Search Results (1,053)

The problem of spreading harmful infections through contaminated surfaces has become more acute during the recent coronavirus pandemic. The design of self-cleaning materials, which can continuously decompose biological contaminants, is an urgent task for environmental protection and human health care. In this study, the surface of blended cotton/polyester fabric was functionalized with N-doped TiO₂ (TiO₂-N) nanoparticles using titanium(IV) isopropoxide as a binder to form durable photoactive coating and additionally decorated with Cu species to promote its self-cleaning properties. The photocatalytic ability of the material with photoactive coating was investigated in oxidation of acetone vapor, degradation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragments of various lengths, and inactivation of PA136 bacteriophage virus and Candida albicans fungi under visible light and ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation. The kinetic aspects of inactivation and degradation processes were studied using the methods of infrared (IR) spectroscopy, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), double-layer plaque assay, and ten-fold dilution. The results of experiments showed that the textile fabric modified with TiO₂-N photocatalyst exhibited photoinduced self-cleaning properties and provided efficient degradation of all studied contaminants under exposure to both UVA and visible light. Additional modification of the material with Cu species substantially improved its self-cleaning properties, even in the absence of light. Full article

Concern over the presence of pharmaceutical waste in the environment has prompted research into the management of emerging organic micropollutants (EOMs). In response, sustainable technologies have been applied as alternatives to reduce the effects of these contaminants. This study investigated the capacity of filamentous fungi isolated from iron mine soil in the Amazon region to biodegrade the drug chloroquine diphosphate. An initial screening assessed the growth of four fungal strains on solid media containing chloroquine diphosphate: Trichoderma pseudoasperelloides CBMAI 2752, Penicillium rolfsii CBMAI 2753, Talaromyces verruculosus CBMAI 2754, and Penicillium sp. cf. guaibinense CBMAI 2758. Among them, Penicillium sp. cf. guaibinense CBMAI 2758 was selected for further testing in liquid media. A Box–Behnken factorial design was applied with three variables, pH (5, 7, and 9), incubation time (5, 10, and 15 days), and chloroquine diphosphate concentration (50, 75, and 100 mg·L⁻¹), totaling 15 experiments. The samples were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The most effective conditions for chloroquine biodegradation were pH 7, 100 mg·L⁻¹ concentration, and 10 days of incubation. Four metabolites were identified: one resulting from N-deethylation M1 (N4-(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl)-N1-ethylpentane-1,4-diamine), two from carbon–carbon bond cleavage M2 (7-chloro-N-ethylquinolin-4-amine) and M3 (N1,N1-diethylpentane-1,4-diamine), and one from aromatic deamination M4 (N1-ethylbutane-1,4-diamine) by enzymatic reactions. The toxicity analysis showed that the products obtained from the biodegradation of chloroquine were less toxic than the commercial formulation of this compound. These findings highlight the biotechnological potential of Amazonian fungi for drug biodegradation and decontamination. Full article

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of different types of sourdough (I to IV), developed with a specific starter culture (including Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Levilactobacillus brevis, and Candida famata), on bread fermentation performance and shelf-life. Real-time tracking of multiple parameters (pH, dough rising, ethanol release, and total titratable acidity) was monitored by a smart fermentation oven. The impact of the different treatments on the lactic acid, acetic acid, and ethanol content of the breads were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography analysis. In addition, the bio-preservation capacity of the breads contaminated with fungi was analyzed. The results show that liquid sourdough (D3: Type 2) and backslopped sourdough (D4: Type 3) increased significantly (p < 0.05) in dough rise, dough acidification (lower pH, higher titratable acidity), production of organic acids (lactic and acetic), and presented the optimal fermentation quotient. These findings were substantiated by chemometric analysis, which successfully clustered the starters based on performance and revealed a strong positive correlation between acetic acid production and dough-rise, highlighting the superior heterofermentative profile of D3 and D4. These types of sourdough also stood out for their antifungal capacity, preventing the visible growth of Aspergillus niger and Penicillium commune for up to 10 days after inoculation. Full article

