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Epicoccum species are ubiquitous ascomycetes. Several species are known to cause plant diseases and some species act as biological control agents against a range of plant pathogens. Accurate identification of Epicoccum species is paramount to a successful disease management program and successful development of biological control products. There are 18 Epicoccum species that are associated with diseases of 46 plant species. The diseases occur in 20 countries with leaf spot as the most commonly reported disease symptom. There are a further five Epicoccum species (E. nigrum, E. layuense, E. dendrobii, E, mezzettii and E. minitans) that have biological control activity against various plant pathogens. Of the five species, Epicoccum nigrum is the most promising and has been shown to reduce incidence and severity of a wide range of plant diseases. The use of bioactive metabolites (e.g. flavipin and epicolactone) from Epicoccum spp. may offer growers a cheap and safe alternative to conventional pesticides which are widely used to manage plant diseases. We review the current knowledge of Epicoccum species, both those species that are plant pathogens, and those species that are biological control agents for plant disease.

Epicotripeptin (1), a new cyclic tripeptide along with four known cyclic dipeptides (2–5) and one acetamide derivative (6) were isolated from seagrass-associated endophytic fungus Epicoccum nigrum M13 recovered from the Red Sea. Additionally, two new compounds, cyclodidepsipeptide phragamide A (7) and trioxobutanamide derivative phragamide B (8), together with eight known compounds (9–16), were isolated from plant-derived endophyte Alternaria alternata 13A collected from a saline lake of Wadi El Natrun depression in the Sahara Desert. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined based on the 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data, HRESIMS data, and a comparison with the reported literature. The absolute configurations of 1 and 7 were established by advanced Marfey’s and Mosher’s ester analyses. The antimicrobial screening indicated that seven of the tested compounds exhibited considerable (MIC range of 2.5–5 µg/mL) to moderate (10–20 µg/mL) antibacterial effect against the tested Gram-positive strains and moderate to weak (10–30 µg/mL) antibacterial effect against Gram-negative strains. Most of the compounds exhibited weak or no activity against the tested Gram-negative strains. On the other hand, four of the tested compounds showed considerable antibiofilm effects against biofilm forming Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains.

One of the central dogmas of the Catholic Church is the belief in the Eucharistic presence of Jesus Christ, which requires no scientific confirmation because it concerns a supernatural reality. Since the early Middle Ages, however, instances have been recorded improperly referred to as Eucharistic miracles, which believers consider eyewitness testimony to a real transubstantiation. Changes in the structure, number, or an unexpected bloody red colour of the Host were often regarded as supernatural phenomena, but the Church officials themselves, aware of the possibility of a biological basis for these changes, showed far-reaching restraint. The author’s team on the basis of analyses of 25 actual cases undertook to prepare research procedures that make it possible to separate phenomena that are difficult to interpret scientifically, from those associated with contamination. None of these cases revealed the actual proof of existence of human blood, human material other than single epidermal cells, and erythrocytes (probably very low-level contamination). In one case, insignificant amount of human male genetic material was observed, probably as a result of DNA transferred from a person to a host via contact with the host itself. In several specimens, a variety of microbial and fungal material was identified ( Brevundimonas intermedia , Serratia marcescens , Epicoccum spp,. Fusarium spp.), including species producing reddish-pink or orange-reddish pigments ( Epicoccum spp., Fusarium spp.). Based on the experience gained in this study, a complete procedure suitable for reliable examination of similar cases in the future is suggested. Key points • The unusual appearance of the tested hosts can be explained by biological contamination. • Blood-like marks result from the presence of pigment-producing species. • A complete multidisciplinary procedure for investigating ‘miracle cases’ is proposed.

Plants with certain medicinal values are a good source for isolating function-specific endophytes. Rosa roxburghii Tratt. has been reported to be a botanical source of antimicrobial compounds, which may represent a promising candidate for screening endophytic fungi with antimicrobial potential. In this study, 54 endophytes were isolated and molecularly identified from R. roxburghii . The preliminary screening using the plate confrontation method resulted in 15 different endophytic strains showing at least one strong inhibition or three or more moderate inhibition against the 12 tested strains. Further re-screening experiments based on the disc diffusion method demonstrated that Epicoccum latusicollum HGUP191049 and Setophoma terrestris HGUP190028 had excellent antagonistic activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test for extracellular metabolites finally indicated that HGUP191049 had lower MIC values and a broader antimicrobial spectrum, compared to HGUP190028. Genomic, non-target metabolomic, and comparative genomic studies were performed to understand the biosynthetic capacity of the screened-out endophytic fungus. Genome sequencing and annotation of HGUP191049 revealed a size of 33.24 megabase pairs (Mbp), with 24 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), where the putative antimicrobial compounds, oxyjavanicin, patulin and squalestatin S1 were encoded by three different BGCs, respectively. In addition, the non-targeted metabolic results demonstrated that the strain contained approximately 120 antimicrobial secondary metabolites and was structurally diverse. Finally, comparative genomics revealed differences in pathogenicity, virulence, and carbohydrate-active enzymes in the genome of Epicoccum spp. Moreover, the results of the comparative analyses presumed that Epicoccum is a promising source of antimicrobial terpenes, while oxyjavanicin and squalestatin S1 are antimicrobial compounds shared by the genus. In conclusion, R. roxburghii and the endophytic HGUP191049 isolated from it are promising sources of broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents.

