I am deeply honoured to be invited to contribute an article highlighting the scientific contributions of Dr. M.J.Thirumalachar for publication in an issue of KAVAKA dedicated to him in his Birth Centenary year (2014). I wish to place on record my appreciation of the decision of the Managing committee of Mycological Society of India to honour Dr. Thirumalachar as well as Prof. C.V.Subramanian on his 90th birthday in a similar manner. The opportunity to write this article has a profound emotional effect on me as a member of his family,- being his nephew who drew inspiration while being associated with him for two decades learning Mycology and Fungal Biotechnology.
While reflecting on the life and scientific contributions of Dr. M.J.Thirumalachar, I am amazed at the way he grew up with the times and acquired the necessary skills to contribute meaningfully as a mycologist to the rapidly advancing discipline of Industrial Biotechnology. He was truly ahead of his times in his thinking and vision and if we take a leaf out of his book and evaluate its relevance in the context of today's requirements for innovative research and development ,we will definitely see the need for mycologists to gear up and get prepared for making meaningful contributions to Biotechnology in the twenty first century. I will attempt to review the role of mycology and mycologists in an era of industrial biotechnology and offer it as my humble tribute to Dr.Thirumalachar in the Kavaka publication commemorating his birth centenary.
Isolation of keratinophilic fungi from selected soils of The Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat, (India)
Taeniolina echinata sp. nov. Collected on dead leaf of Vanda sp. is described and illustrated from Chandigarh, North India. It is characterized by integrated, terminal or intercalary, polyblastic conidiogenous cells with catenate, pale olivaceous- brown, echinate, 1 to 3 septate conidia. A synoptic tabular account of all the species of the genus is provided for the comparison.
A pot experiment was conducted to see the effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, i.e., Glomus mosseae and Acaulospora laevis on cotton (Gossypium arboreum L.) in the presence of different salinity levels, i.e., 4 dSm-1, 8 dSm-1 and 12 dSm-1 with five replicates resulted in effective plant height, shoot and root biomass, root length, leaf area, root colonization, AM spore number, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content, phosphorus content, nitrogen content, potassium content, sodium content, fibre yield and acidic and alkaline phosphatase activity. Under saline conditions, mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased growth parameters as well as nutrient uptake of cotton plants over control. All growth parameters were found to be highest in dual combination of Glomus mosseae + Acaulospora laevis at 4 dSm-1 salinity level whereas sodium content was found to be highest in dual combination of Glomus mosseae + Acaulospora laevis at 8 dSm-1 salinity level. Overall results showed that AM colonization improves host plant mineral concentration and thereby increases the growth, yield and nutrient uptake of cotton plants by ameliorating the harmful effect of salinity stress.
India targets to increase the forest cover to 33% by 2020 through programmes like Tree outside Forests (TOF) and Tree Cultivation in Private lands (TCPL). Cultivation of fast growing tree species for fuel and fodder in cultivable wastelands and uncultivable barren land has been encouraged. While planting efforts are on full swing to increase green cover, however, it is reported that about 1 million ha of forest area is being destroyed by insect pests annually, hence management of insect pests in domesticated forestry is much needed. Synthetic organic insecticides have emerged as major tools in pest management. About 3% of the total pesticides used in the world are utilized in India. It has been reported that about 2.5 million tons of chemical pesticides are used on crops each year. The toxicity of these chemicals results in residues in soil, water resources and crops that affect public health, hence there is a need to develop ecologically sound, environmentally safe and economically viable insect pest management strategies. Biological control has become an important tool for Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Use of microorganisms for the management of insect pests and diseases is risk free. Endophytic fungi are microorganisms that offer great-untapped effective solution for insect pest management. Several endophytic microbes are known to have anti-insect properties. The fungal endophytes protect their hosts from infectious agents and adverse conditions through secretion of bioactive secondary metabolites. In the present study, an attempt was made to isolate and identify the diversity status of endophytic fungi from commercially important tropical tree species viz.,Tectona grandis (Teak), Ailanthus excelsa (Ailanthus) and Gmelina arborea (Gmelina). A total of 18 species of endophytic fungi belonging to 13 genera and 58 strains were isolated from young and mature leaves of Teak, Ailanthus and Gmelina. Diversity and richness of endophytic fungi was found high in Teak followed by Ailanthus and Gmelina. Population of endophytic fungal species isolated from Teak, Ailanthus and Gmelina was found to be low and has not attained the expected population. It is also expressed in the rarefaction curve that it didn't reach asymptote curve, hence chances of encountering more number of species will be possible if the number of sampling unit increases. Of the 18 species, five species with one strain each were found to possess entomopathogenic significance based on preliminary bioassay studies. Future study will focus on biopesticidal properties of these fungi to develop novel biopesticide.
