Biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles using the fungus Aspergillus flavus

The fungus, Aspergillus flavus when challenged with silver nitrate solution accumulated silver nanoparticles on the surface of its cell wall in 72 h. These nanoparticles dislodged by ultrasonication showed an absorption peak at 420 nm in UV-visible spectrum corresponding to the plasmon resonance of silver nanoparticles. The transmission electron micrographs of dislodged nanoparticles in aqueous solution showed the production of reasonably monodisperse silver nanoparticles (average particle size: 8.92 ± 1.61 nm) by the fungus. X-ray diffraction spectrum of the nanoparticles confirmed the formation of metallic silver. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of protein as the stabilizing agent surrounding the silver nanoparticles. These protein-stabilized silver nanoparticles produced a characteristic emission peak at 553 nm when excited at 420 nm in photoluminescence spectrum. The use of fungus for silver nanoparticles synthesis offers the benefits of eco-friendliness and amenability for large-scale production.     

海洋来源真菌烟曲霉(Aspergillus fumigatus)次级代谢产物研究(Ⅰ):生物碱

对一株海洋来源的微生物中的次级代谢产物进行了研究,从中分离并鉴别了5个喹唑啉生物碱类化合物(1~5),分别为fumiquinazoline G(1),fumiquinazoline F(2),fumiquinazoline A(3),fumiquinazoline C(4)和fumiquinazoline D(5)。     

Successful Treatment of Liver Aspergilloma by Caspofungin Acetate First-Line Therapy in a Non-Immunocompromised Patient

Aspergillosis remains to be a life-threatening complication in immunocompromised patients. However, Aspergillus infection can be observed in non-immunocompromised individuals in rare cases. We report a case of liver aspergilloma in a chronic aplastic anemia patient under relatively intact immune status. Therapeutic strategy for this rare condition was extensively discussed and caspofungin acetate single agent first-line therapy was applied after careful consideration. Encouraging clinical and radiologic improvements were achieved in response to the antifungal salvage. Our long-term follow-up study also revealed a favorable prognosis. Based on this experience, we suggest caspofungin acetate as first-line therapy for treatment plans of liver aspergilloma.     

酿造工业中黑曲霉孢子检测方法的改良

根据黑曲霉孢子菌的特征，对其检测技术进行探讨，筛选出检测无菌液，找出适于此类菌系检测方法关键技术。研究结果表明，以0．15％琼脂无菌液代替无菌水对样品进行稀释，每个稀释液制成后，用磁力搅拌器搅拌，可使样品达到均匀分散，不再产生上浮，聚集的不均匀现象，再经接种，培养，即可获得准确结果，从根本上解决了用烯释平板法检测孢子菌类数值重视性差，难以确定真值的问题。     

Studies on aflatoxin in rice: Description and evaluation of a new apparatus for the separation of husk from dehulled rice contaminated with aflatoxin

A simple apparatus and method developed for the separation of husk from dehulled (brown) rice contaminated with aflatoxin is described. The performance and efficiency of the apparatus was evaluated by passing a series of dehulled rice and husk mixtures through it. Subsequently the aflatoxin distribution in both rice and husk was determined. The range was 24 to 81% for aflatoxin B₁ and 11 to 76 % for B₂, depending on the rice grain category and variety. The study indicates that the apparatus can be used conveniently to separate husk from aflatoxin-contaminated rice with a minimum hazard to personnel. It is therefore recommended for use particularly in developing countries, where laboratory test mills may not be available.     

Detection of Aspergillus carbonarius and other black aspergilli from grapes by DNA OLISA™ microarray

Black aspergilli, and particularly Aspergillus carbonarius, are responsible for ochratoxin A production in grapes. Correct identification of these species is essential for toxicological risk assessment in grape and wine. A low-complexity oligonucleotide microarray (OLISA™, Apibio, F) based on DNA oligonucleotides probes, obtained from sequences of the calmodulin gene, was set up in order to detect A. carbonarius, A. japonicus/A. aculeatus and A. ibericus isolated from grape. The designed microarray distinguished all Aspergillus species and the detection limit for A. carbonarius was 3.2 pg of DNA as a template for the PCR reaction. This microarray offers a quick and parallel analysis to detect individual Aspergillus species in pure cultures and in naturally contaminated grape samples.     

Semibatch and continuous fructooligosaccharides production by Aspergillus sp. N74 in a mechanically agitated airlift reactor

BACKGROUND: Fructooligosaccharides are important sweeteners produced by sucrose biotransformation. Although fructooligosccharides production has been reported widely, most studies have been carried out at laboratory level. This study evaluates semibatch and continuous fructooligosaccharides production by Aspergillus sp. N74 at bench scale in a mechanically agitated airlift. RESULTS: Sucrose biotransformation to fructooligosaccharides was carried out with biomass harvested after 24 or 48 h of culture. For 6.21 ± 0.33 or 9.66 ± 0.62 g biomass dry weight L⁻¹, the highest FOS yields were obtained at batch operating 62.1 and 66.4% after 26 or 6 h of reaction, respectively. Reduction in fructooligosaccharides yield was observed for both biomass concentrations at semibatch operating, while a comparable yield was obtained during continuous operating (62.1% for 6.21 ± 0.33 g L⁻¹ and a dilution rate 0.016 s⁻¹, and 62.8% for 9.66 ± 0.62 g L⁻¹ and a dilution rate 0.032 s⁻¹). Nevertheless, 1‐kestose formation was favored with biomass harvested after 24 h under any operating mode. CONCLUSION: Biomass concentration, reaction time and operating mode have a notable effect on fructooligosaccharides yield and composition. 1‐kestose, the most valuable fructooligosaccharide, was obtained in greatest proportion at a biomass concentration 6.21 ± 0.33 g L⁻¹. Under the different operating modes, Aspergillus sp. N74 mycelia and the reactor described are presented as a feasible alternative for scaling up fructooligosaccharides production. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Management and prevention of mycotoxins in peanuts

Contamination of peanuts with mycotoxins, particularly aflatoxins, is a worldwide problem that affects both food safety and agricultural economies. Most countries have adopted regulations that limit the quantity of aflatoxins in food and feed to 20 µg kg^-1 or less; however, environmental conditions in most of the world where peanuts are produced and stored often make it difficult or impossible to attain such low concentrations. In addition to aflatoxins, peanuts are often contaminated with cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). Both mycotoxins are produced by Aspergillus flavus, a ubiquitous fungus that can infect and grow in peanuts under both pre- and post-harvest conditions. Management of mycotoxin contamination in peanuts generally involves removal of high-risk components from shelled lots or the removal of individual, highly contaminated nuts. This is accomplished by various processes such as screening, kernel sizing, electronic colour sorting, hand sorting, and blanching followed by electronic colour sorting. Recently, biological control technology has been developed that prevents much of the contamination that might otherwise occur. Biocontrol is based on competitive exclusion whereby a dominant population of a non-toxigenic strain of A. flavus is established in the soil before peanuts are subjected to conditions favouring contamination. The applied strain competes with toxigenic strains for infection sites, resulting in significantly reduced concentrations of aflatoxins in peanuts. Monitoring of the first commercial use of the technology showed that aflatoxins were reduced by an average of 85% in farmers' stock peanuts and by as much as 98% in shelled, edible grade peanuts.