The objective of this present study was to isolate a potential laccase producing fungi from the different environmental samples from Gujarat. Eighteen morphologically different fungi were isolated on mineral salts medium having lignin (sole carbon source) and screened qualitatively for their ability to produce laccase by plate screening method using the indicators ABTS, Brilliant Blue R (RBBR),...

Ochratoxin A is a mycotoxin present in several food products for which levels should be reduced. Chemical, physical, and biological methods have been proposed for the detoxification of mycotoxins, biological methods being the more promising ones. In this report, filamentous fungi isolated from Portuguese grapes were assessed for ochratoxin A degradation capabilities. It was observed that 51 of ...

Most fungal infections of the cornea are secondary infections, caused by opportunis­ tic fungi that have invaded a diseased cornea or one that has been treated with corticosteroids or broad-spectrum antibiotics. Two ex­ ceptions are corneal infections due to Can­ dida albicans or Aspergillus species; these may infect an apparently normal cornea af­ ter minimal trauma. Superficial mycotic infect...

o-Methoxycinnamaldehyde has been isolated and purified from powdered cinnamon. The compound inhibits the growth and toxin production of mycotoxin-producing fungi. The substance completely inhibited the growth of Aspergillus parasiticus and A. flavus at 100 microgram/ml and A. ochraceus and A. versicolor at 200 microgram/ml. It inhibited the production of aflatoxin B1 by over 90% at 6.25 microgr...

Unfolded-protein response (UPR) denotes the upregulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident chaperone and foldase genes and numerous other genes involved in secretory functions during the accumulation of unfolded proteins into the ER. Overexpression of individual foldases and chaperones has been used in attempts to improve protein production in different production systems. We describe here...

The hydrodistillated leaf essential oil of Neolitsea parvigemma was analyzed to determine its composition and yield. Sixty-two compounds were identified, the main components being beta-caryophyllene (14.2%), beta-eudesmol (12.9%), alpha-cadinol (10.2%) and tau-cadinol (8.8%). Oxygenated sesquiterpenes (48.9%) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (48.8%) were the predominant groups of compounds. The a...

Introduction Over the last decade extra-pulmonary aspergillosis has been reported with increasing frequency from the Middle and Far East. In the late 60s, 17 cases of paranasal aspergilloma, some with orbital involvement, were reported from the Sudan; Aspergillus flavus was found to be the causative organism in all 17 (Miloshev et al., 1966, 1969). A further 60 cases have been described from No...

Mycotoxins derived from Aspergilli can be encountered both in domestic and occupational environments, and the exposure may lead to severe health hazards. Several Aspergillus species are associated with mycotoxin production: A. ochraceus with ochratoxin A, A. fumigatus with fumitremorgins, gliotoxin and verrucologen, A. versicolor with sterigmatocystin, and A. flavus and A. parasiticus with afla...

Mold growth in buildings has been shown to be associated with adverse health effects. The fungal and bacterial growth on moistened building materials has been studied, but little attention has been paid to the other organisms spawning in the damaged materials. We examined moist building materials for protozoa, concentrating on amoebae. Material samples (n = 124) from moisture-damaged buildings ...

Antibiotic resistance in fungal isolates is increasing on a global scale. Despite knowledge that pig farmers are occupationally exposed to infectious species of fungi, such as Aspergillus spp., little known regarding their potential exposure antifungal-resistant spp. The aim this study obtain the antifungal profiles taken from different source materials—including airborne dust, surface faeces, ...