BIOL121 putting fungi to use

Fungi as Biological Control Agents

What are fungi used to control in biological control systems?

Insect pests and phytopathogenic fungi.

Where are fungal biocontrol agents against insect pests most effective?

In glasshouses.

Where are fungal biocontrol agents against phytopathogenic fungi most effective?

In soil.

Approximately how many fungal species attack insects and mites?

Over 400 species.

Which fungus is used to kill whitefly and thrips?

Verticillium lecanii.

How long does Verticillium lecanii take to kill whitefly and thrips?

10–14 days.

How long does Verticillium lecanii take to kill aphids?

7–10 days.

Why are fresh spores of Verticillium lecanii effective?

They are sticky and attach easily to insects.

Do spores of Verticillium lecanii need to be ingested?

No

What conditions are needed for germination of Verticillium lecanii spores?

Relative humidity >95%, temperature 15–18°C for 12 hours.

Fungi Against Phytopathogenic Fungi

What are the three mechanisms fungi use to control phytopathogenic fungi?

Parasitism, antibiotic production, and competition.

What are fungi that parasitize other fungi called?

Mycoparasites.

Which organism showed strong potential as a necrotrophic mycoparasite?

Pythium oligandrum.

Which fungal genus produces antibiotics like trichodermin and gliotoxin?

Trichoderma spp.

What commercial product uses Trichoderma species for fungal disease control?

Trianum

What disease does Phlebiopsis gigantea help control in conifers?

Butt rot caused by Heterobasidion annosum.

Food and Drink Applications

Which yeast is commonly used in baking and brewing?

Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

What are the products of yeast fermentation of glucose?

Ethanol and carbon dioxide.

What food spread is made from S. cerevisiae yeast extract?

Marmite.

Which fungus is used in soy sauce production?

Aspergillus oryzae.

Quorn® and Mycoprotein

What organism is used to make Quorn® mycoprotein?

Fusarium graminearum (also called F. venenatum).

Why was Quorn® originally developed?

Concerns about future protein shortages.

When was Quorn® approved for human consumption?

1980.

What are the nutritional advantages of Quorn®?

High protein, low fat, high fibre.

What carbon source is used to grow Quorn® fungus?

Glucose syrup from wheat starch.

What nitrogen source is used in Quorn® production?

Ammonia.

Fungal Cell Factories

Which fungus is widely used commercially to produce enzymes?

Aspergillus niger.

What do glucoamylases do?

Convert liquid starch into high-glucose syrup.

What are pectinases used for?

Breaking down pectins in plant cell walls, especially in fruit juice production.

What are glucose oxidases used for?

Food preservation and diagnostic tests

What are phytases used for?

Improving animal feed.

Acrylamide and Acrylaway®

Why is acrylamide a concern in foods?

It is carcinogenic.

In what kinds of foods is acrylamide commonly formed?

High-temperature cooked starch foods like crisps and biscuits.

What product reduces acrylamide formation in foods?

Acrylaway®.

Which company developed Acrylaway®?

Novozymes Inc.

Citric Acid Production

Which fungus commercially produces citric acid?

Aspergillus niger.

What conditions favor citric acid production by A. niger?

Excess sugar and limited trace metals (Mn and Fe).

Fungal Drugs

Which fungus produces penicillin?

Penicillium notatum.

Who discovered penicillin?

Alexander Fleming

Who developed penicillin for medical use?

Howard Florey and Ernst Chain

When was the first life saved using penicillin?

1941

What are examples of semi-synthetic penicillins?

Methicillin and ampicillin.

Statins

What health condition are statins used to treat?

High plasma cholesterol.

Why are statins medically important?

They reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

How do statins work?

They inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis.