A Laboratory Assessment of Two Local Strains of the Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. against the Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Their Potential as a Mycopesticide

This study was conducted to assess highly pathogenic Beauveria bassiana isolates to be used in biocontrol and to determine their potentials as mycopesticide. For this purpose, two B. bassiana isolates, which were locally isolated from T. urticae, were chosen. Firstly, three suspensions were investigated at the degree of humidity of 65 ± 5% and 100% RH. Secondly, these strains were selected according to their tendency to mass production, tolerance to UV radiation, and capability of producing spore at the different temperatures. Finally, identification of the selected isolate was performed by using ITS rDNA analysis. Both tested fungal isolates were pathogenic to the T. urticae. Mycelial growths of isolate AT076 at 20°C and 30°C were found to be greater than isolate AT007. It was observed that isolate AT076 had more spore production with 1.61 × 107 spore/disc at 30°C and 44.33% germination after UV radiation for 15 min. The numbers of spores per 5 mm disk area for isolates AT076 and AT007 were found to be 1.2 × 106 and 1.0 × 106. These results show that isolate AT076 was more virulent and more UV-tolerant and had higher tendency to mass production compared to isolate AT007 against T. urticae. As a result of this study, isolate AT076 can be used in the biocontrol as mycopesticide

Isolation and Characterization of α-Endosulfan Degrading Bacteria from the Microflora of Cockroaches

Extensive applications of organochlorine pesticides like endosulfan have led to the contamination of soil and environments. Five different bacteria were isolated from cockroaches living in pesticide contaminated environments. According to morphological, physiological, bio­chemical properties, and total cellular fatty acid profile by Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMEs), the isolates were identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa G1, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia G2, Bacillus atrophaeus G3, Citrobacter amolonaticus G4 and Acinetobacter lwoffii G5. This is the first study on the bacterial flora of Blatta orientalis evaluated for the biodegradation of α-endosulfan. After 10 days of incubation, the biodegradation yields obtained from P. aeruginosa G1, S. maltophilia G2, B. atrophaeus G3, C. amolonaticus G4 and A. lwoffii G5 were 88.5% , 85.5%, 64.4%, 56.7% and 80.2%, respectively. As a result, these bacterial strains may be utilized for biodegradation of endosulfan polluted soil and environments

Toxicological evaluation of submerged liquid culture from Phanerochaete chrysosporium mycelium on human blood cells: cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and oxidative damage

Mushrooms produce a variety of bioactive antioxidant secondary metabolites including ectins, polysaccharides, pigments, phenolic compounds, sterols and terpenes. Extracellular and intracellular compounds produced by submerged liquid fermentation are important industrially and economically. Phanerochaete chrysosporium (PC) is the model white-rot fungus that easy cultivation on lignocellulose-containing substrates. PC can be used as a bioprotein source. Aims of this study were to determine the in vitro antioxidant, cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of hot water extract obtained from PC on human peripheral blood monunuclear cells (hPBMCs). Cytotoxicity was determined by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakeage assay and neutral red (NR). Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS) were detected to determine the oxidative damage. Genotoxicity was characterized by micronuclei and chromosome aberrations assays for specify DNA damage. PC (5-75 µg/ml) significantly increased antioxidant capacity and these doses did not cause any significant alterations to cytotoxicity on hPBMCs. The elavated doses of PC (5-250 µg/ml) did not cause increase in genotoxic. Whereas, 250 and 500 µg/ml doses of PC statistically increased TOS levels, NR uptake, LDH release, CA/cell frequency and MN formation however decreased TAC levels. This study is the first time on cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and oxidative damage of PC on hPBMCs. In conclusion, the consumption of PC can be safe for humans, but it has also exposure period and dose-dependent effects on inducing oxidative damage and toxicity on hPBMCs