Coastal ecosystems are increasingly threatened by climate change and anthropogenic pressures, which can disrupt microbial communities and favor the emergence of pathogenic organisms. In this study, we applied metagenomic analysis to characterize fungal communities in sediment samples from an urban mangrove subjected to environmental stress. The results revealed a fungal community with reduced richness—28% lower than expected for similar ecosystems—likely linked to physicochemical changes such as heavy metal accumulation, acidic pH, and eutrophication, all typical of urbanized coastal areas. Notably, we detected an increase in potentially pathogenic genera, including Candida, Aspergillus, and Pseudoascochyta, alongside a decrease in key saprotrophic genera such as Fusarium and Thelebolus, indicating a shift in ecological function. The fungal assemblage was dominated by the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, and despite adverse conditions, symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi remained present, suggesting partial resilience. A considerable fraction of unclassified fungal taxa also points to underexplored microbial diversity with potential ecological or health significance. Importantly, this study does not aim to compare pristine and contaminated environments, but rather to provide a sanitary alert by identifying the presence and potential proliferation of pathogenic fungi in a degraded mangrove system. These findings highlight the sensitivity of mangrove fungal communities to environmental disturbance and reinforce the value of metagenomic approaches for monitoring ecosystem health. Incorporating fungal metagenomic surveillance into environmental management strategies is essential to better understand biodiversity loss, ecological resilience, and potential public health risks in degraded coastal environments. Full article

Background: Citrinin (CIT) is a mycotoxin produced by various fungi contaminating stored cereals and fruits. While biomonitoring and food occurrence data indicate widespread exposure, its public health risks remain unclear due to the lack of human toxicokinetic (TK) data. Methods: A UHPLC-MS/MS method was validated for CIT quantification in capillary blood (VAMS Mitra^® tips), feces, and urine obtaining LLOQs ≤ 0.05 ng/mL. A human TK study was conducted following a single oral bolus of 200 ng/kg bw CIT. Individual capillary blood (VAMS Mitra^® tips), feces, and urine samples were collected for 48 h after exposure. Samples were analyzed to determine CIT’s TK profile. Results: TK modeling was performed using a multi-compartmental structure with a hierarchical Bayesian population approach, allowing robust parameter estimation despite the lack of standards for CIT metabolites. Conclusions: The derived TK parameters align with preliminary human data and significantly advance CIT exposure assessment via biomonitoring. A human inter-individual toxicokinetic variability (HK_AF) of 1.92 was calculated based on the derived AUC, indicating that EFSA’s current default uncertainty factor for TK variability is adequately protective for at least 95% of the population. Full article

Canvas paintings are prone to biodeterioration due to their complex chemical composition, which can support fungal growth even under controlled conditions. This study evaluated the susceptibility of common synthetic restoration materials—Lascaux glues (303 HV, 498 HV), Acrylharz P550, BEVA 371, Laropal A81, and Regalrez 1094—to degradation by fourteen xerotolerant/xerophilic fungal strains. All tested Aspergillus and Penicillium species extensively colonized, especially artificially aged materials. FTIR-PAS analysis revealed chemical changes in carbonyl and C–H bonds in Laropal A81 and Regalrez 1094 colonized by Aspergillus spp. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging showed thinning of Lascaux glues and deformation of Regalrez 1094. Transcriptomic profiling of A. puulaauensis grown on Lascaux 498 HV and Regalrez 1094 identified altered expression of genes coding for esterases and oxidases, enzymes involved in synthetic polymer degradation. Esterase activity assays using 4-nitrophenol-based substrates confirmed significant enzymatic activity correlating with the presence of ester bonds. These findings highlight the vulnerability of synthetic restoration materials, specifically Laropal A81, Regalrez 1094, and Lascaux glues, to extremophilic fungi thriving in environments with low water activity. The results emphasize the urgent need for specific knowledge on fungi and their metabolic pathways to use/develop more durable conservation materials and strategies to protect cultural heritage objects from biodeterioration. Full article

Organic farming is widely recognized as a promising practice for sustainable agriculture, yet its long-term ecological impacts remain insufficiently investigated. In this study, we evaluated these impacts by comparing heavy metal concentrations, soil invertebrate communities, and microbial profiles between long-term organic and conventional farming systems. A comparative analysis was conducted on 24 plot soils from two paired organic and conventional farm systems in Beijing, each managed continuously for over 20 years. Our results revealed that soils under organic management consistently contained 10.8% to 73.7% lower heavy metals, along with reduced geo-accumulation indices (I_geo, a standardized metric for soil contamination assessment), indicating decreased contamination risks. In terms of soil fauna, while conventional soils showed higher Collembola abundance, organic farming significantly enhanced Collembola richness and diversity by 20.6% to 55.0%. Microbial sequencing likewise revealed enhanced richness and diversity of bacteria and fungi in organic soils. These microbial communities also displayed shifts in dominant taxa and more stable co-occurrence networks under organic management. Principal component analysis and Mantel tests identified soil pH and nutrients as key drivers of soil biodiversity, while heavy metals also imposed negative influences. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that long-term organic farming not only mitigates environmental risks associated with soil contaminants but also promotes belowground ecological integrity by supporting biodiversity of soil fauna and microbiota. This study highlights the ecological significance of sustained organic practices and provides critical insights for advancing sustainable agricultural developments. Full article

