The escalating demand for sustainable pest management strategies has intensified research interest in entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), particularly regarding their taxonomic diversity and biocontrol potential in tropical ecosystems. However, only a limited number of comprehensive surveys that combine molecular phylogenetics with functional characterization have been conducted in Asia. In the present study, we collected mycosed insect cadavers from forest areas in Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand. Morphological characteristics and multilocus phylogenetic analysis were conducted to facilitate proper species identification. Fungal isolates were further screened for proteolytic, chitinolytic, and lipolytic activities using a preliminary whole-plate assay. Further, a larval mortality bioassay using the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor, was performed to confirm pathogenicity and assess the insecticidal potential of the fungal isolate under controlled laboratory conditions. In the field, seven insect cadavers infected with six different EPF species were collected. The collected fungal isolations were identified as Beauveria asiatica, B. bassiana, Clonostachys rogersoniana, Cordyceps blackwelliae, two strains of C. tenuipes, and Purpureocillium takamizusanense. For the enzymatic assay, C. tenuipes (MFLUCC 25-0373) has the highest chitinolytic activity, while P. takamizusanense (MFLUCC 25-0376) showed the highest proteolytic activity. In addition, Cl. Rogersoniana (MFLUCC 25-0379), C. tenuipes (MFLUCC 25-0373), and P. takamizusanense (MFLUCC 25-0376) showed higher and similar lipolytic activity. Notably, no single isolate in this study exhibited detectable activity for all three enzymes. Except for B. bassiana (MFLUCC 25-0375) and C. blackwelliae (MFLUCC 25-0377), which showed chitinolytic and proteolytic activity, respectively, all other isolates demonstrated activity for at least two of the three key enzymes. Most fungal isolates induced initial larval mortality by the third day post-exposure; however, virulence levels varied over time. Notably, no clear correlation was observed between enzyme activity and larval virulence, suggesting that fungal pathogenicity is a multifactorial process not merely dependent on extracellular enzymatic activity. Therefore, here, cumulative larval mortality was considered the primary criterion for candidate selection for future biocontrol formulation development, under which B. bassiana (MFLUCC 25-0375) was identified as the most suitable candidate, exhibiting the highest virulence.

This study explores the potential of integrating agro-wastes with bamboo biochar to develop optimized substrates for cultivating Lentinus squarrosulus, aiming to enhance mycelial growth, productivity, nutritional quality, and economic returns. The chemical characterization revealed clear contrasts between sawdust and corn dust, where sawdust provided a carbon-rich but nitrogen-limited structure, while corn dust offered a greater nutrient availability. When formulated into mixed substrates, particularly at a 50:50 ratio, a more balanced physicochemical profile was achieved, improving substrate suitability for fungal growth. The incorporation of biochar (1–10%) further enhanced substrate performance by improving porosity, nutrient retention, and pH stability. Among treatments, mixed substrates supplemented with 5–10% biochar exhibited the highest mycelial growth rates and dense colonization, significantly reducing contamination rates. These conditions facilitated production cycles, with earlier primordia formation and harvesting compared to single-substrate systems. Yield performance was markedly improved in mixed formulations, especially those containing 1–5% biochar, which produced the highest fruiting body numbers, weights, and total yields. Biological efficiency exceeded 99% in optimal treatments, indicating highly efficient substrate conversion. Nutritional analysis demonstrated that substrate composition also influenced mushroom quality, with corn dust enhancing protein content, while mixed substrates promoted balanced fiber, carbohydrate, and energy profiles. Economic evaluation confirmed that integrating agro-wastes with moderate biochar levels significantly increased profitability, with the 50:50 sawdust–corn dust formulation supplemented with 5% biochar yielding the highest returns. Overall, this study highlights that strategic substrate design, balancing lignocellulosic structure, nutrient availability, and physicochemical properties, can substantially improve mushroom productivity and economic viability.

