Dear Readers,
Greetings from the Editor’s desk!
With immense pride and enthusiasm, we present the second issue of the 60th volume of KAVAKA, a milestone in our ongoing journey to advance mycological research. This edition features ten papers that profoundly contribute to various facets of mycology and its related fields. As you peruse the pages of KAVAKA, you will find documented various research articles showcasing rigorous research, innovative methodologies, and insightful findings that enhance our understanding and appreciation of fungi.
The first paper investigates the diversity of foliar endophytic fungi in two cultivated ferns – Marsilea quadrifolia and Nephrolepis cordifolia – which enhances our understanding of endophytic communities in ferns, revealing the intricate relationships between these fungi and their host plants. Following this is an insightful investigation into the various environmental factors that influence the growth of Microsporum gypseum. By elucidating the optimal conditions for its growth, this research provides crucial information for managing this dermatophyte in clinical and environmental settings. Furthermore, expanding the catalogue of Indian fungi through combined morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis, two of the articles in the journal report the first occurrence of the two fungal genera - Singerocybe and Tomentelloid in India, thereby contributing to the growing inventory of fungal biodiversity in India and highlight the ecological roles of these fungi.
Focusing on the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum, the subsequent article explores the production and purification of its bioactive compounds, offering potential applications in pharmaceuticals and health supplements. The present volume also includes studies evaluating the antioxidant properties of edible mushrooms, highlighting their health benefits and potential as functional foods. Further, you will find research that opens new avenues for fungi-based nanotechnology in medicine, industry, and aquaculture practices, and studies with significant implications of fungal technology for sustainable waste management and bioremediation.
Taken together, every paper in this volume illustrates the diverse and intricate field of mycological research, spanning from fundamental studies on fungal diversity to applied research, from biodiversity assessments and environmental interactions to biotechnological innovations. In toto, these papers collectively enhance our understanding and appreciation of the fungal kingdom. We hope these contributions inspire further research and foster a deeper engagement with the fascinating world of mycology.
On that note, I extend my deepest gratitude to the authors, reviewers, and contributors for their dedication and the laborious hours they have invested in bringing this issue of KAVAKA to fruition. Their efforts have ensured the continued high standards and relevance of our journal in the field of mycology. I am also thankful to our readers for their continued support and engagement with KAVAKA.
In conclusion, I would also like to add that continued exploration and research in mycology hold the promise of unveiling novel insights and applications that will significantly benefit both ecological balance and human welfare. With that promise, we hope that the findings and
insights presented in this volume will inspire and drive future research, fostering a deeper understanding of fungi and their myriad roles in our world.
30th June 2024
Warm regards
Prof. Rupam Kapoor
Editor-in-Chief (KAVAKA) Professor,
Department of Botany University of Delhi,
Delhi -110 007
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KAVAKA 60(2): 1-10 (2024) DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/2/2024/1-10
Exploring the Diversity of Culturable Foliar Endophytic Fungi in Two Cultivated Ferns: Marsilea quadrifolia, (Marsileaceae) and Nephrolepis cordifolia (Nephrolepidaceae)
Arjun Lal Yadav1, Yogesh Joshi1*, and Pooja Bansal1
1Lab. no. 14, Department of Botany, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur - 302 004, Rajasthan, India.
*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(Submitted on October 4, 2023; Accepted on May 27, 2024)
ABSTRACT
Fungal endophytes, integral constituents of the plant microbiome, are characterized by their asymptomatic colonization of plants. While certain fungal groups like Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and Dark Septate Endophytes (DSE) have been extensively researched in relation to pteridophytes, investigations in this domain remain limited. In this study, we delved into the presence of endophytic fungi within two fern species: Marsilea quadrifolia L., an aquatic fern from the Marsileaceae family, and Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) C.Presl, a terrestrial fern belonging to the Nephrolepidaceae family. From a total of 200 plant segments examined, a remarkable 160 sporulating fungal isolates were successfully cultured. Of the remaining 40 isolates, no growth was observed in 26 plates, while in 14 plates non-sporulating isolates were frequently growing and were treated as Mycelia sterilia. The culmination of our investigation yielded a rich fungal diversity, encompassing representatives from 11 genera belonging to nine families. This comprehensive study underscores the importance of exploring fungal endophytes in pteridophytes, shedding light on the intricate relationships between these fungi and their host plants within the Marsilea and Nephrolepis species. Such insights are crucial for advancing our understanding of plant-fungal interactions in diverse ecological niches and may have broader implications for plant health and ecosystem dynamics.
