Molecular and morphological characterization of Xylaria karsticola (Ascomycota) isolated from the fruiting body of Macrolepiota procera (Basidiomycota) from Bulgaria.

The present study is the first to report Xylaria karsticola isolated from the basidiocarp of Macrolepiota procera (Basidiomycota), from Stara Planina Mountain, Bulgaria and second report for such species found in Europe. The fungal isolate was in vitro cultivated and the morphology was observed. It was primarily determined as a xylariaceous morphotype at the intragenus level, based on the evaluation of colony growth rate, color, and stromatic structure formation and was confirmed by unique conidiophores and conidia.

Bioactive Metabolites from the Fruiting Body and Mycelia of Newly-Isolated Oyster Mushroom and Their Effect on Smooth Muscle Contractile Activity.

Higher basidiomycetes are recognized as functional foods due to their bioactive compound content, which exerts various beneficial effects on human health, and which have been used as sources for the development of natural medicines and nutraceuticals for centuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the biological potential of basidiocarp and mycelial biomass produced by submerged cultivation of a new regionally isolated oyster mushroom. The strain was identified with a high percentage of confidence (99.

Waste Rose Flower and Lavender Straw Biomass-An Innovative Lignocellulose Feedstock for Mycelium Bio-Materials Development Using Newly Isolated GA1M.

In this study, for the first time, the potential of rose flowers and lavender straw waste biomass was studied as feeding lignocellulose substrates for the cultivation of newly isolated in Bulgaria GA1M with the objective of obtaining myceliumbased biocomposites. The chemical characterization and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy established that the proximate composition of steam distilled lavender straw (SDLS) and hexane extracted rose flowers (HERF) was a serious prerequisite supporting the selfgrowth of mycelium biomaterials with improved antibacterial and aromatic properties. The basic physicomechanical properties of the developed biocomposites were determined.

Isolation and Characterization of Lactic Acid Bacteria and Yeasts from Typical Bulgarian Sourdoughs.

Traditional sourdoughs in Bulgaria were almost extinct during the centralized food production system. However, a rapidly developing trend of sourdough revival in the country is setting the demand for increased production and use of commercial starter cultures. The selection of strains for such cultures is based on geographical specificity and beneficial technological properties.