Open-field burning of agricultural residues is a persistent environmental challenge that contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and the loss of valuable biomass resources. This study developed sustainable mushroom cultivation substrates by replacing 50% of conventional sawdust with locally available agricultural residues, including corn stalks, rice straw, sugarcane leaves, and leaf litter, to reduce production costs, enhance mushroom productivity, and promote circular bioeconomy practices. The physicochemical properties, mycelial growth, contamination, yield performance, nutritional composition, economic feasibility, and environmental benefits of the alternative substrates were evaluated using Lentinus sajor-caju and Pleurotus species. Among the tested formulations, corn stalk-based substrates exhibited the most favorable characteristics, with improved nitrogen availability and a more balanced C/N ratio, resulting in faster colonization, lower contamination, quicker fruiting body formation period, and superior biological efficiency. The corn stalk formulation achieved the highest productivity across species, including biological efficiencies of 61.99% for L. sajor-caju, 102.79% for P. cornucopiae, 99.40% for P. ostreatus, and 101.96% for P. pulmonarius. In addition, alternative substrates maintained or enhanced mushroom nutritional quality, with high protein (18.22–31.37%), dietary fiber (up to 30.58%), and low-fat contents (1.11–1.95%). Economic analysis demonstrated that a 50:50 sawdust-biomass substitution strategy substantially reduced substrate costs, achieving approximately 30% savings at industrial production scales. Overall, this study demonstrates that converting agricultural residues into high-value mushroom substrates provides an effective strategy to improve production efficiency, reduce costs, and advance sustainable mushroom cultivation systems.

Acute non-typhoidal salmonellosis (NTS) from non-typhoidal Salmonella remains a major cause of foodborne bacterial gastroenteritis, and non-antibiotic interventions are needed to combat multidrug-resistant NTS. Bioactive compounds from edible mushroom extracts have shown both direct and indirect antimicrobial activities on Salmonella. However, the variation in their antimicrobial activity could be due to several factors, including the extract's form and strain. This study investigated the ability of crude exopolysaccharides (EPs) produced by Schizophyllum commune CMU-01 to limit Salmonella infection in vitro. Agar well diffusion and liquid culture were used to determine the direct anti-Salmonella activity of S. commune EPs, while the gentamicin protection assay and qPCR in human gut epithelium (T84 cells) and murine macrophages (RAW264.7 cells) were used to investigate its indirect (immunomodulatory) activity. Our data reveal that S. commune EPs do not confer the direct antimicrobial property against Salmonella. However, its immunomodulatory activity in two important components of the gut innate defense (the gut epithelium and macrophages) against Salmonella infection has been demonstrated. S. commune EPs reduce Salmonella gut epithelial cell invasion and activate macrophages toward M1 (inflammatory phenotype) polarization, resulting in the reduction in intracellular Salmonella burdens. Alterations in proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine gene expressions were also detected in S. commune EPs-treated cells. These findings suggest that the host innate immune response to fungal exopolysaccharides derived from S. commune CMU-01 favors reducing Salmonella proliferation within host cells by altering the expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines.

The development of sustainable and efficient plant growth substrates is crucial for modern agriculture. This study assessed the potential of plant pellets formulated from various lignocellulosic residues, either with or without bamboo biochar (BB-char) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), to support seed germination and early seedling growth. Four types of residues, including coconut coir (CO), corn cob (CC), leaves from the genus Dipterocarpus (DL), and teak leaves (TL), were combined with soil and paper waste to produce eight pellet formulations, with commercial peat pellets serving as a control. Chemical analyses revealed significant variation among the pellet types, with pH values ranging from 6.40 to 7.65, electrical conductivity (EC) from 3.64 to 11.62 mS cm-1, and differences in organic matter, carbon, and nutrient contents [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K)], reflecting the influence of residue type and the addition of BB-char and AMF. Phytotoxicity screening using aqueous extracts demonstrated species-specific responses, with cucumber exhibiting high tolerance across treatments, whereas chili seeds were more sensitive. Final germination percentage (FGP) and seedling growth assays in greenhouse conditions showed that pellets derived from CC and CO, particularly when combined with BB-char and AMF (T6 and T7), enhanced shoot and root development in carrot, chili, cucumber, and tomato, approaching the performance of commercial peat pellets. In contrast, DL- and TL-based pellets resulted in lower germination and growth. These findings indicate that both the physicochemical properties of lignocellulosic wastes and the combination of BB-char and AMF are important factors influencing pellet efficacy, highlighting the potential of CC- and CO-based pellets as sustainable peat alternatives for early-stage plant cultivation.

