INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LIFE SCIENCES

1-5

Authors: Desai Sanjay M

A xenobiotic is a class of chemical substances which usually are not produced within an organism naturally or expected to be present within. It can also cover substances that are present in much higher concentrations than are usual. The term xenobiotics, however, is very often used as synonym of pollutants such as dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls, because xenobiotics are considered as substances which are not found in entire biological system, i.e. synthetic substances, which did not exist in nature or purely manmade. Degradation of such compounds by physical and/or chemical processes is costly and often produces undesirable products which are toxic. Biological methods, being ecofriendly and cost cheap techniques, were proposed for xenobiotic degradation purposes in order to overcome these problems. Compared to bacteria, most of the fungi are robust organisms and generally more tolerant to high concentrations of pollutants. It explains why they have been extensively investigated since the mid-1980s for their bioremediation capacities. A wide number of fungal species have shown incredible abilities to degrade a growing list of persistent and toxic industrial waste products and chemical contaminants to less toxic form or non-toxic form. Fungi posses’ very peculiar mode of metabolizing their substrate by using array of enzyme systems. Extracellular nature of these enzymes proven superiority over any other enzyme system in nature. The potential of fungal enzymes can be harnessed for remediation of the environment. In depth knowledge and understanding about these enzymes will surely revolutionize the waste treatment in near future.

11-14

Authors: Rambal Kavita

Indoor air pollution which is of chemical and biological origin is a cause for worry. Various studies related to indoor air pollution have revealed that it can cause many complications like irritation in the eyes and throat, dizziness, fatigue, allergy, rhinitis, and other respiratory problems besides sick building syndrome and poor visibility. Indoor air pollution affects all especially children and immunocompromised people or people suffering from other ailments. Studies have revealed that the outdoor environment also affects it. Especially fungal spores or mould spores which are normally present in the outdoor air intrude into the indoor environment. In the present paper a review of literature related to indoor air fungi as pollutant has been undertaken and to find ways to improve the indoor air quality.

25-30

Authors: Moses Kolet*, Asba Ansari, Ayesha Divkar and Ayesha Momin

Macrofungi, especially mushrooms; their wide variations in morphological characteristics have fascinated all; mycologists and laymen alike. Mushrooms, owing to their secretive life, have been associated with several animals, fictitious creatures, mysterious entities, super natural beings and happenings through the ages which are also reflected in their vernacular names. These small, apparently insignificant components of biodiversity play an important role as food, dietary supplements, therapeutics, sources of drugs, pharmaceuticals and novel compounds; in modern scientific research, biodegradation and bioremediation. In the present study, macrofungi from KME Society’s G.M. Momin Women’s College campus in Bhiwandi were documented by the survey method. The study recorded 17 types of macrofungi inclusive of several mushrooms; prominent among them being the genera Auricularia, Daldinea, Trametes, Mycena, and Schizophyllum among several others, details of which, and the current and emerging mycotechnologies associated with the types recorded, are mentioned in the paper.

37-42

Authors: Sridhar KR

This study addresses macrofungal composition of coastal habitats (scrub jungles, coastal sand dunes and mangroves) of south west coast of Karnataka. Up to 124 species of macrofungi have been recorded with a highest of 95 species in scrub jungles followed by coastal sand dunes (36 spp.) and mangroves (31 spp.). Ten species were common to all habitats and wood inhabiting Dacaryopinax spathularia was frequent. Edible macrofungi were highest (34 spp.) followed by ectomycorrhizal (26 spp.) and medicinal (21 spp.) macrofungi. Soil inhabiting Lycoperdon utriforme was edible, ectomycorrhizal and medicinal fungus. Many macrofungi were eaten based on traditional knowledge of local people. Habitat degradation is most threatening to macrofungi, which results in soil erosion, substrate depletion and elimination of host tree species. The current status and strategies of habitat conservation in favour of macrofungi have been discussed.

49-54

Authors: Nair Bharath* and Mallikarjunaswamy GE

Trichoderma an asexually reproducing filamentous fungi commonly found in varied soil types in all climatic zones. Their ability to grow and multiply rapidly in various substrates makes it a good biocontrol agent. Six isolates of Trichoderma harzianum from rhizoplane regions of grasses Cynodon dactylon (CD-01, CD-02 and CD-03) and Paspalum conjugatum (PC-01, PC-02 and PC-03) were tested for their antagonistic activity against major fungal pathogens - Fusarium oxysporum and F. solani causing root rot and wilt, Sclerotium rolfsii causing damping off and Colletotrichum gloeosporiodes, Curvularia lunata and Pestalotiopsis macqulens causing foliar diseases of Teak and Mahogany seedlings from Central Nurseries of Kerala by dual culture method. All the isolates showed antagonistic activity against Fusarium oxysporum (53-70%), F. solani (60-72%), Sclerotium rolfsii (51-62%), Colletotrichum gloeosporiodes (52-75%), Curvularia lunata (47-70%) and Pestalotiopsis macqulens (6167%). Among the T. harzianum isolates tested PC-03 was found to exhibit minimal antagonistic activity. However, Trichoderma – Pathogen interaction showed variations indicating the activity of Trichoderma isolates varied to a greater or lesser extent depending upon the pathogenic species.

62-68

Authors: Ansari Rahat Ubaid and Kumar Sashirekha Suresh

Phylloplane fungi are microbes that reside on the leaf surface without showing any disease symptoms. Plants produce several compounds to protect themselves from the continuous attack of naturally occurring pathogens, insect pests and environmental stresses. Presence of phylloplane mycoflora and their associations with the leaf helps as potential defence and in enhancing the plant growth and productivity. The present paper focuses on the isolation and documentation of phylloplane fungi from the leaf surface of Lagerstroemia speciosa. The presence of fungi was confirmed by SEM analysis. Chaetomium globosum, Curvularia pallescens and Myrothecium verrucaria, the dominant isolates were selected to study the biochemical analysis. Leaf extract and the three fungal extracts in Methanol, DCM and Ethyl acetate were screened for secondary metabolites like alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and terpenoids using phytochemical qualitative techniques. The presence of the compounds was confirmed with UVVis and FTIR. The biochemical results of the fungal extracts were compared with that of the leaf.

74-78

Authors: Mudiar Rinky and Varsha Kelkar-Mane

Global change in Candida spectrum has been observed in India along with the world due to uncontrolled use of antifungals. C.albicans is the common agent for muco-cutaneous and invasive candidiasis. Existing antifungals seems to have failed fighting this opportunistic pathogen resulting in high rates of morbidity and mortality rates (around 30% mortality), indicated by CDC’s surveillance data in 2012. Candida has become drug resistant due to expression of efflux pumps which causes low drug accumulation, alteration in target proteins and membrane sterol composition. Tamarajal, i.e., water stored in copper vessels has been proclaimed as health elixir by ancient Ayurveda. Bactericidal property of copper vessels used in Indian household has already been established by the western world. In this paper, we report tamarajal as cytotoxic agent and pseudo-morphogenic agent for Candida. The change in cell structure exposed to tamarajal was visualized under Scanning Electron Microscope. Biofilm eradication capacity was also assessed to avoid infection due to medical devices. This will help us find out a possible alternative to combat candidiasis.

84-88

Authors: Gosavi SA, Pawar NS and Borse BD

Present paper deals with six marine mitosporic fungi viz., Bactrodesmium linderii, Cirrenalia basiminuta, Clavatospora bulbosa, Halenospora varia, Hydea pygmea and Matsuporium tropicale which were isolated form intertidal wood samples from the coast of Thane District of Maharashtra. The data provides information on the distribution of these fungi in India, apart from description and illustrations. This data will be useful in the compilation of aquatic fungal biodiversity of India.

94-98

Authors: Ingle MR

Two different species of Trichoderma viz., T. atroviride and T. erinaceum were isolated from decomposing coconut coir and were screened for their laccase producing abilities. Production of extracellular laccases by Trichoderma atroviride and Trichoderma erinaceum was carried out under submerged fermentation at varying pH of the culture medium and different lignocellulosic agro industrial residues. The optimum pH of the culture medium for laccase production was reported to be 5. Sawdust was found to be the most efficient substrate for laccase enzyme production, followed by sugar cane bagasse. Maximum production of laccase enzyme has been noticed with regard to natural carbon sources than synthetic one.

103-106

Authors: Kaste PS

Fungi differ widely in their choice and ability to utilize various sources of nitrogen for their growth and reproduction. In the present study, five different species of Aplosporella were investigated for their behavior under the influence of eleven nitrogen sources using liquid basal medium of Asthana and Hawker. Five species of Aplosporella so selected for the present investigations were obtained from different plant hosts of diversified host families. These are Aplosporella labiatae, A. rubiae, A. coniferae, A.citrae and A. brossimumii. Pure cultures of these five isolates of Aplosporella were maintained on Potato Dextrose Agar medium. Inorganic nitrogen sources like Ammonium nitrate, Ammonium chloride, sodium nitrite, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrite,potassium nitrate and organic nitrogen sources like phenyl alanine, aspartic acid, glycine, urea and peptone were taken for present investigation. From the results, it is concluded that the Aplosporella grows better in inorganic nitrogen sources than the organic nitrogenous sources.

111-113

Authors: Patel Alpa K and Patil Vivekkumar V

The present investigation is carried out in Chikhloli area of Ambarnath, which has varied geographical structure. Climate is comparatively less humid and temperature is variable. Extramural aerobiological research includes aero microbial survey at various places of chikhloli region. The Aeromycologocal survey was carried out from March 2016 to February 2017 by using Petri – plate exposure method. Total Twenty two micro fungi trapped from the air. This study is very important with respect to qualitative and quantitative information about the airborne fungi. The prevalence of dominant airspora was found to be correlation with the metrological parameter like Temperature and Humidity. The maximum mycoflora was registered during the monsoon period between July to October, which is gradually decreased during summer from March to June.

117-119

Authors: Jain Ritu L

Studies carried out in Adiantum and Pteris for Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) colonization. These fern taxa were collected from Bhiwandi, Maharashtra. Investigation reveals that the root of these ferns has Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza. Mycorrhizal association is also affected by seasons, it is maximum in winter season and minimum in rainy season.

125-129

Authors: Wagh PM and Bhale UN

In this present investigation, three dominant post-harvest sapota fungi were chosen for artificial infection to the three varieties of sapota fruits i.e. Kalipatti, Kutchh and Cricket ball which are normally cultivated in Thane district was studied in detail for the biochemical changes via post-harvest fungi. When pathogen interacts with the fruits either in the field or in storage, this interaction is responsible for qualitative and quantitative biodeterioration of fruits. In vivo studies of biochemical changes revealed increase or decrease in organic components of sapota fruits. Study in relation with the predominant three post-harvest fungi viz. Aspergillusniger, Geotrichumcandidum and Rhizoctoniasolani were used. The quantitative losses of biochemical changes in fruit pulp studied for ten different parameters. It is observed that there was considerable loss in biochemicals in some extent fruits of all three varieties due to the fungi.