• Mycobiology
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.351-363
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• 2020

Here, we investigated fungal microbiota in the understory root layer of representative well-conserved geographically segregated natural wetlands in the Korean Peninsula. We obtained 574,143 quality fungal sequences in total from soil samples in three wetlands, which were classified into 563 operational taxonomic units (OTU), 5 phyla, 84 genera. Soil texture, total nitrogen, organic carbon, pH, and electrical conductivity of soil were variable between geographical sites. We found significant differences in fungal phyla distribution and ratio, as well as genera variation and richness between the wetlands. Diversity was greater in the Jangdo islands wetland than in the other sites (Chao richness/Shannon/Simpson's for wetland of the Jangdo islands: 283/6.45/0.97 > wetland of the Mt. Gariwang primeval forest: 169/1.17/0.22 > wetland of the Hanbando geology: 145/4.85/0.91), and this variance corresponded to the confirmed number of fungal genera or OTUs (wetlands of Jangdo islands: 42/283> of Mt. Gariwang primeval forest: 32/169> of the Hanbando geology: 25/145). To assess the uniqueness of the understory root layer fungus taxa, we analyzed fungal genera distribution. We found that the percentage of fungal genera common to two or three wetland sites was relatively low at 32.3%, while fungal genera unique to each wetland site was 67.7% of the total number of identified fungal species. The Jangdo island wetland had higher fungal diversity than did the other sites and showed the highest level of uniqueness among fungal genera (Is. Jangdo wetland: 34.5% > wetland of Mt. Gariwang primeval forest: 28.6% > wetland of the Hanbando geology: 16.7%).

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.219-227
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• 2023

This study was conducted to analyze the distribution and characteristics of fungal species in meju using the traditional method. Fungal distribution in meju was investigated using metagenomic and morphological analyses, based on which Aspergillus flavus/oryzae strains were identified as the dominant fungi in all meju samples, followed by Pichia, Rhizopus and Lichtheimia spp. As A. flavus/oryzae was dominant, we further evaluated the aflatoxin production ability and enzymatic activity of the isolates. Thin-layer chromatography and polymerase chain reaction revealed that the A. flavus/oryzae strains isolated from meju are non-aflatoxigenic fungi. Based on the analyses of amylase and protease activities, strains with high activities of amylase or protease were identified, which are proposed to be used as starters for meju fermentation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.327-333
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• 2012

Fungal endophytes were isolated from 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-year-old ginseng roots (Panax ginseng Meyer) cultivated in Korea. The isolated fungal endophytes were identified based on sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer and morphological characterization by microscopic observations. A total of 81 fungal endophytes were isolated from 24 ginseng roots. Fungal endophytes were classified into 9 different fungal species and 2 unknown species. Ginseng roots that were 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-years old were colonized by 2, 6, 8, and 5 species of fungal endophytes, respectively. While Phoma radicina was the most frequent fungal endophyte in 2-, 3-, and 4-year-old ginseng roots, Fusarium solani was the dominant endophyte in 1-year-old ginseng roots. The colonization frequencies (CF) varied with the host age. The CF were 12%, 40%, 31%, and 40% for 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-year-old ginseng roots, respectively. We found a variety of fungal endophytes that were distributed depending on the age of ginseng plants.

• Mycobiology
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.345-356
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• 2022

The fungal distribution, diversity, and load were analyzed in the geographically segregated island groundwater systems in Korea. A total of 79 fungal isolates were secured from seven islands and identified based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. They belonged to three phyla (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Chlorophyta), five classes, sixteen orders, twenty-two families, and thirty-one genera. The dominant phylum was Ascomycota (91.1%), with most fungi belonging to the Cladosporium (21.5%), Aspergillus (15.2%), and Stachybotrys (8.9%) genera. Cladosporium showed higher dominance and diversity, being widely distributed throughout the geographically segregated groundwater systems. Based on the diversity indices, the genera richness (4.821) and diversity (2.550) were the highest in the groundwater system of the largest scale. As turbidity (0.064-0.462) increased, the overall fungal count increased and the residual chlorine (0.089-0.308) had low relevance compared with the total count and fungal diversity. Cladosporium showed normal mycelial growth in de-chlorinated sterilized samples. Overall, if turbidity increases under higher fungal diversity, bio-deterioration in groundwater-supplying facilities and public health problems could be intensified, regardless of chlorine treatment. In addition to fungal indicators and analyzing methods, physical hydrostatic treatment is necessary for monitoring and controlling fungal contamination.

