Fungal Species: Aspergillus welwitschiae

Isolation and Identification of Pigment-Producing Endophytic Fungi from the Amazonian Species Fridericia chica

Scientists discovered nine types of fungi living inside an Amazonian plant called crajiru that produce colorful pigments. One fungus called Hypoxylon investiens stood out for producing a red pigment with strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. This discovery could help replace synthetic dyes in food and cosmetics with natural alternatives from fungi, which are easier and cheaper to produce than extracting pigments from plants.

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Modelling the Combined Effects of Oxalic Acid, Water Activity, and pH on the Growth and Mycotoxin Production of Aspergillus spp. in a Dried Fig System

This research develops computer models to predict when dangerous molds grow on dried figs and produce toxins. Scientists tested how wet the figs are, their acidity, and a natural plant compound called oxalic acid affect the growth of two common toxic molds. The study found that drier figs are much safer from toxin production, and while oxalic acid alone isn’t a strong mold-fighter, it can help when combined with other conditions. These models can help the fig industry prevent contamination and keep dried figs safe for consumers.

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