Differential Chlorate Inhibition of Chaetomium globosum Germination, Hyphal Growth, and Perithecia Synthesis

Abstract

Chaetomium globosum Kunze:Fr is a dermatophytic, dematiaceous fungus that is ubiquitous in soils, grows readily on cellulolytic materials, and is commonly found on water-damaged building materials. Chlorate affects nitrogen metabolism in fungi and is used to study compatibility among anamorphic fungi by inducing nit mutants. The effect of chlorate toxicity on C. globosum was investigated by amending a modified malt extract agar (MEA), oat agar, and carboxymethyl cellulose agar (CMC) with various levels of potassium chlorate (KClO(3)). C. globosum perithecia production was almost completely inhibited (90-100 %) at low levels of KClO(3) (0.1 mM) in amended MEA. Inhibition of perithecia production was also observed on oat agar and CMC at 1 and 10 mM, respectively. However, hyphal growth in MEA was only inhibited 20 % by 0.1-100 mM KClO(3) concentrations. Hyphal growth was never completely inhibited at the highest levels tested (200 mM). Higher levels of KClO(3) were needed on gypsum board to inhibit perithecia synthesis. In additional experiments, KClO(3) did not inhibit C. globosum, Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus niger, Penicillum expansum, and airborne fungal spore germination. The various fungal spores were not inhibited by KClO(3) at 1-100 mM levels. These results suggest that C. globosum perithecia synthesis is more sensitive to chlorate toxicity than are hyphal growth and spore germination. This research provides basic information that furthers our understanding about perithecia formation and may help in developing control methods for fungal growth on building materials.

Lipoxygenase in singlet oxygen generation as a response to wounding: in vivo imaging in Arabidopsis thaliana

“…To study the involvement of lipoxygenase in 3 L=O * formation, the effect of lipoxygenase inhibitor catechol on ultra-weak photon emission was studied in WT Arabidopsis leaves. It is well established that binding of catechol to the ferric non-heme iron of lipoxygenase leads to inactivation of the enzyme active site 34 . Figure 2 shows a photograph (D) and two-dimensional imaging of ultra-weak photon emission (E) measured in wounded Arabidopsis leaves in the absence (left) and presence (right) of catechol.…”

Recycled waste paper–cement composite panels reinforced with kenaf fibres: durability and mechanical properties

“…This saprophytic fungus primarily resides in soil and decaying humus. It causes soft rot and decomposes plant cells using hyphal cellulase activity, which performs best at high tropical temperatures [29]. The fungus also changes the colour of paper.…”

Morphological and molecular identification of fungi associated with corm rot and blight symptoms on plantain (<i>Musa paradisiaca</i>) in macro-propagators

“…So far, no literature has been encountered associating Chaetomium globosum with plantain. However, Biles et al (2012) reported that Chaetomium globosum decomposes plant cells using hyphal cellulase activity. More to that, they are known to cause soft rot rather than brown rot, C. globosum plant decomposition leaves behind lignin residues (Biles et al, 2012).…”

“…However, Biles et al (2012) reported that Chaetomium globosum decomposes plant cells using hyphal cellulase activity. More to that, they are known to cause soft rot rather than brown rot, C. globosum plant decomposition leaves behind lignin residues (Biles et al, 2012). Therefore, C. globosum could also be a contributing factor to the corm rot observed in the macro propagators.…”