Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2011

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2011 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Morphology and taxonomy of Sarcoscypha ololosokwaniensis sp. nov.: A new Ascomycota species from Serengeti National Park-Tanzania

Donatha Damian Tibuhwa

Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Dar es Salaam,

P.O. Box 35179, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 12 July, 2011

Abstract

Traditional taxonomy emphasizes the morphological features to characterize a taxon. Sarcoscypha is a genus in Sarcoscyphaceae family which display wide array of morphological variations. The genus is widespread in northern hemisphere and boreal regions, but also occurs in sub tropical areas and in the southern hemisphere. Both macro and micromorphological features including (ascocarp size, colour, shape, exterior surface of the fruit body, asci size, shape, as well as ascospore size, ends and lipid bodies) were used in a conventional taxonomic analysis of fresh Sarcoscypha material collected from southern hemisphere in Tanzania. Results showed that compared with similar species from northern hemisphere, Tanzanian materials were relatively smaller, smooth, vivid sharp red inside a saucers-shaped ascocarp, sessile to substipitate, microscopically unsheathed ascospores with two lipid bodies, distinctive geographical distribution, and unique season of fructification. Furthermore, a dichotomous identification key constructed for the six close similar species proved that Tanzanian material differed from other close species compared. Therefore based on conventional morphological taxonomy Tanzanian material from Serengeti National Park is described for the first time as a new Ascomycota; Sarcoscypha ololosokwaniensis sp.nov.

Key words: Ascocarp, Ascomycota, Sarcoscypha, Serengeti, Tanzania.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2011

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2011 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Antifungal effects of the essential oil from Thymus vulgaris L. and comparison with synthetic thymol on Aspergillus niger

M. Moghtader

Department of Biodiversity, International Center for Science, High Technology and Environmental Sciences,

Kerman, Iran. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 20 July, 2011

Abstract

The antifungal effects of the essential oil from Thymus vulgaris L. and comparison with synthetic thymol on Aspergillus niger growth was studied. The chemical composition of the essential oil of T. vulgaris, the aerial parts of this plant which is grown in a village in Kerman Province at full flowering stage in June 2012 were collected. The sample was cleaned, dried in the shade and hydro distillation method was performed for the extraction of essential oil. The main oil content from the plant of T. vulgaris was 2.25% (v/w). Essential oil was analyzed by capillary gas chromatography (GC) using flame ionization (FID) and capillary gas chromatography coupled mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for detection. Thirty-two compounds were identified in the essential oil of T. vulgaris that concluded 99.56% of the total oil. The major components were Thymol (32.67%), P-cymene (16.68%), γ-terpinene (12.65%) and Carvacrol (8.32%). The study of antifungal effects of the oil sample was tested against strain of A. niger (PTCC=5223) fungi by disc diffusion method via average inhibition zone. The results show that essential oil from Thymus plant at 1, 1/2 and 1/4 oil dilutions exhibits strong antifungal activity than Streptomycin sulphate (72% SP) and gentamycin (8 mg/ml) antibiotics on A. niger and that exhibited on strong synthetic thymol was at 10% dilution. The high percentage antifungal activities of Thymus oil are related with thymol is a natural monoterpene phenol as the main compound.

Key words: Thymus vulgaris L., Aspergillus niger, essential oil, antifungal activity, fungal growth, thymol.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2011

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2011 International Scholars Journals 

Full Length Research Paper

Dermatophytoses in rural school children associated with livestock keeping in Plateau State, Nigeria

I. D. Chukwu^1,4, O. O. C. Chukwu²*, Chuku A.³, Israel B.¹, and B. I. Enweani⁵

¹Central Diagnostic Laboratory, National Veterinary Research Institute Vom, Nigeria.

² Department of Molecular Biology, Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, Nigeria.

³D. A. G. Lamorde Dematophilosis Research Centre, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria.

⁴Department of Medical Microbiology, Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, Nigeria.

⁵College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Accepted 25 January, 2011

Abstract

This article describes a study undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of dermatophytoses among one hundred and ten children between the ages of 3 to 14 years in rural primary school children of Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area, in association with the family livestock keeping, family hygiene level, environmental conditions of the schools and identify interventions to improve environmental health. Out of the number sampled, 108 (98.2%) were positive for fungal infections and 2 (1.8%) were negative was found to be highly significant at 5 and 10% level of probability at (P = 0.01 and P = 0.05). Of these 108 fungal isolates, 91(84.3%) were dermatophytes while 17 (15.7%) were non-dermatophytes. Among the pupils investigated, 56.5% fungal isolates were from males while 43.5% from females. From the site of fungal infections on the body of the pupils screened, 90 (83.4%) were from the head (hair) which is significant at 5 and 10% level of probability at (P = 0.01 and P = 0.05) compared to, 13 (12%) from the body trunks and 5 (4.6%) from the face. The dermatophytes isolates were; Trichophyton mentagrophytes, 26 (24%), Trichophyton violaceum, 11 (10.2%) Microsporum audouinii 10 (9.3%), Trichophyton verrucosum 8 (7.4%), Microsporum ferrugineum 8 (7.4%), Microsporum canis 7 (6%), Trichophyton tonsurans 6(5.5%), Trichophyton concentricum 4 (3.7%), Trichophyton schoenleinii 3 (2.8%) and Trichophyton megninii 2 (1.9%) and Trichophyton rubrum 6 (5.5%). The non-dermatophytes were; Aspergillus fumigatus 4 (3.7%), Mucor species 3 (2.8%), Penicillium species 2 (1.9%), Aspergillus niger 2(1.9%), Aspergillus flavus 2(1.9%), Candida albicans 2 (1.9%), Trichoderma species 1 (0.9%) and Alternaria species 1 (0.9%). The results showed the role of family hygiene standards and environmental sanitary quality in dermatophytoses among rural primary school children.