Keywords: Culture dependent, Endophytes, Rajasthan, Statistical Analysis
KAVAKA 60(2): 11-16 (2024) DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/2/2024/11-16
Effect of Different Environmental Factors on the Growth of Microsporum gypseum
N.C. Sowjanya1 and B. Vidya Vardhini*2
1Associate Professor, Department of Botany, Vivekananda Government Degree College, Vidyangar, Hyderabad - 500 044, India.
2*Professor, Department of Botany, Telangana University, Dichpally, Nizambad - 503 322, India.
*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(Submitted on October 24, 2023; Accepted on June 11, 2024)
ABSTRACT
Keratins are high molecular weight proteins and are classified as structural fibrous proteins, commonly called as scleroproteins. These keratins resist digestion by different proteolytic enzymes like pepsin and trypsin which are capable of digesting most common proteins and are insoluble in different solvents viz., dilute acids, alkalies, water, organic solvents etc. Keratinophilic fungi are a group of highly specialized fungi that degrade most non -degradable keratins and use this protein for their growth and metabolism. The study of the growth of keratinophilic fungi is focussed on different environmental factors like pH, temperature, humidity etc. The present study is taken up to study the impact of pH, temperature and relative humidity on the growth of one of the widely occurring keratinophilic fungus, Microsporum gypseum. Microsporum gypseum was cultured in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) comprising of EN ISO 11133 which was used for examination of microbes. It has been observed in the study that the present isolate of Microsporum gypseum is mesophilic in nature and prefers high relative humidity and slightly acidic soils.
Key words: Environmental factors, Keratinophilic fungus, Microsporum gypseum, pH, Relative humidity, Temperature
KAVAKA 60(2): 17-23 (2024) DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/2/2024/17-23
Combined Study of Morphology and Molecular Phylogeny Unveils the First Report of the Mushroom Genus Singerocybe (Tricholomataceae) from India
Arvind Parihar1, Manoj Emanuel Hembrom2, Vladimír Antonín3 and Kanad Das4*
1Arunachal Pradesh Regional Centre, Botanical Survey of India, Itanagar - 791 111, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
2Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, Botanical Survey of India, Howrah - 711 103, India.
3Department of Botany, Moravian Museum, Zelnýtrh 6, CZ-65937 Brno, Czech Republic.
4Central National Herbarium, Botanical Survey of India, Howrah - 711 103, India.
*Corresponding Author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(Submitted on December 13, 2023; Accepted on May 27, 2024)
ABSTRACT
The genus Singerocybe is characterized by the presence of vesicles in the pileus and stipe cuticle. Singerocybe alboinfundibuliformis, collected from two Himalayan states (Sikkim and Uttarakhand), is described as a new generic and species record for the Indian mycobiota based on morphological features coupled with the phylogenetic evaluation based on ITS sequence data.
Keywords: Basidiomycota, Conspecificity, Molecular phylogeny, Sikkim, Taxonomy
KAVAKA 60(2): 24-27 (2024) DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/2/2024/24-27
Four New Reports of Tomentelloid Fungi from India
Ellu Ram1, Avneet Pal Singh2* and Gurpaul Singh Dhingra2
1Government Degree College, Seraj, Lambathatch, Mandi - 175 048, Himachal Pradesh, India.
2Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala - 147 002, Punjab, India.
*Corresponding Author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(Submitted on December 18, 2023; Accepted on May 27, 2024)
ABSTRACT
Four species of tomentelloid fungi i.e. Tomentella alutaceoumbrina (Bers.) Bourdot & Galzin, T. fuscocinerea (Pers.: Fr.) Donk, Tomentellopsis echinospora (Ellis) Hjortstam and T. pusilla Hjortstam are illustrated and described for the first time from India based on specimens collected from Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh.
Keywords: Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota, Himalaya, Ectomycorrhiza, Wood rotting fungi.
