ABSTRACT The diversity of endophytic fungi in healthy coconut palm leaves (Cocos nucifera) was assessed by analyzing fungal isolates from three coconut cultivars (yellow dwarf, green dwarf, and a hybrid cultivar PB121) used agriculturally in Brazil. The influence of season (rainy or dry) on the endophytic fungal community was also analyzed. Overall, 318 fungal isolates were obtained from 972 coconut leaf fragments. The rDNA ITS region was sequenced from representative species of the isolated endophytic fungi and the most common species identified were Nigrospora oryzae, Pestalotiopsis sp., and Zasmidium musae. The alpha diversity of the endophytic fungi was also calculated. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination and permutational analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) revealed significant seasonal effects on the composition of the endophyte community. However, practically no influence was observed on the fungal communities for the different cultivars of coconut.

Ganoderma lucidum is a medicinal mushroom traditionally used in China against a wide range of diseases such as cancer and also for its prevention. In this work, commercial Chinese strains G. lucidum were compared to wild Brazilian strains aiming to determine the cultivation potential through the use of Jun-Cao. Six formulations were tested and the strains presented good response to the applied method. In general, the mixture between the grass and wood was well suited for the basidiomycetes, contributing to the preparation of substrates that generated better results in Jun Cao.

We analyzed specimens identified as Amanita muscaria, some recently collected and others already deposited in herbaria, in Brazil. We concluded that two subspecies of A. muscaria occur in Brazil: A. muscaria var. muscaria; and A.muscaria var. flavivolvata. The first taxon was found in association with Castanea sativa, and the second (one specimen only) was found in association with Pinus and Eucalyptus spp. Morphologically, A. muscaria var. flavivolvata is distinguished by a shallower subhymenium and by basidiospores that are more elongated than are those of A. muscaria var. muscaria, which is the more widely known subspecies. We present descriptions, discussions, illustrations and a dichotomous key for these two subspecies.

Considerando que pouco se conhece sobre a ocorrência de fungos solubilizadores de fosfato de áreas cultivadas com melão, foi avaliada a habilidade de solubilização desse nutriente por fungos filamentosos isolados dessas áreas. Foram avaliadas 318 amostras de fungos filamentosos pertencentes a 23 gêneros, além de Aphyllophorales e Mycelia sterilia. Dessas amostras, 52 apresentaram habilidade para solubilizar o fosfato: Aphyllophorales (2), Aspergillus (34), Penicillium (10) e Rhizopus (6). Esses resultados contribuem para subsidiar pesquisas que testem a capacidade desses fungos em solubilizar outras fontes fosfatadas aplicadas na cultura do melão, assim como indicam a necessidade de selecionar isolados com maior capacidade e potencial para solubilização.

Considering that little is known about the occurrence of phosphate-solubilizing fungi from areas cultivated with melon, the phosphate solubilization ability of filamentous fungi isolated in these areas was evaluated. Three hundred and eighteen filamentous fungal isolates belonging to 23 genera were evaluated, besides Aphyllophorales and Mycelia sterilia. From those, 52 were able to solubilize P: Aphyllophorales (2), Aspergillus (34), Penicillium (10) and Rhizopus (6). These results will contribute to subsidizing further research regarding the capacity of these fungi to solubilize other sources of phosphate applied to the melon crop, as well as indicate the need for a screening program to select those with higher capacity and potential for solubilization.

Este trabalho teve como objetivos isolar, identificar fungos filamentosos do solo e da água da praia de Candeias, Jaboatão dos Guararapes, Pernambuco, Brasil. Quatro amostras de solo e água foram coletadas em três pontos aleatórios ao longo da praia, durante os períodos chuvoso e de estiagem, durante a baixa-mar do dia. De cada amostra de solo, foi preparada uma suspensão com 50 g de solo diluído em 90 mL de água destilada esterilizada e ao final, 1 mL foi semeado em placas de Petri contendo Ágar Sabouraud acrescido de cloranfenicol. Da água, 0,5 ml foi semeado em placas de Petri, em triplicatas. Foram identificas 57 espécies correspondentes a 19 gêneros. Aspergillus e Penicillium foram os gêneros mais abundantes. Penicillium diversum e Varicosporium elodeae são novos registros para América Latina e nordeste brasileiro, repectivamente.

