Zongqi Liang

Optimization of submerged culture requirements for the production of mycelial growth and exopolysaccharide by Cordyceps jiangxiensis JXPJ 0109.

Aims:  The objective of the present study was to investigate the optimal culture requirements for mycelial growth and exopolysaccharide production by Cordyceps jiangxiensis JXPJ 0109 in submerged culture.

Optimal culture conditions for keratinase production by a novel thermophilic Myceliophthora thermophila strain GZUIFR-H49-1

Aims:  To investigate the effect of medium compositions and culture conditions on keratinase production by a novel thermophilic fungus Myceliophthora thermophila (Apinis) Oorschot strain GZUIFR‐H49‐1.

Nitric oxide mediates hypocrellin accumulation induced by fungal elicitor in submerged cultures of Shiraia bambusicola

Multiple responses of Shiraia bambusicola, including nitric oxide (NO) generation, hypocrellins production and salicylic acid (SA) biosynthesis, were induced by a fungal elicitor prepared from the mycelium of Aspergillum niger. Both the NO donator, sodium nitroprusside, and SA enhanced hypocrellin production without the fungal elicitor. However, the NO scavenger, 2,4-carboxyphenyl-4,4, 5,5- tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO) and the SA biosynthesis inhibitor, cinnamic acid (CA), inhibited hypocrellin accumulation in the presence of the elicitor. cPTIO also inhibited SA production induced by the A. niger elicitor. CA failed to inhibit NO production but it significantly inhibited hypocrellin accumulation. Aspergillum niger elicitor induced an NO burst, SA accumulation, and hypocrellin production in S. bambusicola. Therefore, the fungal elicitor was involved in the signaling pathway, which is a mechanism different from that of higher plants.

Chrysosporium linfenense: a new Chrysosporium species with keratinolytic activity

Chrysosporium linfenense, a new Chrysosporium species, was collected from Shanxi, China, described, and illustrated. Differences between C. linfenense and related species were analyzed based on the morphological and DNA sequence characters. Diagnostic characters of linfenense are conidia that are solitary or often in chains of 2-3, mostly ellipsoidal or fusiform, few clavate, and smooth-walled; intercalary conidia are absent. The presence of keratinase also suggests that C. linfenense possesses a keratinolytic activity.