Aspergillus niger – Page 3

Activation of Secondary Metabolism and Protease Activity Mechanisms in the Black Koji Mold Aspergillus luchuensis through Coculture with Animal Cells

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Researchers found that growing koji mold (Aspergillus luchuensis) alongside mouse immune cells in the laboratory significantly increases the production of valuable bioactive compounds. The mold releases enzymes called proteases that break down proteins from the animal cells, which the fungus then uses as building blocks to create medicinal compounds. This discovery shows that coculturing microorganisms with animal cells is an effective strategy to unlock hidden chemical production capabilities in fungi, which could lead to new medicines and useful compounds.

Crab vs. Mushroom: A Review of Crustacean and Fungal Chitin in Wound Treatment

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Chitin, a natural material found in crab shells and mushrooms, can be used to make wound dressings that speed up healing and fight infection. The review compares these two sources, finding that crab-derived chitin has been studied more extensively and has several commercial products available, while mushroom-derived chitin offers advantages like lower cost and easier processing. Both types work by promoting cell growth, stopping bleeding, and killing bacteria, making them promising alternatives to traditional wound dressings for treating difficult-to-heal wounds.

Production of fungal hypocrellin photosensitizers: Exploiting bambusicolous fungi and elicitation strategies in mycelium cultures

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Hypocrellins are powerful compounds from fungi that can treat cancers and infections through light-activated therapy. Since wild sources are limited, scientists are growing these fungi in laboratory cultures and using special techniques to boost production. This review summarizes the best methods for producing hypocrellins, from choosing the right fungal strains to optimizing growing conditions and using natural stimulants to increase yields.

Biocomposites Based on Mould Biomass and Waste Fibres for the Production of Agrotextiles: Technology Development, Material Characterization, and Agricultural Application

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Researchers developed a new biodegradable material for agriculture made from mould mycelium and waste plant fibres. This eco-friendly crop cover can be used instead of synthetic plastic sheets that damage soil and pollute it with microplastics. The material breaks down naturally in soil within 10 days and can help seeds germinate better, offering farmers a sustainable alternative for protecting their crops.

Unveiling the distribution and research patterns of Aspergillus spp. in Saudi Arabia: a systematic and bibliometric analysis

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This study analyzed over 50 years of research on Aspergillus fungi in Saudi Arabia by examining 520 scientific papers. Researchers found that five main Aspergillus species have been the focus of study, with A. niger being the most researched. The study shows that research has grown significantly since 2010, with Saudi universities leading the efforts, particularly King Saud University. The research is shifting from focusing mainly on medical problems to include agriculture, environment, and industrial applications.

Submerged Fermentation of Rhizopus sp. for l-asparaginase Production in Lymphoma Therapy

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Researchers developed a new way to produce an anti-cancer enzyme called L-asparaginase using a fungus called Rhizopus, which could offer a safer alternative to current bacterial sources. They designed and tested a special bioreactor system that allows the fungus to grow as a biofilm, significantly increasing enzyme production. The system achieved enzyme activity levels much higher than previous laboratory methods, suggesting it could be scaled up for industrial pharmaceutical production.

Appearance of Environment-Linked Azole Resistance in the Aspergillus fumigatus Complex in New Zealand

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Researchers in New Zealand have discovered that a dangerous fungus called Aspergillus fumigatus is developing resistance to commonly used antifungal medications. Unlike previous cases where the resistance came from medical treatment, this new resistance appears to come from environmental exposure, possibly through garden fungicides that people can buy at garden centers. The study found that people, especially lung transplant patients, may be acquiring these resistant fungal strains from their surroundings rather than from hospitals, highlighting the need for better monitoring of agricultural fungicide use.

Innovative applications and therapeutic potential of oilseeds and their by-products: An eco-friendly and sustainable approach

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This review explains how leftover materials from oilseed processing, which are usually discarded as waste, contain valuable nutrients and healing compounds. These by-products can be used to make healthier foods like bread, burgers, and drinks, or turned into supplements and medicines. By using these materials instead of wasting them, we can reduce environmental problems, provide better nutrition, and create sustainable food products that help prevent diseases like diabetes and heart problems.

L-Rhamnose Dehydrogenase LraA of Aspergillus niger Shows High Substrate Specificity Matching Its Expression Profile

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Scientists studied an enzyme called LraA found in a common fungus (Aspergillus niger) that breaks down L-rhamnose, a sugar found in plant cell walls. They discovered that this enzyme is extremely selective and only works on L-rhamnose, unlike most other similar enzymes that can process multiple types of sugars. This makes it very useful for biotechnology applications where researchers want to specifically convert L-rhamnose without affecting other pathways.

Impact of Oxalic Acid Consumption and pH on the In Vitro Biological Control of Oxalogenic Phytopathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

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This research shows how bacteria can protect crops from a destructive fungus called Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. While scientists previously thought the bacteria worked by eating the toxic acid produced by the fungus, this study reveals that the bacteria also make the environment more alkaline (less acidic), which the fungus cannot tolerate. The combination of both effects—consuming the acid and changing the pH—is what actually stops the fungus from growing and damaging crops.

Fungal Species: Aspergillus niger