Highly Active Heterogeneous Double Metal Cyanide Catalysts for Ring-Opening Polymerization of Cyclic Monomers.

A series of heterogeneous Zn-Co double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts were investigated for ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of various cyclic monomers. Notably, inexpensive and commonly used organic solvents such as acetone, ,-dimethylacetamide, ,-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, nitromethane, and 1-methylpyrrolidin-2-one were very effective complexing agents for the preparation of DMC catalysts, showing high catalytic activity for the ROP of propylene oxide, ε-caprolactone, and δ-valerolactone. The chemical structures and compositions of the resultant catalysts were determined using various techniques such as FT-IR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and elemental analysis.

Use of transcriptomic profiling to identify candidate genes involved in Polyporus umbellatus sclerotial formation affected by oxalic acid.

Polyporus umbellatus is a precious medicinal fungus. Oxalic acid was observed to affect sclerotial formation and sclerotia possessed more medicinal compounds than mycelia. In this study, the transcriptome of P.

One-Pot Processing of Regenerated Cellulose Nanoparticles/Waterborne Polyurethane Nanocomposite for Eco-friendly Polyurethane Matrix.

Regenerated cellulose nanoparticles (RCNs) reinforced waterborne polyurethanes (WPU) were developed to improve mechanical properties as well as biodegradability by using a facile, eco-friendly approach, and introducing much stronger chemical bonding than common physical bonding between RCNs and WPU. Firstly, RCNs which have an effect on improving the solubility and stability of a solution, thereby resulting in lower crystallinity, were fabricated by using a NaOH/urea solution. In addition, the stronger chemical bond between RCNs and WPU was here introduced by regarding at which stage in particular added RCNs worked best on strengthening their bond in the process of WPU synthesis.

Sclerotial formation of Polyporus umbellatus by low temperature treatment under artificial conditions.

Background: Polyporus umbellatus sclerotia have been used as a diuretic agent in China for over two thousand years. A shortage of the natural P. umbellatus has prompted researchers to induce sclerotial formation in the laboratory.

Anticancer and Immunopotentiating Activities of Crude Polysaccharides from Pleurotus nebrodensis on Mouse Sarcoma 180.

Pleurotus nebrodensis is an edible and commercially available mushroom in Korea. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the anticancer and immunopotentiating activities of crude polysaccharides, extracted in methanol, neutral saline, and hot water (hereafter referred to as Fr. MeOH, Fr.

Immunomodulating and Antitumor Activities of Panellus serotinus Polysaccharides.

This study was initiated in order to investigate the anticancer and immunomodulating activities of crude polysaccharides extracted in methanol, neutral saline, and hot water (hereinafter referred to as Fr. MeOH, Fr. NaCl, and Fr.

Antihyperlipidemic Effect of Dietary Lentinus edodes on Plasma, Feces and Hepatic Tissues in Hypercholesterolemic Rats.

We investigated diet supplementation with shiitake mushroom fruiting bodies on biochemical and histological changes in hypercholesterolemic rats. Six-wk old female Sprague-Dawley albino rats were divided into three groups of 10 rats each. A diet containing 5% Lentinus edodes fruiting bodies given to hypercholesterolemic rats reduced plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total lipid, phospholipids, and the LDL/high-density lipoprotein ratio by 34.

Assessment of Antioxidant and Phenolic Compound Concentrations as well as Xanthine Oxidase and Tyrosinase Inhibitory Properties of Different Extracts of Pleurotus citrinopileatus Fruiting Bodies.

Cellular damage caused by reactive oxygen species has been implicated in several diseases, thus establishing a significant role for antioxidants in maintaining human health. Acetone, methanol, and hot water extracts of Pleurotus citrinopileatus were evaluated for their antioxidant activities against β-carotene-linoleic acid and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, reducing power, ferrous ion-chelating abilities, and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities. In addition, the tyrosinase inhibitory effects and phenolic compound contents of the extracts were also analyzed.

Antioxidant Activities and Tyrosinase Inhibitory Effects of Different Extracts from Pleurotus ostreatus Fruiting Bodies.

We evaluated the antioxidant activity and tyrosinase inhibitory effects of Pleurotus ostreatus fruiting bodies extracted with acetone, methanol, and hot water. The antioxidant activities were tested against β-carotene-linoleic acid, reducing power, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity, and ferrous chelating ability. Furthermore, phenolic acid and flavonoid contents were also analyzed.

Vegetative Growth and Phylogenetic Relationship of Commercially Cultivated Strains of Pleurotus eryngii based on ITS sequence and RAPD.

Pleurotus eryngii, known as king oyster mushroom has been widely used for nutritional and medicinal purposes. This study was initiated to screen the suitable conditions for mycelial growth and to determine the phylogenetic relationship of the selected strains. Optimal mycelial growth was observed at 30℃ and minimum mycelial growth observed at 10℃.

Phylogenetic Relationship in Different Commercial Strains of Pleurotus nebrodensis Based on ITS Sequence and RAPD.

The molecular phylogeny in nine different commercial cultivated strains of Pleurotus nebrodensis was studied based on their internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and RAPD. In the sequence of ITS region of selected strains, it was revealed that the total length ranged from 592 to 614 bp. The size of ITS1 and ITS2 regions varied among the strains from 219 to 228 bp and 211 to 229 bp, respectively.

Identification of the Fungal Pathogen that Causes Strawberry Anthracnose in Bangladesh and Evaluation of In Vitro Fungicide Activity.

