The localization of pyruvate carboxylase (cytosolic or mitochondrial) was studied in nine different Aspergillus species (14 strains). In some species (A. aculeatus, A. flavus, A. foetidus, A. nidulans, A. ochraceus, and A. sojae), the pyruvate carboxylase activity could be detected only in the cytosolic fraction of the cells. Pyruvate carboxylase has been found only in the mitochondrial fractio...

To evaluate the potential for mycotoxin production by fungi in dried vine fruits, the mycobiota was determined both before and after surface disinfection. Predominant genera were Aspergillus (50.2%), Eurotium (21.4%) and Penicillium (13.5%). Aspergillus section Nigri ("black aspergilli") were isolated with relatively high frequency. Aspergillus niger was the most common species but only 3 of 29...

The effect of two fungicides, Caocobre and Ridomil on rhizosphere phenomenon of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L) seedlings has been studied at different stages of the development of the plant growing in pots. Fungal population in the rhizophere soil was generally higher than in the non-rhizosphere soil. The total number of fungal population in both the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere was highest on th...

To find out natural antimicrobial agents as alternative in therapeutics and to preserve food, the methanol extract of Solanum palinacanthum aerial parts was submitted to purification steps guided by antibacterial and antifungal assays. As a consequence, the flavonoid rutin and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid were isolated by column chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography, and identi...

The production of ochratoxin A (OA) in barley by Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium viridicatum was measured at 12 and 25 degrees C. The grain had been fertilized with various amounts of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 90, or 240 kg/ha) and contained (at crop maturity) 9.1, 10.4, or 12.0% protein, respectively. The production of OA by both fungi increased as the protein concentration increased. Glut...

A series of newly disubstituted (compounds 4a,b) and trisubstituted 1,3,4-thiadiazines 5a-l with various substituents was prepared utilizing different thiosemicarbazides and 3-α-bromoacetylcoumarins as starting compounds. The structures of the synthesized 1,3,4-thiadiazines are elucidated and confirmed utilizing the corresponding analytical and spectroscopic data. All of the new thiadiazine der...

AIMS The mycoflora of healthy grapes (i.e. without visible symptoms of rot) for wine production in Portuguese wine-making regions was assessed and its potential for ochratoxin A (OTA) production evaluated. The OTA content of grapes was also determined. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 386 fungal strains were isolated by plating methods. The most frequent genera found in grapes were non-ochratox...

Moulds constitute the largest group of bacteria, prevailing both in the indoor and outdoor air. Approximately 200 000 species of moulds have been identified so far, where only a small group of around 200 may present a threat to human health. Fungi from Aspergillus species are among the moulds considered to be most pathogenic. They also constitute the group of most pathogenic moulds most frequen...