The increasing reliance on petroleum-based packaging materials has raised environmental concerns related to waste accumulation, microplastic pollution, and carbon emissions, driving the search for sustainable alternatives. This study investigated the use of Lentinus sajor-caju mycelium combined with agricultural residues, namely corn husk and rice straw, to develop mycelium-based biocomposites (MBCs) for eco-friendly egg packaging applications. The development process involved substrate preparation, mycelium cultivation, mold forming, and controlled drying, followed by comprehensive assessment of the properties and functional packaging performance. The resulting MBCs exhibited higher densities of 179.08–202.86 kg/m3 and compressive strengths of 0.249–0.492 MPa than polyurethane (PU) foam (19.43 kg/m3 and 0.032 MPa, respectively). These improvements were supported by the formation of dense mycelial-lignocellulosic networks observed using scanning electron microscopy. Although water absorption and volumetric swelling were greater than those of PU foam, these characteristics may provide additional cushioning by absorbing leaked liquid when eggs crack. Biodegradability tests demonstrated rapid decomposition of the MBCs under soil burial conditions, with weight losses of 48.08–54.38%, whereas PU foam showed only 1.86% degradation. Functional egg protection was confirmed through drop, bounce, and free-fall impact tests, in which the mycelium-based egg packaging reduced egg damage by nearly 2.5 times compared with plastic packaging. Its protective performance was comparable to cardboard, while exhibiting 1.8–2.0-fold lower rebound than PU foam, indicating superior impact energy absorption. Overall, these findings demonstrate that fungal mycelium and agricultural residues can be integrated to produce functional, biodegradable egg packaging that effectively balances mechanical performance with environmental sustainability.

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are widely recognized as effective and environmentally sustainable biological control agents for a broad spectrum of agricultural insect pests. The increasing complexity and intensification of contemporary agricultural systems require the identification and development of more virulent and resilient fungal strains to ensure consistent pest suppression. In this study, ten EPF isolates representing Beauveria bassiana, Cordyceps javanica, and Metarhizium anisopliae were selected based on preliminary laboratory screens, and the insecticidal effectiveness of these isolates was tested against the mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi, along with the direct and interactive effects of plasma-activated water (PAW). Here, the PAW was generated using a surface dielectric barrier discharge (sDBD) plasma system, producing highly acidic water enriched with reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Direct and daily application of PAW at concentrations of 50, 100, and 1,000 ppm resulted in complete aphid mortality within seven days at all tested concentrations. Conidial germination assays showed that lower PAW concentrations had less effect, whereas higher concentrations significantly inhibited germination. In certain isolates, the combined application of 100 ppm PAW and EPF produced greater aphid control than single EPF treatments. Overall, a single application of EPF achieved 87.67% aphid control, whereas the combined treatment achieved 99.67% mortality. Based on Lethal Time (LT50) values, C. javanica SLLC-Cj 24 (single application average 6.93 days; combined application average 6.60 days) was the most virulent strain, followed by SLLC-Cj 11 (single application average 7.17 days; combined application average 6.65 days). Among the tested fungal strains, B. bassiana SLLC-Bb 12 demonstrated the strongest synergistic interaction with PAW, followed by C. javanica SLLC-Cj 1. These findings demonstrate that PAW possesses intrinsic insecticidal activity and can enhance overall mortality when integrated with EPF. However, isolate- or strain-specific interactions may influence mortality and infection rates, highlighting the need to select fungal cultures, optimize concentration, and exposure parameters for synergistic biocontrol strategies.