The main purpose of this study was the isolation and identification of the filamentous mycobiota present on soil and water samples from Candeias Beach, Pernambuco, Brazil. Sampling of soil and water was carried out four times at three randomly chosen spots along the beach, during the rainy and dry seasons, during the low tide. From each soil sample, a suspension was prepared with 50 g of soil diluted in 90 mL of sterilized distilled water and 1mL was spread in Petri dishes with Sabouraud Agar with Chloramphenicol. Out of each water sample 0,5mL was taken and put in sowed triplicate Petri dishes containing Sabouraud Chloramphenicol Agar. A total of 57 species of filamentous fungi are reported, comprising of 19 genera. Aspergillus and Penicillium were the most abundant and diverse genera. Penicillium diversum and Varicosporium elodeae are the first to be recorded in Latin America and Brazilian northeast, respectively.

Thirty-eight taxa of Zygomycetes distributed in 15 genera were recorded from tapir (Tapirus terrestris), camel (Camelus bactrianus), horse (Equus caballus), deer (Cervus elaphus), agouti (Dasyprocta aguti), donkey (Equus asinus), llama (Llama glama) and waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) dung collected at the Reserva Ecológica de Dois Irmãos located in Recife, State of Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil. The samples were collected on a monthly basis from June 2005 to May 2006, taken to the laboratory and incubated in moist chambers. Higher number of taxa was observed in the excrements of tapir, followed by deer and donkey. The highest number of species was detected for Mucor, followed by Pilobolus. Statistical analyses showed significant differences in richness of Zygomycetes taxa between the herbivore dung types. Differences of species composition, however, were weak. Seasonality influenced the Zygomycetes species composition but not its richness. Variations in taxa composition between ruminants and non-ruminants dung were non significant.

Foram coletadas amostras de solo rizosférico em uma área semiárida, na região do Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brasil, com o objetivo de conhecer a diversidade dos fungos filamentosos presentes em solo cultivado com melão (Cucumis melo cv. Gold Mine) e adubado com diferentes compostos orgânicos: Tratamento 1 (controle, sem adição de compostos orgânicos); T2 (77% de bagaço de côco, 20% de esterco de caprino e 3% de K2SO4); T3 (10% de torta de mamona, 50% de capim elefante e 40% de esterco de caprino); T4 (77% de bagaço de côco, 20% de esterco de caprino e 3% de termofosfato); T5 (47% de capim elefante, 50% de esterco de caprino e 3% K2SO4); e T6 (57% de capim elefante, 40% de esterco de caprino e 3% de termofosfato). O isolamento dos fungos foi realizado por meio da técnica de diluição em série até 1:1000. Foi aplicado o índice de similaridade de Sorensen, e avaliadas a freqüência e a distribuição dos fungos no solo. Setenta e oito espécies foram isoladas e identificadas, além de representantes de Basidiomycota (04) e Mycelia sterilia (02). Os gêneros predominantes foram Aspergillus e Penicillium, com 15 e 13 espécies, respectivamente. Maior número de espécies foi constatado no período de fundação (49), e em relação à adubação orgânica, o tratamento 6 apresentou a maior diversidade (43 espécies). A maioria das espécies encontradas é sapróbia e somente algumas são consideradas potenciais patógenos à cultura do meloeiro, como Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani e Myrothecium roridum.

Rhizosphere soil samples were collected in a semiarid area, in the region of the São Francisco River valley, Petrolina, Pernambuco state, Brazil, to study the diversity of filamentous fungi in a soil cultivated with melon (Cucumis melo L. cv. Gold Mine) and receiving different organic amendments: Treatment 1 (control, without organic compost); T2 (77% coconut fiber, 20% goat manure and 3% K2SO4); T3 (10% Ricinus communis leaves and stems, 50% Pennisetum purpureum leaves and 40% goat manure); T4 (77% coconut fiber, 20% goat manure and 3% termophosphate); T5 (47% Pennisetum purpureum leaves, 50% goat manure and 3% K2SO4); and T6 (57% Pennisetum purpureum leaves, 40% goat manure and 3% termophosphate). Fungal isolation was carried out by the serial dilution technique to 1:1000. The Sorensen index of similarity, frequency and distribution of the fungi were evaluated. Seventy-eight species of filamentous fungi were isolated and identified, plus several Basidiomycota (04) and Mycelia sterilia (02). The predominant genera were Aspergillus and Penicillium, with 15 and 13 species, respectively. A greater number of species was found in the sowing period (49), and in relation to the organic fertilization, treatment 6 provided the greatest species diversity (43 species). Most of the species are saprobes and only a few are considered to be potential pathogens on melon plants, such as Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani and Myrothecium roridum.