Beach Sand Mycobiome is currently among the most important health challenges for viticulture in the world. Remarkably, the study of fungal communities in coastal beach sand and recreational waters remains underexplored despite their potential implications for human health. This research aimed to assess the prevalence of fungal species and the antifungal susceptibility profiles of fungi recovered from the beaches of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. Sand and seawater samples from 39 stations distributed within 13 beaches along the coastline were collected between May and July 2023. The grown isolates were identified at the species level based on morphological characteristics and DNA sequencing. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Of 222 recovered isolates, 206 (92.8%) filamentous fungi and 16 (7.2%) yeast strains were identified. Sand-recovered fungi comprised 82.9%, while water-originated fungi accounted for 17.1%. The DNA sequencing technique categorized 191 isolates into 13 genera and 26 species. The most recovered genus was Aspergillus (68.9%), and Aspergillus terreus sensu stricto was the commonly identified species (26.14%). Voriconazole was the most effective antifungal drug against Aspergillus species. Research on fungal contamination levels at these locations could provide a foundation for establishing regulatory frameworks to diminish fungal risks, thereby enhancing public health protection. The ecological significance of fungal communities in sandy beaches to human infections remains to be explored, and earlier reports in the literature may motivate researchers to focus on detecting this mycobiome in natural environments where further investigation is warranted. Ultimately, our discovery serves as a reminder that much remains to be learned about pathogenic fungi and underscores the need for vigilance in areas where emerging pathogens have not yet been identified. Full article

Maize is a key crop in Ecuador for both human and animal consumption. Its vulnerability to fungal contamination and mycotoxins poses risks to food safety. The aim of this study was to analyze the occurrence of fungi and mycotoxins in maize grown in different regions of Ecuador (29 localities) and postharvest factors influencing contamination. Fungal identification was performed through culturing and morphological analysis. Analysis of multi-toxins was carried out using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Statistical analyses included PCA and linear regression models. Fungal contamination was found in 93.3% of samples; mycotoxins were present in 90%. Fusarium and Aspergillus were dominant. Fumonisins (66.6%), zearalenone (30%), aflatoxins (16.7%), and trichothecenes B (13.3%) were the most prevalent. Co-occurrence of up to three mycotoxins per sample was observed, more frequent on the coast. Grain moisture and temperature were strongly correlated with contamination levels. The study reveals widespread contamination of Ecuadorian maize, with environmental and postharvest factors playing key roles. This poses a food safety concern, highlighting the need for improved storage and monitoring systems. Full article

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by various fungi that contaminate livestock feed, posing serious threats to animal health, productivity, and food safety. Although historical research has often examined individual mycotoxins in isolation, real-world conditions typically involve the simultaneous presence of multiple mycotoxins, resulting in additive or synergistic toxic effects that are often more severe than those observed with single toxin exposures. This review comprehensively synthesizes recent findings on multi-mycotoxin contamination in livestock feed, highlighting their physiological effects, mechanisms of action, and implications for regulatory frameworks. Multi-mycotoxin interactions exacerbate oxidative stress, immune suppression, impaired reproduction, and organ damage across species, leading to reduced growth performance, decreased milk and egg production, compromised carcass and wool quality, and increased mortality rates. A major concern is that current international regulatory standards mainly address individual mycotoxins, overlooking the compounded risks of co-occurrence. Global surveillance studies consistently reveal high prevalence rates of mycotoxin mixtures in feedstuffs, especially combinations involving DON, ZEN, AFB₁, FB₁, and OTA. Understanding these interactions and their underlying cellular mechanisms is critical for improving risk assessment models, formulating integrated mitigation strategies, and safeguarding both livestock productivity and human food security. Full article

Molds readily grow on wet books, documents, and other library materials where they ruin them chemically, mechanically, and aesthetically. Poor maintenance of libraries, failures of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, roof leaks, and storm damage leading to flooding can all result in accelerated fungal growth. Moreover, when fungal spores are present at high concentrations in the air, they can be linked to severe respiratory conditions and possibly to other adverse health effects in humans. Climate change and the accompanying storms and floods are making the dual potential of fungi to biodegrade library holdings and harm human health more common. This essay is intended for microbiologists without much background in mycology who are called in to help librarians who are dealing with mold outbreaks in libraries. Our goal is to demystify aspects of fungal taxonomy, morphology, and nomenclature while also recommending guidelines for minimizing mold contamination in library collections. Full article

Heavy metal contamination in paddy fields poses serious risks to food safety and crop productivity. This study evaluated the potential of native soil fungi as bioinoculants to reduce metal uptake in rice cultivated under contaminated conditions. Eight fungal strains—four indigenous and four allochthonous—were selected based on their plant growth-promoting traits, including siderophore production and phosphate solubilization. Additional metabolic analysis confirmed the production of bioactive secondary metabolites. In a greenhouse experiment, three rice cultivars were grown under permanent flooding (PF) and alternate wetting and drying (AWD) in soil enriched with arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and copper. Inoculation with indigenous fungi under AWD significantly reduced the arsenic accumulation in rice shoots by up to 75%. While AWD increased cadmium uptake across all cultivars, fungal inoculation led to a moderate reduction in cadmium accumulation—ranging from 15% to 25%—in some varieties. These effects were not observed under PF conditions. The results demonstrate the potential of native fungi as a nature-based solution to mitigate heavy metal stress in rice cultivation, supporting both environmental remediation and sustainable agriculture. Full article

In the present study, a quantitative analysis of culturable microflora of car cabin filters was accomplished, with a special focus on bacteria resistant to some antibiotics. The occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria was considered in the filters with activated carbon and filters with antibacterial properties. The minimum inhibitory concentration was evaluated for selected bacterial strains isolated from the filters. It was found that cabin filters after long-time operation are not only heavily contaminated with bacteria and fungi but also constitute a habitat for numerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The numbers of culturable bacteria resistant to penicillin, nitrofurantoin, rifampicin, doxycycline, or gentamicin reached 10²–10³ CFU/g of filter material. No relationship was observed between car brand or filter type and the abundance of antibiotics-resistant bacteria. The lower bacterial content of antibacterial filters was not accompanied by a proportionally lower content of resistant microorganisms which may indicate that the present techniques are not sufficient to limit their growth effectively. Pseudomonas sp. isolates from the filter material were not sensitive even in relation to high concentrations of some antibiotics, which confirms their significant resistance potential and may be important in the context of the spread of drug resistance in the vehicles indoors. Full article

Aflatoxin (AF) contamination of crops during the pre-harvest period is a significant global concern for food and feed safety (FFS). In Europe, climate change presents a growing threat to agricultural products by increasing the risk of AF contamination. This umbrella review evaluates the scope and quality of pre-harvest data on climate-related AF contamination in Europe, addressing key questions: What insights do researchers provide on the relationship between climate change and pre-harvest AF contamination, and what data are lacking? Which crops are the focus of current research, and where in Europe are these studies concentrated? How is the data presented, and is it standardized? We conducted an umbrella literature review, extracting relevant studies from PubMed and Scopus up to 14 October 2024. Our findings indicate that rising temperatures, droughts, and shifting rainfall patterns increasingly favor the growth of aflatoxigenic fungi and pre-harvest AF contamination in European crops, posing risks to FFS and agricultural stability. However, inconsistencies in data collection and reporting limit cross-regional comparisons and hinder the development of effective mitigation strategies. Standardizing methodologies and improving data accessibility will enhance predictive modeling, strengthen risk assessments, and support targeted adaptation efforts, providing actionable insights for policymakers and agricultural stakeholders. Full article

Air purification is a key process aimed at removing harmful impurities and providing a safe and comfortable environment for human life and work. This study presents the results of an investigation into the composition, textural, and sorption properties of a multichannel carbon filtering material developed for air purification from biological (infectious) contaminants. The filtering block has a cylindrical shape and is manufactured by extrusion of a plastic composition based on carbonized rice husk with the addition of binding agents, followed by staged thermal treatment (calcination, activation, and demineralization). The filter’s effectiveness is based on the inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms as the air passes through the porous surface of the sorbent, which is modified with broad-spectrum antiseptic agents (active against bacteria, bacilli, fungi, and protozoa). X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the presence of amorphous carbon in a tubostratic structure, with a predominance of sp- and sp²-hybridized carbon atoms not incorporated into regular graphene lattices. IR spectroscopy demonstrated the presence of reactive functional groups characteristic of the developed porous structure of the material, which is capable of selective sorption of antiseptic molecules. SEM surface analysis revealed an amorphous texture with a loose structure and elements in the form of spherical semi-ring formations formed by overlapping carbon plates. An experimental setup was also developed using cylindrical multichannel carbon blocks with a diameter of 48 mm, a length of 120 mm, and 100–120 longitudinal channels with a cross-section of 1 mm². The obtained results confirm the potential of the proposed material for use in air purification and disinfection systems under conditions of elevated biological risk. Full article