This study was conducted to identify the Colletotrichum species causing anthracnose disease of strawberry in Balgladesh and to evaluate in vitro activity of commercial fungicides it. Based on morphological and cultural characteristics, all 22 isolates were identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. They developed white or glittery colonies with grey to dark grey reverse colony colors and they produced cylindrical conidia.

Comparative effects of oyster mushrooms on lipid profile, liver and kidney function in hypercholesterolemic rats.

Comparative effects of oyster mushrooms on plasma and fecal lipid profiles and on liver and kidney function were evaluated in hyper and normocholesterolemic rats. Feeding of hypercholesterolemic rats a 5% powder of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus, P. sajor-caju and P.

Nutritional Analysis of Cultivated Mushrooms in Bangladesh - Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus sajor-caju, Pleurotus florida and Calocybe indica.

Mushroom cultivation has been started recently in Bangladesh. Awareness of the nutritional and medicinal importance of mushrooms is not extensive. In this study, the nutritional values of dietary mushrooms- Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus sajorcaju, Pleurotus florida and Calocybe indica that are very popular among the cultivated mushrooms in Bangladesh have been determined.

Introduction to Distribution and Ecology of Sterile Conks of Inonotus obliquus.

Inonotus obliquus is a fungus that causes white heart rot on several broad-leaved species. This fungus forms typical charcoal-black, sterile conks (chaga) or cinder conks on infected stems of the birche (Betula spp). The dark brown pulp of the sterile conk is formed by a pure mycelial mass of fungus.

Suitable Conditions for Mycelial Growth of Phellinus spp.

The fungus Phellinus is a mushroom that is widely used medicinally. The optimal conditions for mycelial growth of 13 strains of the fungus were investigated. Mycelial growth was optimal at 25℃ and was uniformly minimal at 15℃ and 35℃.

Degradation of three aromatic dyes by white rot fungi and the production of ligninolytic enzymes.

This study was conducted to evaluate the degradation of aromatic dyes and the production of ligninolytic enzymes by 10 white rot fungi. The results of this study revealed that Pycnoporus cinnabarinus, Pleurotus pulmonarius, Ganoderma lucidum, Trametes suaveolens, Stereum ostrea and Fomes fomentarius have the ability to efficiently degrade congo red on solid media. However, malachite green inhibited the mycelial growth of these organisms.

Vegetative Growth of Four Strains of Hericium erinaceus Collected from Different Habitats.

Vegetative growth of four different strains of Hericium erinaceus was observed. The temperature suitable for optimal mycelial growth was determined to be 25℃, with growth observed in the extend temperature range of 20~30℃. The different strains of this mushroom showed distinct pH requirements for their optimum vegetative growth, with the most favorable growth observed at pH 6.

Physicochemical Requirement for the Vegetative Growth of Schizophyllum commune Collected from Different Ecological Origins.

Schizophyllum commune is an edible and medicinal mushroom widely distributed in the world. The optimal growth conditions for the mycelia of 10 strains of the fungus were investigated. The temperature suitable for the mycelial growth and density was obtained at 30~35℃.

The Artificial Cultivation of Oudemansiella mucida on the Oak Sawdust Medium.

To produce fruiting bodies of Oudemansiella mucida, porcelain fungus, on the oak sawdust medium, additives suitable for the mycelial growth and fruiting body formation were screened. In general, the mycelial growth of the three strains of O. mucida used in this study have been good on oak sawdust mixed rice bran of 20~30%.

Chemical Components of Paecilomyces tenuipes (Peck) Samson.

The caterpillar-shaped Chinese medicinal mushroom (DongChongXiaCao) looks like a worm in the winter and like a grass in the summer. The fruiting body has been regarded as popular folk or effective medicines used to treat human diseases such as asthma, bronchial and lung inflammation, and kidney disease. The fruiting bodies of Paecilomyces tenuipes that formed on the living silkworm (Bombyx mori) host were used in this examination.

Biological Screening of a Novel Nickel (II) Tyrosine Complex.

A newly synthesized Nickel (II) tyrosine complex was screened as potential antimicrobial agent against a number of medically important bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus β-haemolytica, Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenterae) and fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium sp.) strains. were used for antifungal activity.

Genes Expressed During Fruiting Body Formation of Agrocybe cylindracea.

Agrocybe cylindracea, an edible mushroom belonging to Bolbitiaceae, Agaricales, is widely used as invaluable medicinal material in the oriental countries. This study was initiated to find the genes expressed during the fruiting body formation of A. cylindracea.

The Fruiting Body Formation of Armillaria mellea on Oak Sawdust Medium Covered with Ground Raw Carrots.

To produce an artificial fruiting body of Armillaria mellea on the oak sawdust medium, seven strains of A. mellea were used. The top surface of oak sawdust medium covered with ground raw carrot was inoculated with each of 7 strains and cultured for 30 days at 25℃ in the dark condition until the mycelia of A.

Seed Germination of Gastrodia elata Using Symbiotic Fungi, Mycena osmundicola.

The germination rate and longevity of seeds of Gastrodia elata Blume have been observed for 48 weeks using Mycena osmundicola strain H-21, one of fungi stimulating seed germination. Storage condition of post-harvest seeds was observed in the different temperature ranges of -30℃, -5℃, 5℃ and 30℃ for 48 weeks. After storage period of 48 weeks, the germination rate of G.