• Mycobiology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.150-159
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• 2017

This study analyzed the distribution of endophytic fungi in 3 coastal environments with different climatic, geographical, and geological characteristics: the volcanic islands of Dokdo, the East Sea, and the West Sea of Korea. The isolated fungal endophytes were characterized and analyzed with respect to the characteristics of their host environments. For this purpose, we selected common native coastal halophyte communities from three regions. Molecular identification of the fungal endophytes showed clear differences among the sampling sites and halophyte host species. Isolates were also characterized by growth at specific salinities or pH gradients, with reference to previous geographical, geological, and climate studies. Unlike the East Sea or West Sea isolates, some Dokdo Islands isolates showed endurable traits with growth in high salinity, and many showed growth under extremely alkaline conditions. A smaller proportion of West Sea coast isolates tolerate compared to the East Sea or Dokdo Islands isolates. These results suggest that these unique fungal biota developed through a close interaction between the host halophyte and their environment, even within the same halophyte species. Therefore, this study proposes the application of specific fungal resources for restoring sand dunes and salt-damaged agricultural lands and industrialization of halophytic plants.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.251-271
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• 2020

Diversity and community composition of bulb-associated fungi of Fritillaria Cirrhosae Bulbus source plants, which are used in traditional chinese medicine, in the eastern Himalaya-Hengduan Mountains, southwestern China, were estimated based on the internal transcribed spacer rDNA sequence analysis, using host plant species, geographic area, and plant phenology as variables. A total of 1,486 fungal sequences assigned to 251 operational taxonomical units (OTUs) were obtained from the bulbs. Fungal OTUs comprised 96.41% Ascomycotina, 3.52% Basidiomycotina, and 0.07% Zygomycotina. Sordariomycetes, Hypocreales, and Nectriaceae were the most frequent fungal lineages at each taxonomic rank. Fusarium, Ilyonectria, Tetracladium, Leptodontidium, and Tomentella were the top OTU-rich genera. Fusarium sp. 03, Ilyonectria rufa, Fusarium sp. 08, Ilyonectria sp. 03, and Leptodontidium orchidicola 03 represented the most frequent OTUs. Fusarium spp. were the most frequent general taxa. The distribution of fungal community exhibited preferences for host plant species, geographic area, and plant phenology. These findings are the foundation of our research on culturing and active metabolites of bulb-associated fungi of Fritillaria Cirrhosae Bulbus source plants.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.11
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• pp.51-79
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• 1998

Many higher fungi were collected at Korea from 1976 to 1998. They were identified and surveyed on resources with many reference books. According to the results, fungal fungi were 40 families, 90 general and 215 species. Among them , anti-cancer resources used in Korea were Ganoderma lucidum, Phellinus linteus, Agaricus brazei and Cordyceps militaris. Three species exception Agaricus brazei were distributed in Korea. All these are cultivated in Korea.

• Plant Resources
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 1999

Many higher fungi were collected at Korea from 1976 to 1998. They were identified and surveyed on resources with many reference books. According to the results, fungal fungi were 40 families, 90 genera and 215 species. Among them, anti-cancer resources used in Korea were Ganoderma lucidum, Phellinus linteus, Agaricus brazei and Cordyceps militaris. Three species exception Agaricus brazei were distributed in Korea. All these are cultivated in Korea.

• Mycobiology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 2016

Paclitaxel (taxol) has long been used as a potent anticancer agent for the treatment of many cancers. Ever since the fungal species Taxomyces andreanae was first shown to produce taxol in 1993, many endophytic fungal species have been recognized as taxol accumulators. In this study, we analyzed the taxol-producing capacity of different Colletotrichum spp. to determine the distribution of a taxol biosynthetic gene within this genus. Distribution of the taxadiene synthase (TS) gene, which cyclizes geranylgeranyl diphosphate to produce taxadiene, was analyzed in 12 Colletotrichum spp., of which 8 were found to contain the unique skeletal core structure of paclitaxel. However, distribution of the gene was not limited to closely related species. The production of taxol by Colletotrichum dematium, which causes pepper anthracnose, depended on the method in which the fungus was stored, with the highest production being in samples stored under mineral oil. Based on its distribution among Colletotrichum spp., the TS gene was either integrated into or deleted from the bacterial genome in a species-specific manner. In addition to their taxol-producing capacity, the simple genome structure and easy gene manipulation of these endophytic fungal species make them valuable resources for identifying genes in the taxol biosynthetic pathway.

• Mycobiology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2012

Very few studies have addressed the phylogenetic diversity of fungi from Northeast India under the Eastern Himalayan range. In the present study, an attempt has been made to study the phylogenetic diversity of culturable soil fungi along the altitudinal gradients of eastern Himalayas. Soil samples from 24 m above sea level to 2,000 m above sea level altitudes of North-East India were collected to investigate soil micro-fungal community structure and diversity. Molecular characterization of the isolates was done by PCR amplification of 18S rDNA using universal primers. Phylogenetic analysis using BLAST revealed variation in the distribution and richness of different fungal biodiversity over a wide range of altitudes. A total of 107 isolates were characterized belonging to the phyla Ascomycota and Zygomycota, corresponding to seven orders (Eurotiales, Hypocreales, Calosphaeriales, Capnodiales, Pleosporales, Mucorales, and Mortierellales) and Incertae sedis. The characterized isolates were analysed for richness, evenness and diversity indices. Fungal diversity had significant correlation with soil physico-chemical parameters and the altitude. Eurotiales and Hypocreales were most diverse and abundant group of fungi along the entire altitudinal stretch. Species of Penicillium (D=1.44) and Aspergillus (D=1.288) were found to have highest diversity index followed by Talaromyces (D=1.26) and Fusarium (D=1.26). Fungal distribution showed negative correlation with altitude and soil moisture content. Soil temperature, pH, humidity and ambient temperature showed positive correlation with fungal distribution.