Soluble material secreted from Penicillium chrysogenum isolate exhibits antifungal activity against Cryphonectria parasitica- the causative agent of the American Chestnut Blight

Abstract

The American chestnut (Castanea dentata) was once the dominant canopy tree along the eastern region of the United States. Cryphonectria parasitica, the causative agent of chestnut blight, was introduced from Asia in the early 1900's, and obliterated the chestnut population within 50 years. We sought to identify environmental microbes capable of producing factors that were fungicidal or inhibited growth of C. parasitica in the hopes developing a biological control of chestnut blight. We isolated a filamentous fungus that significantly inhibited the growth of C. parasitica upon co-cultivation. Extracellular fractions of this fungal isolate prevented C. parasitica growth, indicating that a potential fungicide was produced by the novel isolate. Sequence analysis of 18S rRNA identified this inhibitory fungus as Penicillium chrysogenum. Furthermore, these extracellular fractions were tested as treatments for blight in vivo using chestnut saplings. Scarred saplings that were treated with the P. chrysogenum extracellular fractions healed subjectively better than those without treatment when inoculated with C. parasitica. These data suggest that material secreted by P. chrysogenum could be used as a treatment for the American chestnut blight. This work may assist the reclamation of the American chestnut in association with breeding programs and blight attenuation. Specifically, treatment of small groves under the right conditions may allow them to remain blight free. Future work will explore the mechanism of action and specific target of the extracellular fraction.

Antifungal Potential of Extracellular Metabolites from Penicillium spp. and Aspergillus spp. Naturally Associated to Potato against Fusarium species Causing Tuber Dry Rot

“…against fungal plant pathogens. Florjanczyk et al [45] demonstrated that extracellular fractions from P. chrysogenum had inhibited the growth of Cryphonectria parasitica, the causative agent of blight on American chestnut (Castanea dentata). The current findings suggest that the antifungal activity of the cell-free culture filtrates from 30 days old Aspergillus spp.…”

The effect of Kombucha Fermentation on Chestnut Cancer Factor (Cryphonectria parasitica (Murrill) E.M Barr)

“…Cryphonectria parasitica, is an ascomycota fungi which can form dicarion when hold together fungal colonies and hyphae of different populations (Marra and Milgroom, 2001;Florjanczyk, Barnes, Kenneyand & Horzempa, 2006). Branches of chestnut trees produce spores that spread to other trees by wind (Marra et al, 2001;Florjanczyk et al, 2016). Spores enter to open wounds in root tissue and the fungus growth goes along with oxalic acid (OA) release.…”

“…Spores enter to open wounds in root tissue and the fungus growth goes along with oxalic acid (OA) release. This causes a decrease in pH of chestnut tissue (Zhang, 2013;Florjanczyk et al, 2016). Decreased pH levels, at the same time inhibits the function of chestnut tissue and this causes cancer genesis (Zhang, 2013;Chen, Sun, Narayanan, Nuss & Herzberg, 2010;Florjanczyk et al, 2016).…”

“…This causes a decrease in pH of chestnut tissue (Zhang, 2013;Florjanczyk et al, 2016). Decreased pH levels, at the same time inhibits the function of chestnut tissue and this causes cancer genesis (Zhang, 2013;Chen, Sun, Narayanan, Nuss & Herzberg, 2010;Florjanczyk et al, 2016). As a result of cancer growth, food flow within the tissue is disrupted and tree dies in time (Zhang, 2013;Newhouse, 1990;Griffin, 1986;Florjanczyk et al, 2016).…”

“…Decreased pH levels, at the same time inhibits the function of chestnut tissue and this causes cancer genesis (Zhang, 2013;Chen, Sun, Narayanan, Nuss & Herzberg, 2010;Florjanczyk et al, 2016). As a result of cancer growth, food flow within the tissue is disrupted and tree dies in time (Zhang, 2013;Newhouse, 1990;Griffin, 1986;Florjanczyk et al, 2016). The most effective control method in fight with chestnut cancer up to today is the use of hypovirulent (forming disease with low severity) strains in biological control of the pathogen (Erincik, Özdemir, Durdu, Döken & Açıkgöz, 2011).…”