Preparation, Structural Characterization, and Property Investigation of Gallic Acid-Grafted Fungal Chitosan Conjugate.

Oxidative stress is the cause of numerous diseases in humans; therefore, there has been a continuous search for novel antioxidant molecules. Fungal chitosan is an attractive molecule that has several applications (antifungal, antibacterial, anticancer and antiparasitic action) owing to its unique characteristics; however, it exhibits low antioxidant activity. The aim of this study was to obtain fungal chitosan (Chit-F) from the fungus and synthesize its derivative, fungal chitosan-gallic acid (Chit-FGal), as a novel antioxidant chitosan derivative for biomedical use.

Mucorales from the semiarid of Pernambuco, Brazil.

Nineteen taxa of Mucorales, belonging to Absidia, Apophysomyces, Cunninghamella, Fennellomyces, Lichtheimia, Mucor, Mycotypha, Rhizopus and Syncephalastrum were isolated from 36 composite soil samples in three semiarid areas in the State of Pernambuco (Triunfo, Cabrobó and Belém de São Francisco), Northeast Brazil, which are characterized by Caatinga vegetation. Triunfo is preserved, whereas Cabroró and Belém de São Francisco are experiencing low and severe desertification processes, respectively. Mucorales were isolated in Petri dishes in triplicate from 5 mg samples of soil placed on the surface of wheat germ agar plus chloramphenicol and Cercobin [Dimethyl 4,49-(103 phenylene) bis (3-thioallophanate)] medium.

Zygomycetes From Herbivore Dung in the Ecological Reserve of Dois IrmÃOs, Northeast Brazil.

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.

Isolation of Mucorales from processed maize (Zea mays L.) and screening for protease activity.

Mucorales were isolated from maize flour, corn meal and cooked cornflakes using surface and depth plate methods. Rhizopus oryzae, Circinella muscae, Mucor subtilissimus, Mucor hiemalis f. hiemalis, Syncephalastrum racemosum, Rhizopus microsporus var.