Key words: Dermatophytoses, school children, livestock, environmental hygiene.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2011

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2011 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Modeling the action of technical mashing enzymes on extracts and free-amino nitrogen yields of the Madjeru sorghum cultivar

Zangué S. C. Desobgo², Emmanuel J. Nso¹* and Dzudie Tenin¹

¹Department of Process Engineering, National School of Agro- Industrial Sciences (ENSAI) of Ngaoundere, Cameroon.

²Department of Food Processing and Quality Control, University Institute of Technology (IUT) of Ngaoundere, Cameroon.

Accepted 18 April, 2011

Abstract

The action of three technical mashing enzymes (hitempase 2XL, bioglucanase-TX and brewers protease) on yields of extract and free amino nitrogen (FAN) of the worts of mashes of unmalted and malted Madjeru sorghum was modeled and analyzed using the response surface methodology. The analysis showed that increasing amounts of hitempase 2XL considerably increased yields of extract during mashing of unmalted Madjeru sorghum grist. The use of bioglucanase-TX was not indispensable, while Brewers’ protease contributed very little. Increasing amounts of hitempase contributed approximately 45% of the free amino nitrogen, while Brewers’ protease influence amounted to not more than 15%. Bioglucanase’s action was globally nil. Addition of the three enzymes into malted Madjeru sorghum mashes had no significant effect on the yields of extracts and FAN, but the milling operation singularly liberated more than 50% of FAN for both mash types. Optimization of the concerted actions of the three enzymes for extract yield for unmalted Madjeru sorghum mash gave a combination of (1960.5 U; 132.61 BGU and 28.86 mg) for hitempase, bioglucanase and brewers protease respectively). This gave a maximal extract yield of 16.55 °P. This combination was: 2610 U; 0 BGU and 40.44 mg for malted Madjeru sorghum mash, giving a maximal extract yield of 16.35 °P. Optimization for free amino nitrogen for unmalted Madjeru sorghum mash gave a combination of: 3000 U; 0 BGU and 100 mg for hitempase, bioglucanase and brewers protease respectively). This gave maximal FAN of 93.55 mg/L. The combination was: 3000 U; 0 BGU and 100 mg for malted Madjeru sorghum mash, giving a maximal FAN of 144.48 mg/L.

Key words: Modeling, technical mashing enzymes, yields of extract, free-amino-nitrogen, Madjeru, optimization.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2011

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2011 International Scholars Journals 

Review

Yeasts in marine and estuarine environments

Kathiresan Kandasamy*, Nabeel M. Alikunhi and Manivannan Subramanian

Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University,

Parangipettai: 608502, Tamil Nadu, India.

Accepted 14 July, 2011

Abstract

Yeasts and other fungi are prevalent in marine and estuarine ecosystems where they play an important role in the food web. Marine yeasts are unique in performing fermentations under high salt concentrations. The mechanism underlying the high salt tolerance involves the ability to accumulate high concentrations of sodium without becoming intoxicated, and the exclusion of excessive sodium from the cytoplasm. Overall, the yeasts play major roles in fermentation, enzyme technology, pollution control, micro sensors, and in some medicinal and medical applications.

Key words: Marine yeast, deep sea, estuarine, mangrove, association.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2011

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2011 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Gasteroid mycobiota of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: Boletales

Vagner G. Cortez¹* , Iuri G. Baseia² and Rosa Mara B. Silveira³

¹Universidade Federal do Paraná, Rua Pioneiro 2153, Jardim Dallas, CEP 85950-000, Palotina, PR, Brazil.

²Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, CEP 91501-900, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

³Departamento de Botânica, Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, e Zoologia, CEP 59072-970, Natal, RN, Brazil.

Accepted 28 March, 2011

Abstract

Boletales is an order of the subclass Phallomycetidae, which comprises of a wide variety of morphological types of macrofungi, including the boletes and earthballs. In this paper, the gasteroid members of the Boletales from Rio Grande do Sul State, in southern Brazil, were revised. Specimens were collected during the years 2006 to 2009, analyzed macro and microscopically and the collections are preserved at the herbarium ICN. The following taxa were recorded: Rhizopogon roseolus (Rhizopogonaceae), Calostoma zanchianum, Pisolithus arhizus, Scleroderma albidum, Scleroderma bovista, Scleroderma citrinum, Scleroderma dictyosporum, Scleroderma fuscum, Scleroderma laeve and Scleroderma verrucosum (Sclerodermataceae). Scleroderma dictyosporum and S. laeve are reported for the first time from Brazil. A key for the identification of the species of Scleroderma is provided and colour photographs and line drawings of the basidiospores are presented for all taxa studied.

Key words: Basidiomycota, calostomataceae, ectomycorrhizal fungi, Eucalyptus, Pinus, pisolithaceae, taxonomy.