Cambios en la composición de la comunidad fúngica de biopelículas sobre roca calcárea a través de una cronosecuencia en Campeche, México

Background and Aims: The colonization of lithic substrates by fungal communities is determined by the properties of the substrate (bioreceptivity) and climatic and microclimatic conditions. However, the effect of the exposure time of the limestone surface to the environment on fungal communities has not been extensively investigated. In this study, we analyze the composition and structure of fungal communities occurring in biofilms on limestone walls of modern edifications constructed at different times in a subtropical environment in Campeche, Mexico.Methods: A chronosequence of walls built one, five and 10 years ago was considered. On each wall, three surface areas of 3 × 3 cm of the corresponding biofilm were scraped for subsequent analysis. Fungi were isolated by washing and particle filtration technique and were then inoculated in two contrasting culture media (oligotrophic and copiotrophic). The fungi were identified according to macro and microscopic characteristics.Key results: We found 73 genera and 202 species from 844 isolates. Our results showed that fungal communities differed in each biofilm. In the middle-aged biofilm a high number of isolates was found, but both species richness and diversity were low. In contrast, in the old biofilm species richness and diversity were high; Hyphomycete 1, Myrothecium roridum and Pestalotiopsis maculans were abundant. The dominant species in the middle-aged biofilm were Curvularia lunata, Curvularia pallescens, Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium redolens, and in the young biofilm were Cladosporium cladosporioides, Curvularia clavata, Paraconiothyrium sp. and Phoma eupyrena.Conclusions: Our results suggest that the composition of the fungal community in each biofilm varies according to time of exposure to the environment. Furthermore, the fungal community was composed of a pool of uncommon species that might be autochthonous to limestone.Antecedentes y Objetivos: La colonización de los sustratos líticos por comunidades fúngicas está determinada por las propiedades del sustrato (bioreceptividad) y las condiciones climáticas y microclimáticas. Sin embargo, los efectos del tiempo de exposición de la superficie de la roca calcárea al ambiente sobre la composición de las comunidades fúngicas no se ha investigado. En este estudio, analizamos la composición y estructura de las comunidades fúngicas inmersas en biopelículas asociadas a roca calcárea, en paredes de edificaciones modernas construidas a diferentes tiempos en un ambiente subtropical en Campeche, México.Métodos: Se consideró una cronosecuencia de paredes construidas a uno, cinco y 10 años. Sobre cada pared, se rasparon tres superficies de 3 × 3 cm para cada biopelícula. Los hongos se aislaron por la técnica de lavado y filtración de partículas, posteriormente se inocularon en dos medios de cultivo contrastantes (un medio oligotrófico y uno copiotrófico). Los hongos se identificaron de acuerdo a sus características macro y microscópicas.Resultados clave: Encontramos 73 géneros y 202 especies de 844 aislados. Los resultados mostraron que las comunidades fúngicas son diferentes en las tres biopelículas. En la biopelícula de desarrollo intermedio encontramos un alto número de aislados, pero tanto la riqueza como la diversidad fueron bajas. En contraste, en la biopelícula avanzada, los valores de riqueza de especies y diversidad fueron altos, y las especies abundantes fueron Hyphomycete 1, Myrothecium roridum y Pestalotiopsis maculans. Las especies dominantes en la biopelícula intermedia fueron Curvularia lunata, Curvularia pallescens, Fusarium oxysporum y Fusarium redolens, y en la biopelícula joven fueron Cladosporium cladosporioides, Curvularia clavata, Paraconiothyrium sp. y Phoma eupyrena.Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados sugieren que la composición de la comunidad fúngica en cada biopelícula cambia de acuerdo al tiempo de exposición de la roca calcárea al ambiente. Además, como parte de la composición de la comunidad fúngica, encontramos un conjunto de especies poco comunes que podrían ser autóctonas en la roca calcárea

Contribuci\uf3n al conocimiento de los hongos hyphomycetes de M\ue9xico

Volume: 51Start Page: 39End Page: 5

Aspectos morfol\uf3gicos y fisiol\uf3gicos de Hobsonia mirabilis (Peck) Linder, hifomiceto helicosp\uf3rico registrado por primera vez para M\ue9xico

Volume: 61Start Page: 1End Page:

Microorganisms as a Potential Source of Molecules to Control Trypanosomatid Diseases

