Roman Labuda

Production of fumonisins B2 and B4 in Tolypocladium species

Tolypocladium inflatum is known primarily for its production of the cyclosporines that are used as an immunosuppressive drug. However, we report here the production of the carcinogenic fumonisins B2 and B4 by this biotechnologically relevant fungal genus. These mycotoxins were detected in 11 strains tested from three species: Tolypocladium inflatum, T. cylindrosporum, and T. geodes. Production of fumonisins by Fusarium spp. and Aspergillus niger is highly medium- and temperature-dependent, so the effect of these parameters on fumonisin production by three T. inflatum strains was studied. Maximum production was achieved on media with high sugar content incubated at 25–30°C. Since these results demonstrate that fumonisin production could be widespread within the genus Tolypocladium, the potential contamination of commercial cyclosporine preparations with fumonisins needs to be investigated.

Penicillium strains isolated from Slovak grape berries taxonomy assessment by secondary metabolite profile

The secondary metabolite profiles of microfungi of the genus Penicillium isolated from samples of grape berries collected in two different phases during two vegetative seasons in Slovakia is described to assess the taxonomy. Three Slovak vine regions have been selected for this study, based on their climatic differences and national economic importance. Cultures of microfungi isolated from berries were incubated on different selective media for macro and micromorphology identification. The species Penicillium brevicompactum, Penicillium crustosum, Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium expansum, Penicillium palitans and Penicillium polonicum were identified according to growth and morphology. The related strains were found to produce a broad spectrum of fungal metabolites, including roquefortine C, chaetoglobosin A, penitrem A, cyclopeptin, cyclopenin, viridicatin, methylviridicatin, verrucofortine, secalonic acid D, cyclopiazonic acid, fumigaclavine and mycophenolic acid. Chemotaxonomy was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS). Dried grape berries were also analyzed allowing to assess the presence of patulin, roquefortine C and penicillic acid; this last one has been identified in dried berries but not in vitro.

First record of Chrysosporium europae, Ch. fluviale and Ch. minutisporosum in Slovakia

During a survey of keratinophilic fungi from soil and children’s sandpit samples in city park of Nitra and Nová Baňa (Slovakia) three noteworthy Chrysosporium species, namely Ch. europae, Ch. fluviale and Ch. minutisporosum were encountered. The species are briefly characterized here with respect to their identification, ecology and distribution. They represent newly recorded fungal taxa from Slovakia.

Chrysosporium synchronum rediscovered in Slovakia

During a mycological investigation of the presence of cycloheximide resistant fungi on a dog fur sample, carried out in Slovakia in December 2007, the rare species Chrysosporium synchronum was encountered. This is the second time that this fungus has been recovered and the first in Europe. The species identification was also confirmed by sequencing the ITS region of the rRNA genes. Description and illustrations of the fungus, as well as notes on its phylogeny are given here. The strain is deposited in the Fungal Collection of Biopure Referenzsubstanzen GmbH in Tulln (Austria).