Biodegradation experiment was performed by growing Aspergillus awamori (MTCC-548), a filamentous fungal strain on czapek broth media containing a known conc. of Rose Bengal dye (100 mg/L) at 30±2 °C for a period of 10 days. It was found that incubation of 10 days (3 Days Shaking: 7 Days Static) significantly enhanced the biodegradation efficiency. Results obtained on 10th day revealed that increased biomass is quite helpful in removal of dye from water source by adsorption process. Maximum removal (99.74%) of dye was found on 10th day. The results from the present work clearly demonstrates the potential of filamentous fungal strain towards removal of colored products from waste water.
Cordyceps militaris (L.) Link is an entomopathogenic fungus, which enjoyed an extensive medicinal utility. In this study, taxonomic details, isolation of pure culture, influence of different physiological requirements on the mycelia growth of this fungus, its chemical components and molecular characterization has been carried out. The present investigation revealed that this fungus showed optimum growth in YPDA (yeastal potato dextrose agar) and GAS (glucose asparagine solution). The maximum mycelial growth was observed at 25 oC and pH 7.5 and 5.5 in solid and liquid media, respectively. Among various carbon, nitrogen, mineral and vitamin sources tested, sucrose, beef extract, zinc chloride and folic acid produced the maximum mycelial yield, respectively. The fungus was found rich in various chemical components like vitamins, proteins trace elements, cordycepin and cordycepic acid. C. militaris has been successfully cultivated under lab scale cultivation trials under standardized nutritional and climatic conditions.
Effect of bio-inoculants on seed germination and disease control of commercially important fast growing native tree species in nursery
Different bio-inoculants (Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR)) were tested individually and in combinations on seed germination and survival of seedlings of four fast growing native tree species Ailanthus excelsa, Gmelina arborea, Melia dubia and Neolamarckia cadamba against the plant pathogenic fungus, Fusarium oxysporum causing root rot in nurseries. It was observed that application of bio-inoculants individually and in different combinations showed increased seed germination, better survival and growth of seedlings of all the four tree species even in the presence of the pathogen, F. oxysporum. Maximum percentage of seed germination was recorded in combined application of all four bio-inoculants along with Fusarium in all the four tree species. This was followed by AMF + Azo + Fusarium in Ailanthus excelsa, Gmelina arborea and Neolamarckia cadamba and AMF + Azoto + Fusarium in Melia dubia.
This paper gives an account of two Agrocybe species, viz. A. microspora and A. pediades collected from coprophilous habitats of Punjab state. The taxonomic details of these taxa is given along with the drawings of their morphological and anatomical features. Agrocybe microspora forms a new record for India and A. pediades is being recorded for the first time from Punjab.
Yeasts are unicellular form of ascomycetous and basidiomycetous fungi present ubiquitously in various habitats. They play significant role of saprotrophy, mineralization and biological degradation, forming an important constituent of different ecological niches. Most of the studies have focused on the diversity of yeasts from terrestrial environments till date, while their marine and deep-sea counterparts have not received sufficient attention. Being a promising source of
biotechnologically active products owing to their capability of tolerating extreme environmental conditions, the diversity of yeasts from deep-sea environment needs to be explored in detail. This review is an approach to summarize the available diversity assemblage of yeast from various deep-sea habitats reported till date based on culture-dependent as well as culture-independent methods. In addition, the potential novel yeast species reported from the above habitat, their physiology and applications are documented. Detailed diversity studies of yeasts from various deep-sea habitats in order to get deeper insight on novel strains is recommended for future studies. Efforts to get uncultivable forms in culture may be one of the future prospects for obtaining strains with enormous biotechnological potentials.
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Lasiodiplodia indica sp. nov. is described as a new species based on morphological characteristics and DNA sequence data of ITS1 and ITS4. It differs from other species in the nature of the conidiomata, conidial septation, branching and septation of paraphyses. Detailed description, taxonomical remarks, and illustrations are provided.
An account of seven species of genus Hyphodontia J. Erikss. has been given, with 3 (H. abieticola, H. alutacea and H. barbojovis) new records for India and H. pruni as first report from the study area.
Potential of Pleurotus sajor caju to synthesize Silver nanoparticles and evaluation of antibacterial activity and their role as antibiotic activity enhancer
Pleurotus sajor caju, commonly known as oyster mushroom, has been used in food for a long time. Many useful properties of this fungus are still being studied. Presently the biosynthetic potential of silver nanoparticles using this fungus has been determined, characterized and their antibacterial and antibiotic activity enhancing properties reported. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNps) was judged by change in color of the reaction mixture and confirmed with UV-VIS spectroscopy. The characterization of synthesized silver nanoparticles for their size, shape and dispersity was done by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) while the presence of different functional groups was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The TEM study showed the formation of silver nanoparticles in the range of 4-22 nm and FTIR revealed the presence of proteins, amino acids, aromatic compounds, alcohols, aldehydes and carboxylic acids which may be responsible for the reduction and stability of the silver nanoparticles. Determination of antibacterial activities of the synthesized silver nanoparticles revealed remarkable antagonistic action against Methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Also AgNPs were further evaluated for their role as antibiotic enhancers with some broad spectrum antibiotics (Methicillin, Penicillin, Amoxycillin and Ampicillin) which showed an increase in efficiency of these antibiotics when used in combination with AgNps.
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Fungi are achlorophyllous and eukaryotic living organisms specifically having chitinous cell wall and absorptive nutrition. The peculiar characters possessed by fungi made them to raise it to a level of Kingdom Mycota. Around 1.5 million fungi are estimated. One lakh species are reported from the world, while 29,000 fungal species are reported from India. Fungal world is so large that what we know is a drop of Atlantic Ocean. Nature represents a formidable pool of bioactive compounds and is more than ever a strategic source for new and successful commercial products. Fungi are well recognized to produce a wide variety of chemical structures, several of which are most valuable pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and industrial products. The world of fungi provides a fascinating and almost endless source of biological diversity, which is a rich source for exploitation. Fungi form nature's hidden wealth and need exhaustive and in depth studies. In view of the above, studies on biodiversity and bioprospecting of fungi has gained momentum and importance. This review is a humble contribution pertaining to beautiful world of fungi and their biotechnological aspects.
The Mycological Society of India constituted "Fellow of Mycological Society of India" (FMSI). Each year applications are sought from prospective candidates to be elected as FMSI. Every year applications are received and through a review process the Fellows are elected. Prospective candidates could submit the applications for FMSI for the each year. The announcement will be issued usually October of each year. All life members of MSI are eligible; but there shall be a cooling period of One Year [From the date of your enrollment as Life member One Year should have been completed on FIRST DECEMBER on every year.
And then wake up in the morning with the keys in your mouth cause you put them there so you wouldn't lose them while you stumbled to the front door with your hands on the wall to keep yourself from falling over
This is the second time I’ve seen this woman (or demon, whichever you prefer) and I still can’t figure out that freaky foot....