KAVAKA 60(2): 28-37 (2024) DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/2/2024/28-37
Production and Purification of Bioactive Compounds from Ganoderma lucidum Medicinal Mushroom
Gomathi S.*1, Ambikapathy V.1, Thajuddin N.2, And Panneerselvam A.1
1PG and Research Department of Botany, A.V.V.M Sri Pushpam College (Autonomous), Poondi - 613 503, Thanjavur (Dt), Tamil Nadu, India (Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli).
2Crescent Global Outreach Mission (CGOM), B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science & Technology, (Deemed to be University), Vandalur, Chennai - 600 048, India.
*Corresponding Author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(Submitted on March 23, 2024; Accepted on June 2, 2024)
ABSTRACT
The Ganoderma lucidum extracts were active against the microbial pathogen. But the level of inhibition varied significantly. The ethanol and methanol extract exhibited inhibitory zone against bacteria and fungi. The potential mycelial extracts of G. lucidum to be employed for combating several pathogenic diseases. It also showed that fractionation of this mushroom extract can alter the presence or absence of a bioactive compounds and this can affect some of the claimed effects of the mushroom in disease conditions. Hence the need to find out the toxicity and anti-microbial activity of both the crude and organic solvent fraction of this extract. This is concluded the study that the polysaccharides extracts of medicinal mushrooms of G. lucidum showed bioactive compounds and antimicrobial properties. Polysaccharides extract may be good sources for the development of antioxidant food additives. It focused on the superiority of mushroom G. lucidum on different substrates and biotechnological applications of selected potential strains.
Keywords: Ganoderma lucidum, Bioactive compounds, Antimicrobial properties, Medicinal mushrooms, Organic solvent
KAVAKA 60(2): 38-48 (2024) DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/2/2024/38-48
Nutritional Contents and Antioxidant Properties of Pleurotus florida (Fr.) Kumm. and Hypsizygus ulmarius (Bull. ex Fr.) Redhead
Abirami Govindarajan*, Gomathi Selvam, Ambikapathy Varatharaju, Panneerselvam Annamalai and Babu Selvaraj
PG and Research Department of Botany, A.V.V.M Sri Pushpam College (Autonomous), Poondi - 613 503, Thanjavur (Dt), Tamil Nadu, India (Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli).
*Corresponding Author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(Submitted on April 1, 2024; Accepted on June 6, 2024)
ABSTRACT
The two edible mushrooms, Pleurotus florida and Hypsizygus ulmarius, were assessed for nutritional value in proximate composition such as ash, moisture, carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber and vitamins C (L-ascorbic acid), B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B9 (folic acid), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) and vitamin B3 (niacin), minerals, zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), potassium (K), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and Phosphorus (P). To assess antioxidant potential, different assays namely reducing power assay, hydrogen peroxide scavenging (H2O2) assay, and 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay with different concentration of 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 µg/ml of extracts were performed. The antioxidant activities were determined with standard, ascorbic acid and IC50 values of aqueous and methanol extract showed a strong antioxidant capacity. The maximum activities were recorded in methanolic extracts. Hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, reducing power radicals, and DPPH free radical-scavenging activity revealed high activities in P. florida at aqueous and methanol of 500μl/ml extract concentration. The maximum percentage of activity in reducing power assay in H. ulmarius was at 500μl/ml extract and minimum concentration of 100μl H2O2 assay also performed in respective mushrooms. The efficiency of both edible mushrooms poses potential candidature for antioxidant properties in the forthcoming generation.
Keywords: Pleurotus florida, Hypsizygus ulmarius, Nutrition, Minerals, Vitamins, Antioxidant activity.
KAVAKA 60(2): 49-59 (2024) DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/2/2024/49-59
Insight to the Degradation of Shrimp Shell Waste by Aspergillus fumigatus Isolated from Mallipattinam Southeast Coast of Tamil Nadu
B. Deepa*1, K. Kanimozhi1 V. Ambikapathy1, A. Panneerselvam1 and N Thajuddin2
1PG & Research Department of Microbiology, A.V.V.M. Sri Pushpam College (Autonomous), Poondi - 613 503, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India (Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli-24, Tamil Nadu, India).
2B. S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science & Technology, Vandalur, Chennai - 600 048, India.