Very little is known about the impact of climate change on fungi and especially on spore production. Fungal spores can be allergenic, thus being important for human health. The aim of this study was to investigate how climate change influences the responsive ability of fungi by simulating differing environmental regimes. Fungal species with high spore allergenic potential and atmospheric abundance were grown and experimentally examined under a variety of temperatures and different nutrient availability. Each represented the average decadal air temperature of the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s in the UK, along with an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) climate change scenario for 2100. All tests were run on six fungal species: Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, Botrytis cinerea, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Cladosporium oxysporum and Epicoccum purpurascens. Mycelium growth rate and spore production were examined on each single species and competitive capacity among species combinations in pairs. All fungal species grew faster at higher temperatures, and this was more pronounced for the temperature projection in 2100. Most species grew faster when there was lower nutrient availability. Exceptions were the species with the highest growth rate (E. purpurascens) and with the highest competition capacity (A. alternata). Most species (except for E. purpurascens) produced more spores in the richer nutrient medium but fewer as temperature increased. C. cladosporioides was an exception, exponentially increasing its spore production in the temperature of the 2100 scenario. Regarding competitive capacity, no species displayed any significant alterations within the environmental range checked. It is suggested that in future climates, fungi will display dramatic growth responses, with faster mycelium growth and lower spore production, with questions risen on relevant allergen potential.

Starch processing industries use amylases, accounting for approximately 30% of the world’s enzyme market. Previously, an amylase-producing strain of Epicoccum nigrum was isolated from maize grains. Although E. nigrum amylase production is already reported in the literature, no published data on production optimization or characterization of the produced enzyme exists. The objectives of this work were to improve the amylase production by the E. nigrum PG 16 strain and to purify and characterize the produced enzyme. The E. nigrum PG 16 amylase production best conditions in submerged culture were: inoculum of 4% (v v-1) of a five-days-old stationary culture homogenate, agitation at 100 rpm, 25°C, natural light, 72 hours of incubation, starch as the carbon source, and an initial medium pH of 7.0. A molecular exclusion chromatography profile has shown the production of only one amylase, which was partially purified with ammonium precipitation and dialysis. The enzyme optima pH and temperature are 6.0 and 50°C, respectively. The partially purified enzyme lost its activity when incubated for 30 min in temperatures above 40°C, presenting a T50 of 46.25°C. The KM and Vmax of the partially purified enzyme are 1.72 mg mL-1 of starch and 0.15 mg min-1 of degraded starch, respectively. The ion Ca2+ slightly activated the studied enzyme. The ions Cu2+, Zn2+, and Fe3+ and the detergents SDS and Tween 80 acted as inhibitors of the studied enzyme. The partially purified enzyme released glucose from p-nitrophenyl α-D-glucopyranoside (p-NPG). Glucose was the enzyme’s main product from starch hydrolysis, as evidenced by thin-layer chromatography. The E. nigrum PG 16 studied enzyme is a glucoamylase and represents an alternative for enzymatic starch hydrolysis.

Epicoccum latusicollum is a fungus that causes a severe foliar disease on flue-cured tobacco in southwest China, resulting in significant losses in tobacco yield and quality. To better understand the organism, researchers investigated its optimal growth conditions and metabolic versatility using a combination of traditional methods and the Biolog Phenotype MicroArray technique. The study found that E. latusicollum exhibited impressive metabolic versatility, being able to metabolize a majority of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus sources tested, as well as adapt to different environmental conditions, including broad pH ranges and various osmolytes. The optimal medium for mycelial growth was alkyl ester agar medium, while oatmeal agar medium was optimal for sporulation, and the optimum temperature for mycelial growth was 25°C. The lethal temperature was 40°C. The study also identified arbutin and amygdalin as optimal carbon sources and Ala-Asp and Ala-Glu as optimal nitrogen sources for E. latusicollum . Furthermore, the genome of E. latusicollum strain T41 was sequenced using Illumina HiSeq and Pacific Biosciences technologies, with 10,821 genes predicted using Nonredundant, Gene Ontology, Clusters of Orthologous Groups, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and SWISS-PROT databases. Analysis of the metabolic functions of phyllosphere microorganisms on diseased tobacco leaves affected by E. latusicollum using the Biolog Eco microplate revealed an inability to efficiently metabolize a total of 29 carbon sources, with only tween 40 showing some metabolizing ability. The study provides new insights into the structure and function of phyllosphere microbiota and highlights important challenges for future research, as well as a theoretical basis for the integrated control and breeding for disease resistance of tobacco Epicoccus leaf spot. This information can be useful in developing new strategies for disease control and management, as well as enhancing crop productivity and quality.