Zebra plant (Calathea zebrina [Sims] Lindl.) is widely grown in China as a valuable houseplant. In August 2025, anthracnose was observed in a landscape garden in Shenzhen (22°35'55"N, 113°59'21"E), Guangdong Province. An ~900 m2 survey found ~50% of plants infected, with 20 to 50% of the leaf area showing necrotic lesions. Initial symptoms appeared as small yellow spots on the leaves, which gradually enlarged and elongated into irregular lesions, 0.4 to 5 × 0.2 to 2 cm. The spots became dark brown with a yellow halo, and the affected leaves withered and died. Ten diseased plants were collected, and each leaf segment (5 × 5 mm2) from the lesion margins was disinfected with 1% NaClO for 1 min and 70% ethanol for 30 s, washed with sterile distilled water, placed on PDA and incubated at 25 °C. After 3 days, three fungal strains (MBSZU 25-052 to 25-054) exhibiting similar morphology were obtained, with an isolation frequency of 75% from 20 tissue samples. Colonies on PDA reached 85 to 90 mm after one week at 25 °C, white with cottony mycelia, raised with an entire margin, and with a white reverse. Appressoria were oval to irregular, dark brown to black, and 6 to 14 × 4.5 to 8 µm. Conidiophores were septate, branched, and hyaline to brown. Conidiogenous cells were cylindrical to ampulliform, hyaline, and 6 to 30 × 1.8 to 4 µm. Conidia were hyaline, one-celled, cylindrical, ends rounded, aseptate, smooth-walled, guttulate, and 10 to 15 × 4.1 to 5.8 µm (n = 50). Morphologically, all strains resembled Colletotrichum spp. (Weir et al. 2012). ITS, ACT, CAL, CHS-1, TUB2, GAPDH, and ApMat genes were amplified using the primer pairs ITS5/ITS4, ACT-512F/ACT-783R, CL1C/CL2C, CHS-79F/CHS-345R, T1/T22, GDF1/GDR1, and AMF1/AMR1, respectively (Silva et al. 2012; Weir et al. 2012) and deposited in GenBank (ITS: PX363174 to PX363176; ACT: PX393134 to PX393136; CAL: PX393137 to PX393139; CHS-1: PX393140 to PX393142; TUB2: PX393143 to PX393145; GAPDH: PX393146 to PX393148; ApMat: PX401953 to PX401955). BLAST analysis revealed that the ITS, ACT, CAL, CHS-1, TUB2, GAPDH, and ApMat sequences matched C. tropicale (CBS 124949) with similarities of 99.65, 99.64, 98.73, 98.66, 99.71, 97.87, and 99.88%, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed that all strains as C. tropicale. To test pathogenicity, both wounded and unwounded healthy leaves were used in this experiment. All leaves were wiped with 0.1% NaClO and rinsed three times with sterile water. A conidial suspension (15 µl of 106 conidia/ml) from 2-week-old cultures was applied to each leaf using the attached leaf assay. Control leaves were mock-inoculated with sterile distilled water. Each treatment was performed with ten replicate plants and repeated twice. Plants were incubated at 25 °C under a relative humidity of 80 to 85%. After seven days, all inoculated leaves developed brown lesions with yellow halos, consistent with those observed in the field, whereas the control leaves remained asymptomatic. C. tropicale was reisolated and confirmed by morphology and DNA sequencing, thereby fulfilling Koch’s postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf anthracnose on C. zebrina caused by C. tropicale in China and worldwide. C. tropicale has a wide host range in tropical regions (Jayawardena et al. 2021). This finding highlights a potential threat to the cultivation of this widely grown ornamental plant in China and other tropical regions, emphasizing the need for monitoring and management strategies to prevent economic and aesthetic losses.

Arthrinium-like fungi in the family Apiosporaceae are taxonomically complex and still require a thorough characterization despite recent phylogenetic reassessments. This study aimed to investigate the diversity and taxonomic position of endophytic Arthrinium-like fungi associated with Itea japonica and I. riparia in Thailand. Two fungal strains discovered from healthy stems of these hosts were characterized by integrative approaches including morphology, multi-locus phylogenetic analyses based on ITS, LSU, TEF1-α, TUB2 sequence data, and nucleotide base–pair comparisons. One isolate from I. japonica is introduced as Nigrospora iteae sp. nov. supported by distinct morphological traits, a well-resolved phylogenetic placement, and significant nucleotide difference from its closest relatives. The second isolate was identified as Apiospora vietnamensis and is reported herein as a new host record for I. riparia based on morphological congruence, a close phylogenetic relationship, and TUB2 nucleotide similarity with the type strain. In addition, a new species, Apiospora fici, originally described from dead leaves of Ficus septica in Taiwan, is reclassified based on updated phylogenetic analyses to clarify its taxonomic placement within Apiosporaceae. Furthermore, Nigrospora wurfbainiae nom. nov. is proposed as a replacement name for the later homonym N. guangdongensis. A summary of important morphological characteristics, host relationships, current distribution, and biological activities of Nigrospora species is provided. This study emphasizes the previously unrecognized fungal diversity within Itea hosts and offers new insights into species diversity and phylogenetic relationships within the Apiosporaceae.

Cannabis sativa L. is a multipurpose plant widely cultivated for fiber, food, medicinal products, and the production of bioactive compounds, including psychoactive cannabinoids. Fungal endophytes are a promising source of antimicrobial compounds used for biological control and sustainable crop production. However, the fungal endophytes associated with C. sativa have been poorly investigated, and their biological activities are still largely unexplored. Thus, this study aimed to identify fungal endophytes from C. sativa (marijuana and hemp biotypes) and to screen for their antagonistic activities against some plant pathogens. Based on ITS sequence analysis, a total of 103 fungal endophyte isolates (21 genera) were preliminarily identified from both biotypes, including 62 isolates (13 genera) from hemp and 41 isolates (nine genera) from marijuana. Fusarium was the dominant genus found in hemp (45%), while Nigrospora was the dominant genus isolated from marijuana (32%). Ten selected fungal endophytes were evaluated for in vitro antagonistic activity against four bacterial pathogens, Pectobacterium spp. (PC 01 and PC 02) and Ralstonia solanacearum (RA 01 and RA 02), and four fungal pathogens, Fusarium solani (FU 01), F. oxysporum (FU 02), and Sclerotium sp. (SC 01 and SC 02), all of which are causal agents of potato diseases. Among the tested fungal endophytes, Colletotrichum sp. (SLLC-M24) and Nigrospora sp. (SLLC-H15) exhibited the strongest antifungal activity against Fusarium spp. (FU 01 and FU 02), with inhibition rates ranging from 56 to 64%. In addition, Pestalotiopsis sp. (SLLC-H5) demonstrated effective antibacterial activity against all tested bacterial pathogens, producing inhibition zones ranging from 19 to 23 mm. This finding represents an important step toward discovering novel and promising endophytes associated with Cannabis and their biological control potential for utilization in sustainable agriculture.

Itea is an economically and medicinally important plant, widely distributed across China, Japan and Southeast Asia, noted for producing rare sugars. Despite this, endophytic fungi associated with this plant remain poorly studied. This study focuses on the taxonomy and phylogeny of fungi isolated from healthy tissues of Itea japonica and I. riparia in Northern Thailand. By incorporating morphology, multiloci phylogenetic analyses and nucleotide polymorphism comparison, we establish two novel species, Diaporthe iteae ( Diaporthaceae , Sordariomycetes ) and Neptunomyces iteae ( Didymosphaeriaceae , Dothideomycetes ) as well as report a new host and a new geographical record for Diaporthe coracoralinae . Diaporthe iteae sp. nov . was collected from I. japonica , and is recognized within the Diaporthe siamensis species complex (section Sojae ). In addition, D. coracoralinae is reported on I. japonica in Thailand for the first time, occupying a position within section Sojae with an undetermined species complex. Neptunomyces iteae sp. nov . was collected from I. riparia and is classified within the family Didymosphaeriaceae . Updated phylogenetic trees and comprehensive morphological comparisons with closely related taxa are provided and discussed for better resolution of species delimitation. This study enhances our understanding of fungal diversity on Itea , and provides a taxonomic foundation for future biodiversity, ecological and applied studies.

Cannabis sativa L., widely known as hemp or cannabis, has been cultivated for centuries and also legalized in several countries around the world. In Thailand, permits to use cannabis only for medical and licensed purposes are allowed, and hemp (tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] < 0.2%), is legal for general use. The rapid expansion of hemp cultivation has increased the crop's susceptibility to fungal diseases. Species of the genus Fusarium are major phytopathogens, although they may also exist as endophytes. During a survey of pathogenic fungi in Northern Thailand, diseased stems of C. sativa were collected, from which a novel Fusarium species, F. flavens sp. nov., was isolated. Identification was performed using both morphological features and analyses of DNA sequence data. Phylogenetic trees were constructed based on analyses of combined dataset of the translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1-α), RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2), and calmodulin (cal) gene regions. A combined taxonomic approach of morphological comparisons and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses confirmed the distinctiveness of the species. Pathogenicity was assessed by inoculating spore suspensions and mycelium plugs on hemp leaves, stems, and seedlings. Typical symptoms were reproduced, including leaf and stem wilting and root rot. Re-isolation and re-identification of the same fungus confirmed Koch's postulates. Based on this comprehensive approach, F. flavens was identified as the causal agent of stem and root rot in hemp. This study highlights the significance of F. flavens as a novel pathogen of hemp and emphasizes the importance of integrating morphology, molecular phylogenetics, and pathogenicity tests to clarify its role in hemp diseases.

Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.) are widely cultivated due to their high nutritional value and bioactive compounds with health-promoting properties. However, the fruiting body developmental stage significantly influences the centesimal composition and bioactive compound levels. This study examined the centesimal composition and bioactive properties of five commercial oyster mushroom species (P. citrinopileatus, P. cornucopiae, P. djamor, P. ostreatus, and P. pulmonarius) cultivated in northern Thailand at three maturation stages (young, middle, and mature). The centesimal composition; polysaccharide, ergothioneine, and phenolic compound contents; antioxidant activity; and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity were analyzed. The results showed that the centesimal composition and polysaccharide content increased as the mushrooms matured in all species. The middle stage consistently exhibited the highest levels of ergothioneine, total phenolics, and individual phenolic compounds in all five species. Twelve phenolic compounds were identified, with 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, trans-cinnamic acid, and trans-o-coumaric acid being predominant. All extracts exhibited antioxidant activity, according to the 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, with the highest activity found at the middle stage. This is the first paper to report the ergothioneine content and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity in P. cornucopiae and P. djamor. These findings demonstrate that harvest timing can be optimized to maximize either the nutritional content (mature stage) or bioactive compound content for functional food applications (middle stage), offering a better understanding of the developmental phases at which mushrooms have the greatest health and technological potential. Furthermore, this knowledge provides practical guidance for growers seeking to target specific markets for high nutritional value foods based on consumer demand and for functional food developers aiming to maximize health-promoting properties.

