The Applied Mycology Of Fusarium

This 1984 book resulted from a symposium held by the British Mycological Society to bring together the many diverse areas of study of the genus Fusarium. Among the contributors to this volume were scientists working on applied and fundamental aspects of the subject. The book highlights the importance of the genus pathology, animal husbandry, human disease and as biodeteriogens. Yet other Fusarium spp. are sources of useful biochemicals: for example, one species is utilised for the manufacture of microbial protein for human consumption. All these topics are covered in this volume, which with continue to be of interest to a wide range of biologists and students.

This book explores the developments in important aspects of fungi related to the environment, industrial mycology, microbiology, biotechnology, and agriculture. It discusses at length both basic and applied aspects of fungi and provides up-to-date laboratory-based data. Of the estimated three million species of fungi on Earth, according to Hawksworth and coworkers, more than 100,000 have been described to date. Many fungi produce toxins, organic acids, antibiotics and other secondary metabolites, and are sources of useful biocatalysts such as cellulases, xylanases, proteases and pectinases, to mention a few. They can also cause diseases in animals as well as plants and many are able to break down complex organic molecules such as lignin and pollutants like xenobiotics, petroleum and polycyclic aromatic compounds. Current research on mushrooms focuses on their hypoglycemic, anti-cancer, anti-pathogenic and immunity-enhancing activities. This ready-reference resource on various aspects of fungi is intended for graduate and post-graduate students as well as researchers in life sciences, microbiology, botany, environmental sciences and biotechnology.

This 1984 book resulted from a symposium held by the British Mycological Society to bring together the many diverse areas of study of the genus Fusarium. Among the contributors to this volume were scientists working on applied and fundamental aspects of the subject. The book highlights the importance of the genus pathology, animal husbandry, human disease and as biodeteriogens. Yet other Fusarium spp. are sources of useful biochemicals: for example, one species is utilised for the manufacture of microbial protein for human consumption. All these topics are covered in this volume, which with continue to be of interest to a wide range of biologists and students.

This volume supplements the other books on this subject by providing much information that is not readily available elsewhere. It opens with a taxonomy of fungi in foods and feeds and then considers ecology, spoilage, and mycotoxin production by fungi in foods and feeds. This is followed by a series

This book is intended to provide both students and researchers with a broad background to some of the fastest developing areas in current applied mycology. A range of contributions are given to highlight the diverse nature of current applied mycology research. The opening chapter of this volume provides some examples of how mycology is often neglected, and presents a case for considering mycology as a megascience. The subsequent chapters have been loosely grouped into four sections in order to reflect the wider 'customers' or context of the particular mycological areas or activities. In each section, contributions that show either new applications or developments of well-established technology, or novel research into new technology or environments are included. The section on environment, agriculture and forestry is represented by contributions that illustrate novel fungal associations or new aspects of well-known interactions. The section on foods and medicine reflects the long history of applied mycology in the manufacture of alcoholic beverages, with two chapters devoted to beer production and winery spoilage issues. Chapters in the section on biotechnology and emerging science reflect some of the current interests in fungal enzymes and their importance in broader environmental processes and applications.

Introduction; Species key; Methods and media; Fusarium oxysporum; F. solani; F. Moniliforme; F. moniliforme var. subglutinans; F. moniliforme var. anthophilum; F. decemcellulare; F. poae; F. tricinctum; F. equiseti; F. acuminatum; F. lateritium; F. stilboides; F. udum; F xylaroides; F. fusarioides; F. sporotrichioides; F. semitectum; F. avenaceum; F. graminearum; F. heterosporum; F. sulphureum; F. sambucinum; F. sambucinum var. coeruleum; F. culmorum; F. nivale; F. dimerum; F. tabacinum; F. aquaeductuum; F. merismoides.

For the first time in over 20 years, a comprehensive collection of photographs and descriptions of species in the fungal genus Fusarium is available. This laboratory manual provides an overview of the biology of Fusarium and the techniques involved in the isolation, identification and characterization of individual species and the populations in which they occur. It is the first time that genetic, morphological and molecular approaches have been incorporated into a volume devoted to Fusarium identification. The authors include descriptions of species, both new and old, and provide protocols for genetic, morphological and molecular identification techniques. The Fusarium Laboratory Manual also includes some of the evolutionary biology and population genetics thinking that has begun to inform the understanding of agriculturally important fungal pathogens. In addition to practical “how-to” protocols it also provides guidance in formulating questions and obtaining answers about this very important group of fungi. The need for as many different techniques as possible to be used in the identification and characterization process has never been greater. These approaches have applications to fungi other than those in the genus Fusarium. This volume presents an introduction to the genus Fusarium, the toxins these fungi produce and the diseases they can cause. “The Fusarium Laboratory Manual is a milestone in the study of the genus Fusarium and will help bridge the gap between morphological and phylogenetic taxonomy. It will be used by everybody dealing with Fusarium in the Third Millenium.” --W.F.O. Marasas, Medical Research Council, South Africa