Reviewing the world's edible mushroom species: A new evidence-based classification system

Wild mushrooms are a vital source of income and nutrition for many poor communities and of value to recreational foragers. Literature relating to the edibility of mushroom species continues to expand, driven by an increasing demand for wild mushrooms, a wider interest in foraging, and the study of traditional foods. Although numerous case reports have been published on edible mushrooms, doubt and confusion persist regarding which species are safe and suitable to consume. Case reports often differ, and the evidence supporting the stated properties of mushrooms can be incomplete or ambiguous. The need for greater clarity on edible species is further underlined by increases in mushroom-related poisonings. We propose a system for categorizing mushroom species and assigning a final edibility status. Using this system, we reviewed 2,786 mushroom species from 99 countries, accessing 9,783 case reports, from over 1,100 sources. We identified 2,189 edible species, of which 2,006 can be consumed safely, and a further 183 species which required some form of pretreatment prior to safe consumption or were associated with allergic reactions by some. We identified 471 species of uncertain edibility because of missing or incomplete evidence of consumption, and 76 unconfirmed species because of unresolved, differing opinions on edibility and toxicity. This is the most comprehensive list of edible mushrooms available to date, demonstrating the huge number of mushrooms species consumed. Our review highlights the need for further information on uncertain and clash species, and the need to present evidence in a clear, unambiguous, and consistent manner.     

An Improved Protocol for Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation in Subterranean Clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.)

Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) is the most widely grown annual pasture legume in southern Australia. With the advent of advanced sequencing and genome editing technologies, a simple and efficient gene transfer protocol mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens was developed to overcome the hurdle of genetic manipulation in subterranean clover. In vitro tissue culture and Agrobacterium transformation play a central role in testing the link between specific genes and agronomic traits. In this paper, we investigate a variety of factors affecting the transformation in subterranean clover to increase the transformation efficiency. In vitro culture was optimised by including cefotaxime during seed sterilisation and testing the best antibiotic concentration to select recombinant explants. The concentrations for the combination of antibiotics obtained were as follows: 40 mg L⁻¹ hygromycin, 100 mg L⁻¹ kanamycin and 200 mg L⁻¹ cefotaxime. Additionally, 200 mg L⁻¹ cefotaxime increased shoot regeneration by two-fold. Different plant hormone combinations were tested to analyse the best rooting media. Roots were obtained in a medium supplemented with 1.2 µM IAA. Plasmid pH35 containing a hygromycin-resistant gene and GUS gene was inoculated into the explants with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain AGL0 for transformation. Overall, the transformation efficiency was improved from the 1% previously reported to 5.2%, tested at explant level with Cefotaxime showing a positive effect on shooting regeneration. Other variables in addition to antibiotic and hormone combinations such as bacterial OD, time of infection and incubation temperature may be further tested to enhance the transformation even more. This improved transformation study presents an opportunity to increase the feeding value, persistence, and nutritive value of the key Australian pasture.     

“Dicranin” in the Membrane Phospholipids of a Dicranaceae and Pottiaceae Moss Member of the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot

The phospholipids of two moss samples Oreoweisia laxifolia (Hookf.) Kindb. (family‐Dicranaceae Schimp.) and Leptodontium viticulosoides (P. Beauv.) Wijk & Margad (family‐Pottiaceae Schimp.) of the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot were investigated to find out any peculiarity in their fatty acid profiles. Detailed analysis of phospholipid classes and the respective fatty acids was performed using high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. An array of different saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were detected in both the samples. Although it has been proposed previously that acetylenic fatty acids are associated only with triacylglycerol of storage lipids, the most striking observation of the present investigation is the abundance of an acetylenic fatty acid, octadeca‐6‐yn‐9,12,15‐trienoic acid (18:4a), or Dicranin, in the phospholipids of both the mosses. The position of the triple bond in the hydrocarbon chain of the fatty acids was confirmed by dimethyloxazoline derivatization of fatty acids and their characteristic mass fragmentation pattern. The occurrence of Dicranin in phospholipids and in the Pottiaceae family is reported for the first time, with substantial explanations of the observed results. This may raise the issue of rethinking “Dicranin” as a chemotaxonomic marker of Dicranaceae.     

Emerging Role of Biorefining of Heavier Crude Oils and Integration of Biorefining with Petroleum Refineries in the Future

With the depletion of light and sweet crude oils, reliance and dependence on heavier crude oils will increase. However, refining of heavier crudes generates not only larger amounts of heavier products, but is also costly and involves problems of corrosion of equipment and poisoning of costly catalysts. Presence of asphaltenes, asphaltols, S-heterocyclics, N-heterocyclics, organometallics, and metal sulphides, in crude oils results in poisoning of costly catalysts used for FCC and hydrocracking. Thus, there is a need to remove sulfur, nitrogen, and toxic metals from heavier crude oils and also a necessity of degrading larger higher molecular weight-bearing complex molecules to lower molecular weight-bearing lighter crudes. Conventional physical and chemical refining techniques may not be easily applied to heavier crudes. Thus, there is a need to develop simpler biorefining techniques to not only biodegrade the heavier asphaltenes and asphaltols, but also to remove sulfur, nitrogen, and toxic metals from crude oils. This paper describes the studies of biorefining of crude oils, diesel, and gasoline, which includes studies on microbial degradation, biodesulfurization, biodenitrogenation, and biodemetallation of crude oil using not only mesophilic, but also thermophilic bacteria. The role of microbial isolation from geographically diverse sites, chemotaxis, and genetic engineering tools, such as gene conversion, gene duplication, transportation, and biovehicles (plasmids and transposons) and rearrangement of DNA fragments, is vital in these studies. There is a need to genetically develop a designer microbe which can help in biorefining of heavier crude oils efficiently and economically. Bioprocess engineering of heavier crudes may include pre-biorefining, during-biorefining, and post-biorefining techniques. In the future, an integration of biorefining with petroleum refining by rendering not only heavier crudes as lighter crudes through microbial degradation, but also through biodesulfurization, biodenitrogenation, and biodemetallation may be required.     

Emerging Role of Biorefining of Heavier Crude Oils and Integration of Biorefining with Petroleum Refineries in the Future

Abstract

With the depletion of light and sweet crude oils, reliance and dependence on heavier crude oils will increase. However, refining of heavier crudes generates not only larger amounts of heavier products, but is also costly and involves problems of corrosion of equipment and poisoning of costly catalysts. Presence of asphaltenes, asphaltols, S-heterocyclics, N-heterocyclics, organometallics, and metal sulphides, in crude oils results in poisoning of costly catalysts used for FCC and hydrocracking. Thus, there is a need to remove sulfur, nitrogen, and toxic metals from heavier crude oils and also a necessity of degrading larger higher molecular weight-bearing complex molecules to lower molecular weight-bearing lighter crudes. Conventional physical and chemical refining techniques may not be easily applied to heavier crudes. Thus, there is a need to develop simpler biorefining techniques to not only biodegrade the heavier asphaltenes and asphaltols, but also to remove sulfur, nitrogen, and toxic metals from crude oils. This paper describes the studies of biorefining of crude oils, diesel, and gasoline, which includes studies on microbial degradation, biodesulfurization, biodenitrogenation, and biodemetallation of crude oil using not only mesophilic, but also thermophilic bacteria. The role of microbial isolation from geographically diverse sites, chemotaxis, and genetic engineering tools, such as gene conversion, gene duplication, transportation, and biovehicles (plasmids and transposons) and rearrangement of DNA fragments, is vital in these studies. There is a need to genetically develop a designer microbe which can help in biorefining of heavier crude oils efficiently and economically. Bioprocess engineering of heavier crudes may include pre-biorefining, during-biorefining, and post-biorefining techniques. In the future, an integration of biorefining with petroleum refining by rendering not only heavier crudes as lighter crudes through microbial degradation, but also through biodesulfurization, biodenitrogenation, and biodemetallation may be required.     

Generic personality and emotion simulation for conversational agents

This paper describes a generic model for personality, mood and emotion simulation for conversational virtual humans. We present a generic model for updating the parameters related to emotional behaviour, as well as a linear implementation of the generic update mechanisms. We explore how existing theories for appraisal can be integrated into the framework. Then we describe a prototype system that uses the described models in combination with a dialogue system and a talking head with synchronized speech and facial expressions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Realisation experimentale d''un gradient de concentration ionique maintenu constant

The thermodynamical analysis of the evolution of open systems with a biological interest needed the devize of a diffusion cell; an ionic gradient is established and made constant in an artificial membrane which separates the two homogeneous compartments. The ionic concentrations are regulated by servo-mechanisms which comply a conductimetric sensor with dosimetric pumps; these pumps introduce appropriate quantities of constituents. In this way, the direct measure of diffusion fluxes, is realised.     

Pilot-scale technology development, nutritional and consumer assessment of whole-multigrain cookies as influenced by fructan inclusion

The benefits of wholegrain finger millet and sorghum were combined with that of fructan in form of fructoligosaccharide in the pilot-scale production (10 kg) of cookies. Complete nutritional analysis of the cookies was carried out to provide nutritional information to the consumers. Whole-multigrain cookies with fructan can be categorized as "High Fiber" as they suffice 21% daily value (DV) of fiber and a "Good Source" of iron as they suffice 12.8% DV of iron. A total of 300 consumers (M=110 and F=190), aged between 8 and 66 y evaluated cookies. The overall acceptability (OAA) score of 300 consumers was 8.0±0.58 on a 9-point hedonic scale. Females rated cookies significantly (P<0.05) higher than males in terms of flavor, texture, appearance, and OAA. Males rated cookies significantly (P<0.05) higher on color attribute than females. Encouraging response of consumers signified ample scope for viability and marketability of cookies at the commercial scale. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Consumers are looking at snack and convenience foods to provide increased fiber in their diet and there is a tremendous interest in low-calorie and low-sugar foods. The demand of whole and multigrain products is also on the rise because of the Government's emphasis. The present study would assist in assessing feasibility of commercial production of such novel health foods. Together with this, it will ascertain the marketability and commercial viability of the product by means of the consumer preference trials. Availability of such cookies in the market would offer consumers "health" with "convenience" and "taste."     

Investigation on structural and photodetection properties of Gd2O3 thin films after annealing

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - In the present study, the electron beam evaporation technique was employed to deposit gadolinium oxide thin films (Gd2O3-TF) on the silicon...