This article is the 19th contribution to the fungal diversity notes series, in which 106 taxa distributed in 3 phyla, 11 classes, 35 orders, and 64 families are treated. Taxa described in the present study include a new family, 5 new genera, 69 new species, 3 new combinations, 25 new host, habitat, and geographical records, a new name, a new collection, as well as reinstating a previously suppressed genus. The newly established family is Parasporidesmiaceae and the five new genera described herein are Dematiodidymosporum, Neoacrogenospora, Parasporidesmium, Speluncomyces, and Uniomyces. The 69 new species are Acrocalymma triseptatum, Agaricus darjeelingensis, Annellophorella aquatica, Anteaglonium menghaiense, Balsamia microspora, Bambusicola dehongensis, Barriopsis menglaense, Benjaminiomyces bergonzoi, Camporesiomyces aquaticus, Camporesiomyces wurfbainiae, Cercospora palmata, Chrysomphalina cantharella, Colletotrichum heteropanacicola, Conioscypha guizhouensis, Conioscypha yadongensis, Cora dalfornoae, Cylindromonium brasiliense, Dematiodidymosporum aquaticum, Distoseptispora dinghuensis, Distoseptispora zunyiensis, Ebollia neocarnea, Eudimeromyces aequatorialis, Eudimeromyces euconni, Funalia indica, Fuscosporella ovalis, Fuscosporella yunnanensis, Halobasidium csapodyae, Halokirschsteiniothelia hunanensis, Hongkongmyces xishuangbannaensis, Inocybe ispartaensis, Laboulbenia neofrancoisiana, Lachnella kunmingensis, Lasmenia thailandica, Leptospora cannabini, Lycoperdon sridharii, Myxospora neomasonii, Natipusilla aquatica, Neoacrogenospora aquatica, Neomassaria sinensis, Neovaginatispora juglandis, Niesslia yunnanensis, Ophiocordyceps aseptatospora, Oxneriaria sheosarensis, Paramicrosphaeropsis vitis, Paramyrothecium strychni, Parapaucispora aquatica, Parasporidesmium aquaticum, Parmelia neosaxatilis, Periconia bambusicola, Periconia neohongheensis, Peroneutypa thailandica, Polyozellus albus, Porina magnoliae, Porostereum subspadiceum, Pseudosperma subvolvatum, Pseudothyridariella caseariae, Rhexocercosporidium ferulae, Russula rubroglutinata, Septoriella iranica, Seriascoma asexuale, Sesquicillium flavum, Sirastachys zhongkaiensis, Speluncomyces lunatus, Sporidesmiella yunnanensis, Striaticonidium xishuangbannaensis, Trametopsis indica, Tulostoma hyderabadensis, Uniomyces hakkeijimanus, and Virgaria guizhouensis. The three new combinations are Lycoperdon alpinum, Lycoperdon lloydii, and Lycoperdon macrogemmae. The 25 new records comprise Acremonium sclerotigenum, Agroathelia rolfsii, Alfaria terrestris, Aspergillus cejpii, Colletotrichum brevisporum, Coriolopsis brunneoleuca, Coriolopsis hainanensis, Cytospora tamaricicola, Fomitopsis malicola, Fulvifomes fastuosus, Fulvifomes thailandicus, Funalia cystidiata, Funalia subgallica, Longididymella vitalbae, Lopharia mirabilis, Metarhizium viridulum, Neopestalotiopsis haikouensis, Occultibambusa aquatica, Phaeoacremonium scolyti, Phaeocytostroma virdimurae, Puccinia mysuruensis, Rhizopus stolonifer, Serpula similis, Trametes ellipsospora, and Vamsapriya shiwandashanensis. In addition, the new name is Irpiciporus pseudoxuchilensis, and the new collection is Aspergillus sydowii. The previously suppressed genus Eudimeromyces has been taxonomically reinstated.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a major economic crop and a staple food in Asian countries, especially Thailand. Various fungi, including endophytes, are associated with rice and play a significant role in its growth and health. Endophytic xylarialean species are known for their diverse potential roles; however, limited information is available about this group of fungi in relation to rice. Two new species (Microdochium oryzicola and Nemania oryzae) and three new host records (Apiospora intestini, A. mukdahanensis, and Nemania primolutea) on rice are introduced in this study. Species identification was based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of the combined internal transcribed spacers (ITS), 28S ribosomal RNA (LSU), RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2), β-tubulin (tub2), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-α) loci. Descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic analysis results of the new species and new records are provided.

