The filamentous fungi culture collection of the Department of Food Science (CCDCA), Federal University of Lavras, Brazil

Brazil has one of the highest levels of biological diversity due to its large geographical area, high coverage by rainforests, and endemic biomes, such as the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, Cerrado and Caatinga. Of the estimated 1.5 million species of fungi only 5% are known. Much of this unknown biodiversity is in the tropics, which is seriously threatened by some agricultural activities, reinforcing the urgent need for biodiversity studies in these areas. The maintenance and preservation of fungal cultures are important elements for such a requirment. The establishment of a culture collection of filamentous fungi in the Mycotoxins and Mycology Laboratory, Department of Food Science (CCDCA), Federal University of Lavras (UFLA) commenced from the bases of species maintenance, taxonomy, biotechnology and toxigenicity. The laboratory was established in 2007 to preserve potentially mycotoxigenic fungi, especially ochratoxin A and aflatoxins producers, which were isolated from food. Currently the CCDCA has more than 1000 isolates of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Alternaria, Chaetomium, Mucor, Eurotium, and Neosartorya. A total of 66 species are represented which were isolated from food, cave environments, and soils of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, Cerrado and Caatinga. A total of 328 cultures are preserved and maintained by periodic subculture, 137 by mineral oil preservation, and 550 by filter paper preservation. The staff trains graduate students in the taxonomy of major taxa of importance to agricultural research and food science. Finally, the CCDCA and UFLA, Brazil, in collaboration with the IBB-Biological Engineering Centre, Micoteca da Universidade do Minho, Portugal, intend to develop a project on polyphasic studies of Aspergillus and Penicillium isolated from various substrates, sources, and environments in Brazil. To pursue this aim CCDCA intends to: a) preserve Aspergillus and Penicillium strains for comparative studies between Brazilian regions and worldwide; b) foster the study of Aspergillus and Penicillium for biotechnological and toxigenic potential, and training in identification, preservation and distribution; c) establish quality control of fungal assays; and d) establish the CCDCA as a member of the global network of culture collections and participate in the international forums and organisations related to culture collections

Mathematics learning and assessment using MathE platform: a case study

Universities are encouraging the implementation of innovative methodologies and teaching strategies to develop an interactive and appealing educational environment where students are the focus of the learning process. In such a personalised learning environment, an increase of the students’ engagement and the improvement of the outcomes arise. MathE has been developed to help achieve this goal. Based on collaborative procedures, internet resources – both pre-existing and freely available as well as resources specifically conceived by the project team – and communities of practices, MathE intends to be a tool to nurture and stimulate the learning of Mathematics in higher education. This study introduces and describes the MathE platform, which is divided into three sections: Student’s Assessment, Library and Community of Practice. An in-depth description of the Student’s Assessment section is presented and an analysis of the results obtained from students, when using this feature of the platform, is also provided. After this, and based on the answers to an online survey, the impact of the MathE platform among students and teachers of eight countries is shown. Although the number of collected results is still scarce, it allows the recognition of a trend regarding the use of the material of the Student’s Assessment section for autonomous study. The results indicate the platform is well organized, with a satisfactory amount and diversity of questions and good interconnection between the various parts. Nevertheless, both teachers and students indicate that more questions should be introduced. The overall opinion about the MathE platform is very favourableThe authors are grateful to FCT for financial support through national funds UIDB/05757/2020.The authors are grateful to FCT for financial support through national funds UIDB/05757/2020info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Biochemical and Molecular Profiling of Wild Edible Mushrooms from Huila, Angola

The harvesting, processing, and sale of wild edible mushrooms (WEM) is a relevant economic activity in Angola and a good example of the use of non-wood forest products for food. Although there is deep traditional knowledge about the general properties of WEMs, a huge gap remains in detailed scientific knowledge. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the socio-economic importance of the species sold at local markets in Huila, Angola, from their molecular identification to the assessment of their nutritional, chemical, and bioactive profiles. From the eight WEM morphotypes studied, five were identified based on phenotypical and molecular approaches (four Russula spp., and Amanita loosei). The studied mushrooms proved to be a rich source of carbohydrates, proteins, and ashes, also presenting low amounts of fat. Chemical analyses further revealed mannitol as the main free sugar in all samples, and organic acids, namely, oxalic, quinic, malic, citric, and fumaric acids in low amounts. Additionally, the α-tocopherol isoform and monounsaturated fatty acids were predominant. Regarding phenolic acids, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, p-coumaric, and cinnamic acids were detected in all mushroom hydroethanolic extracts, being responsible for their antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. Our investigation contributes to the identification and knowledge of WEMs as important complementary food sources in Angola, some of which were reported for the first time, promoting their utilization as a basis of nutritional and functional ingredients, as being able to be part of a balanced diet and to be used in new bio-based formulations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Biochemical and Molecular Profiling of Wild Edible Mushrooms from Huila, Angola

The harvesting, processing, and sale of wild edible mushrooms (WEM) is a relevant economic activity in Angola and a good example of the use of non-wood forest products for food. Although there is deep traditional knowledge about the general properties of WEMs, a huge gap remains in detailed scientific knowledge. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the socio-economic importance of the species sold at local markets in Huila, Angola, from their molecular identification to the assessment of their nutritional, chemical, and bioactive profiles. From the eight WEM morphotypes studied, five were identified based on phenotypical and molecular approaches (four Russula spp., and Amanita loosei). The studied mushrooms proved to be a rich source of carbohydrates, proteins, and ashes, also presenting low amounts of fat. Chemical analyses further revealed mannitol as the main free sugar in all samples, and organic acids, namely, oxalic, quinic, malic, citric, and fumaric acids in low amounts. Additionally, the -tocopherol isoform and monounsaturated fatty acids were predominant. Regarding phenolic acids, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, p-coumaric, and cinnamic acids were detected in all mushroom hydroethanolic extracts, being responsible for their antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. Our investigation contributes to the identification and knowledge of WEMs as important complementary food sources in Angola, some of which were reported for the first time, promoting their utilization as a basis of nutritional and functional ingredients, as being able to be part of a balanced diet and to be used in new bio-based formulationsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Dynamics of notch pathway expression during mouse testis post-natal development and along the spermatogenic cycle

Articles in International JournalsThe transcription and expression patterns of Notch pathway components (Notch 1–3, Delta1 and 4, Jagged1) and effectors (Hes1, Hes2, Hes5 and Nrarp) were evaluated (through RT-PCR and IHC) in the mouse testis at key moments of post-natal development, and along the adult spermatogenic cycle. Notch pathway components and effectors are transcribed in the testis and expressed in germ, Sertoli and Leydig cells, and each Notch component shows a specific cell-type and timewindow expression pattern. This expression at key testis developmental events prompt for a role of Notch signaling in prepubertal spermatogonia quiescence, onset of spermatogenesis, and regulation of the spermatogenic cycle