpureus NP1. This study provides key genetic insights into the cellular functions of M. purpureus NP1, laying the groundwork for exploring metabolic properties. It offers a comprehensive understanding for developing targeted applications of M. purpureus NP1 as an alternative fungal cell factory in food and nutrition. Full article

Fungal pigments have gained attention as eco-friendly and versatile materials for green nanotechnology because of their varied chemical structures, inherent redox properties, and strong metal ion-binding capabilities. These pigments, such as polyketides, azaphilones, melanins, and carotenoids, can function simultaneously as reducing, capping, and surface-functionalizing agents, facilitating the environmentally friendly production of metallic nanoparticles without the use of harmful chemicals. This review provides a critical overview of recent progress in the production, extraction, and application of fungal pigments for nanoparticle synthesis, focusing on the mechanistic roles of pigment functional groups in metal ion reduction, nanoparticle nucleation, growth, and stabilization. The impact of pigment chemistry and reaction conditions on the nanoparticle size, shape, crystallinity, and colloidal stability was thoroughly examined. Additionally, this review highlights the emerging biomedical, environmental, and industrial applications of pigment-mediated nanoparticles, emphasizing their biocompatibility and functional adaptability. Key challenges, such as variability in pigment yield and composition, limited mechanistic validation, lack of standardized synthesis protocols, and insufficient toxicity assessment, are critically analyzed in this review. Finally, future directions are outlined, emphasizing the importance of process optimization, omics-guided pigment discovery, and comprehensive safety evaluations as crucial steps toward the scalable and reliable use of fungal pigment-mediated nanoparticle synthesis in sustainable nanotechnology. Full article

Canine mammary tumors (CMTs) are among the most frequent neoplasms in female dogs, with current therapeutic options being limited and non-standardized, prompting the search for alternative treatments such as fungal secondary metabolites. In this study, the fungal pigment Epipyrone A (Epy A) was first isolated from Epicoccum nigrum and then tested in vitro on two CMT cell lines, P114 and CF33. The compound significantly reduced cell viability in both lines in a concentration- and time-dependent manner (p < 0.05), with the strongest effect observed at 175 µg/mL after 48 h (p < 0.0001), while showing no cytotoxicity in MDCK non-tumor cells. Epy A also inhibited cell migration and increased total antioxidant capacity in P114 cells, accompanied by a significant reduction in ROS levels. Western blot analysis revealed modulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, crucial in CMT biology. Specifically, P114 cells showed downregulation of mTOR and p-Akt, indicating inhibition of proliferative signaling, whereas CF33 cells exhibited increased Akt and p-Akt alongside reduced mTOR, consistent with a compensatory feedback mechanism, probably linked to the changing in oxidative balance after treatment. Overall, these results identified Epy A as a promising natural molecule with potential applications in innovative therapeutic approaches for veterinary and comparative oncology. Full article

Rhodotus palmatus is commercially marketed as ‘fruity-scented mushroom’, a novel cultivar first brought into commercial cultivation in China at the end of 2023. It is characterized by a distinct pinkish pigmentation, a pileus with a distinct reticulated surface pattern, and an intense fruity aroma. To date, only a few natural strains have been documented in China, and scientific research on this species remains scarce. This study successfully bred a new variety of Rhodotus palmatus and established corresponding efficient techniques for its industrial-scale cultivation. As a result, strain ZJGWG001, known for its short growth cycle (23 d), high yield potential (177.43 ± 10.08 g·bag⁻¹) and biological efficiency (59.1%), and distinctive, stable phenotypic traits, is well suited for industrial cultivation. This cultivar is the first newly registered Rhodotus palmatus variety in China to receive provincial-level certification and has been officially designated as ‘Zhongjunguoweigu No. 1’. It represents an important discovery in the collection and exploration of wild fungal germplasm resources in recent years. Full article