This study demonstrates the successful valorization of spent mushroom substrate (SMS), an abundant agricultural waste, into crystalline cellulose for advanced food packaging applications. A deep eutectic solvent (DES)-based microwave-assisted pretreatment was developed to extract and enhance cellulose crystallinity from SMS. Using optimized conditions-choline chloride and zinc acetate DES at 1:1 M ratio, 1:30 w/v cellulose-to-DES ratio, 640 W microwave power, and 2.5-min hydrolysis-the process yielded pretreated cellulose (PC) with 51.66 % crystallinity index and 95.82 % recovery yield. The PC was then incorporated into carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-based composite films along with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and mushroom powder (MP). The resulting composite films exhibited superior mechanical properties, with CMC/PC/ZnONPs films achieving a tensile strength of 17.18 MPa and toughness of 4.72 MJ/m3. Integration of ZnONPs and MP enhanced UVblocking capabilities while maintaining film transparency. The films demonstrated thermal stability with melting temperatures ranging from 257.5 degrees C to 281.83 degrees C. Notably, PC-containing films showed improved antioxidant activity, with IC50 values of 4.59-8.57 mg/mL for 2,2 '-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and 134.88-1389.15 mg/mL for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. The composite films also exhibited strong antimicrobial properties against common foodborne pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis), with inhibition zones exceeding 15 mm. This research establishes a sustainable approach to waste valorization while advancing the development of multifunctional, eco-friendly food packaging materials.

Spent mushroom substrate (SMS), a nutrient-dense byproduct of mushroom cultivation, has emerged as a promising feedstock for biochar production, offering a sustainable solution to modern agricultural and environmental challenges. This review explores SMS properties, its conversion into biochar, and its various applications. Due to its lignocellulosic structure, high organic matter (OM), and essential nutrients, SMS is ideal for pyrolysis, a process that enhances biochar’s porosity, nutrient retention, and carbon stability. These properties improve soil fertility, water retention, microbial activity, and plant growth while also contributing to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration. SMS-derived biochar stands out for its superior benefits, including a balanced pH, a rich nutrient profile, and the ability to adsorb heavy metals, which mitigates soil and water contamination and minimizes toxic risks in the food chain. By enhancing soil structure, nutrient cycling, and moisture retention, SMS-derived biochar supports sustainable farming practices that reduce chemical fertilizer use and boost climate resilience. Beyond soil applications, SMS-derived biochar is effective in wastewater treatment, mitigating plant diseases, and improving mushroom cultivation substrates, thereby enhancing mycelial growth and productivity. Economically, it is a cost-effective alternative due to the abundant availability and inexpensive nature of SMS. Nevertheless, challenges still exist, particularly in optimizing production methods and ensuring consistency in biochar properties, influenced by variations in pyrolysis conditions and SMS types. Advances in production technology and sustainable practices are vital for scaling up SMS-derived biochar production. This paper emphasizes the transformative potential of SMS-derived biochar, advocating for its integration into circular economy frameworks and sustainable agricultural systems. Recommendations for future research and policy support are provided to maximize the ecological and economic benefits of SMS-derived biochar, fostering its widespread adoption in global agricultural and environmental strategies.

The discovering new fungal strains, optimal production, and understanding the fundamental aspects of exopolysaccharides (EPs) are important to utilize them in an industrial, medical, and biotechnological perspective. In this study, the optimal conditions for EP production from seven basidiomycetous fungal strains were investigated. The results indicated that six fungal species, Schizophyllum commune, Ganoderma fornicatum, G. williamsianum, Earliella scabrosa, Favolus tenuiculus, and Pycnoporus sanguineus, produced the highest EP yield in potato dextrose broth. The highest yield of EPs produced by Lentinus sajor-caju was obtained in mushroom complete medium broth. It was found that a pH value between 6 and 8 in the liquid culture media promoted EP production. The highest EP yield was obtained for 10 to 14 days which depends on fungal strain. Interestingly, this present study revealed the first report of EP production from G. fornicatum, G. williamsianum, E. scabrosa, F. tenuiculus, and P. sanguineus, including the genera Earliella and Favolus. The obtained crude EPs showed water solubilization ability. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy spectra exhibited typical carbohydrate patterns in all crude EPs. Monosaccharide composition analysis revealed that the crude EPs were primarily composed of glucose, followed by fructose, allose, and allulose, with variations depending on the fungal strain. Additionally, crude EPs demonstrated positive antioxidant potential. Finally, we determined the anti-Salmonella and immunomodulatory effects of crude EPs from S. commune, G. fornicatum, and L. sajor-caju due to their high EP yield. Pretreatment of mouse macrophages with these fungal EPs enhanced the phagocytic killing activity of Salmonella-infected macrophages. Upregulations of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in macrophages were detected in the fungal EPs-treated groups. Our study reported the optimizing conditions for EP production from several strains of Basidiomycetous fungi and their potential as an alternative to antibiotics for multidrug-resistant Salmonella infection.

