Probiotics in aquaculture hold promise for enhancing fish health and growth. Due to their increased specificity and affinity for their host, indigenous probiotics may offer isolated and potentially amplified benefits. This study investigated the effects of PH3-05, previously isolated from adults of tropical gar (), on the growth, survival, digestive enzyme activity, intestinal morphology, expression of barrier and immune genes, and intestinal microbiota composition in the larvae of tropical gar.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFungal growth on construction materials in tropical climates can degrade aesthetics and manifestations on modern and historical sick buildings, affecting the health of their inhabitants. This study synthesized ZnO nanoparticles with enhanced antifungal properties using a precipitation method. Different concentrations (25%, 50%, and 100%) of aqueous extract were used with Zn(NO)·6HO as the precursor to evaluate their spectroscopic, morphological, textural, and antifungal properties.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicroorganisms naturally colonize rock-based materials in outdoor environments, thereby contributing to their degradation. Fungi, especially in tropical environments with abundant water and favorable temperatures, play a significant role in biodegradation. However, many aspects of the microorganism-stone interaction, including fungal colonization dynamics and the impact of treatment applications, remain unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHalotolerant bacteria with biosurfactant (BS) and bioemulsifiers (BE) activity can coexist in Karstic sinkholes with marine influence. Two sinkholes in the Yucatan peninsula were selected to isolate bacteria with BE and BS activity stable in NaCl. The optimal time, the effect of nitrogen and carbon source in the medium, and the conditions (agitation, pH and salinity) for the production of BS and BE compounds in planktonic and sessile (stimulate the formation of biofilms in cell roller) culture were determined.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe humid tropical environment provides an ideal place for developing a high diversity of plants; this is why it is an interesting site for the enzymatic bioprospecting of fungi that are responsible for the recycling of organic matter in an efficient and accelerated way and whose enzymes could have multiple biotechnological applications. For this study, 1250 isolates of macroscopic and microscopic fungal morphotypes were collected from soil, leaf litter, and wood. One hundred and fifty strains (50 from each source) were selected for the enzymatic screening.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus) thrives in aquatic habitats with high levels of total nitrogen (TAN) and unionized ammonia (NH). However, the tolerance of TAN and NH, the excretion mechanisms involved, and the effects of these chemicals on routine metabolism are still unknown. Therefore, our objectives were to assess the acute toxicity of TAN and NH in A.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFZn is an essential trace metal in living beings. However, excessive concentrations can cause toxic effects even in the aquatic biota. Zn is widely used in different industrial sectors, which has increased its presence in aquatic environments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe increasing incidence of infections and resistance to current antifungal therapies has led to the search for new and more effective antifungal compounds. Actinobacterial species from the genus are recognized as some of the major producers of antimicrobial compounds. Therefore, the aims of this study were: (1) the identification of strains isolated from Mexican tropical acidic soils, (2) the evaluation of their antifungal activity on , and (3) the exploration of the presence of polyketide synthase genes in their genome and antifungal secondary metabolites in their extracts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe assembly of fungal communities on stone materials is mainly influenced by the differential bioreceptivity of such materials and environmental conditions. However, little is known about the role of fungal interactions in the colonization and establishment of fungal species. We analyzed the effects of intra- and interspecific interactions between 11 species of fungi in oligotrophic and copiotrophic media and on limestone coupons.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSoil and rock surfaces support microbial communities involved in mineral weathering processes. Using selective isolation, fungi were obtained from limestone surfaces of Mayan monuments in the semi-arid climate at Yucatan, Mexico. A total of 101 isolates representing 53 different taxa were studied.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA previously reported bacterial bioemulsifier, here termed microbactan, was further analyzed to characterize its lipid component, molecular weight, ionic character and toxicity, along with its bioemulsifying potential for hydrophobic substrates at a range of temperatures, salinities and pH values. Analyses showed that microbactan is a high molecular weight (700 kDa), non-ionic molecule. Gas chromatography of the lipid fraction revealed the presence of palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids; thus microbactan may be considered a glycolipoprotein.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe presence and deteriorating action of microbial biofilms on historic stone buildings have received considerable attention in the past few years. Among microorganisms, fungi are one of the most damaging groups. In the present work, antimicrobial surfaces were prepared using suspensions of Ca(OH)2 particles, mixed with ZnO or TiO2 nanoparticles.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA total of 82 fungal extracts were selected and screened against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and promastigotes of Leishmania mexicana strains. Results showed inhibitory activity in 29 % of the fungal strains against at least one of the targets tested. The most significant antituberculosis (antiTB) effects were presented by Cylindrocarpon sp.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLittle is known about the dynamics of succession of fungi on limestone exposed in subtropical environments. In this study, the colonization of experimental blocks of compact and porous limestone by a fungal community derived from natural biofilms occurring on Structure X from the archaeological site of Becán (México), was studied using a cultivation-dependent approach after short-term (9 m) exposure in order to provide a preliminary insight of the colonization process under seminatural conditions. Microbial growth seen as the change of colour of stone surfaces to black/dark green was more abundant on the porous limestone.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicrobial communities are ubiquitous in marine intertidal environments. These communities, which grow preferentially as biofilms on natural and artificial surfaces, carry out key processes contributing to the functioning of coastal environments and providing valuable services to human society, including carbon cycling, primary productivity, trophic linkage, and transfer and removal of pollutants. In addition, their surface-associated life style greatly influences the integrity and performance of marine infrastructure and archaeological heritage materials.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF