Anti-wood-fungal performance of methanol extracts of Rhizophora apiculata and R. mucronata barks

Various plant parts of Rhizophora species have been used in the treatment of a variety of diseases and illnesses. However, they have not been tested for antifungal properties related to wood decay fungi, especially the bark extractives. This study examined the methanol (MeOH) crude extracts of R. apiculata and R. mucronata barks in terms of the amount of extracts obtained and their antifungal properties. The antifungal activities of the crude MeOH extracts of both species were determined using the agar dilution method. Methanol crude extract from R. apiculata and R. mucronata were 10.8% and 15.7%, respectively and were toxic to Chaetomium globosum and Gloeophyllum trabeum at the concentration of 50 mg/mL.

Fungal Laccase Production from Lignocellulosic Agricultural Wastes by Solid-State Fermentation: A Review

Laccases are copper-containing oxidase enzymes found in many fungi. They have received increasing research attention because of their broad substrate specificity and applicability in industrial processes, such as pulp delignification, textile bleaching, phenolic removal, and biosensors. In comparison with traditional submerged fermentation (SF), solid-state fermentation (SSF) is a simpler technique for laccase production and has many advantages, including higher productivity, efficiency, and enzyme stability as well as reduced production costs and environmental pollution. Here, we review recent advances in laccase production technology, with focus on the following areas: (i) Characteristics and advantages of lignocellulosic agricultural wastes used as SSF substrates of laccase production, including detailed suggestions for the selection of lignocellulosic agricultural wastes; (ii) Comparison of fungal laccase production from lignocellulosic substrates by either SSF or SF; (iii) Fungal performance and strain screening in laccase production from lignocellulosic agricultural wastes by SSF; (iv) Applications of laccase production under SSF; and (v) Suggestions and avenues for future studies of laccase production by fungal SSF with lignocellulosic materials and its applications.

Algunos aspectos biológicos de los hongos micorrícicos arbusculares (AMF)

The ecological mechanisms by which plant diversity (species richness and composition ) is regulated and maintained are not well understood; so far, little attention has been paid to the effects of soil microbe-plant interactions, particularly mycorrhizal symbiosis. Hence, the aim of t his paper is to review scientific literature relevant to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) biological aspects and the ecological mechanis1ns by which p ant diversity is affected by AM fungal performance . Several studies show up that plant fitness, plant relative growth and abundance, and species competitive balance are affected by AMF. Therefore, AMF are one of the factors that determine plant diversity, and plant community structure . Discussion emphasizes on controversial aspects of AMF-plant diversity research.