National Centre for Upgrading Technology, Devon, Alberta T9G 1A8, Canada. jvanhamme@alumni.uwaterloo.ca
Abstract
Microbial metabolism of organosulfur compounds is of interest in the petroleum industry for in-field viscosity reduction and desulfurization. Here, dibenzyl sulfide (DBS) metabolism in white rot fungi was studied. Trametes trogii UAMH 8156, Trametes hirsuta UAMH 8165, Phanerochaete chrysosporium ATCC 24725, Trametes versicolor IFO 30340 (formerly Coriolus sp.), and Tyromyces palustris IFO 30339 all oxidized DBS to dibenzyl sulfoxide prior to oxidation to dibenzyl sulfone. The cytochrome P-450 inhibitor 1-aminobenzotriazole eliminated dibenzyl sulfoxide oxidation. Laccase activity (0.15 U/ml) was detected in the Trametes cultures, and concentrated culture supernatant and pure laccase catalyzed DBS oxidation to dibenzyl sulfoxide more efficiently in the presence of 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) than in its absence. These data suggest that the first oxidation step is catalyzed by extracellular enzymes but that subsequent metabolism is cytochrome P-450 mediated.
PMID: 12571066 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]PMCID: PMC143626Free PMC Article
Institute of Medicinal Plant, CAMS, PUMC, Beijing 100094.
Abstract
This paper summarizes the resources of anticarcinogenic medical fungi, and the information of distribution, eco-environment. It outlines the present statuts of the exploitation and utilization of some species of common anticarcinogenic medical fungi such as Ganoderma lucidum, Coriolus versicolor, Polyporus frondosus etc. The anticarcinogenic mechanism of medical fungi is discussed. Suggestions on how to development and utilize rationally these resources are offered as well.
Edible Fungi Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201106, China. zhangjs888@etang.com
Abstract
AIM: To study the structure of polysaccharides from Coriolus versicolor.
METHODS: By chromatography a homogeneous polysaccharide B-1-3 was obtained. The structure of B-1-3 was elucidated using the method of total acid hydrolysis, methylation, and 1D and 2D NMR.
RESULTS: B-1-3 was found to be mainly composed of Glc by total acid hydrolysis. Its molecular weight was estimated to be 3.16 x 10(5) by HPLC method. Methylation analysis and 1H and 13CNMR indicated the main chain of B-1-3 consisted of beta-D-1,4-Glc and beta-D-1,3-Glc, and branch chains were situated, beta-D-1,3,6-Glc and beta-D-1,4,6-Glc. 1H and 13CNMR also showed that beta-D-Glc-1–>3-beta-D-Glc-beta-D-Glc-1–>4-beta-D-Glc and beta-D-Glc-1–>4-beta-D-Glc-beta-D-Glc-1–>4-beta-D-Glc fragments existed in B-1-3.
CONCLUSION: B-1-3 is a glucan which main chain was composed of beta-D-1,4-Glc and beta-D-1,3-Glc beta-D-1,6-Glc.
Department of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
Abstract
The capability of decolorization for commercial dyes by Coriolus versicolor fermentation broth containing laccase with or without immobilized mycelium was evaluated. With cell-free fermentation broth containing laccase, high decolorization ratio was achieved foracid orange 7, but not for the other dyes concerned. The immobilized mycelium was proved to be more efficient than the cell-free system. All the four dyestuffs studied were found being decolourized with certain extent by immobilized mycelium. The repeated-batch decolorization was carried out with satisfactory results. The experimental data showed that the continuous decolorization of wastewater from a printing and dyeing industry was possible by using the self-immobilized C. versicolor.
Department of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
Abstract
The production of laccase by Coriolus versicolor was studied. The effect of cultivation conditions on laccase production by Coriolus versicolor was examined to obtain optimal medium and cultivation conditions. Both batch and repeated-batch processes were performed for laccase production. In repeated-batch fermentation with self-immobilized mycelia, total of 14 cycles were performed with laccase activity in the range between 3.4 and 14.8 U/ml.
Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China. kwttsang@hku.hk
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of cancer deaths, and over 60% of patients present with advanced stages. Although polysaccharide peptides (PSP), isolated from the fungus Coriolus versicolor, have been reported to have anti-tumor effects, its clinical efficacy has not been properly evaluated.
METHODS: Double-blind placebo-controlled randomized study to evaluate the effects of 28-day administration of PSP (Windsor Pharmaceutical, Hong Kong) on patients, who had completed conventional treatment for advanced NSCLC.
RESULTS: Thirty-four patients, with no significant difference in their baseline demographic, clinical or tumor characteristics, or previous treatment regimes (P>0.05) were recruited into each of the PSP and control arms. After 28-day treatment, there was a significant improvement in blood leukocyte and neutrophil counts, serum IgG and IgM, and percent of body fat among the PSP, but not the control, patients (P<0.05). Although the evaluable PSP patients did not improve in NSCLC-related symptoms, there were significantly less PSP patients withdrawn due to disease progression, than their control counterparts (5.9 and 23.5%, respectively; P=0.04; OR 4.00). There was no reported adverse reaction attributable to the trial medications.
CONCLUSION: PSP treatment appears to be associated with slower deterioration in patients with advanced NSCLC.