In our previous study, short-chain inulin and inulin neoseries oligosaccharides (SCIINOs) were produced and purified from red onion juice. This study aimed to investigate the effect of SCIINOs on changes in the bacterial composition of fecal microbiota obtained from normal weight, overweight, and obese subjects using in vitro batch fermentation. Fermentation characteristics, including changes in fecal microbiota determined by the V3–V4 region of 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, residual SCIINO content, and the resulting organic acid profiles, were determined. The results indicate that SCIINOs were fermentable, which occurred along with a decrease in the SCIINO content and an increase in lactic, acetic, propionic, and butyric acids. The microbial composition of fecal inoculum influenced the degree of SCIINO fermentation, which was then associated with the fermentation outcomes. Alpha-diversity results revealed that fermentation with and without SCIINOs decreased species richness, evenness, and diversity. Beta-diversity results revealed that fermentation of SCIINOs using all fecal inocula negatively affected the abundance of Escherichia-Shigella and Klebsiella while positively affecting the abundance of Lactococcus. The enrichment of Lactococcus was confirmed by an independent study, indicating that two reference strains of Lactococcus lactis efficiently utilized neokestose and nystose as the major FOS constituent present in SCIINOs.

Leaf litter plays an essential role in the functioning of forest ecosystems. They are a source of organic matter, act as a protective layer in forest soils, and provide a nurturing habitat for micro- and macro-organisms. Through their successional occurrence, litter-inhabiting microfungi play a key role in litter decomposition and nutrient recycling. Despite their importance in terrestrial ecosystems, host tree species and phylogenies' effect on saprobic fungal dominance and diversity are poorly understood. The present study aims to elucidate saprobic leaf-litter fungal taxonomy, phylogeny and diversity in six phylogenetically related host species in Thailand, using morphological characters and multi locus phylogeny. The host species are Dipterocarpus alatus (DA) (Dipterocarpaceae), Nayariophyton zizyphifolium (NZ) and Microcos paniculata (MP) (Malvaceae), Afzelia xylocarpa (AZ), Dalbergia cana (DC), and Dalbergia cultrata (DCul) (Fabaceae), located in Doi Tung, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. The selected host species are mostly native to the East Asian region. We hypothesized that tree host phylogeny significantly influences the diversity of fungal communities, and that each community is unique across phylogenetically distantly related hosts. The study revealed one family, two new genera, 15 new species, 13 new host records, and 11 new geographical records with two new combinations of fungi which are treated in detail. Additional taxa identified, mostly to the genus level, were considered for the statistical analysis. In cases where different taxa within the same genus were found but could not be identified to species, they were treated as distinct taxa (e.g., sp. 1 and sp. 2). The statistical analysis was performed to estimate the diversity and relative abundance of each taxon visualized in heatmaps and cluster analysis. The study evidenced multiple levels of diversity and host-preference existing within leaf litter fungi. The reported taxa belonged to the Dothideomycetes and Sordariomycetes, 25 families and 31 genera. Most of the saprobic fungi exhibited host-exclusivity, meaning they were observed and recorded exclusively on specific host species and not on others. This resulted in a lower occurrence and overlap of fungi among the other host species. Therefore, the saprobic fungi indicated specialization on particular hosts, and the term "specialists" referred to the saprobic fungal taxa that are adapted to thrive on specific host species, rather than generalists that can inhabit multiple host species. Host family level harboured a higher number of unique saprobic taxa than host species level, as evidenced by the statistical analysis. Moreover, the saprobic fungal communities were influenced by seasonal effects during the collecting period. A core group of fungi could be identified as "generalists" observed in all the host species. The study highlights the diversity of saprobes dwelling in the leaf litter of forest ecosystems and reveals their high degree of host species-specificity.