Metabolite Profile of the Micromycete Lecanicillium gracile Isolated from Plaster and Limestone.

Lecanicillium gracile is a recently described micromycete species isolated from mineral-based building materials (plaster and limestone) in interiors of cultural heritage sites in Russia. In this work, the composition of L. gracile metabolites, as well as of the culture liquid, have been characterized.

Effects of Heavy Metals on the Metabolome of Pinus sylvestris (Pinaceae).

The effects of Cu, Ni, and Cd on the Pinus sylvestris metabolome was studied in experimental conditions by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Structural changes in plant metabolite network became detectable on day 6 of exposure to the metals, 3-6 days earlier than visual signs of toxicity developed. Differences at the metabolome level arose earlier in a control group of plants, and specific effects of particular metals on the plant metabolome became distinct on day 9.

Contribution to Studies on Rare Medicinal Mushroom Sparassis crispa (Agaricomycetes) in Culture and Its Production of Phenol Compounds under Various Cultivation Conditions.

Three Sparassis crispa strains from the Komarov Botanical Institute Basidiomycetes Culture Collection (LE-BIN) were studied on various agar and liquid media for growth and phenol compound production. On agar media, the strains produced crystals of various shapes and sizes that glowed in ultraviolet light and were visible to the naked eye. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, the crystals were identified as sparassol (methyl 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-6-methylbenzoate).

Microorganisms in Superficial Deposits on the Stone Monuments in Saint Petersburg.

The composition of superficial deposits in urban environment and their importance in the development of the lithobiotic community of microorganisms has been investigated. Polyols, organic acids, mono- and disaccharides, as well as some amino acids, are the predominant low molecular weight organic components in superficial deposits, although the conditions on the stone surface are undoubtedly oligotrophic. Superficial deposits accumulate heavy metals, including Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd, in surface sediments, among which the potentially toxic elements Zn, Cu, and Pb are accumulated in rather high concentrations.

Cultural and Metabolomic Studies of a New Phtalides Producer, Lignomyces vetlinianus (Agaricomycetes).

Culture characteristics and metabolomic profiling (on the basis of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) of 3 strains of Lignomyces vetlinianus were studied. Growth rate, macromorphology, and micromorphology of mycelia grown on various media are described. More than 60 compounds were detected in the mycelial extracts, including amino acids, organic acids that are active during the tricarboxylic acid cycle, sugars, fatty acids, sugar alcohols, and sugar acids.

[Formation of organic acids by fungi isolated from the surface of stone monuments].

Capacity of the fungi isolated from the surface of stone monuments for acid formation was studied in cultures under various carbon sources and cultivation conditions. The composition of organic nutrients was adjusted according to the results of investigation of the surface layers from the monuments in urban environment. The primary soil formed at the surface of the stone monuments under urban conditions was shown to contain a variety of carbon and nitrogen sources and is a rich substrate for fungal growth.

Organic acids induce tolerance to zinc- and copper-exposed fungi under various growth conditions.

Heavy metals, Zn and Cu, in high concentration (2 mM for Zn and 0.5 mM for Cu) have some inhibiting effect on the growth of Aspergillus niger and Penicillium citrinum. Toxic effects of these metals considerably depend on cultivation conditions including nitrogen sources, pH of nutrient media, and its consistency (presence or absence of agar).