This article presents the results of a comprehensive study aimed at developing automated diagnostic methods for identifying spring wheat phytopathologies using hyperspectral imaging (HSI). The research aimed to create an effective plant disease detection system, including at the early stages, which is critically important for ensuring food security in regions where wheat plays a key role in the agro-industrial sector. The study analyses the spectral characteristics of major wheat diseases, including powdery mildew, fusarium head blight, septoria glume blotch, root rots, various types of leaf spots, brown rust, and loose smut. Healthy plants differ from diseased ones in that they show a mostly uniform tone without distinct spots or patches on hyperspectral images, and their spectra have a consistent shape without sharp fluctuations. In contrast, disease spectra, differ sharply from those of healthy areas and can take diverse forms. Wheat diseases with a light coating (powdery mildew, fusarium head blight) exhibit high reflectance; chlorosis in the early stages of diseases (rust, leaf spot, septoria leaf blotch) exhibits curves with medium reflectance, and diseases with dark colouration (loose smut, root rot) have low reflectance values. These differences in reflectance among fungal diseases are caused by pigments produced by the pathogens, which either strongly absorb light or reflect most of it. The presence or absence of pigment production is determined by adaptive mechanisms. Based on these patterns in the spectral characteristics and optical properties of the diseases, a classification model was developed with 94% overall accuracy. Random Forest proved to be the most effective method for the automated detection of wheat phytopathogens using hyperspectral data. The practical significance of this research lies in the potential integration of the developed phytopathology detection approach into precision agriculture systems and the use of UAV platforms, enabling rapid large-scale crop monitoring for the timely detection. The study’s results confirm the promising potential of combining hyperspectral technologies and machine learning methods for monitoring the phytosanitary condition of crops. Our findings contribute to the advancement of digital agriculture and are particularly valuable for the agro-industrial sector of Central Asia, where adopting precision farming technologies is a strategic priority given the climatic risks and export-oriented nature of grain production. Full article

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most widely cultivated cereals in the world, with multiple uses, including its role as a staple food for humans, as animal feed, and as a key industrial raw material. Its production is threatened by Fusarium spp., a widespread fungal pathogen that causes significant yield losses and contaminates grain with harmful toxins that constitute a health risk for consumers and animals. Among the grain characteristics reported as relevant for tolerance to this pathogen are pericarp thickness and composition, although results remain inconclusive. This study aims to evaluate the structural characteristics and phenolic composition of the pericarp in diverse native pigmented grain maize populations (NPMP) and inbred lines, and their relationship with susceptibility to Fusarium spp. Pigmented maize populations (EOGro, CTlax, EC149Pue, MGto, and ECMex) and inbred lines (B-50, B-50R, B-49 B-4A and B-5A) were used. All materials were grown at the same location, and tolerance to Fusarium spp. was assessed under natural and assisted infection using incidence (IN, %) and severity of infection (SI, %) as indicators. The phenolic composition (total soluble phenolics, phenolic acid fractions, insoluble phenolics, and phlobaphenes) and structural characteristics of the pericarp were determined, and proanthocyanidin content was quantified in the grain. Both IN and SI varied among genetic materials, with NPMP showing greater susceptibility than inbred lines, which had a thicker pericarp. Pericarp thickness was not correlated with IN, but it was relevant for SI, in both NPMP and inbred lines. Insoluble phenolics content was 31.4% higher in inbred lines compared with NPMP. High levels of proanthocyanidins and phlobaphenes were associated with greater tolerance to Fusarium spp. in some maize populations. Tolerance to Fusarium spp. was associated with pericarp thickness in inbred lines, whereas in native pigmented maize populations, it was linked to the accumulations of pigmented phenolics in pericarp. Full article

A comparative study was performed between some waste materials to assess their ability to produce natural pigment from Bacillus subtilis KU710517 isolated from the marine sponge Pseudoceratina arabica. Bacillus subtilis KU710517 was able to produce a yellowish-brown pigment with wheat bran and molokhia stems in both water and synthetic media. Some factors affecting the pigment production by Bacillus subtilis KU710517 were studied. The pigments produced had been assessed for their use in dyeing wool fabrics (at a liquor ratio of 50:1 across various pH levels), and the color strength values of samples were examined. The highest color strength value of dyed wool fabrics was obtained when using water containing 6% molokhia stems (K/S 6.98) for 2 days at pH 9. Also, good fastness properties were obtained with molokhia stems. Therefore, the yellowish-brown pigment produced from Bacillus subtilis KU710517 is highly appropriate for dyeing and printing wool textiles and serves as a safe alternative to synthetic dyes that create environmental issues. Moreover, using waste materials and water in the production of dye is an economical and ecofriendly method. HPLC analysis of the pigment produced from molokhia stems in a water medium indicated the presence of rutin and syringic acid, which are responsible for the yellowish-brown color. The antimicrobial properties of the produced pigment were examined with the cup agar diffusion technique. Nutrient agar plates were inoculated with 0.1 mL of 105–106 cells/mL of yeast and bacteria. Czapek-Dox agar plates were heavily inoculated with 0.1 mL (106 cells/mL) of fungal culture. 100 microliters of the dye sample were added to each cup. The pigment showed considerable antimicrobial activity against bacteria, yeast, and fungi and displayed the strongest antimicrobial activity against E. coli (28 mm zone of inhibition). Therefore, the produced pigment can be used in the pharmaceutical field, especially in the dyeing of surgical dressings and clothing. Full article

Background: Tyrosinase is a copper-dependent oxyreductase capable of catalyzing the oxidation of mono- and diphenols. Its activity is crucial in the biosynthetic pathway of melanin, the pigment responsible for the pigmentation of mammalian skin and fur, and protecting their skin from harmful UV radiation. Overproduction of this pigment leads to numerous pathological conditions, including the most severe form of skin cancer—malignant melanoma. Furthermore, tyrosinase produced in plant tissues leads to the browning of damaged vegetables and fruits. Therefore, the search for compounds that effectively and efficiently control tyrosinase activity is desirable for both pharmaceutical and food applications. Methods: A group of six boronate derivatives of thiosemicarbazones was synthesized, and their inhibitory properties against tyrosinase were determined. Furthermore, their ability to inhibit melanogenesis and proliferation in SK-MEL-3 and Hs294T cells was investigated. Docking simulations were performed to determine the nature of the inhibitor–protein interactions. Results: The tested inhibitors exhibited half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) in the micromolar range. The best inhibitor, compound 6, had an IC₅₀ of 1.4 µM. The tested compounds exhibited poor selectivity for cell lines capable of high and low tyrosinase overexpression, with inhibitor 4 proving to be the most selective compound among those tested. Molecular modeling results indicate that the compounds with the highest activity against tyrosinase interact with the active cavity and the copper ions present within it via a boron moiety substituted on the aromatic ring of the thiosemicarbazones. Cell-based experiments indicated limited antiproliferative effects up to 100 µM across the tested lines. The compounds demonstrated weak antiproliferative effects in SK-MEL-3 and Hs-294T up to 100 µM. Conclusions: Our results show that the introduction of a boronic acid moiety is an alternative to carboxylic acid derivatives, improving the inhibitory activity of boron analogs (by fourfold) against fungal tyrosinase. Full article

Monascus purpureus is a filamentous fungus known for producing pharmaceutically valuable secondary metabolites, including azaphilone pigments and lovastatin. Lovastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor widely used to manage hypercholesterolaemia, while Monascus pigments serve as natural colourants with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. This study evaluated the impact of quorum-sensing molecules (QSMs)—tyrosol (0.3 mM), farnesol (0.2 mM) and linoleic acid (0.4 mM)—on pigment and lovastatin yields in shake flasks and 2.5 L stirred-tank bioreactors. QSMs were introduced 48 h post-inoculation in shake flasks and 24 h in bioreactors. All QSMs increased yellow (OD₄₀₀), orange (OD₄₇₀), and red (OD₅₁₀) pigments and lovastatin concentration relative to the control, with scale-up further enhancing yields. Farnesol produced the most pronounced effect: in flasks, OD₄₀₀ 7.10 (1.86-fold), OD₄₇₀ 8.00 (2.12-fold), OD₅₁₀ 7.80 (2.08-fold), and 74.6 mg/L lovastatin (2.05-fold); in bioreactors, OD₄₀₀ 11.9 (2.06-fold), OD₄₇₀ 15.1 (2.71-fold), OD₅₁₀ 13.7 (2.47-fold), and 97.2 mg/L lovastatin (2.48-fold). This was followed by tyrosol treatment and then linoleic acid. These findings demonstrate that QSMs—particularly farnesol—significantly (p < 0.01) stimulate pigment and lovastatin biosynthesis in M. purpureus. Quorum sensing modulation represents a promising, scalable strategy to optimise fungal fermentation for industrial metabolite production. Full article

Melanin is a complex natural pigment that imparts a variety of colors to the fruiting bodies of edible fungi, influencing both their nutritional quality and commercial value. Stropharia rugosoannulata is an emerging type of edible fungus that has been widely cultivated in recent years. It can be categorized into red and yellow varieties based on cap color, while its pigment characteristics remain unclear. In this study, the melanins from the two varieties were obtained using an alkaline extraction and acid precipitation method, followed by comprehensive characterization of their chemical properties and ultrastructural features. Both melanins displayed distinct absorption maxima at approximately 211 nm. The melanin extracted from the red variety consisted of 55.63% carbon (C), 7.40% hydrogen (H), 30.23% oxygen (O), 5.99% nitrogen (N), and 0.64% sulfur (S), whereas the yellow variety comprised 52.22% C, 6.74% H, 29.70% O, 5.91% N, and 0.99% S. Both types of melanin included eumelanin and phaeomelanin forms, with eumelanin being the predominant type. Variations in the quantities and relative proportions of eumelanin and phaeomelanin contributed to the observed color differences in the mushroom caps. Ultrastructural micrographs revealed the melanins were primarily localized in the cell wall, consistent with findings in other fungal species. These findings contribute valuable insights into fundamental knowledge and potential applications of mushroom pigments. Full article