O levantamento de Agaricaceae em áreas de Mata Atlântica na região metropolitana de Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil, revelou a ocorrência de nove espécies: Agaricus aff. parasilvaticus Heinem., A. purpurellus (F.H. Møller) F.H. Møller, A. rufoaurantiacus Heinem., Leucoagaricus sulphurellus (Pegler) B.P. Akers, Leucocoprinus cretaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Locq., L. fragilissimus (Ravenel) Pat., Lepiota elaiophylla Vellinga & Huijser, L. erythrosticta (Berk. & Broome) Sacc. e Micropsalliota brunneosperma (Singer) Pegler. Chave para identificação dessas espécies, descrições, ilustrações e comentários são apresentadas. Micropsalliota brunneosperma constitui nova referência para o Brasil.

The survey of Agaricaceae in areas of the Atlantic Forest in the metropolitan region of Recife, state of Pernambuco, Brazil, revealed the presence of nine species: Agaricus aff. parasilvaticus Heinem., A. purpurellus (F.H. Møller) F.H. Møller, A. rufoaurantiacus Heinem., Leucoagaricus sulphurellus (Pegler) B.P. Akers, Leucocoprinus cretaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Locq., L. fragilissimus (Ravenel) Pat., Lepiota elaiophylla Vellinga & Huijser, L. erythrosticta (Berk. & Broome) Sacc. and Micropsalliota brunneosperma (Singer) Pegler. A key for identification of these species, descriptions, drawings and remarks are provided. Micropsalliota brunneosperma is reported for the first time for Brazil.

O solo é considerado um dos principais hábitats para a população de microrganismos, dentre os quais estão os fungos. A região de Xingó é caracterizada por apresentar ecossistema típico de Caatinga. Com objetivo de isolar e identificar fungos filamentosos na região Xingó, utilizou-se amostras de solo coletadas nos municípios de Canindé de São Francisco (SE), Olho D'água do Casado (AL) e Piranhas (AL), durante o período chuvoso (maio e julho/2000) e de estiagem (março/2001), tanto na superfície do solo quanto a 20 cm de profundidade. Foram identificados 96 táxons pertencentes a oito espécies de Ascomycota, oito espécies de Zygomycota e 80 anamorfos, sendo uma espécie de Coelomycetes e 79 espécies de Hyphomycetes. Penicillium e Aspergillus foram os gêneros mais diversos com 31 e 17 espécies, respectivamente.

The soil is one of the most important habitats for microorganisms, among them the fungi. Xingó is a region characterized by typical caatinga ecosystems. The aim of this research was to isolate and identify filamentous fungi from soils of the Xingó region using samples collected at the soil surface and at 20 cm depth, in the districts of Canindé de São Francisco (Sergipe), Olho D'água do Casado (Alagoas), and Piranhas (Alagoas), during the rainy (May and July/2000) and dry seasons (March/2001). We identified 96 taxa belonging to eight species of Ascomycota, eight species of Zygomycota and 80 anamorphs, with one species of Coelomycete and 79 species of Hyphomycetes. Penicillium and Aspergillus were the most diverse genera with 31 and 17 species, respectively.

Com o objetivo de isolar e identificar leveduras do solo e água do mar das praias de Bairro Novo e Casa Caiada, Olinda, Pernambuco, Brasil, foram coletadas 32 amostras de solo e água em ambas as praias durante o período seco (dezembro/2000 e fevereiro/2001) e período chuvoso (junho e julho/2001). Foram obtidas 292 amostras de leveduras, distribuídas em quatro gêneros e 31 espécies. Candida apresentou maior número de espécies. Candida catenulata, C. fenica, C. sake, Brettanomyces bruxellensis e Rhodotorula mucilaginosa foram as espécies mais comuns em ambas as praias Bairro Novo e Casa Caiada.