*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(Submitted on April 1, 2024; Accepted on June 2, 2024)
ABSTRACT
In the present study, to isolate Aspergillus fumigatus fungi from soil in order to potentially utilize them for the degradation of shrimp shells and spectroscopic (GCMS, FTIR) investigation of the chitnase enzyme. Soil samples were taken from two distinct locations of east and west at the Mallipattinam southeast coast of Tamilnadu. Using standard mycological techniques, the 25 strains were isolated and identified from the soil samples (cultural and morphological traits). Shrimp shell waste was used to treat the isolated fungi in order to break them down and produce chitinase. It was established what the activity ratio, weight percentage, and enzyme activity were. The fungi with the greatest documented chitinolytic activity were Aspergillus fumigates, A. terreus, A. niger, A. flavus, Pencillium citrinum, and Trichoderma viride. Proteins, amino acids, and carbohydrates were detected by the biochemical analysis of waste decomposed by shrimp shells. The bioactive compounds (23) were identified by GC-MS analysis, including Tri-O-Trimethylsilyl, N-Pentafluoropropionyl derivative of terbutaline and 4-(Dimethylamino) Azoestrone 3-Methyl Ether. Additionally, the FTIR examination of the degraded shrimp waste revealed the presence of amine and OH groups. It was determined that, in comparison to the other fungal groups, Aspergillus fumigatus produced the highest level of chitinase enzyme. The high activity of isolated cultures in breaking down shrimp shell waste points to a wide range of possible applications for these fungi in eco-friendly methods of extracting chitinase from wastes high in shrimp shell degraded waste.
Keywords: Chitinase, Biodegradation, GCMS, FTIR, Shrimp shell waste
KAVAKA 60(2): 60-69 (2024) DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/2/2024/60-69
Enzyme Screening and Optimization from Coastal Soil Fungi of Dhanushkodi
Manimekalai, D1*, Senthilkumar, G1, Ambikapathy, V2, Thajuddin, N4, Prakash, P3, Ratha, M4, Kanmani, A3 and Panneerselvam, A2
1*PG and Research Department of Microbiology, A.V.V.M. Sri Pushpam College (Autonomous), (Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Trichy-24), Poondi-613 503, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India.
2Department of Botany, A.V.V.M. Sri Pushpam College (Autonomous), (Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Trichy-24), Poondi-613 503, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India.
3Indian Biotrack Research Institute, Thanjavur-613 005, Tamil Nadu, India.
4Department of Microbiology, Bharathidasan University, Sri Bharathi Arts and Science College for Women (Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Trichy-24), Kaikkurichi, Pudukkottai – 622 303, India.
5Crescent Global Outreach Mission, BS Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology (Deemed to be University), Vandalur, Chennai-600 048, India.
*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(Submitted on April 03, 2024; Accepted on June 11, 2024)
ABSTRACT
The screening of marine soils fungi was distinguished three different enzymes, namely cellulase, amylase and protease. The maximum zone of clearance was measured in the three potential fungi such as A. niger, A. flavus and A. terreus. Therefore, the subsequent investigations were examined solely utilizing specific fungi, namely A. niger, A. flavus and A. terreus. The maximum enzyme optimizes and production was recorded in the cellulase enzyme when compared with amylase and protease enzymes. The amylase that underwent dialysis without the presence of cells demonstrated specific protein activity, as well as yield and purification factor. Subsequently, the dialyzed a-amylase underwent additional purification. The crude and purified forms of the amylase were examined using SDS-PAGE. The gel images of the purified enzyme and zymogram provided confirmation of the elimination of various undesirable proteins during the purification.