Trypanosomatids are the causative agents of leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis, which affect about 20 million people in the world’s poorest countries, leading to 95,000 deaths per year. They are often associated with malnutrition, weak immune systems, low quality housing, and population migration. They are generally recognized as neglected tropical diseases. New drugs against these parasitic protozoa are urgently needed to counteract drug resistance, toxicity, and the high cost of commercially available drugs. Microbial bioprospecting for new molecules may play a crucial role in developing a new generation of antiparasitic drugs. This article reviews the current state of the available literature on chemically defined metabolites of microbial origin that have demonstrated antitrypanosomatid activity. In this review, bacterial and fungal metabolites are presented; they originate from a range of microorganisms, including cyanobacteria, heterotrophic bacteria, and filamentous fungi. We hope to provide a useful overview for future research to identify hits that may become the lead compounds needed to accelerate the discovery of new drugs against trypanosomatids

Adiciones al conocimiento de la diversidad de los hongos conidiales del bosque mes\uf3filo de monta\uf1a del estado de Veracruz

Volume: 66Start Page: 1End Page: 2

Enzymatic Bioprospecting of Fungi Isolated from a Tropical Rainforest in Mexico

The humid tropical environment provides an ideal place for developing a high diversity of plants; this is why it is an interesting site for the enzymatic bioprospecting of fungi that are responsible for the recycling of organic matter in an efficient and accelerated way and whose enzymes could have multiple biotechnological applications. For this study, 1250 isolates of macroscopic and microscopic fungal morphotypes were collected from soil, leaf litter, and wood. One hundred and fifty strains (50 from each source) were selected for the enzymatic screening. From the first phase, 51 strains with positive activity for laccase, protease, amylase, xylanase, and lipase enzymes were evaluated, of which 20 were isolated from leaf litter, 18 from the soil, and 13 from wood. The 10 best strains were selected for the enzymatic quantification, considering the potency index and the production of at least two enzymes. High laccase activity was detected for Trametes villosa FE35 and Marasmius sp. CE25 (1179 and 710.66 U/mg, respectively), while Daedalea flavida PE47 showed laccase (521.85 U/mg) and protease activities (80.66 U/mg). Fusarium spp. PH79 and FS400 strains had amylase (14.0 U/mg, 49.23 U/mg) and xylanase activities (40.05 U/mg, 36.03 U/mg) respectively. These results confirm the enzymatic potential of fungi that inhabit little-explored tropical rainforests with applications in industry

Antimicrobial engineered nanoparticles in the built cultural heritage context and their ecotoxicological impact on animals and plants: a brief review

Abstract Nanoparticles (NPs) of metal oxides, sometimes referred to as engineered nanoparticles have been used to protect building surfaces against biofilm formation for many years, but their history in the Cultural Heritage world is rather short. Their first reported use was in 2010. Thereafter, a wealth of reports can be found in the literature, with Ti, Ag and Zn oxides being the major protagonists. As with all surface treatments, NPs can be leached into the surrounding environment, leading to potential ecotoxicity in soil and water and associated biota. Dissolution into metal ions is usually stated to be the main mode of toxic action and the toxic effects, when determined in the marine environment, decrease in the order Au > Zn > Ag > Cu > Ti > C60, but direct action of NPs cannot be ruled out. Although ecotoxicity has been assessed by a variety of techniques, it is important that a suitable standard test be developed and the European Unions’s Biocidal Product Registration group is working on this, as well as a standard test for antimicrobial efficacy to determine their impact on ecological processes of surrounding non-target organisms and their transformation products under realistic scenarios

Emulsifying Activity and Stability of a Non-Toxic Bioemulsifier Synthesized by Microbacterium sp MC3B-10

A previously reported bacterial bioemulsifier, here termed microbactan, was further analyzed to characterize its lipid component, molecular weight, ionic character and toxicity, along with its bioemulsifying potential for hydrophobic substrates at a range of temperatures, salinities and pH values. Analyses showed that microbactan is a high molecular weight (700 kDa), non-ionic molecule. Gas chromatography of the lipid fraction revealed the presence of palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids; thus microbactan may be considered a glycolipoprotein. Microbactan emulsified aromatic hydrocarbons and oils to various extents; the highest emulsification index was recorded against motor oil (96%). The stability of the microbactan-motor oil emulsion model reached its highest level (94%) at 50 degrees C, pH 10 and 3.5% NaCl content. It was not toxic to Artemia salina nauplii. Microbactan is, therefore, a non-toxic and non-ionic bioemulsifier of high molecular weight with affinity for a range of oily substrates. Comparative phylogenetic assessment of the 16S rDNA gene of Microbacterium sp. MC3B-10 with genes derived from other marine Microbacterium species suggested that this genus is well represented in coastal zones. The chemical nature and stability of the bioemulsifier suggest its potential application in bioremediation of marine environments and in cosmetics