The aim of this work was to isolate and identify yeasts from sand and sea water collected in two beaches of Olinda, Pernambuco state, Brazil. Thirty two samples of both sand and water in both beaches were obtained in the dry (December 2000 and February 2001) and rainy (June and July 2001) seasons. Two hundred and ninety two strains of yeast were obtained, and they belonged to four genera and 31 species. Candida was the most prevalent genus. Candida catenulata, C. fenica, C. sake, Brettanomyces bruxelenses and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa were the most commonly found species in both beaches Bairro Novo and Casa Caiada.

Aspergillus niveus 4128URM isolado de rizosfera de girassol demonstrou ser uma nova fonte de inulinase. A enzima foi produzida em meio de cultura contendo inulina como substrato nas concentrações de 10, 15 e 20 g L-1. Atividade máxima da enzima foi obtida em meio contendo 20 g L-1 de inulina. A enzima foi parcialmente purificada utilizando precipitação com sulfato de amônio, seguida por cromatografia de troca iônica (DE-52) e exclusão molecular (Sephadex). Os resultados mostraram o pH e temperatura ótima da inulinase do extrato bruto foi 4,0 e 4,8 e 45ºC, respectivamente. A enzima foi purificada 34,65 vezes com rendimento de 53,63%. A. niveus 4128URM pode ser utilizado na produção de inulinase com perspectivas de uso na indústria de alimentos.

Aspergillus niveus Blochwitz 4128 URM isolated from sunflower rhizosphere demonstrated a new source of inulinase. The enzyme was produced in culture medium containing inulin as substrate in the concentrations: 10, 15 and 20g L-1. Maximum enzyme activity was obtained in medium containing 20g L-1 inulin. The enzyme was partially purified using ammonium sulphate precipitation, followed by ion charge (DE-32) and molecular exclusion (Sephadex) chromatography. The results showed the optimal pH and temperature of inulinase from crude extract were 4.0 and 4.8 and 45ºC, respectively. The enzyme was purified 34.65 fold with yield of 53.63%. A. niveus 4128URM can be used in the inulinase production with use in the food industries.

Aphyllophorales (Basidiomycota) não poróides foram registrados em áreas de Mata Atlântica do Nordeste brasileiro. Auriscalpium villipes (Lloyd) Snell & E.A. Dick, Climacodon pulcherrimus (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Nikol., Gloeodontia discolor (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Boidin, Irpex lacteus (Fr.: Fr.) Fr. e Scytinostroma duriusculum (Berk. & Broome) Donk são novas ocorrências para o Nordeste do Brasil.

Non-poroid Aphyllophorales (Basidiomycota) in areas of the Atlantic Rain Forest in Northeast Brazil are reported. Auriscalpium villipes (Lloyd) Snell & E.A. Dick, Climacodon pulcherrimus (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Nikol., Gloeodontia discolor (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Boidin, Irpex lacteus (Fr.: Fr.) Fr. and Scytinostroma duriusculum (Berk. & Broome) Donk are new records to Northeast Brazil.

Com o objetivo de avaliar a patogenicidade de leveduras de interesse médico, foram selecionadas 15 amostras preservadas em óleo mineral na Micoteca URM, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco e 15 isolados recentes, provenientes de amostras clínicas de pacientes com AIDS, internados no Hospital das Clínicas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Com relação as características de patogenicidade, foram avaliados a capacidade desses microorganismos crescerem a 37ºC, bem como apresentarem atividade de fosfolipase e protease. As 30 amostras cresceram a 37ºC e apresentaram atividade quantitativa de protease, entretanto não apresentaram essa atividade quando testadas em meio sólido. Das 15 amostras preservadas, 13 (86,66%) apresentaram atividade fosfolipase positiva e duas (13,34%) atividade fosfolipásica negativa e das 15 amostras isoladas de pacientes com AIDS, quatro (26,66%) apresentaram atividade de fosfolipase positiva e 11 (73,34%) apresentaram atividade fosfolipásica negativa.