Nonpathogenic foliar fungi (i.e. endophytes and epiphytes) can modify plant disease severity in controlled experiments. However, experiments have not been combined with ecological studies in wild plant pathosystems to determine whether disease‐modifying fungi are common enough to be ecologically important. We used culture‐based methods and DNA sequencing to characterize the abundance and distribution of foliar fungi of Populus trichocarpa in wild populations across its native range (Pacific Northwest, USA). We conducted complementary, manipulative experiments to test how foliar fungi commonly isolated from those populations influence the severity of Melampsora leaf rust disease. Finally, we examined correlative relationships between the abundance of disease‐modifying foliar fungi and disease severity in wild trees. A taxonomically and geographically diverse group of common foliar fungi significantly modified disease severity in experiments, either increasing or decreasing disease severity. Spatial patterns in the abundance of some of these foliar fungi were significantly correlated (in predicted directions) with disease severity in wild trees. Our study reveals that disease modification is an ecological function shared by common foliar fungal symbionts of P. trichocarpa. This finding raises new questions about plant disease ecology and plant biodiversity, and has applied potential for disease management.

Mexico is among the most important citrus fruit producers in the world. However, during storage, several problems related to fungi can arise. The most common fungal postharvest diseases detected on Citrus limon var Eureka (Italian lime) produced in the Tamaulipas state are green/blue mold (Penicillium spp.), fusarium rot (F. oxysporum, F. solani, F. proliferatum, among others), and anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.). In this work, we selected yeasts, occurring as the natural epiphytic mycoflora of lemons or from fermented traditional products, to be tested as part of a formulation for protecting stored lemons against fungal diseases. The best-performing yeasts, labeled as LCBG-03 (Meyerozyma guilliermondii), LCBG-30 (Pseudozyma sp.), and LCBG-49 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), were selected to test their compatibility and biocontrol performance against strains of Penicillium digitatum (AL-38), Fusarium sp. (AL-21), Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (AL-13), and Epicoccum sorghinum (H3A). Based on their in vitro performance regarding the percentage of radial growth inhibition, both applied individually or as two yeasts mixed at equal cellular concentrations, the best combinations (containing M. guilliermondii formulated with either Pseudozyma sp. or S. cerevisiae) were selected with efficacies higher than 95% in both in vitro fungal radial growth rate inhibition and on stored lemon fruits. This work contributes to the search for compatible yeast combinations with the aim to diminish the fungal losses of citrus fruits using biocontrol for citrus postharvest protection.

During the survey and monitoring, a disease affecting sugarcane arrows was noticed. Sugarcane inflorescence with symptoms was collected from the germplasm maintained at ICAR-SBIRC, Kannur. The disease was observed in 2017, 2018 and 2021. The length of affected grains varied from 3 to 3.5 mm, an average of 3.2 mm and the width varied from 1 to 1.5 mm, while regular grains showed no change in length, and the width was only 0.5 mm. The affected grains were somewhat bulged and black. Conidia of Epicoccum andropogonis and Claviceps purpurea were observed when examined under a light microscope, whereas, in culturing, the affected grains yielded only E. andropogonis. The morphological characteristics of E. andropogonis were studied in vitro. The shape, color and size of the fungus conidia resembled the conidia in vitro culture media. This fungus was identified based on molecular data from the ITS-rDNA sequence, and this is the first report of false floral smut occurrence on germplasm maintained at SBIRC, Kannur. A total of 24 clones were affected, including a clone WL 08-259 of waterlogging trial in 2021. The clones were categorized based on the number of spikelets affected. All the Saccharum species clones, 287 foreign hybrids and 393 Indian hybrids clones were found to be resistant. The 18 clones of Indian hybrids and two foreign hybrids were found to be highly susceptible, and three clones of Indian hybrids were moderately susceptible.