@Jdrawer, it’s shaped similar to something called a ballet boot. It’s called that cause the design forces the wearers foot to remain in the ‘en pointe’ position. It’s mainly a bedroom shoe, but there’s a lot of people who have managed to wear them casually and go out for a whole day in them. Are you asking why I know this? I have....interests.
I have lost the finer points of the story, but it was something that happened in Char's family where they were trying to remember the name of a specific actor. The actor in question was Ralph Bellamy, but at the time, nobody could remember the name and it was driving them all nuts.
Now, of course, things like that don't have to bug you if you have gotten into the habit, as I have, of going to Google for everything you can't remember.
In the case of Ralph Bellamy, I probably would have gone to the Internet Movie Data Base ("IMDB"), put in the name of the movie I was discussing and instantly pulling up the cast of that film. Voilà -- out of your difficulties in a matter of seconds.
It always amazes me that people who are computer savy don't immediately think of the Internet when they have a question.
I have long ago given up dealing with either a bulky medical dictionary or a PDR (Physician's Desk Reference), which is the bible for any physician who prescribes medications. The psychiatrist periodically comes up with a new medical term or a new medication that I've never encountered before. What I do is to go to Google, put in the way it sounds like it might be spelled and see what happens.
"Simbalta," I might type in. Instantly Google helpfully asks me, "Did you mean cymbalta?" Just be sure, I check Cymbalta and to see what it's used for and find that it is an antidepressant and so I know that I have figured out the proper spelling -- or that Google has figured it out for me.
Someone in my old Compuserve discussion group was wondering the other day about whether there is an official "winter" in Africa.
I went to Google and typed in "Weather - Africa." I found a World Weather site and checked out the weather in all of the African nations. I discovered, for example, that in Nigeria, the coldest day of the year comes in January and that would be 90.6, while the warmest weather is in May, with an average of 104.4. In contrast, in Cape Town, the coldest day comes in July (63.5) and the hottest in February (79.7). (Now see how educational this journal can be?)
So it always surprises me, as I said, when people don't immediately think of looking stuff up on the Internet when they are stuck for an answer.
Anybody who has read this journal for very long knows that one of the things that scares me is the possibility of developing Alzheimers. I figure I have at least a 50/50 chance, since my mother, at age 86, is sharp as a tack while her sister, at 82, no longer recognizes her own children. Spending any time with Barb always exacerbates my fears when I can't mentally pull up information that I need when I need it.
Last night for dinner I created one of my specialties, "something with chicken in it." I cut up a chicken breast, sauteed it with cajun seasoning and then added shell pasta to it and cooked the whole thing in chicken broth.
At some point I realized that I had this fresh green stuff in the fridge and that I could chop it up in my new absolutely wonderful Magic Bullet and add it to the mix.
I drew a total blank. I could see it. I knew, somehow, that if you took this same green stuff and dried it and put it in a bottle to sell it was called cardamom. I could smell it. But I simply could not come up with the name.
This would normally set off those old Alzheimers bells again, except that as I groped for the word, I had to resort to describing it to Walt.
The two of us sat here, each picturing, tasting and smelling the green stuff, but neither of us able to name it.
I finally couldn't stand it any more, came to the computer, went to Google, and typed in "herbs c" because somehow I knew that it started with the letter "c." And of course, in a matter of seconds, I had named cilantro.
Perhaps this is cheating. Perhaps it takes all the challenge out of agonizing over a piece of information that has somehow slid into the recesses of your brain where you can't quite find it. Perhaps it spoils the fun of sitting bolt upright at 3 a.m. and shouting "CILANTRO!" because your brain has continued working on the problem while you've been sleeping. Perhaps it eliminates "Ralph Bellamy moments."
But I'm too old for all those mental machinations. And I'm the queen of instant gratification, so I'm thrilled that I've come to rely on Google and sites like IMDB whenever I have a question. When I want to know about projected hoe handle production for fiscal year 56-57*, for example, I want the information right NOW.