In order to evaluate the pathogenicity of yeasts of medical importance, 15 strains stocked in mineral oil at the URM Culture Collection of the Department of Mycology, Biological Sciences Centre, Federal University of Pernambuco and 15 fresh strains isolated from AIDS patients interned at the Clinical Hospital, Centre of Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, were selected. As pathogenicity characteristics, the ability to grow at 37ºC and production of phospolipase and proteinase were tested. All samples grew at 37ºC and exhibited proteinase activity. However when tested on solid medium, the proteinase activity was negative. Among 15 stocked samples, 13 (86.66%) were phospholipase positive and two (13.34%) were phospholipase negative. From the 15 samples isolated from AIDS patients, four (26.66%) were phospholipase positive and 11 (73.34%) were phospholipase negative.

Fungos filamentosos capazes de hidrolisar inulina tem sido isolados de rizosfera de plantas que acumulam esse polissacarídeo nas raízes. Este estudo compreendeu o isolamento e identificação de fungos filamentosos do solo utilizado para o cultivo do girassol e da rizosfera de girassol cultivado em campo e em casa de vegetação, a fim de verificar se há variação na diversidade destes fungos ao longo do ciclo de vida da planta. O fungos foram também caracterizados quanto a capacidade de hidrolisar inulina. Das quarenta e nove espécies de fungos filamentosos isoladas, Penicillium e Aspergillus foram os gêneros que apresentaram maior número de espécies, nove e sete, respectivamente. No final do ciclo de vida do girassol, cultivado tanto em campo quanto em casa de vegetação, foi isolado um menor número de espécies. Cento e cinquenta e nove amostras de fungos filamentosos, isoladas do solo e da rizosfera de girassol e destas 79 (49,7%) foram capazes de hidrolisar inulina. Não houve diferença significativa quanto a proporção de espécies capazes ou não de hidrolisar esse polissacarídeo, ao longo do ciclo de vida do girassol, cultivado tanto em campo quanto em casa de vegetação. Embora a rizosfera de girassol seja uma fonte de fungos filamentosos capazes de hidrolisar inulina, que podem ser utilizados em processos biotecnológicos, ela não atua de modo a concentrar fungos com esta característica. Espécies de Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Cunninghamella, Emericela, Eupenicillium, Fusarium, Myrothecium, Neosartorya, Neocosmospora, Penicillium and Thielavia estão sendo relatados pela primeira vez como produtores de inulinase.

Filamentous fungi able to hydrolyse inulin have been isolated from the rhizosphere of plants whose roots contain this polysaccharide. This study reports results concerning the isolation and identification of filamentous fungi from the soil used for sunflower cultivation and from the sunflower rhizosphere cultivated in field and in greenhouse. Fungi were evaluated according to their capacity to hydrolyse inulin and the variation in the diversity of these fungi during the plant's life cycle was also accessed. Forty-nine species of filamentous fungi were isolated. Penicillium and Aspergillus were the genera that presented higher number of species, nine and seven, respectively. At the end of the sunflower life cycle, cultivated both in field and in the greenhouse, a lower numbers of species were isolated. One hundred and fifty nine strains of filamentous fungi were isolated from soil and from the sunflower rhizosphere; from these, 79 (49.7%) were able to hydrolyse inulin. There was not significant difference in the proportion of species able to hydrolyse this polysaccharide during the sunflower's life cycle, in plants cultivated in field or in greenhouse. Although the sunflower's rhizosphere is a source of filamentous fungi able to hydrolyse inulin, that might be used in biotechnological processes. This system does not present a higher density of such microorganisms. Species of Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Cunninghamella, Emericela, Eupenicillium, Fusarium, Myrothecium, Neosartorya, Neocosmospora, Penicillium and Thielavia are being related by first time as inulinase producers.

Trichosporon has been reported as a remarkable emerging pathogen and usually occurs in imunodrepressed patients. An oropharyngeal secretion sample was collected from a patient with AIDS, at the Sector of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Osvaldo Cruz University Hospital, Pernambuco State, Brazil. No yeast cells or arthroconidia were observed in the direct exam, but a culture was positive for Trichosporon pullulans, which is being reported in an AIDS patient for the first time.