Italian Journal of Mycology

Three new species found in the Bracciano-Martignano Regional Natural Park in Lazio, Italy

Amalia Ferretti — 2024-02-05

We report the finding of three recently described species in late autumn and winter (October to December) in the Bracciano-Martignano Regional Natural Park in Lazio (Italy). The species are Amanita calida, Lepiota elseae and Xerocomellus sarnarii. This is the first record of Lepiota elseae for Italy. The collection site, a Quercus thicket, is located on the slopes of San Bernardino del Malpasso in Trevignano Romano, between Monte Rocca Romana (Sabatini mountains) and the nearby Bracciano Lake. A description of the specimens is given, and a comparison is made with the few descriptions of the ambient available for previous records of the respective species.

Metabolic profiling of antimicrobial secondary metabolites produced by Penicillium bilaiae EWB-3 isolated from electronic wastes in Algeria

Dounya Achwak Chemmam — 2024-02-05

Penicillium species research has progressed far beyond their ability to produce secondary metabolites with potential biological applications, particularly as antimicrobial agents. In this work, Penicillium bilaiae EWB-3 was isolated from electronic waste and identified using morphological and molecular (ITS and β-tubulin regions) methods. For 15 days, Penicillium bilaiae EWB-3 was grown into Czapek Yeast Broth using an orbital shaker. Finally, the secondary metabolites in this strain’s filtrates were extracted using ethyl acetate. The agar well diffusion method tested this crude extract for antimicrobial activity. The Penicillium bilaiae EWB-3 extract exhibited strong antimicrobial potential against all tested microorganisms, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. With diameters of 31, 26, and 25 mm, the largest inhibition zones were observed against C. albicans, S. aureus, and E. faecalis, respectively. The presence of 24 active compounds was revealed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the crude extract of Penicillium bilaiae EWB-3. The findings suggest that the secondary metabolite extract of Penicillium bilaiae EWB-3 could be a promising active pharmaceutical component.

Isolation, characterization and pathogenicity of fungal pathogens from indigenous postharvest fruits in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria

Ofon Mbuk Divine-Anthony — 2024-03-18

The study investigated fungal pathogens associated with spoilage of five indigenous fruits (Persia americana, Citrus sinensis, Carica papaya, Annona muricata and Solanum lycopersicum) in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Diseased fruit samples were purchased from nine markets located in three senatorial districts of the State. The phenotypic and genotypic identifications of the fungal pathogens isolated from spoilt fruit samples were carried out using standard cultural, morphological and molecular methods, respectively. The phylogenetic relationship among the fungal species was also constructed using neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree generated based on modified Rogers' genetic distance matrix. The fourteen fungal genera identified (and classified into twenty-two species) were Talaromyces, Lasiodiplodia, Trichoderma, Penicillium, Pichia, Rhizopus, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Moniliella, Mucor, Geotrichum, Candida, Absidia and Purpureocillium. Pathogenicity tests revealed that the fungal isolates were able to cause rots with a range of severity. The most rapid rots were caused by Rhizopus oligosporous, Pichia kudriavzevii and Aspergillus niger within 24 h, while Aspergillus aculeatus and Moniliella suaveolens were slower in initiating rots with earliest being after 48 h. The identification of fungi related with fruit rots and data coming from pathogenicity test are crucial information in order to plan and to apply control strategies during postharvest storage.

Overview of molecular methods for quick identification of Tuber species

Antonella Amicucci — 2024-03-18

Truffles represent a resource of great value all over the world. The various species are widespread and occupy various habitats. Methods to identify their value in terms of marketing, cultivation, and the ecological–forestal field are needed. The traditional classification of Tuber species is based on their morphology; nevertheless, the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the fruiting body, spores, and ectomycorrhizae may be absent or insufficiently discriminating. This problem is amplified when dealing with valuable truffle species, which are often replaced by truffles with lower organoleptic qualities and commercial value. Today, molecular biology can help to correctly identify them through several widely used methods that are fast, specific, and sensitive. Molecular methods are mostly PCR-based, with primers designed on various targets, genes, or regions widely variable between species but sufficiently conserved within the same species. The DNA regions analyzed for identifying truffles include ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), ribosomal large subunit (LSU), β-tubulin, and EF-α elongation factor. This review summarizes the main and most reliable DNA-based molecular methods for identifying Tuber species. The methods are listed schematically and clearly for quick consultation and use in all areas of study in which monitoring, and verification of the species is essential.

First report of Neofusicoccum parvum and Phytophthora palmivora causing fruit rot of pomegranate in Italy

Carlo Bregant — 2024-04-23

Severe pomegranate yield losses due to fruit diseases have recently been observed in several orchards in Veneto (north-eastern Italy). Given the economic relevance of these emerging diseases, an in-depth study was conducted in ten orchards distributed in the main producing areas in order to investigate the aetiology. From autumn 2020 to autumn 2023, eighty-two symptomatic fruits were sampled to isolate the causal agents. Based on morphology, colony appearance and DNA sequence data, seventy-seven isolates were obtained and identified. These included Coniella granati (Fam. Schizoparmaceae, 39 isolates), Neofusicoccum parvum (Fam. Botryosphaeriaceae, 29) and Phytophthora palmivora (Fam. Peronosporaceae, 9). Pathogenicity trials conducted on ripe pomegranate fruits confirmed the aggressiveness of the three species. Results obtained have allowed us to expand knowledge on emerging pomegranate pathogens. Neofusicoccum parvum and P. palmivora are reported here for the first time as fruit rot agents on pomegranate in Italy.