Mycology Applications The World of Fungi What are

Mycology Applications: The World of Fungi

What are Fungi? Ø Kingdom Fungi l l l Macroscopic (mushrooms) and Microscopic (filamentous fungi and yeasts) Heterotrophic (Feed by absorption ) Saprophytic (Obtain /recycle organic nutrients from decomposing matter) Parasitic (Feed off other organisms) No Chlorophyll, cell walls contain chitin Non-motile

Kingdom Fungi Basidiomycetes Zygomycetes Ascomycetes Deuteromycetes

Mold!

Mold: multicellular: (hyphae), exospores

Molds: Filamentous Fungi

Real World: How does Fungi Affect us?

Ø Mycorrhizae (favorable) Fungi in Agriculture Attach to plant root structures: Help plants l absorb nutrients, water Ø Compost Degraders (favorable) l Ø Degrade plant matter. Return nutrients to the soil Plant Pathogens: Crop Damage (unfavorable) l l l Leaf Blights Fruit Blights Rusts, Smuts, Mildews

Micorrhizal Roots (Note Morphology)

Fungi Affecting Wood / Building Materials Ø Lumber / Wood Degradation l White Rot (degrades lignin and cellulose) • Ascomycetes • Basidiomycetes l Brown Rot (degrades lignin only) • Basidiomycetes

Fungi In Bioremediation Fungi effective in mineralizing waste chemicals in industrial processes Ø Chemicals: Ø l VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) • Toluene • Acetone l PAH (poly-aromatic hydrocarbons) Biolasagna: La. Beau, 2000

White Rot Fungi In Bioremediation Ø Kotterman, et al 1998

Fungi and Indoor Air Quality Fungi growing in quantity indoors may lead to health issues Ø Causes: Ø l l Water Damaged materials- (good substrate for fungi growth) Poor Ventilation Faulty HVAC High Humidity

Fungi and Indoor Air Quality Ø SBS (Sick Building Syndrome) l l High Levels of fungal spores may cause worker related health problems Affects Schools, Businesses, Residential and Commercial Buildings

Fungi and Health Ø Antibiotics l Ø Penicillin (produced by Penicillium chrysogenum Fungal Infections l Topical (Athletes Foot) • Tinea pedis l Systemic • • • Coccidioides Blastomycetes Histoplasma

Identification of Fungi Ø Classical: Macroscopic, Microscopic l Slide Morphology: • Hyphal structure, conidia, spore shape l Plate morphology • • • Color Surface texture Edge

Today’s Lab Ø Examine Brown Rot fungi, White rot fungi (Important in building materials and crop blights) macroscopically and microscopically Ø Examine Peach Mummies and leaf blights found in field Ø ID Deuteromycetes using picture keys, agar plates and microscopes