International Conference on Mycology & Mushrooms September 12-14, 2016 San Antonio, Texas, USA

Biography:

Seong Hwan Kim has completed his PhD and Postdoctoral studies from University of British Columbia. He is a Professor of Dankook University. He has published more than 90 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as a Member of Board of Directors of Korean Society of Mushroom Science, Audit of Korean Mycological Society and an Editorial Board Member of Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology and Journal of Odor and Indoor Environment.

Abstract:

Recently, Korean shiitake mushroom industry has been suffered from mushroom flies which feeds on mycelium of shiitake mushroom during its cultivation. The damages of shiitake bed-logs are assumed to be caused not only by the insect pest but also its fungal associates. From the examination of fungi derived in and out of the bodies of adults of mushroom flies that were reported as major pest in Shiitake cultivation using sawdust-medium, 1249 isolates were obtained and classified into 5 genera and 15 species. T. harzianum was found to be dominant. To get information on the six Trichoderma groups, their cultivation, growth, biochemical properties, scanning electron microscopic images of microstructures and nucleotide sequences of EF-1 alpha gene were investigated and compared. The results of a chromogenic media-based assay for extracellular enzymes showed that these Trichoderma species have the ability to produce amylase, carboxyl-methyl cellulase, avicelase, pectinase and β-glucosidase that degrade wood components of log-beds. A dual culture assay on PDA indicated that T. harzianum, T. atroviride, and T. citrinoviride were antagonistic against the mycelial growth of a shiitake strain (Lentinula edodes). Inoculation tests on shiitake bed-logs revealed that all the four species were able to damage the wood of bed-logs. Eleven fungicides including azoles types and fenarimol were tested against the Trichoderma spp. to select effective agent. Some of the tested fungicides inhibited the mycelial growth of few of the Trichoderma spp. Benomyl inhibited mycelial growth and spore germination of all the six Trichoderma spp. at MIC 10 µg/ml.

Biography:

Monika Coton has obtained her PhD from the University of Caen Basse-Normandiein, France, where she was trained as a Molecular Microbiologist. Since 2011, she works as an Assistant Professor at the Université de Bretagne Occidentale and teaches Food Processing Technologies, Food Microbiology and Biotechnology at the “Ecole Supérieured’ Ingénieurs Agro-alimentaires de Bretagneatlantique” (ESIAB). Her research mainly focuses on the structural and functional diversity of filamentous fungi in fermented food products (dairy, beverages etc) in the “Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversitéetd’ Ecologie Microbienne” (Brittany, France). She has published more than 40 papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is a well-known mycotoxin produced by Penicillium species, in particular by the cheese related species Penicillium roqueforti. MPA biosynthetic gene cluster was recently described in Penicillium brevicompactum and P. roqueforti. In the present study, a 23.5 kb putative MPA cluster was localized in the recently available P. roqueforti FM164 genome sequence via an in silico analysis and is composed of 7 genes putatively coding for 7 proteins (MpaA, MpaB, MpaC, MpaDE, MpaF, MpaG, MpaH) highly similar in terms of gene synteny and sequence homology to the P. brevicompactum cluster. In order to confirm the involvement of this gene cluster in MPA biosynthesis, a gene silencing approach, using RNA interference targeting mpaC (coding for a putative polyketide synthase), was performed in a high MPA producing P. roqueforti strain (F43-1). In the obtained transformants, a reduced mpaC gene expression, as observed by Q-RT-PCR, was correlated with a decrease in MPA production as measured by LC-Q-TOF/MS. In parallel, mycotoxin quantification on multiple P. Roqueforti strains in our collection suggested strain dependent MPA production. The entire MPA gene cluster was therefore sequenced for P. roqueforti strains with contrasted MPA production and a 174 bp deletion in mpaC was observed in low MPA producers (below quantification level). PCRs targeting the identified deleted region were carried out on 55 strains and the obtained results showed an excellent correlation with MPA quantification. Overall, the obtained results indicated the clear involvement of mpaC gene as well as surrounding cluster in P. roqueforti MPA biosynthesis. The developed molecular tools could be useful for P. roqueforti ripening culture selection.

Biography:

Dr. D. Sudha Madhuri ,MD in Medical Microbiology, working as an Assistant Professor  in Department  of Microbiology, Gandhi Medical College, Secunderabad since 9 years and Pursuing Ph.D. on “Allergic Paranasal sinus Aspergillosis, under Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada. Did MBBS & MD from Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada, and Andhra Pradesh. India

Abstract:

Background: Fungi are uncommon causes of sinusitis. Many fungi have been associated with fungal sinusitis, including the Aspergillus species, zygomycetes species, several of the dematiaceous fungi including Curvularia, Bipolaris and Exserohilum. The etiological agents of fungal sinusitis reported from India vary from those of the western countries, wherein dematiaceous fungi are more common. Aspergillus spp., are more commonly isolated from the Indian subcontinent.

 

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the etiology of fungal sinusitis and the associated predisposing factors in patients with chronic sinusitis, attending Department of Otolaryngology, Gandhi Hospital, Hyderabad, a tertiary referral centre.

 

Materials & Methods: Prospective study, approved by the Institution ethical committee, conducted from September 2011 to September 2014. 50 patients in age group of 10 to 63 years (with a mean age of 39.03 years) attending the Department of Otolaryngology, Gandhi Hospital were studied. Clinically suspected cases of Chronic Rhino Sinusitis (CRS), lasting longer than 3 months were included in the study. Children below 5 years were excluded from the study. Patients were evaluated on the basis of the clinical, radiological, mycological findings. Specimens of allergic mucin, exudate from the nasal mucosa, tissue biopsy from nasal polyps and sinus mucosa obtained intra operatively were collected and processed. All samples were received in sterile containers. Specimens were subjected to Microscopy (10% KOH, Histopathology) and culture.

