Beata Zimowska

Marine-derived Phoma—the gold mine of bioactive compounds

The genus Phoma contains several species ubiquitously present in soil, water, and environment. There are two major groups of Phoma, viz., terrestrial and marine. After 1981 researchers all over the world have focused on marine-derived Phoma for their bioactive compounds. The marine Phoma are very rich sources for novel bioactive secondary metabolites, which could potentially be used as drugs. Recently, a large number of structurally unique metabolites with potential biological and pharmacological activities have been isolated from the marine Phoma species particularly Phoma herbarum, P. sorghina, and P. tropica. These metabolites mainly include diterpenes, enolides, lactones, quinine, phthalate, and anthraquinone. Most of these compounds possess antimicrobial, anticancer, radical scavenging, and cytotoxic properties. The present review has been focused on the general background of Phoma, current approaches used for its identification and their limitations, difference between terrestrial and marine Phoma species. In addition, this review summarizes the novel bioactive compounds derived from marine Phoma and their biological activities.

EFFECT OF SELECTED PREPARATIONS ON GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT Boeremia strasseri, THE CAUSAL AGENT OF BLACK STEM AND RHIZOMES ROT OF PEPPERMINT (Mentha piperita)

The objective of undertaken studies was evaluation in vitro conditions efficiency of eight fungicides from different chemical groups and three preparations of natural origin i.e. Biosept Active, Beta-chikol and Bioczos towards isolate M 365 Boeremia strasseri, obtained from peppermint rhizomes showing symptoms of black rot. Test were performed by poisoning the culture media. The percentage of inhibition of the growth of fourand eight-day-old colonies on the medium with preparations in the control colonies was a measure of activity of the preparations. Moreover, the microscopic observations of morphological structures of fungus were conducted. Within chemical compounds trifloxystrobin, tiophanate methyl and mancozeb pointed to be the most effective. The effectiveness of Beta-chikol and Biosept Active in limiting B. strasseri colony growth was higher than the efficiency of Bioczos.

Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Phoma complanata, a New Causal Agent of Archangelica officinalis Hoffm. in Poland

The paper concerns the fungus Phoma complanata, isolated for the first time in Poland, from the roots and umbels of angelica (Archangelica officinalis) in 2009. The morphology of fungal isolates was tested on standard culture media. Moreover, the sequence analysis of ITS regions was conducted. Morphological similarity of P. complanata Polish isolates to the reference isolate obtained from CBS culture collection was determined and together with the molecular analysis confirmed the affiliation of the fungus to the species.

Characteristics of Phomopsis sclareae obtained from sage (Salvia officinalis)

In the years 2004–2006 the species P. sclareae was isolated from sage stems showing the symptoms in the form of bark peeling off and breaking. On the basis of 5 isolates randomly chosen from the fungus population, morphology and the conditions of temperatures favourable for the most intensive growth and creation of the fungus infectious material were studied. The temperature of −6°C was viewed as unfavourable for the fungus growth, and that of 32°C was considered to prevent the formation of picnidia and conidia. The dynamic growth of the colonies and the formation of numerous picnidia and conidia were observed at the temperatures ranging from 20°C to 28°C.