Laboratory of Biomass Conversion, Wood Research Institute, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto, Japan.
Abstract
Ethanol was produced by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) from beech wood chips after bioorganosolve pretreatments by ethanolysis and white rot fungi, Ceriporiopsis subvermispora, Dichomitus squalens, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Coriolus versicolor. Beech wood chips were pretreated with the white rot fungi for 2-8 weeks without addition of any nutrients. The wood chips were then subjected to ethanolysis to separate them into pulp and soluble fractions (SFs). From the pulp fraction (PF), ethanol was produced by SSF using Saccharomyces cerevisiae AM12 and a commercial cellulase preparation, Meicelase, from Trichoderma viride. Among the four strains, C. subvermispora gave the highest yield on SSF. The yield of ethanol obtained after pretreatment with C. subvermispora for 8 weeks was 0.294 g g(-1) of ethanolysis pulp (74% of theoretical) and 0.176 g g(-1) of beech wood chips (62% of theoretical). The yield was 1.6 times higher than that obtained without the fungal treatments. The biological pretreatments saved 15% of the electricity needed for the ethanolysis.
Institute of Technology and Engineering PN456, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, 5320, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Abstract
The protein-bound polysaccharides or polysaccharopeptides produced by Coriolus versicolor are effective immunopotentiators, which are used to supplement the chemotherapy and radiotherapy of cancers and various infectious diseases. Antitumor activity of polysaccharopeptides has been documented. Several kinds of protein-bound polysaccharides have been shown to be produced by the white rot fungus, C. versicolor. Although some of these polymers are structurally distinct, they are not distinguishable in terms of their physiological activity. This review focuses on the physiologically active polysaccharopeptides of C. versicolor. In nature, C. versicolor occurs as a mushroom body, but the fungus can be grown as mycelial biomass in submerged culture in bioreactors. Mushrooms gathered in the wild, cultivated mushrooms, and the mycelial biomass of submerged culture are used to produce the polysaccharopeptides. Submerged cultures are typically carried out in batches lasting 5-7 days and at 25-27 degrees C. Hot water extraction of the biomass is used to recover the thermostable polysaccharopeptides that are concentrated, purified, and dried into a powder for medicinal use. In view of the documented physiological benefits of these compounds, extensive research is underway on the structure, composition, production methods, and use of new C. versicolor strains for producing the therapeutic biopolymers. Properties, physiological activity, recovery, and purification of the bioactive polysaccharopeptides are discussed.
Department of Science, Faculty of Education, Science and Art Faculty, Inonu University, 44069 Malatya, Turkey. sskahraman@inonu.edu.tr
Abstract
Molasses wastewater (vinasse; the by-product of distillation of fermented sugar) was decolorized and its chemical oxygen demand (COD) was reduced in static cultivation using the fungi Coriolus versicolor, Funalia trogii, Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Pleurotus pulmonarius (‘Pleurotus sajorcaju’). The effect of cotton stalk on decolorizing and COD removing capability of four fungi was determined. In the entire concentration range tested (10-30%), wastewater was effectively decolorized by C. versicolor and F. trogii. Cotton stalk addition stimulated the decolorization activity of all fungi. The utilization of cotton stalk represents several advantages due to its function as an attachment place and as a source of nutrients; its use also reduces process costs.
Department of Agricultural Sciences, Imperial College London, Wye Campus, Wye TN25 5AH, UK.
Abstract
Changes in isotopic 13C signatures of CO2-C evolved during decomposition of a sugar (glucose), a fatty acid (palmitic acid), a protein (albumin), a structural biopolymer (lignin) and bulk plant tissue (aerial shoots from Lolium perenne) were monitored over a period of 76 days. All materials were sterilized and inoculated with either of two different species of white rot fungi, Phanerochaete chrysosporium or Coriolus versicolor, and incubated in sealed bottles at 28 degrees C. The CO2 concentration in the jars was periodically determined using an infrared gas analyzer and its isotopic (13C) signature was assessed using a trace gas (ANCA TGII) module coupled to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS, Europa 20-20). L. perenne material inoculated with C. versicolor showed the highest C mineralization activity with approximately 70% of total C evolved as CO2 after 76 days of incubation, followed by glucose. Substrates inoculated with C. versicolor generally decomposed faster than when degraded by P. chrysosporium, except for lignin, where no significant differences between the two fungi types were found and CO2-C released was less than 2% of the initial C. Considerable 13C isotopic fractionation during the degradation of plant tissue and of pure biochemical compounds was revealed as well as progressive shifts in cumulative CO2-13C isotopic signatures over time. During the first stages of decomposition, the CO2-C released was usually depleted in 13C as compared with the initial solid substrate, but with ongoing decomposition the CO2-C evolved became progressively more enriched in 13C. P. chrysosporium usually showed a slightly higher 13C fractionation than C. versicolor during the first decomposition phase. At posterior decomposition stages isotopic discrimination was often stronger by C. versicolor. These findings on isotopic 13C discrimination during microbial degradation both of simple biochemical compounds and of complex vegetal tissue confirmed not only the existence of significant 13C isotopic fractionation during plant residue decomposition, but also the existence of non-random isotopic distribution within substrates. They also demonstrated the ability of microorganisms to selectively discriminate against 13C even when degrading an isolated simple substrate.