 

Results: Out of 50 cases studied, fungal culture was positive in 22 (44%), found to be Common in young adults (20-40 years) with male to female ratio is 1:1. Aspergillus species (14) were the common isolates followed by Rhizopus species (3), Alternaria (1), Curvularia (1), Penicillium species (1), Mucor (1), Aurobasidium pullolum (1) each. Nasal obstruction (76.6%) and nasal discharge (56.6%) are the common complaints in these patients. In India Aspergillus spp., are more commonly isolated and vary from those of the western countries, wherein dematiaceous fungi are more common. In India, a large proportion of the population live in rural or semi-rural areas and their exposure to certain fungi will differ from urban population in developed countries.

 

Conclusion: In India no population-based data is available and more studies are needed.

Biography:

Narendra Tuteja  (Ph.D., D.Sc., FNA, FNASc., FASc., FNESA, FNAAS, FTWAS), currently working as a Professor & Director, Amity Institute of Microbial Technology, Amity University, Sector 125, Noida, UP - 201313; ntuteja@amity.edu Visiting Scientist and Former Group Leader, International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi – 110 067, India

Abstract:

For crops improvement under stress conditions in changing environment an understanding of the beneficial fungal-plant interactions is important. Since the stresses lead to reduction in agricultural production, therefore, there is an urgent need to develop stress tolerant crops with no yield loss for future food security. Use of beneficial fungus (root endophyte Piriformospora indica) through non-transgenic and transgenic approaches could be one of the best ways for crop improvement. Through non-transgenic approach P. indica has been found to provide strong growth promoting activity during its symbiosis with a broad spectrum of plants including mustard, pea, tobacco, tomato, rice, lepidium and medicinal plant Coleus forskohlii. Despite its positive impact on the host, little is known about the P. indica genes that may be involved in stress tolerance. However, for transgenic approach to improve the crop under stress condition, first high salinity tolerant genes from P. indica need to be cloned. Recently we have cloned several salinity tolerant genes from P. indica fungus by functional screening, based on random overexpression of a P. indica cDNA library in Escherichia coli grown on medium supplemented with 0.6 M NaCl. Out of these one of the salinity tolerant genes from P. indica (cyclophilin; PiCypA) has been functionally validated for its role in salinity tolerance in bacteria and plant. This gene product catalyzes the inter-conversion of peptidyl prolyl imide bonds in peptide and protein substrates and functions as molecular chaperones. This is also known to be involved in pre-mRNA splicing; however, their RNA binding activity has not been well described. We found that this protein contains unique property of RNA binding. It also provides high salinity tolerance in E. coli. Here we have also shown that the transgenic tobacco plants over expressing fungal PiCypA provide high salinity tolerance and exhibit normal growth under salinity stress conditions. Overall, we demonstrated for the first time a direct evidence of countering salinity stress tolerance in plant by genetic modification using a fungal gene.

Biography:

Ben Hoffmann completed his Masters in Plant Pathology at age 26. Has had over 16 years of laboratory/clean room experience. Is the CEO of Earth’s Tongue of Texas, a mycology supply company that specializes in mushrooms cultures and spores as well as medias and substrates. Has embarked on several mushroom expeditions within North America and isolated and cultivated several novel mushroom species with medicinal potential. Currently runs and operates a Class 100 and a Class 300 cleanroom (0.3 μm). Has a worldwide mushroom culture library of over 1000 mushroom species and growing. Has several formulation patents.    

Abstract:

What if I told you that there was a way.to completely safeguard live cultures from competitor fungi? If there was a way to completely prevent contamination of your spawn and grain and all your mushroom bags and jars, and even your casing soil for your multimillion dollar a year Agaricus production? What if there was a way for you to do it completely organically without the risk of contaminating the food with pharmaceutical or USP powders which have not been tested whether they are passed on to the consumer inside the mushroom? A recent study conducted by Earth’s Tongue of Texas has analysed and tested several polysaccharides found in plants for their anti-bacterial properties and anti-fungal properties. We have also found and tested a compound found in a perennial root that has powerful anti-bacterial, anti-yeast and anti-fungal properties. Several hundred petri dishes were used containing different contender polysaccharides and extracts in the media to gather information on their effectiveness. Dishes were exposed to many different types of bacteria and a wide variety of mold spores. A control group with nothing added except PDA was always done at the same time. Dishes were checked periodically at strcitly specific hours and recorded on photograph and paper. A bacteria count was recorded of each dish by dish #. A mold count was also recorded of each dish by dish #. Semi-final rounds were done with the polysaccharides, extracts, and compounds with the most success. These were then tested for their ability to allow our host mushroom or culture to pro-create and grow successfully without being inhibited by the anti-fungal compounds. We found some very positive results with some compounds which ended up making it to the final round. In the final round, concentrations were tweaked to test least necessary concentration of each compound for it to have anti-bacterial and/or anti-fungal activity.These were later repeatedly tested in media, liquids, and substrates to finally come to a final formulation which is highly sucessful at completely eliminating the posibility to be contaminated by any competitive molds and/or bacteria for prolonged periods of time and encouraging healthy fruit body producing mycelium growth.