Keywords: Soil fungi, amylase, A. niger, optimization, SDS-PAGE
KAVAKA 60(2): 70-85 (2024) DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/2/2024/70-85
Physical, Biological, and Immunological Changes of Tilapia, Oreochromis Mossambicus by Using Mushroom Silver Nanoparticles against Aeromonas hydrophila
V. Shyamala*and N. Uma Maheswari
*Department of Microbiology, Sengamala Thayaar Educational Trust Women’s College (Autonomous), Sundarakkottai, Mannargudi - 614 001, Tamil Nadu, India. (Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India)
*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(Submitted on May 1, 2024; Accepted on June 6, 2024)
ABSTRACT
The current research aimed to study the study the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNO3) from Pleurotus ostreatus edible mushroom extract and its effects on haematological and immunological responses in tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus, against Aeromonas hydrophila. The formation of Pleurotus ostreatus silver nanoparticles (PO-AgNPs) was evidenced by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The UV, GCMS, and FTIR analyseswere conducted on the synthesized PO-AgNPs. The experimental diets included: 0 (Control), T1 (0.1 µg/kg); T2 (0.5 µg/kg); T3 (1 µg/kg); T4 (5 µg/kg); T5 (10 µg/kg); T6 (20 µg/kg) diet of a mixture of PO-AgNPs respectively, for four weeks.During the trial,blood samples were taken fromeach group of each week up to four weeks. At the end of the trail, fish were challenged with 0.2 ml (1x107 cfu/ml) A. hydrophila pathogen by intra peritoneal injection. Results showed that feeding the tilapia with a PO-AgNPs supplemented diet significantly influenced immunological parameters, which were found to be higher in fish fed with an experimental diet than the control group (P<0.05).Statistically significant levels of serum total immunoglobulin were detected only in the fish group fed with 10µg/kg PO-AgNPs supplemented diet. The interaction between the DNA gyrase subunit B protein and two specific control antibiotics was examined through docking analysis. The survival rate was highest in the 10µg/kg P. ostreatus supplemented feeding group. The results suggested that fish fed with P. ostreatus mushroom extract supplemented diet had an enhanced immune response and decreased the mortality rate against A. hydrophila. Ligands commonly interacted with the protein, as indicated by the results obtained from molecular docking studies. These results indicated that 10µg/kg PO-AgNPs can be considered as a beneficial dietary supplement for improved heamatological, immunological response and diseases resistance in tilapia against Aeromonas hydrophila.
Keywords: Oreochromis mossambicus, Aeromonas hydrophila, Pleurotus ostreatus, Immune system, Protein, Silver nanoparticles.
KAVAKA 60(2): 86-95 (2024) DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/2/2024/86-95
Biosynthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Optimization of Enzymes from Endophytic Fungi
J. Valli*1, K. Kanimozhi1, V. Ambikapathy2, A. Panneerselvam2, and N. Thajuddin3
*1PG and Research Department of Microbiology, A.V.V.M Sri Pushpam College (Autonomous), Poondi - 613 503, Thanjavur (Dt), Tamil Nadu, India (Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli -24).
2Department of Botany and Microbiology, A.V.V.M Sri Pushpam College (Autonomous), Poondi - 613 503, Thanjavur (Dt), Tamil Nadu, India (Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli -24).
3B. S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science &Technology, (Deemed to be University), Vandalur, Chennai - 600 048, India.
*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(Submitted on May 1, 2024; Accepted on June 6, 2024)
ABSTRACT
Endophytes are recognized as potential sources of novel secondary metabolites, including enzymes and drugs, with applications in medicine, agriculture and textile industry. There is an increasing demand for novel enzymes such as protease, in the industrial sector that can effectively operate across diverse conditions. In the present study, the plant samples were collected from marine environment of Kodiyakarai, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu, India. Fungal species were isolated by plating method, in 50% marine plant containing potato dextrose agar medium. Selective two fungal strains (Aspergillus niger and A. terreus) were chosen in the secondary screening of protease and lipase enzymes. The lyophilized growth media obtained after fungal fermentation were analysed for two enzyme production was optimized by assessing the effects of temperature, pH, carbon source and nitrogen source on activity. A. niger and A. terreus showed the greatest protease activity in a wide range of pH (5-9) and showed the lowest lipase activity range from pH (5-9) at two fungi. The broadest activity between 9 and 30οC was observed at pH 7 suggesting a neutral in protease. Overall, the optimum conditions were 35οC and pH 7 with a maximum specific activity value of A. niger and A. terreus. In minimum specific activity value of lipase in A. niger and A. terreus. In biosynthesized (ZnO NPs) characterization using UV-Vis spectrophotometer, The maximum absorption peak was observed in the UV-Vis spectra of zinc oxide nanoparticles at 350-600 nm The bio synthesis of (ZnO NPs) nano materials were performed with comparison of control and concentration 2.5 mM was treated samples revealed well-dispersed nanoparticles ZnONPs. The characteristics demonstrated by these fungal endophytes showed that it is a potential source of a protease enzyme with particular application in the cotton industry. However, further studies of the tolerance to higher temperatures and pH will indicate whether the enzyme is suitable for biomedical application.
Keywords; Endophytic fungi, Optimization, Zinc oxide nanoparticles, UV-Vis spectrophotometer